USGS Streamgage 08405500
Black River above Malaga, NM
Black River above Malaga, NM is USGS streamgage 08405500 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13060011. It drains a watershed of about 371 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1940. Typical flow runs near 6.8 cfs in July and 8.5 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Drainage area
- 371 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 3,071 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13060011
- Coordinates
- 32.22909, -104.15185
- USGS site number
- 08405500
- Records begin
- 1940-05-22 (86 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 80 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 | 5.2 | 10 | 15 | |
| February | 4.9 | 9.4 | 15.3 | |
| March | 2.8 | 7.1 | 12.5 | |
| April | 5.2 | 8.5 | 12.9 | |
| May | 4.8 | 8 | 12.8 | |
| June | 3.6 | 7.2 | 13.6 | |
| July | 3.4 | 6.8 | 14.8 | |
| August | 3 | 6.2 | 15 | |
| September | 3.3 | 6.7 | 18.4 | |
| October | 3.2 | 7.2 | 12.5 | |
| November | 4.4 | 8.5 | 12.2 | |
| December | 4.9 | 9.2 | 13.4 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Black River above Malaga, NM normally run highest?
- January, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 10 cfs, against 6.2 cfs in August, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Black River above Malaga, NM?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 10 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 5.2 and 15 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Black River above Malaga, NM been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08405500 begin in 1940, about 86 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 Black River above Malaga, NM?
- The gauge sits at 32.22909, -104.15185, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13060011, at an elevation of about 3,071 feet, draining roughly 371 square miles.
- Can I use Black River above Malaga, NM 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.