USGS Streamgage 12452500
Chelan River at Chelan, WA
Chelan River at Chelan, WA is USGS streamgage 12452500 in Washington, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 17020009. It sits on the Chelan River, alongside 1 other gauge Rivermatics tracks on the same river. It drains a watershed of about 924 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1903. Typical flow runs near 2,939.4 cfs in July and 1,274 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- Washington
- Drainage area
- 924 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 1,123 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 17020009
- Coordinates
- 47.83529, -120.00964
- USGS site number
- 12452500
- Records begin
- 1903-11-01 (123 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 123 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 | 510 | 2,050 | 2,374.8 | |
| February | 429.7 | 1,886.9 | 2,398.6 | |
| March | 333.5 | 1,522.3 | 2,266.1 | |
| April | 101.4 | 1,274 | 2,499 | |
| May | 115.5 | 1,974.5 | 5,387.4 | |
| June | 597.1 | 3,300.7 | 7,747.7 | |
| July | 1,479.4 | 2,939.4 | 5,989.7 | |
| August | 732.8 | 1,691.6 | 2,688.1 | |
| September | 626.5 | 1,582.7 | 2,214.3 | |
| October | 687.3 | 2,049 | 2,437.4 | |
| November | 579.3 | 2,082.3 | 2,447 | |
| December | 569.2 | 2,078.1 | 2,397.7 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Chelan River at Chelan, WA normally run highest?
- June, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 3,300.7 cfs, against 1,274 cfs in April, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Chelan River at Chelan, WA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 2,050 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 510 and 2,374.8 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Chelan River at Chelan, WA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 12452500 begin in 1903, about 123 years, covering roughly 9,173 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Chelan River at Chelan, WA?
- The gauge sits at 47.83529, -120.00964, in Washington, in hydrologic subbasin 17020009, at an elevation of about 1,123 feet, draining roughly 924 square miles.
- Can I use Chelan River at Chelan, WA 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.
Upstream and downstream on the Chelan River
Every gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river, ordered by drainage area — upstream first. See the Chelan River in full.
- Chelan River at Chelan, WA this page
- Chelan River at Habitat 4 Channel at Chelan Falls, WA