USGS Streamgage 11424000
Bear River near Wheatland, CA
Bear River near Wheatland, CA is USGS streamgage 11424000 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18020126. It drains a watershed of about 292 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1928. Typical flow runs near 18.1 cfs in July and 546.5 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 292 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 73 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18020126
- Coordinates
- 39.00015, -121.40659
- USGS site number
- 11424000
- Records begin
- 1928-10-23 (98 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 61 years of data), averaged within each month. These describe the historical normal range — they are not a forecast and not today's reading.
| Month | Low p10 | Typical p50 | High p90 | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 12.1 | 154.9 | 2,567.7 | |
| February | 13.1 | 682.9 | 2,791.4 | |
| March | 13.6 | 823 | 2,646.8 | |
| April | 24.9 | 546.5 | 1,706.3 | |
| May | 22.2 | 48.2 | 778.9 | |
| June | 13.2 | 33.1 | 205.9 | |
| July | 10.4 | 18.1 | 96.9 | |
| August | 10 | 18.9 | 106.5 | |
| September | 8.5 | 15.1 | 43.1 | |
| October | 5.8 | 13.8 | 29.3 | |
| November | 8.3 | 15.5 | 131.4 | |
| December | 10 | 18.1 | 1,263.7 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Bear River near Wheatland, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 823 cfs, against 13.8 cfs in October, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Bear River near Wheatland, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 154.9 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 12.1 and 2,567.7 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Bear River near Wheatland, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11424000 begin in 1928, about 98 years, covering roughly 9,126 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Bear River near Wheatland, CA?
- The gauge sits at 39.00015, -121.40659, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18020126, at an elevation of about 73 feet, draining roughly 292 square miles.
- Can I use Bear River near Wheatland, CA data for flood or safety decisions?
- No. Rivermatics provides estimates, not guarantees, and the readings and forecasts here may be delayed, inaccurate, or wrong. Do not use them for navigation or for any safety, rescue, or emergency decision. Check the National Weather Service and USGS directly, and use your own judgment.
Other gauges in this subbasin
- Dry C near Wheatland, CA
- Bear River near Emigrant Gap, CA
- Dutch Flat No 2 Flume near Blue Canyon, CA
- Bear River below Drum Afterbay near Blue Canyon, CA
- Chicago Park Flume near Dutch Flat, CA
- Bear River below Dutch Flat Afterbay near Dutch Flat, CA
- Bear River Canal Intake near Colfax, CA
- Bear River below Rollins Dam near Colfax, CA