USGS Streamgage 11270900
Merced River below Merced Falls Dam near Snell, CA
Merced River below Merced Falls Dam near Snell, CA is USGS streamgage 11270900 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18040008. It drains a watershed of about 1,061 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1901. Typical flow runs near 1,797.1 cfs in July and 1,514.3 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 1,061 sq mi
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18040008
- Coordinates
- 37.5216, -120.33241
- USGS site number
- 11270900
- Records begin
- 1901-04-01 (125 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 125 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 | 39.5 | 236.9 | 1,496.8 | |
| February | 43.3 | 346.7 | 2,501.4 | |
| March | 129.7 | 870.4 | 3,317.7 | |
| April | 596.1 | 1,514.3 | 4,182 | |
| May | 1,140.7 | 2,094.2 | 5,941.6 | |
| June | 1,178 | 1,972.3 | 5,193.3 | |
| July | 619.3 | 1,797.1 | 2,636.5 | |
| August | 167.8 | 1,476.1 | 2,078.1 | |
| September | 64 | 1,006 | 1,779.3 | |
| October | 39.1 | 298.4 | 1,398.4 | |
| November | 38.1 | 190.4 | 483 | |
| December | 38 | 203.8 | 754.8 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Merced River below Merced Falls Dam near Snell, CA normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 2,094.2 cfs, against 190.4 cfs in November, 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 below Merced Falls Dam near Snell, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 236.9 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 39.5 and 1,496.8 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Merced River below Merced Falls Dam near Snell, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11270900 begin in 1901, about 125 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 Merced River below Merced Falls Dam near Snell, CA?
- The gauge sits at 37.5216, -120.33241, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18040008, draining roughly 1,061 square miles.
- Can I use Merced River below Merced Falls Dam near Snell, 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.