USGS Streamgage 08261000
Costilla Creek near Garcia, CO
Costilla Creek near Garcia, CO is USGS streamgage 08261000 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13020101. It drains a watershed of about 200 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1949. Typical flow runs near 1 cfs in July and 3 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Drainage area
- 200 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 7,821 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13020101
- Coordinates
- 36.98903, -105.53246
- USGS site number
- 08261000
- Records begin
- 1949-07-23 (77 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 61 years of data), averaged within each month. These describe the historical normal range — they are not a forecast and not today's reading.
Only 11 of 12 months have enough record to summarize; the rest are omitted.
| Month | Low p10 | Typical p50 | High p90 | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | — | 1.1 | — | |
| March | 0 | 7.9 | 28.2 | |
| April | 0 | 3 | 69.5 | |
| May | 0 | 9.2 | 118.5 | |
| June | 0 | 6.7 | 49.3 | |
| July | 0 | 1 | 15.8 | |
| August | 0 | 0.3 | 11.8 | |
| September | 0 | 0 | 5.6 | |
| October | 0 | 0.4 | 6.3 | |
| November | 0 | 2.4 | 12 | |
| December | — | 3.3 | — |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Costilla Creek near Garcia, CO normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 9.2 cfs, against 0 cfs in September, 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 Garcia, CO?
- It depends on the month. In March, half of days historically fall near 7.9 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0 and 28.2 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Costilla Creek near Garcia, CO been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08261000 begin in 1949, about 77 years, covering roughly 4,755 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Costilla Creek near Garcia, CO?
- The gauge sits at 36.98903, -105.53246, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13020101, at an elevation of about 7,821 feet, draining roughly 200 square miles.
- Can I use Costilla Creek near Garcia, CO 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.