USGS Streamgage 11470500
Eel River below Scott Dam near Potter Valley, CA
Eel River below Scott Dam near Potter Valley, CA is USGS streamgage 11470500 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18010103. It drains a watershed of about 290 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1922. Typical flow runs near 153.8 cfs in July and 344.1 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 290 sq mi
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18010103
- Coordinates
- 39.40794, -122.97139
- USGS site number
- 11470500
- Records begin
- 1922-10-01 (104 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 103 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 | 93.5 | 378.4 | 3,468.7 | |
| February | 107 | 614.5 | 3,651 | |
| March | 144.7 | 616.2 | 2,562.3 | |
| April | 116.7 | 344.1 | 1,576.7 | |
| May | 88 | 268.5 | 712.4 | |
| June | 87.2 | 176.4 | 325.1 | |
| July | 92.1 | 153.8 | 263.6 | |
| August | 89.8 | 158.1 | 253.3 | |
| September | 86 | 176.9 | 317.6 | |
| October | 71.2 | 189.6 | 328.5 | |
| November | 76.4 | 191.5 | 329.6 | |
| December | 79.5 | 248.4 | 1,941.8 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Eel River below Scott Dam near Potter Valley, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 616.2 cfs, against 153.8 cfs in July, 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 below Scott Dam near Potter Valley, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 378.4 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 93.5 and 3,468.7 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Eel River below Scott Dam near Potter Valley, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11470500 begin in 1922, about 104 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 below Scott Dam near Potter Valley, CA?
- The gauge sits at 39.40794, -122.97139, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18010103, draining roughly 290 square miles.
- Can I use Eel River below Scott 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.