USGS Streamgage 11136500
Cuyama River near Ventucopa, CA
Cuyama River near Ventucopa, CA is USGS streamgage 11136500 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18060007. It drains a watershed of about 90 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1945. Typical flow runs near 0.3 cfs in July and 4.1 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 90 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 3,529 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18060007
- Coordinates
- 34.68804, -119.35873
- USGS site number
- 11136500
- Records begin
- 1945-02-02 (81 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 81 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 | 0.8 | 3 | 36.4 | |
| February | 1.1 | 3.6 | 77 | |
| March | 1.4 | 3.8 | 88.1 | |
| April | 1.1 | 4.1 | 76.1 | |
| May | 0.7 | 2.4 | 15.1 | |
| June | 0.2 | 1 | 4 | |
| July | 0.1 | 0.3 | 2.5 | |
| August | 0 | 0.2 | 2 | |
| September | 0 | 0.3 | 2.3 | |
| October | 0.2 | 0.7 | 2.7 | |
| November | 0.4 | 1.1 | 5.2 | |
| December | 0.6 | 2 | 24.1 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Cuyama River near Ventucopa, CA normally run highest?
- April, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 4.1 cfs, against 0.2 cfs in August, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Cuyama River near Ventucopa, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 3 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0.8 and 36.4 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Cuyama River near Ventucopa, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11136500 begin in 1945, about 81 years, covering roughly 3,392 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Cuyama River near Ventucopa, CA?
- The gauge sits at 34.68804, -119.35873, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18060007, at an elevation of about 3,529 feet, draining roughly 90 square miles.
- Can I use Cuyama River near Ventucopa, CA 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.