In-town access points
The local fishing guide identifies access behind the River Center, at Town Park, by the Visitor Center, and at Yamaguchi Park. Use designated access and parking, follow posted signs, and respect adjacent private property.
Live river report · San Juan River
A live Pagosa Springs fishing report with San Juan River flow, nearby water temperature, weather, forecasts, and a year of official history—automatically updated hourly.
Live river desk
USGS reading from
Current data recap
The San Juan River in Pagosa Springs is flowing at 60.1 CFS. That is up 38.9 CFS (183.5%) from seven days ago.
The historical median daily mean for September 15 is 94 CFS from 90 approved daily observations. The current instantaneous reading is 36.1% below that seasonal reference.
The nearby USGS water-temperature station reports 63.9°F as of Sep 15, 10:30 AM MDT. During the 24 hours ending with that observation, readings ranged from 61.2°F to 73.6°F.
NOAA's modeled 24-hour outlook is 31 CFS, 48.4% lower than the current reading. NWS reports 65°F and mostly sunny, with winds 0 mph and 13% chance of precipitation. Air temperatures are forecast between 44° and 78°F over the next 24 hours with precipitation chances reaching 75%. Thunderstorms appear in the hourly forecast, so check timing before heading out.
Before you go: Colorado Parks and Wildlife currently lists a fishing closure - voluntary for the San Juan River. Read and follow the official restriction before fishing.
Automatically assembled from the official data below. This recap cannot assess water clarity, hatches, current access conditions, temperatures between sensor locations, or how actively fish are feeding. USGS historical statistics methodology.
+38.9 CFS
USGS station 09342500
USGS station 09342600
Measured discharge
Cubic feet per second at the Pagosa Springs gauge
Looking downstream · NOAA
Forecast discharge at the Pagosa gauge. These are modeled values, not guaranteed conditions.
Forecast issued .
Open NOAA hydrographDaily river data
Compare daily San Juan River flow with the nearby USGS water-temperature range. The newest seven dates are shown first; expand the table for the full 30-day record.
| Date | Daily average | Low–high | Latest / close | Daily change | Water temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| So far | 47.4 CFS | 34.8–65.1 CFS | 60.1 CFS | +25.3 CFS | 61.2–67.3°Flatest 63.9° |
| 29.5 CFS | 22.2–34.8 CFS | 34.8 CFS | +8.8 CFS | 65.5–73.6°Flatest 67.5° | |
| 22.3 CFS | 16.3–31.3 CFS | 26 CFS | +4.8 CFS | 65.1–77.5°Flatest 69.4° | |
| 20.2 CFS | 16.3–23.1 CFS | 21.2 CFS | 0 CFS | 63–79°Flatest 71.6° | |
| 20.4 CFS | 16.3–25 CFS | 21.2 CFS | 0 CFS | 61.5–74.5°Flatest 68.4° | |
| 20.8 CFS | 17–24 CFS | 21.2 CFS | −1 CFS | 63.7–78.4°Flatest 69.8° | |
| 20.7 CFS | 17–24 CFS | 22.2 CFS | 0 CFS | 65.7–80.2°Flatest 71.6° |
| Date | Daily average | Low–high | Latest / close | Daily change | Water temperature |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 24.1 CFS | 20.4–29.1 CFS | 22.2 CFS | −2.8 CFS | 67.5–79°Flatest 72.3° | |
| 24.6 CFS | 20.4–27 CFS | 25 CFS | −1 CFS | 67.6–79°Flatest 72.3° | |
| 24.8 CFS | 19.5–27 CFS | 26 CFS | 0 CFS | 64.4–78.8°Flatest 72.1° | |
| 24.8 CFS | 20.4–28.1 CFS | 26 CFS | +2 CFS | 65.3–78.3°Flatest 71.4° | |
| 31.8 CFS | 23.1–41 CFS | 24 CFS | −17 CFS | 63.7–77.9°Flatest 72° | |
| 28.3 CFS | 17.8–43.7 CFS | 41 CFS | +16 CFS | 64.4–76.8°Flatest 68.4° | |
| 18.1 CFS | 11.4–26 CFS | 25 CFS | +8 CFS | 64–76.6°Flatest 71.6° | |
| 15 CFS | 11.4–18.7 CFS | 17 CFS | +2.9 CFS | 65.8–78.1°Flatest 71.2° | |
| 14.2 CFS | 10.8–15.5 CFS | 14.1 CFS | −0.7 CFS | 67.5–75.9°Flatest 70° | |
| 14.8 CFS | 10.8–17.8 CFS | 14.8 CFS | −2.2 CFS | 66.7–78.3°Flatest 71.8° | |
| 16.6 CFS | 13.4–18.7 CFS | 17 CFS | 0 CFS | 67.1–77.9°Flatest 71.1° | |
| 16.4 CFS | 12.7–19.5 CFS | 17 CFS | 0 CFS | 64.2–79.2°Flatest 72° | |
| 15.4 CFS | 11.4–17.8 CFS | 17 CFS | +0.7 CFS | 65.1–76.8°Flatest 70° | |
| 15.4 CFS | 10.8–18.7 CFS | 16.3 CFS | −1.5 CFS | 64.9–79.7°Flatest 70.7° | |
| 24.3 CFS | 17.8–32.4 CFS | 17.8 CFS | −13.5 CFS | 65.7–79.7°Flatest 72.3° | |
| 21.3 CFS | 11.4–32.4 CFS | 31.3 CFS | +16.5 CFS | 66.2–81°Flatest 70.7° | |
| 13.7 CFS | 10.2–17 CFS | 14.8 CFS | 0 CFS | 68.4–81.5°Flatest 72.7° | |
| 14 CFS | 10.2–18.7 CFS | 14.8 CFS | −3.9 CFS | 65.3–80.8°Flatest 73.4° | |
| 17 CFS | 12–21.2 CFS | 18.7 CFS | +1.7 CFS | 65.8–81°Flatest 70.5° | |
| 14.9 CFS | 11.4–17 CFS | 17 CFS | +2.9 CFS | 68.4–78.8°Flatest 70.5° | |
