USGS Streamgage 11143250
Carmel River near Carmel, CA
Carmel River near Carmel, CA is USGS streamgage 11143250 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18060006. It drains a watershed of about 247 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1962. Typical flow runs near 0.2 cfs in July and 83.1 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 247 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 30 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18060006
- Coordinates
- 36.53909, -121.88046
- USGS site number
- 11143250
- Records begin
- 1962-08-01 (64 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 64 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 | 55.6 | 696.2 | |
| February | 1 | 110 | 1,036.6 | |
| March | 0.7 | 143 | 751.3 | |
| April | 2.8 | 83.1 | 438.6 | |
| May | 0 | 33.5 | 156.2 | |
| June | 0 | 5.8 | 65.9 | |
| July | 0 | 0.2 | 24.4 | |
| August | 0 | 0 | 7.4 | |
| September | 0 | 0 | 3.7 | |
| October | 0 | 0 | 6.2 | |
| November | 0 | 0 | 16.5 | |
| December | 0 | 7.7 | 181.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Carmel River near Carmel, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 143 cfs, against 0 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 Carmel River near Carmel, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 55.6 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0 and 696.2 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Carmel River near Carmel, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11143250 begin in 1962, about 64 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 Carmel River near Carmel, CA?
- The gauge sits at 36.53909, -121.88046, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18060006, at an elevation of about 30 feet, draining roughly 247 square miles.
- Can I use Carmel River near Carmel, 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.