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Great Sand Dunes National Park and PreserveGreat Sand Dunes and Medano Creek
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Great Sand Dunes National Park and Preserve
Medano Creek
Children from Sangre de Cristo School, Medano Creek, May 19, 2009

NPS/Patrick Myers

Children in Medano Creek during the 2009 peak flow on May 19

Current Medano Creek Conditions

March 2010

Medano Creek is still mostly frozen about 1.5 miles above the dunes parking area, but on warmer days the ice is melting and a little water is trickling down from the ice.

2010 Creek Flow Predictions, Snowpack, Current Creek Flow, and Other Data

Current Medano Pass snowpack as of March 20, 2010 is 73% of average. Unless snowpack increases significantly during March and April, Medano Creek's flow around the dunes will be lower than average this year. The snowstorms that have hit southern Colorado have largely missed the eastern San Luis Valley.

For the latest snowpack info for Medano Creek's watershed, view a Colorado map showing all snotel sites in Colorado, with current snowpack percentages. "Refresh" or "Reload" the page if the map reads an earlier date. The primary way that snowpack is measured is the Snow Water Equivalent, as a percentage of average. Medano Pass is the middle of the three triangles shown northeast of Alamosa. This measurement at the end of April reflects the approximate percentage of average that Medano Creek's flow will be for the season.

The Medano Pass Snotel Graph shows how Medano Creek's watershed is building up snowpack as compared with 1) the previous year, and 2) a 30-year average. The data is from a satellite-linked snow-measuring station near Medano Pass above Great Sand Dunes. Medano Creek's flow is primarily the result of snowmelt from this watershed. View general information on the Medano Pass Snotel.  

See the current cubic feet per second (cfs) flow of Medano Creek. This current flow chart is shown as a graph over the past month. Peak flow for an average season is about 40 cfs (cubic feet per second).

The Great Sand Dunes webcam shows a view from the Visitor Center. When Medano Creek is flowing, you can see it in the flat area at the base of the dunes during daylight hours.  

 
Child in Medano Crek

NPS Photo by Patrick Myers

A child prepares to "catch a wave" in Medano Creek.

How do you pronounce "Medano"?

Médano is a Spanish word that means "sand dune". It is pronounced "MED-ah-no". In the original Spanish there is an accent on the é.

Medano Creek Month by Month

Below are some tips of what to expect in an average year. Years of unusually high or low snowpack will mean longer or shorter creek flow, and deeper or shallower levels. Throughout the season, creek flow is highest at dawn, and lowest at dusk.

April is often one of the snowiest months at Great Sand Dunes, but there can also be some sunny days with highs in the 60s. Spring is the windy season throughout the southwest, especially afternoons, though mornings are usually calm. The creek begins to trickle down as the snow on the Sangre de Cristo Mountains melts. By late April the creek may be a few inches deep. Cottonwood trees and willows along the creek are usually not yet leafed out.

Mid-to-late May is usually the peak of Medano Creek's annual flow. While it is still springtime and winds may arise, especially in the afternoon, May temperatures are usually moderate, with highs in the 60s-70s F. Trees and bushes along the creek begin to leaf out. While there are a few "no-see-ums" (tiny biting gnats), mosquitoes are rarely out in May. May is the best opportunity to experience "surge flow", where waves up to about 12" (20 cm) high flow down across the sand. In wet years with good peak runoff, young children can float down the waves on flat inflatable toys. Because of the creek's popularity, May and June weekends are often very crowded, sometimes including lines of traffic, overflowing parking lots, and a crowded beach area. If possible, try to avoid these weekends to have a better experience of the park. 

June brings warmer temperatures for water play, but also mosquitoes. Go away from vegetation, upstream, and on the far side of the creek to avoid the majority of mosquitoes. Mosquitoes don't like open sand, but prefer to be near shady bushes and trees. As the water level decreases, it also increases in temperature, making it more comfortable for extended play. Because of the creek's popularity, May and June weekends are often very crowded, sometimes including lines of traffic, overflowing parking lots, and a crowded beach area. If possible, try to avoid these weekends to have a better experience of the park. 

In July, unless there is a high snowpack or significant ongoing rains, the creek will usually begin to retreat back toward the mountains, drying up at the main visitor area near the Dunes Parking Lot. The creek will usually continue to gently flow along the eastern edge of the dunefield, near the Castle Creek picnic area. Castle Creek is accessible by high clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road. Visitors may also access the creek late summer by hiking approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) up the creekbed from the Dunes Parking Lot, or approximately 0.7 miles (1km) from the Point of No Return parking area. Mosquitoes begin to decrease after the water retreats. July is the warmest month at the park, with average highs in the low 80s F.

In August and September, the creek is usually completely gone from the main visitor area near the Dunes Parking Lot. It will usually continue to gently flow along the eastern edge of the dunefield, near the Castle Creek picnic area. Castle Creek is accessible by high clearance 4WD vehicle on the Medano Pass Primitive Road. Visitors may also access the creek late summer by hiking approximately 2 miles (3.5 km) up the creekbed from the Dunes Parking Lot, or approximately 0.7 miles (1km) from the Point of No Return parking area. Mosquitoes usually disappear along with the creek.    

 
Skimboarders on Medano Creek

Photo courtesy Nathan Salley. Used by permission.

Two skimboarders try their sport on Medano Creek.

Medano Creek Activities

Depending on water level, visitors may do any non-motorized and non-mechanized activities in the creek, including splashing, surfing, wading, skimboarding, floating (works only in small raft or tube with a child at peak runoff), sand castle building, and sand sculpting. 

To protect this riparian habitat, please do not disturb living plants or animals, and keep water resources clean.    

Upper Sand Creek Lake  

Did You Know?
Alpine lakes such as Upper Sand Creek Lake are part of the mountain watershed of Great Sand Dunes, and provide a dramatic contrast to the stark dunefield.
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Last Updated: March 20, 2010 at 17:11 EST