USGS Streamgage 08403500
Carlsbad Main Canal at Head near Carlsbad, NM
Carlsbad Main Canal at Head near Carlsbad, NM is USGS streamgage 08403500 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13060011. Discharge records at this site go back to 1939. Typical flow runs near 189.8 cfs in July and 220.7 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Gauge elevation
- 3,142 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13060011
- Coordinates
- 32.49039, -104.25273
- USGS site number
- 08403500
- Records begin
- 1939-07-01 (87 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 87 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 | 0 | 0 | 3.9 | |
| February | 0 | 0 | 48.7 | |
| March | 0 | 53 | 178.8 | |
| April | 87.4 | 220.7 | 350.3 | |
| May | 1.1 | 136.7 | 260.8 | |
| June | 0 | 165.7 | 312 | |
| July | 0 | 189.8 | 345.7 | |
| August | 0 | 181.4 | 353.2 | |
| September | 0 | 132.5 | 266.5 | |
| October | 0 | 84.5 | 218.7 | |
| November | 0 | 0 | 3 | |
| December | 0 | 0 | 0.1 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Carlsbad Main Canal at Head near Carlsbad, NM normally run highest?
- April, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 220.7 cfs, against 0 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 Carlsbad Main Canal at Head near Carlsbad, NM?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 0 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0 and 3.9 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Carlsbad Main Canal at Head near Carlsbad, NM been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08403500 begin in 1939, about 87 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 Carlsbad Main Canal at Head near Carlsbad, NM?
- The gauge sits at 32.49039, -104.25273, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13060011, at an elevation of about 3,142 feet.
- Can I use Carlsbad Main Canal at Head near Carlsbad, 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.
Other gauges in this subbasin
- Pecos River below Avalon Dam, NM
- Dark Canyon Draw near Whites City, NM
- Dark Canyon at Carlsbad, NM
- Pecos River below Dark Canyon at Carlsbad, NM
- Black River below Blue Springs near Whites City, NM
- Black River at Harkey Crossing near Malaga, NM
- Blue Springs above Diversions near Whites City, NM
- Black River above Malaga, NM