USGS Streamgage 12438000
Columbia River at Bridgeport, WA
Columbia River at Bridgeport, WA is USGS streamgage 12438000 in Washington, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 17020005. It sits on the Columbia River, alongside 12 other gauges Rivermatics tracks on the same river. It drains a watershed of about 75,700 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1952. Typical flow runs near 132,967.7 cfs in July and 99,590 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- Washington
- Drainage area
- 75,700 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 795 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 17020005
- Coordinates
- 48.00653, -119.66533
- USGS site number
- 12438000
- Records begin
- 1952-04-01 (74 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 75 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 | 58,467.7 | 96,445.2 | 142,838.7 | |
| February | 61,231 | 94,075.9 | 144,379.3 | |
| March | 56,416.1 | 89,258.1 | 142,935.5 | |
| April | 58,326.7 | 99,590 | 161,033.3 | |
| May | 80,800 | 136,580.6 | 223,129 | |
| June | 85,986.7 | 155,233.3 | 321,433.3 | |
| July | 78,677.4 | 132,967.7 | 233,741.9 | |
| August | 72,945.2 | 103,032.3 | 144,000 | |
| September | 50,210 | 70,933.3 | 97,543.3 | |
| October | 49,909.7 | 69,019.4 | 94,564.5 | |
| November | 55,650 | 81,863.3 | 106,520 | |
| December | 55,583.9 | 90,077.4 | 128,709.7 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Columbia River at Bridgeport, WA normally run highest?
- June, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 155,233.3 cfs, against 69,019.4 cfs in October, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Columbia River at Bridgeport, WA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 96,445.2 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 58,467.7 and 142,838.7 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Columbia River at Bridgeport, WA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 12438000 begin in 1952, about 74 years, covering roughly 9,200 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Columbia River at Bridgeport, WA?
- The gauge sits at 48.00653, -119.66533, in Washington, in hydrologic subbasin 17020005, at an elevation of about 795 feet, draining roughly 75,700 square miles.
- Can I use Columbia River at Bridgeport, 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 Columbia River
Every gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river, ordered by drainage area — upstream first. See the Columbia River in full.
- Columbia River at International Boundary 59,700 sq mi
- Columbia River at Grand Coulee, WA 74,700 sq mi
- Columbia River at Bridgeport, WA this page
- Columbia River below Wells Dam, WA 86,100 sq mi
- Columbia River at Rocky Reach Dam, WA 87,800 sq mi
- Columbia River below Rock Island Dam, WA 89,400 sq mi
- Columbia River below Priest Rapids Dam, WA 96,000 sq mi
- Columbia River at McNary Dam,Near Umatilla, OR 214,000 sq mi
- Columbia River at the Dalles, OR 237,000 sq mi
- Columbia River below Bonneville Dam, OR 239,900 sq mi
- Columbia River at Bonneville Dam Forebay, WA
- Columbia River at Cascade Island, WA
- Columbia River at the Dalles Dam Forebay, WA