USGS Streamgage 11479700
Elk River near Falk, CA
Elk River near Falk, CA is USGS streamgage 11479700 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18010102. It drains a watershed of about 44 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1957. Typical flow runs near 3.1 cfs in July and 50.8 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 44 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 30 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18010102
- Coordinates
- 40.70191, -124.15622
- USGS site number
- 11479700
- Records begin
- 1957-10-01 (69 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 10 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 | 9.8 | 62.3 | 857.1 | |
| February | 28 | 106.5 | 832.5 | |
| March | 15.9 | 119.2 | 494 | |
| April | 14.6 | 50.8 | 525.2 | |
| May | 6.6 | 21.9 | 195.6 | |
| June | 3.1 | 7.9 | 27.3 | |
| July | 1.1 | 3.1 | 4.4 | |
| August | 0.7 | 1.5 | 3.7 | |
| September | 0.6 | 1.3 | 3 | |
| October | 0.9 | 2.1 | 93.9 | |
| November | 1.4 | 32.5 | 417 | |
| December | 3.8 | 44.8 | 722.1 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Elk River near Falk, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 119.2 cfs, against 1.3 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 River near Falk, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 62.3 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 9.8 and 857.1 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Elk River near Falk, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11479700 begin in 1957, about 69 years, covering roughly 7 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Elk River near Falk, CA?
- The gauge sits at 40.70191, -124.15622, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18010102, at an elevation of about 30 feet, draining roughly 44 square miles.
- Can I use Elk River near Falk, 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.