USGS Streamgage 08263500
Rio Grande near Cerro, NM
Rio Grande near Cerro, NM is USGS streamgage 08263500 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13020101. It drains a watershed of about 8,440 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1948. Typical flow runs near 203.9 cfs in July and 339.9 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Drainage area
- 8,440 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 7,110 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13020101
- Coordinates
- 36.74002, -105.68344
- USGS site number
- 08263500
- Records begin
- 1948-06-07 (78 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 77 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 | 187.3 | 281.7 | 403.9 | |
| February | 224.2 | 330.2 | 507.8 | |
| March | 231.4 | 431.3 | 794.2 | |
| April | 111.2 | 339.9 | 1,083.9 | |
| May | 101.8 | 564.7 | 2,181 | |
| June | 84.7 | 552.1 | 2,708 | |
| July | 55.2 | 203.9 | 1,135.9 | |
| August | 52.7 | 139.3 | 581.7 | |
| September | 53.7 | 102.7 | 369.3 | |
| October | 62.7 | 123.7 | 443 | |
| November | 98.2 | 277.2 | 660.9 | |
| December | 151.4 | 282.6 | 448.6 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Rio Grande near Cerro, NM normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 564.7 cfs, against 102.7 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 Grande near Cerro, NM?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 281.7 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 187.3 and 403.9 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Rio Grande near Cerro, NM been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08263500 begin in 1948, about 78 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 Grande near Cerro, NM?
- The gauge sits at 36.74002, -105.68344, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13020101, at an elevation of about 7,110 feet, draining roughly 8,440 square miles.
- Can I use Rio Grande near Cerro, 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.