USGS Streamgage 11471500
Eel River A Van Arsdale Dam near Potter Valley, CA
Eel River A Van Arsdale Dam near Potter Valley, CA is USGS streamgage 11471500 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18010103. It drains a watershed of about 349 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1909. Typical flow runs near 5.1 cfs in July and 260.7 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 349 sq mi
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18010103
- Coordinates
- 39.3885, -123.11612
- USGS site number
- 11471500
- Records begin
- 1909-12-01 (117 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 116 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 | 3.1 | 296.7 | 3,937.7 | |
| February | 13 | 534.1 | 4,126.9 | |
| March | 16.3 | 547.3 | 2,641.6 | |
| April | 9.5 | 260.7 | 1,573.8 | |
| May | 2.5 | 84.2 | 592.8 | |
| June | 2 | 7.7 | 123.2 | |
| July | 2 | 5.1 | 25.3 | |
| August | 1.9 | 4.8 | 21.5 | |
| September | 1.7 | 4.6 | 23.3 | |
| October | 1.6 | 6.1 | 39 | |
| November | 1.9 | 12.2 | 187.8 | |
| December | 2 | 100.5 | 1,977.9 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Eel River A Van Arsdale Dam near Potter Valley, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 547.3 cfs, against 4.6 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 Eel River A Van Arsdale Dam near Potter Valley, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 296.7 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 3.1 and 3,937.7 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Eel River A Van Arsdale Dam near Potter Valley, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11471500 begin in 1909, about 117 years, covering roughly 8,821 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Eel River A Van Arsdale Dam near Potter Valley, CA?
- The gauge sits at 39.3885, -123.11612, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18010103, draining roughly 349 square miles.
- Can I use Eel River A Van Arsdale Dam near Potter Valley, 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.