USGS Streamgage 12088400
Nisqually River Ab Powell Creek near McKenna, WA
Nisqually River Ab Powell Creek near McKenna, WA is USGS streamgage 12088400 in Washington, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 17110015. It sits on the Nisqually River, alongside 3 other gauges Rivermatics tracks on the same river. It drains a watershed of about 431 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1969. Typical flow runs near 955 cfs in July and 1,700 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- Washington
- Drainage area
- 431 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 397 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 17110015
- Coordinates
- 46.8509, -122.43537
- USGS site number
- 12088400
- Records begin
- 1969-03-01 (57 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 11 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 | 825.2 | 2,848.1 | 6,475.2 | |
| February | 810.7 | 2,737.2 | 4,070.4 | |
| March | 1,142.5 | 2,342.9 | 5,931.3 | |
| April | 796.5 | 1,700 | 3,135 | |
| May | 710.2 | 1,362.9 | 2,972.9 | |
| June | 581.7 | 1,130.3 | 2,519.3 | |
| July | 506.8 | 955 | 1,949 | |
| August | 537.3 | 874.9 | 1,181.8 | |
| September | 709.7 | 953.3 | 1,726.3 | |
| October | 901.2 | 1,255.5 | 2,238.1 | |
| November | 970 | 1,772 | 3,335.7 | |
| December | 924.8 | 2,503.5 | 8,481.9 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Nisqually River Ab Powell Creek near McKenna, WA normally run highest?
- January, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 2,848.1 cfs, against 874.9 cfs in August, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Nisqually River Ab Powell Creek near McKenna, WA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 2,848.1 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 825.2 and 6,475.2 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Nisqually River Ab Powell Creek near McKenna, WA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 12088400 begin in 1969, about 57 years. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Nisqually River Ab Powell Creek near McKenna, WA?
- The gauge sits at 46.8509, -122.43537, in Washington, in hydrologic subbasin 17110015, at an elevation of about 397 feet, draining roughly 431 square miles.
- Can I use Nisqually River Ab Powell Creek near McKenna, 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 Nisqually River
Every gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river, ordered by drainage area — upstream first. See the Nisqually River in full.
- Nisqually River near National, WA 133 sq mi
- Nisqually River at La Grande, WA 292 sq mi
- Nisqually River Ab Powell Creek near McKenna, WA this page
- Nisqually River at McKenna, WA 517 sq mi