USGS Streamgage 11271290
Merced River A Shaffer Bridge near Cressey, CA
Merced River A Shaffer Bridge near Cressey, CA is USGS streamgage 11271290 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18040008. It drains a watershed of about 1,117 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1965. Typical flow runs near 104.3 cfs in July and 139.1 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 1,117 sq mi
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18040008
- Coordinates
- 37.4541, -120.60881
- USGS site number
- 11271290
- Records begin
- 1965-10-01 (61 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 60 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 | 113 | 178.5 | 197 | |
| February | 79 | 168.8 | 195.8 | |
| March | 72.7 | 157.9 | 193 | |
| April | 75.3 | 139.1 | 186.9 | |
| May | 69.8 | 124.5 | 175.8 | |
| June | 55.2 | 108.4 | 176.4 | |
| July | 51.3 | 104.3 | 173.1 | |
| August | 48.6 | 98.7 | 156 | |
| September | 30 | 97.8 | 155.5 | |
| October | 27.3 | 120.5 | 182.1 | |
| November | 102.3 | 174.8 | 195.4 | |
| December | 142.6 | 180.3 | 196.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Merced River A Shaffer Bridge near Cressey, CA normally run highest?
- December, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 180.3 cfs, against 97.8 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 Merced River A Shaffer Bridge near Cressey, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 178.5 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 113 and 197 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Merced River A Shaffer Bridge near Cressey, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11271290 begin in 1965, about 61 years, covering roughly 4,012 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Merced River A Shaffer Bridge near Cressey, CA?
- The gauge sits at 37.4541, -120.60881, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18040008, draining roughly 1,117 square miles.
- Can I use Merced River A Shaffer Bridge near Cressey, 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.