USGS Streamgage 11481200
Little River near Trinidad, CA
Little River near Trinidad, CA is USGS streamgage 11481200 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18010102. It drains a watershed of about 41 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1953. Typical flow runs near 11.5 cfs in July and 91.3 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 41 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 21 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18010102
- Coordinates
- 41.00982, -124.08142
- USGS site number
- 11481200
- Records begin
- 1953-01-17 (73 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 71 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 | 35.8 | 167 | 789.8 | |
| February | 48.2 | 163.9 | 705.3 | |
| March | 49 | 163.5 | 557.7 | |
| April | 35.2 | 91.3 | 305.3 | |
| May | 22.5 | 44.8 | 140.6 | |
| June | 12.8 | 22.2 | 51.8 | |
| July | 7.1 | 11.5 | 20.8 | |
| August | 4.5 | 7 | 10.9 | |
| September | 3.5 | 5.5 | 9.8 | |
| October | 3.7 | 7.3 | 46.1 | |
| November | 6.6 | 39.3 | 343.2 | |
| December | 16.5 | 130.8 | 765.6 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Little River near Trinidad, CA normally run highest?
- January, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 167 cfs, against 5.5 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 Little River near Trinidad, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 167 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 35.8 and 789.8 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Little River near Trinidad, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11481200 begin in 1953, about 73 years, covering roughly 9,126 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Little River near Trinidad, CA?
- The gauge sits at 41.00982, -124.08142, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18010102, at an elevation of about 21 feet, draining roughly 41 square miles.
- Can I use Little River near Trinidad, 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.