River stage
Lawson, Clear Creek
- River level
- 2.68 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.00 ft
- Recent high
- 3.51 ft
- Recent low
- 2.67 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS IDOC2
- 30-day change
- +0.00 ft
- Average
- 2.89 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 7.11 ft
In brief
The Clear Creek at Lawson, CO read 2.68 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 4.32 ft below action stage. That is unchanged from 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge IDOC2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 7.11 ft | 2011-07-08 |
| 2 | 7.11 ft | 1995-06-18 |
| 3 | 7.04 ft | 2003-05-31 |
| 4 | 6.76 ft | 1997-06-22 |
| 5 | 6.59 ft | 2015-06-12 |
| 6 | 6.43 ft | 2010-06-07 |
| 7 | 6.42 ft | 1983-06-26 |
| 8 | 6.37 ft | 2014-06-03 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 7.00 ft
Water overflows into low lying areas along the creek between Lawson and Idaho springs.
- 7.50 ft
Homes and businesses begin to flood in Idaho Springs.
- 7.80 ft
This level represents a flood that has a 10-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
- 8.50 ft
There is moderate flooding in Idaho Springs. Homes begin to flood in Lawson.
- 9.10 ft
There is flooding and damage to U.S. Highway 6 in Clear Creek Canyon. This level represents a flood that has a 2-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
- 9.60 ft
There is widespread major flooding of secondary roads, bridges, homes and businesses. This level represents a flood that has a 1-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
- 10.90 ft
Major life threatening flooding occurs with extensive damage to Interstate 70 between Lawson and Idaho Springs. This level represents a flood that has a 0.2-percent chance of being equaled or exceeded in any given year. For more information click <a href="inundation/faq_google.php">here</a>.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Clear Creek flooding at Lawson?
No. The Clear Creek at Lawson is at 2.68 ft, 4.32 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Lawson?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 7 ft, minor flooding 7.5 ft, moderate flooding 8.5 ft and major flooding 9.5 ft.
What is the highest the Clear Creek has been at Lawson?
The highest crest on record is 7.11 ft, on 2011-07-08.
Is the Clear Creek high or low right now at Lawson?
At 2.68 ft it is higher than 2% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge IDOC2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 06716500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.