USGS Streamgage 10079500
Bear River at Alexander, ID
Bear River at Alexander, ID is USGS streamgage 10079500 in Idaho, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 16010202. It drains a watershed of about 4,093 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1857. Typical flow runs near 1,208.7 cfs in July and 681.8 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- Idaho
- Drainage area
- 4,093 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 5,650 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 16010202
- Coordinates
- 42.64491, -111.69831
- USGS site number
- 10079500
- Records begin
- 1857-02-01 (169 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 161 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 | 152.7 | 336.1 | 1,190 | |
| February | 156.1 | 350.3 | 1,174.8 | |
| March | 198.9 | 471.5 | 1,261.9 | |
| April | 226.6 | 681.8 | 1,503.3 | |
| May | 343.7 | 752.5 | 1,695.5 | |
| June | 514.6 | 888.6 | 2,385.3 | |
| July | 742.2 | 1,208.7 | 1,736.1 | |
| August | 633.2 | 1,023.7 | 1,544.5 | |
| September | 269.7 | 648.5 | 1,383.3 | |
| October | 129.3 | 339.7 | 1,251 | |
| November | 151.2 | 355.8 | 1,221.7 | |
| December | 146 | 361.8 | 1,200 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Bear River at Alexander, ID normally run highest?
- July, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 1,208.7 cfs, against 336.1 cfs in January, 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 at Alexander, ID?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 336.1 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 152.7 and 1,190 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Bear River at Alexander, ID been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 10079500 begin in 1857, about 169 years, covering roughly 3,340 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Bear River at Alexander, ID?
- The gauge sits at 42.64491, -111.69831, in Idaho, in hydrologic subbasin 16010202, at an elevation of about 5,650 feet, draining roughly 4,093 square miles.
- Can I use Bear River at Alexander, ID 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.