USGS Streamgage 08254000
Costilla Creek below Costilla Dam, NM
Costilla Creek below Costilla Dam, NM is USGS streamgage 08254000 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13020101. It drains a watershed of about 55 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1937. Typical flow runs near 60.1 cfs in July and 0.2 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Drainage area
- 55 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 9,300 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13020101
- Coordinates
- 36.87281, -105.28367
- USGS site number
- 08254000
- Records begin
- 1937-04-09 (89 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 89 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 | 0.6 | |
| February | 0 | 0 | 0.6 | |
| March | 0 | 0.1 | 6.3 | |
| April | 0 | 0.2 | 10.4 | |
| May | 0.1 | 11.7 | 68.8 | |
| June | 12.6 | 55.5 | 110.8 | |
| July | 15.9 | 60.1 | 125.2 | |
| August | 10.2 | 44 | 108.1 | |
| September | 3.1 | 20.4 | 60.4 | |
| October | 0 | 0.3 | 9.4 | |
| November | 0 | 0.1 | 2.8 | |
| December | 0 | 0 | 0.7 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Costilla Creek below Costilla Dam, NM normally run highest?
- July, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 60.1 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 Costilla Creek below Costilla Dam, 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 0.6 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Costilla Creek below Costilla Dam, NM been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08254000 begin in 1937, about 89 years, covering roughly 4,473 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Costilla Creek below Costilla Dam, NM?
- The gauge sits at 36.87281, -105.28367, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13020101, at an elevation of about 9,300 feet, draining roughly 55 square miles.
- Can I use Costilla Creek below Costilla Dam, 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.