USGS Streamgage 06897950
Elk Creek near Decatur City, IA
Elk Creek near Decatur City, IA is USGS streamgage 06897950, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 10280102. It drains a watershed of about 53 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1967. Typical flow runs near 1.3 cfs in July and 17.4 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- Drainage area
- 53 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 949 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 10280102
- Coordinates
- 40.72444, -93.93828
- USGS site number
- 06897950
- Records begin
- 1967-06-14 (59 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 27 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 | 2.9 | 34.5 | |
| February | 0.1 | 7.1 | 80.5 | |
| March | 1.8 | 14.8 | 155.7 | |
| April | 2.3 | 17.4 | 188.5 | |
| May | 1 | 11.2 | 134.1 | |
| June | 0.1 | 4.8 | 94.7 | |
| July | 0 | 1.3 | 121.2 | |
| August | 0 | 0.7 | 16.8 | |
| September | 0 | 0.4 | 69.3 | |
| October | 0 | 1.2 | 45.9 | |
| November | 0.1 | 5.3 | 45 | |
| December | 0 | 5 | 36.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Elk Creek near Decatur City, IA normally run highest?
- April, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 17.4 cfs, against 0.4 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 Elk Creek near Decatur City, IA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 2.9 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0 and 34.5 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Elk Creek near Decatur City, IA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 06897950 begin in 1967, about 59 years. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Elk Creek near Decatur City, IA?
- The gauge sits at 40.72444, -93.93828, in hydrologic subbasin 10280102, at an elevation of about 949 feet, draining roughly 53 square miles.
- Can I use Elk Creek near Decatur City, IA 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.