USGS Streamgage 11459500
Novato C A Novato, CA
Novato C A Novato, CA is USGS streamgage 11459500 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18050002. It drains a watershed of about 18 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1946. Typical flow runs near 0.4 cfs in July and 2.5 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 18 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 17 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18050002
- Coordinates
- 38.10766, -122.57994
- USGS site number
- 11459500
- Records begin
- 1946-10-01 (80 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 80 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 | 0.3 | 5.4 | 123.2 | |
| February | 0.8 | 11.1 | 118 | |
| March | 1 | 8 | 70.1 | |
| April | 0.6 | 2.5 | 19 | |
| May | 0.3 | 1 | 2.9 | |
| June | 0.1 | 0.7 | 1.7 | |
| July | 0 | 0.4 | 1.1 | |
| August | 0 | 0.1 | 0.7 | |
| September | 0 | 0 | 0.5 | |
| October | 0 | 0.1 | 1 | |
| November | 0 | 0.3 | 5.6 | |
| December | 0.1 | 1.6 | 41.1 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Novato C A Novato, CA normally run highest?
- February, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 11.1 cfs, against 0 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 Novato C A Novato, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 5.4 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0.3 and 123.2 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Novato C A Novato, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11459500 begin in 1946, about 80 years, covering roughly 9,126 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Novato C A Novato, CA?
- The gauge sits at 38.10766, -122.57994, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18050002, at an elevation of about 17 feet, draining roughly 18 square miles.
- Can I use Novato C A Novato, 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.