USGS Streamgage 08284100
Rio Chama near La Puente, NM
Rio Chama near La Puente, NM is USGS streamgage 08284100 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13020102. It drains a watershed of about 480 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1955. Typical flow runs near 73.3 cfs in July and 688.9 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Drainage area
- 480 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 7,083 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13020102
- Coordinates
- 36.66266, -106.63337
- USGS site number
- 08284100
- Records begin
- 1955-10-01 (71 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 70 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 | 33.4 | 51.4 | 84.2 | |
| February | 39.7 | 58 | 104.3 | |
| March | 59.1 | 129.5 | 394.5 | |
| April | 289.3 | 688.9 | 1,569.8 | |
| May | 394.7 | 1,411.6 | 3,353.5 | |
| June | 52.8 | 406.2 | 1,641.9 | |
| July | 15.5 | 73.3 | 290.2 | |
| August | 19.2 | 63.8 | 180.9 | |
| September | 17.7 | 48.4 | 150 | |
| October | 24.2 | 55.2 | 160.8 | |
| November | 33.6 | 61 | 138 | |
| December | 31.4 | 52.7 | 93.4 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Rio Chama near La Puente, NM normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 1,411.6 cfs, against 48.4 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 Rio Chama near La Puente, NM?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 51.4 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 33.4 and 84.2 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Rio Chama near La Puente, NM been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08284100 begin in 1955, about 71 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 Rio Chama near La Puente, NM?
- The gauge sits at 36.66266, -106.63337, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13020102, at an elevation of about 7,083 feet, draining roughly 480 square miles.
- Can I use Rio Chama near La Puente, 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.