USGS Streamgage 08396500
Pecos River near Artesia, NM
Pecos River near Artesia, NM is USGS streamgage 08396500 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13060007. It drains a watershed of about 15,300 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1905. Typical flow runs near 94.1 cfs in July and 62 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Drainage area
- 15,300 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 3,294 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13060007
- Coordinates
- 32.84086, -104.32383
- USGS site number
- 08396500
- Records begin
- 1905-10-01 (121 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 90 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 | 46.1 | 79.9 | 163.6 | |
| February | 40.6 | 76.2 | 148.9 | |
| March | 27.2 | 72.3 | 527.4 | |
| April | 23 | 62 | 592.1 | |
| May | 16.7 | 59.5 | 806.1 | |
| June | 6.5 | 66.3 | 863.2 | |
| July | 6.5 | 94.1 | 861.5 | |
| August | 5.4 | 75.3 | 787.7 | |
| September | 9.1 | 79.1 | 773.4 | |
| October | 19.5 | 81.6 | 401 | |
| November | 40.7 | 83.4 | 186.5 | |
| December | 44.8 | 76.5 | 168.2 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Pecos River near Artesia, NM normally run highest?
- July, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 94.1 cfs, against 59.5 cfs in May, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Pecos River near Artesia, NM?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 79.9 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 46.1 and 163.6 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Pecos River near Artesia, NM been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08396500 begin in 1905, about 121 years, covering roughly 9,124 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Pecos River near Artesia, NM?
- The gauge sits at 32.84086, -104.32383, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13060007, at an elevation of about 3,294 feet, draining roughly 15,300 square miles.
- Can I use Pecos River near Artesia, NM 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.