USGS Streamgage 11238270
MF Balsam C below Balsam Mdw Forebay near Big Creek, CA
MF Balsam C below Balsam Mdw Forebay near Big Creek, CA is USGS streamgage 11238270 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18040006. Discharge records at this site go back to 1989. Typical flow runs near 1.3 cfs in July and 1.1 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Gauge elevation
- 6,560 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18040006
- Coordinates
- 37.16272, -119.25429
- USGS site number
- 11238270
- Records begin
- 1989-01-24 (37 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 37 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 | 0.6 | 0.8 | 1.9 | |
| February | 0.6 | 0.9 | 2.2 | |
| March | 0.7 | 1 | 2.6 | |
| April | 0.7 | 1.1 | 2.4 | |
| May | 0.7 | 1.1 | 1.4 | |
| June | 1.1 | 1.3 | 1.8 | |
| July | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | |
| August | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | |
| September | 1.2 | 1.3 | 1.4 | |
| October | 0.6 | 1.2 | 2.6 | |
| November | 0.6 | 1.1 | 2.7 | |
| December | 0.6 | 0.9 | 1.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does MF Balsam C below Balsam Mdw Forebay near Big Creek, CA normally run highest?
- June, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 1.3 cfs, against 0.8 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 MF Balsam C below Balsam Mdw Forebay near Big Creek, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 0.8 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0.6 and 1.9 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has MF Balsam C below Balsam Mdw Forebay near Big Creek, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11238270 begin in 1989, about 37 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 MF Balsam C below Balsam Mdw Forebay near Big Creek, CA?
- The gauge sits at 37.16272, -119.25429, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18040006, at an elevation of about 6,560 feet.
- Can I use MF Balsam C below Balsam Mdw Forebay near Big Creek, 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.