Jonathan P. Thompson: https://xitter.cf/t.co/ia5kqWjR7g; author of River of Lost Souls, Behind the Slickrock Curtain, Sagebrush Empire; contributing ed. @highcountrynews;
Western U.S. and beyond
Joined September 2008
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The Land Desk retweeted
The San Juan River swells up, spreads destruction
The latest round of storms have moved on, but flooding continues
By @Land_Desk
substack.com/app-link/post?pβ¦
The Land Desk retweeted
Mr. Brightside's Powell Tracker:
San Juan still raging at Bluff:
37,300 CFS
Since storms started 9/15:
Powell up 809,000 AF
Relative to SEP26 Bureau Forecast:
Powell up 900,000 AF or 18 years worth of proposed 50,000 AFY Upper Basin fallowing program.
Powell about to pass Flaming Gorge's readily available storage.
Powell is using USGS instantaneous elevation so is very current.
This is new code, so don't trust it :)
The Land Desk retweeted
π¨π₯πππ‘π§ πππ’π’πππ‘π π¨π£πππ§π: ππ‘ππ§π ππ‘π π π’π‘π§πππ¨π π ππ₯πππ, π¨π§ππ
October 25, 2026 | Emergency Flood Response
Severe flooding continues to threaten communities in Aneth and Montezuma Creek, Utah, as water levels have risen significantly overnight. Approximately 150 people have been evacuated, and officials warn that water levels could rise by as much as 36 feet by 1 p.m. today, creating dangerous conditions for families and residents.
Residents in affected areas are urged to remain alert, follow evacuation instructions and avoid flooded roads, washes and low-lying areas.
ππ ππ₯πππ‘ππ¬ ππ₯ππππ πππ’π¦π¨π₯ππ¦
Emergency personnel are shutting down the following bridges due to dangerous flooding conditions:
β’ Highway 160 Bridge
β’ Bridge on Navajo Route 35 from Red Mesa
Residents are urged to avoid these routes and follow instructions from emergency personnel.
ππ ππ₯πππ‘ππ¬ π¦ππππ§ππ₯ ππ’πππ§ππ’π‘π¦
The following locations are being used to shelter displaced residents:
β’ San Juan High School in Blanding, Utah β Staffed by the American Red Cross
β’ Aneth Community School
ππ‘ππ§π ππ ππ₯πππ‘ππ¬ π’π£ππ₯ππ§ππ’π‘π¦ πππ‘π§ππ₯
For emergency information and assistance, contact the Aneth Emergency Operations Center (EOC):
435-651-3754
The safety of our Navajo people remains the highest priority. Residents are encouraged to follow official emergency instructions, check on loved ones when safe and share this information with families in affected areas.
The Office of the President remains on-site alongside Navajo Department of Emergency Management, Navajo Police Department, Utah Department of Transportation (UDOT), Utah Navajo Health System, Utah Highway Patrol, and San Juan County Sheriffβs Office. Thank you to all for coordinating response efforts, monitoring flood conditions and working to protect families and communities.
Additional updates will be provided as information becomes available.
The Land Desk retweeted
We are getting anither wave of small but pretty violent cells at Arriola.
Good remote reporting by @jfleck.
Farmington Flood.
βThe gage at Bloomfield blew out late Thursday night, reading 13,100 cubic feet per second (cfs) before it failed. Downstream, the wave blew out the gage at the Bolack Ranch Bridge 7 hours later, running at 17,100 cfs. By the time the USGS gage on the San Juan at Farmington blew out Friday afternoon, the river had risen to ~32,600 cfs, the most water recorded there since the 1930s and more than double the biggest peak since Navajo Dam was completed in the early 1960s.β
inkstain.net/2026/10/farmingβ¦
The Land Desk retweeted
The Animas River in Farmington, NM is currently flowing at 12,500 ft/s and in minor flood stage Saturday morning. #NMwx
The Land Desk retweeted
Rescues continue in San Juan County after 20 overnight operations.
The Shiprock Bridge remains closed, and more rain today could cause rivers to rise again. Evacuations remain in place.
Officials warn floodwater is contaminated with sewage.
πΈ Navajo Police Department #NMwx
Now it's at 11,200 cfs. Getting close to the 1970 level, but I don't think it will reach it without another storm. Still, it's filling up the Animas Valley with water (and there are a lot more homes in the floodplain than there were 56 years ago).
The Animas River in Durango just hit 8,700 cfs, the highest level since the flood of Sept. 1970 (11,600 cfs). And it's still rising. That and more on the latest round of storms in today's Land Desk dispatch: open.substack.com/pub/landdeβ¦
The Land Desk retweeted
Friday morning in South Fork. More rain on the way through the weekend. (Photographs by South Fork Fire & Rescue) #SanLuisValley #Colorado
The Land Desk retweeted
π Navajo State Park
Still a lot of water to come down to the park and a lot more rain on the way.
