USGS Streamgage 11186000
Kern River near Kernville (River Only), CA
Kern River near Kernville (River Only), CA is USGS streamgage 11186000 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18030001. It drains a watershed of about 846 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1912. Typical flow runs near 160.1 cfs in July and 418.9 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 846 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 3,620 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18030001
- Coordinates
- 35.94523, -118.47759
- USGS site number
- 11186000
- Records begin
- 1912-06-04 (114 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 65 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 | 28.1 | 48.7 | 326.6 | |
| February | 29.4 | 49 | 406.2 | |
| March | 61.4 | 95.4 | 952.8 | |
| April | 101.8 | 418.9 | 1,646.7 | |
| May | 117.8 | 1,145 | 3,681 | |
| June | 104.2 | 862.3 | 4,641.3 | |
| July | 88.4 | 160.1 | 2,572.3 | |
| August | 69.9 | 115.2 | 582.5 | |
| September | 63.6 | 86.7 | 174.9 | |
| October | 27.3 | 59.7 | 178.6 | |
| November | 26.7 | 46.7 | 188.3 | |
| December | 27.3 | 46.1 | 200.9 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Kern River near Kernville (River Only), CA normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 1,145 cfs, against 46.1 cfs in December, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Kern River near Kernville (River Only), CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 48.7 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 28.1 and 326.6 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Kern River near Kernville (River Only), CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11186000 begin in 1912, about 114 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 Kern River near Kernville (River Only), CA?
- The gauge sits at 35.94523, -118.47759, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18030001, at an elevation of about 3,620 feet, draining roughly 846 square miles.
- Can I use Kern River near Kernville (River Only), 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.