USGS Streamgage 08255500
Costilla Creek near Costilla, NM
Costilla Creek near Costilla, NM is USGS streamgage 08255500 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13020101. It drains a watershed of about 195 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1936. Typical flow runs near 75.6 cfs in July and 34.1 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Drainage area
- 195 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 7,936 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13020101
- Coordinates
- 36.96686, -105.50711
- USGS site number
- 08255500
- Records begin
- 1936-03-07 (90 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 85 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 | 4.1 | 7.6 | 12.5 | |
| February | 4.9 | 8.9 | 14.5 | |
| March | 8.5 | 14.1 | 30.8 | |
| April | 16.2 | 34.1 | 98 | |
| May | 35.5 | 83.3 | 221.7 | |
| June | 40.6 | 92.2 | 193.4 | |
| July | 27.2 | 75.6 | 142.8 | |
| August | 21.3 | 59.5 | 121.5 | |
| September | 11.4 | 32.9 | 71.7 | |
| October | 6.1 | 12 | 24.8 | |
| November | 5.6 | 10.3 | 17.4 | |
| December | 4.5 | 8 | 14.7 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Costilla Creek near Costilla, NM normally run highest?
- June, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 92.2 cfs, against 7.6 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 near Costilla, NM?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 7.6 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 4.1 and 12.5 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Costilla Creek near Costilla, NM been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08255500 begin in 1936, about 90 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 Costilla Creek near Costilla, NM?
- The gauge sits at 36.96686, -105.50711, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13020101, at an elevation of about 7,936 feet, draining roughly 195 square miles.
- Can I use Costilla Creek near Costilla, 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.