USGS Streamgage 11143000
Big Sur River near Big Sur, CA
Big Sur River near Big Sur, CA is USGS streamgage 11143000 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18060006. It drains a watershed of about 47 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1950. Typical flow runs near 20.8 cfs in July and 78.9 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 47 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 58 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18060006
- Coordinates
- 36.24576, -121.77323
- USGS site number
- 11143000
- Records begin
- 1950-03-24 (76 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 77 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 | 18.4 | 79.2 | 704.1 | |
| February | 27.1 | 114.1 | 716.8 | |
| March | 32.2 | 122.4 | 536.1 | |
| April | 24.9 | 78.9 | 297.9 | |
| May | 16.9 | 49.1 | 135.3 | |
| June | 11.7 | 30.9 | 71.6 | |
| July | 8.2 | 20.8 | 44.8 | |
| August | 7 | 15.6 | 32.2 | |
| September | 6.7 | 14 | 25.1 | |
| October | 7.5 | 15.3 | 27.1 | |
| November | 10.7 | 19.6 | 70 | |
| December | 13.8 | 36.4 | 282.3 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Big Sur River near Big Sur, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 122.4 cfs, against 14 cfs in September, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Big Sur River near Big Sur, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 79.2 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 18.4 and 704.1 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Big Sur River near Big Sur, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11143000 begin in 1950, about 76 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 Big Sur River near Big Sur, CA?
- The gauge sits at 36.24576, -121.77323, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18060006, at an elevation of about 58 feet, draining roughly 47 square miles.
- Can I use Big Sur River near Big Sur, 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.