USGS Streamgage 12450500
Methow River at Pateros, WA
Methow River at Pateros, WA is USGS streamgage 12450500 in Washington, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 17020008. It sits on the Methow River, alongside 5 other gauges Rivermatics tracks on the same river. It drains a watershed of about 1,810 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1903. Typical flow runs near 2,562.3 cfs in July and 1,565.1 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- Washington
- Drainage area
- 1,810 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 784 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 17020008
- Coordinates
- 48.04709, -119.91229
- USGS site number
- 12450500
- Records begin
- 1903-06-17 (123 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 18 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 | 286.5 | 377.1 | 582.5 | |
| February | 301 | 359.8 | 529.1 | |
| March | 322.3 | 423.3 | 1,202.7 | |
| April | 417.2 | 1,565.1 | 4,316.3 | |
| May | 2,010.9 | 4,440.6 | 8,666.5 | |
| June | 3,066.7 | 6,019.7 | 9,460.7 | |
| July | 1,383.4 | 2,562.3 | 3,701.9 | |
| August | 527.2 | 739.6 | 1,000 | |
| September | 355.8 | 470.7 | 734.7 | |
| October | 386.1 | 445.7 | 896 | |
| November | 397.9 | 466.8 | 891.9 | |
| December | 325 | 435.6 | 662.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Methow River at Pateros, WA normally run highest?
- June, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 6,019.7 cfs, against 359.8 cfs in February, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Methow River at Pateros, WA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 377.1 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 286.5 and 582.5 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Methow River at Pateros, WA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 12450500 begin in 1903, about 123 years. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Methow River at Pateros, WA?
- The gauge sits at 48.04709, -119.91229, in Washington, in hydrologic subbasin 17020008, at an elevation of about 784 feet, draining roughly 1,810 square miles.
- Can I use Methow River at Pateros, WA 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.
Upstream and downstream on the Methow River
Every gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river, ordered by drainage area — upstream first. See the Methow River in full.
- Methow River above Goat Creek near Mazama, WA 373 sq mi
- Methow River at Winthrop, WA 1,007 sq mi
- Methow River at Twisp, WA 1,301 sq mi
- Methow River near Pateros, WA 1,772 sq mi
- Methow River at Pateros, WA this page
- Methow River near Mouth near Pateros, WA