USGS Streamgage 11159000
Pajaro River A Chittenden, CA
Pajaro River A Chittenden, CA is USGS streamgage 11159000 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18060002. It drains a watershed of about 1,186 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1938. Typical flow runs near 7.9 cfs in July and 56 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 1,186 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 85 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18060002
- Coordinates
- 36.90019, -121.59768
- USGS site number
- 11159000
- Records begin
- 1938-02-01 (88 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 87 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 | 6.4 | 52.2 | 1,225.2 | |
| February | 10.2 | 91.4 | 1,670.2 | |
| March | 15.1 | 104.1 | 1,152.6 | |
| April | 9.4 | 56 | 566 | |
| May | 5.3 | 25.8 | 121.1 | |
| June | 2.9 | 13 | 40.1 | |
| July | 0.8 | 7.9 | 19.5 | |
| August | 0.9 | 5.8 | 15.1 | |
| September | 0.6 | 4.3 | 14.7 | |
| October | 0.5 | 4.4 | 17.5 | |
| November | 0.8 | 9.2 | 34.3 | |
| December | 2.2 | 19.9 | 273 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Pajaro River A Chittenden, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 104.1 cfs, against 4.3 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 Pajaro River A Chittenden, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 52.2 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 6.4 and 1,225.2 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Pajaro River A Chittenden, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11159000 begin in 1938, about 88 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 Pajaro River A Chittenden, CA?
- The gauge sits at 36.90019, -121.59768, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18060002, at an elevation of about 85 feet, draining roughly 1,186 square miles.
- Can I use Pajaro River A Chittenden, 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.