151 from Chimney Rock to Arboles is closed. Wolf Creek pass is closed. 500 Road is closed.
Archuleta County advises to stay sheltered in place.
The Land Desk retweeted
The San Juan River is rising quickly in Shiprock, NM.
The river is forecast to crest at 17.6 feet Friday evening before falling below flood stage late Saturday night.
Officials are urging those along the river to EVACUATE NOW. A shelter is open at McGee Park. #NMwx
The Land Desk retweeted
PUBLIC SAFETY ALERT: ANIMAS RIVER CLOSURE
Friday, October 23, 2026
The Durango Police Department is announcing a temporary closure of the Animas River to recreational boating and floating within the city limits due to ongoing flooding and hazardous river conditions.
Effective at 10:00 AM, the restriction applies to the Animas River from Oxbow Park to Dallabetta Park.
Heavy rainfall and flooding have created dangerous conditions, including powerful currents, rapidly changing water levels, and the potential for debris and other hazards. These conditions pose a serious threat to public safety.
This restriction prohibits recreational boating and floating within the designated area, including rafting, kayaking, canoeing, paddleboarding, and tubing.
This restriction is being issued pursuant to the Colorado Revised Statute.
These provisions authorize law enforcement officers to restrict recreational watercraft operations when documented emergency conditions create a hazard to human life or safety.
Violating a lawfully issued river-use restriction may result in a civil citation.
What We Need From the Public
β’ Do not enter the river for recreational boating or floating.
β’ Stay away from flooded riverbanks and restricted access points.
β’ Keep children and pets away from the water.
β’ Do not attempt to cross flooded trails, roads, or low-water crossings.
β’ Follow posted closure signs and instructions from emergency personnel.
The restriction will remain in effect through October 24, 2026, at 3:00 AM or when the water level drops below 7 feet or 7200 CFS, subject to reassessment. The Durango Police Department and emergency management partners will continue monitoring conditions and provide updates as information becomes available.
We understand the Animas River is an important part of life in Durango. However, current conditions present serious risks, even to experienced river users.
No recreational activity is worth risking your life or the lives of the first responders who may be called to rescue you.
Thank you for helping us keep our community safe.
Durango Police Department
Protect β’ Serve β’ Care
The Animas River in Durango just hit 8,700 cfs, the highest level since the flood of Sept. 1970 (11,600 cfs). And it's still rising. That and more on the latest round of storms in today's Land Desk dispatch: open.substack.com/pub/landdeβ¦
Animas River at Tall Timbers (upstream from Bakers Bridge) is now running at 6,010 cfs (BIG!). That flow will be augmented by Hermosa Creek (currently 1,400 cfs) before entering the Animas Valley, where the river will surely jump its banks before reaching Durango.
San Juan River downstream from Bluff hit 14,800 cfs last night, it's highest level since 2013. More rain coming today. nwis.waterdata.usgs.gov/ut/nβ¦
San Juan River at Bluff just hit 11,100 cfs and rising. That'll give Lake Powell a bit of a boost. waterdata.usgs.gov/monitorinβ¦
The Land Desk retweeted
A strong Pacific weather system will bring a deep surge of moisture to the southwestern US Wednesday and Thursday, with periods of widespread showers and thunderstorms expected. A Flood Watch is in already effect for Wednesday and Thursday in much of Arizona. Monitor weather.gov for the latest.
ALT A Slight Risk (yellow, at least 15% chance) covers much of Arizona, including Phoenix, extending into southern Utah and western New Mexico. A separate Slight Risk area affects portions of coastal Southern California. A broader Marginal Risk (green, at least 5% chance) extends across portions of California, Nevada, Arizona, Utah, and New Mexico.
ALT The Slight Risk shifts eastward, covering portions of eastern Nevada, southern Utah, much of Arizona, and western New Mexico, including Phoenix. A broader Marginal Risk encompasses surrounding areas of Nevada, Utah, Arizona, and New Mexico, with a separate area near coastal Southern California.
The Land Desk retweeted
The National Congress of American Indians is calling for the Senate permitting deal to be killed, due to changes to Section 106 of NHPA.
βThis bill needs to be killed,β NCAI President Mark Macarro said. βThis is one of those extreme existential threats thatβs in front of us."
The Land Desk retweeted
βArizona Department of Water Resources Director Tom Buschatzke announced Friday that the state filed a motion to intervene in a lawsuit by the neighboring state.β
βthe federal plan βwould devastate Arizonaβs economy.β
latimes.com/environment/storβ¦
The Land Desk retweeted
Just in: El Nino looms large over U.S. Winter Outlook
Expected impacts include warmer North, wetter South and East
--> News release + map images at noaa.gov/news-release/el-ninβ¦
Via @NWS @NWSCPC
#WinterOutlook #ElNino
NEWSWIRE: The soaking of the Southwest continues, plus a lot more, and the Animas River in Durango hits its yearly peak (nearly 2x spring runoff) @Land_Desk open.substack.com/pub/landdeβ¦
