USGS Streamgage 08397600
Rio Penasco near Dunken, NM
Rio Penasco near Dunken, NM is USGS streamgage 08397600 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13060010. It drains a watershed of about 583 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1941. Typical flow runs near 20.6 cfs in July and 15.6 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Drainage area
- 583 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 5,237 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13060010
- Coordinates
- 32.88153, -105.17806
- USGS site number
- 08397600
- Records begin
- 1941-09-22 (85 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 22 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 | 10.7 | 30.3 | 54.1 | |
| February | 9.7 | 28.9 | 52 | |
| March | 5.2 | 22.1 | 43.2 | |
| April | 1 | 15.6 | 36.5 | |
| May | 1.3 | 16 | 34.4 | |
| June | 0.8 | 14.8 | 46.5 | |
| July | 1.8 | 20.6 | 53 | |
| August | 7.2 | 26.2 | 65.7 | |
| September | 7.5 | 26 | 58.3 | |
| October | 8.7 | 24.8 | 46.7 | |
| November | 9.2 | 28.3 | 50 | |
| December | 12.3 | 28.7 | 53.4 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Rio Penasco near Dunken, NM normally run highest?
- January, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 30.3 cfs, against 14.8 cfs in June, 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 Penasco near Dunken, NM?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 30.3 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 10.7 and 54.1 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Rio Penasco near Dunken, NM been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08397600 begin in 1941, about 85 years, covering roughly 7,772 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Rio Penasco near Dunken, NM?
- The gauge sits at 32.88153, -105.17806, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13060010, at an elevation of about 5,237 feet, draining roughly 583 square miles.
- Can I use Rio Penasco near Dunken, 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.