USGS Streamgage 06479980
Medary Creek near Brookings, SD
Medary Creek near Brookings, SD is USGS streamgage 06479980 in South Dakota, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 10170202. It drains a watershed of about 197 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1980. Typical flow runs near 19.2 cfs in July and 66.9 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- South Dakota
- Drainage area
- 197 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 1,578 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 10170202
- Coordinates
- 44.22389, -96.7673
- USGS site number
- 06479980
- Records begin
- 1980-10-01 (46 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 | 0 | 5.1 | 20.5 | |
| February | 0.1 | 7.9 | 70.5 | |
| March | 3.8 | 69.5 | 748.1 | |
| April | 8.9 | 66.9 | 490.7 | |
| May | 4.1 | 38.1 | 269.4 | |
| June | 1.5 | 23.9 | 666.4 | |
| July | 0.4 | 19.2 | 118.2 | |
| August | 0.5 | 5.8 | 54.7 | |
| September | 0.2 | 6.2 | 321.1 | |
| October | 0.6 | 11 | 177.6 | |
| November | 0.9 | 17.9 | 104.5 | |
| December | 0.5 | 11.2 | 44 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Medary Creek near Brookings, SD normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 69.5 cfs, against 5.1 cfs in January, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Medary Creek near Brookings, SD?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 5.1 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0 and 20.5 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Medary Creek near Brookings, SD been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 06479980 begin in 1980, about 46 years. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Medary Creek near Brookings, SD?
- The gauge sits at 44.22389, -96.7673, in South Dakota, in hydrologic subbasin 10170202, at an elevation of about 1,578 feet, draining roughly 197 square miles.
- Can I use Medary Creek near Brookings, SD 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.