USGS Streamgage 11390000
Butte C near Chico, CA
Butte C near Chico, CA is USGS streamgage 11390000 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18020158. It drains a watershed of about 147 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1930. Typical flow runs near 152.6 cfs in July and 537.3 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 147 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 321 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18020158
- Coordinates
- 39.726, -121.70886
- USGS site number
- 11390000
- Records begin
- 1930-10-01 (96 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 96 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 | 126.8 | 328.3 | 1,547.3 | |
| February | 183.8 | 473.3 | 1,759.3 | |
| March | 273.1 | 557.1 | 1,498.4 | |
| April | 267.3 | 537.3 | 1,213.7 | |
| May | 188.5 | 401.6 | 876.5 | |
| June | 138.9 | 241.7 | 473.1 | |
| July | 100.6 | 152.6 | 238.8 | |
| August | 88.7 | 127.6 | 183.3 | |
| September | 70.9 | 115.5 | 161.3 | |
| October | 75 | 115.8 | 181.6 | |
| November | 91.1 | 140.5 | 357.5 | |
| December | 107.2 | 203.9 | 1,075.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Butte C near Chico, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 557.1 cfs, against 115.5 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 Butte C near Chico, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 328.3 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 126.8 and 1,547.3 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Butte C near Chico, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11390000 begin in 1930, about 96 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 Butte C near Chico, CA?
- The gauge sits at 39.726, -121.70886, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18020158, at an elevation of about 321 feet, draining roughly 147 square miles.
- Can I use Butte C near Chico, 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
- Western Cn A Intake near Oroville, CA
- Richvale Cn A Intake near Oroville, CA
- Pge Lateral A Intake near Oroville, CA
- Butte C below Diversion Dam near Stirling City
- Butte C below Fks of Butte Diversion Dam near de Sabla, CA
- Butte C below Centerville Diversion Dam near Paradise, CA
- Toadtown Canal Ab Butte Canal near Stirling City, CA