| 14.4 CFS | 10.8–17 CFS | 14.1 CFS | −0.7 CFS | 68–80.1°Flatest 72.9° | |
| 16.1 CFS | 12.7–19.5 CFS | 14.8 CFS | −3 CFS | 67.1–82.9°Flatest 75.2° | |
| 16.5 CFS | 12.7–18.7 CFS | 17.8 CFS | +1.5 CFS | 65.5–81.7°Flatest 74.5° |
How it is calculated: Daily average, minimum, and maximum use every valid USGS discharge reading available for that Mountain Time date. Latest / close is the final available reading for the day.
About today: The current date is incomplete and marked “So far.” Daily change compares each date’s latest reading with the previous date’s latest reading. Values may be revised by USGS.
Water temperature: Daily low and high use readings from separate USGS station 09342600 near County Road 119. A dash means that station did not report for the date.
Plan before you cast
Pagosa Springs has designated public access along the in-town San Juan River, but public and private stretches can sit close together. Check signs at each location and do not use private banks or crossings without permission.
The local fishing guide identifies access behind the River Center, at Town Park, by the Visitor Center, and at Yamaguchi Park. Use designated access and parking, follow posted signs, and respect adjacent private property.
Anglers age 16 and older need a valid Colorado fishing license. Rules, closures, and season details can change, so verify current Colorado Parks and Wildlife information before fishing.
Read it honestly
Published by Pagosa Troutfitters, a local Pagosa Springs guide service. The recap is assembled automatically from the official sources shown above; it does not use guide field notes or claim conditions the instruments cannot measure.
River conditions explained
Yes. The page retrieves the newest available measurements from USGS station 09342500 at Pagosa Springs and refreshes its cached data hourly. It is near-real-time monitoring data, not a second-by-second feed, and USGS may revise provisional readings.
CFS means cubic feet per second. It measures how much water passes the gauge each second. Comparing today's CFS with the historical median and recent trend is more informative than treating one flow number as good or bad by itself.
The current instantaneous reading is 60.1 CFS. The historical median daily mean for this calendar date is 94 CFS, based on 90 approved daily observations. These are different measurement types, so the comparison provides seasonal context rather than a fishing-quality rating.
The separate USGS station near County Road 119 reports 63.9°F as of Tue, Sep 15, 10:30 AM MDT. During the 24 hours ending with that observation, readings ranged from 61.2°F to 73.6°F.
Yes. Colorado Parks and Wildlife currently lists a fishing closure - voluntary for the San Juan River through Pagosa Springs. Because of low water levels and water temperatures reaching 71 degrees, effective July 13, 2026 there will be a voluntary afternoon fishing closure on the San Juan River through Pagosa Springs from the Highway160 & 84 intersection downstream to Yamaguichi Park. The closure will be in effect from noon to midnight each day until further notice.
The local fishing guide identifies public access behind the River Center, at Town Park, by the Visitor Center, and at Yamaguchi Park. Use designated access and parking, follow posted signs, and respect private property along the river.
Anglers age 16 and older need a valid Colorado fishing license. Anglers under 16 can fish without a license. Check Colorado Parks and Wildlife for current license details, regulations, and closures before fishing.
It is the automated river-data portion of a fishing report. Flow, historical context, weather, and trend help with planning, but they do not reveal water clarity, temperature at the gauge, current hatches, productive flies, or how actively trout are feeding.
Pagosa Troutfitters, a local fly-fishing guide service based in Pagosa Springs, publishes this report. The recap is assembled automatically from official USGS, NOAA, National Weather Service, and Colorado Parks and Wildlife data. It does not use guide field notes or claim to observe water clarity, hatches, fly selection, or fish activity.
USGS station 09342500 measures the San Juan River at Pagosa Springs, Colorado. Gauge height describes the water level at that monitoring location; it is not the depth of every run, riffle, or fishing access point.
Need help planning?
Conditions can change quickly. Ask about current trip availability and whether the in-town San Juan or private water is the better fit for your group.