USGS Streamgage 08397620
Rio Penasco near Hope, NM
Rio Penasco near Hope, NM is USGS streamgage 08397620 in New Mexico, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 13060010. It drains a watershed of about 675 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 2000. Typical flow runs near 5.4 cfs in July and 4 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- New Mexico
- Drainage area
- 675 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 4,852 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 13060010
- Coordinates
- 32.83677, -105.06942
- USGS site number
- 08397620
- Records begin
- 2000-02-19 (26 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 | 0 | 19 | 39 | |
| February | 0 | 16.6 | 34.9 | |
| March | 0 | 10.7 | 26.8 | |
| April | 0 | 4 | 20.2 | |
| May | 0 | 1.6 | 21.3 | |
| June | 0 | 1 | 24.3 | |
| July | 0 | 5.4 | 42.9 | |
| August | 0 | 10.1 | 73.5 | |
| September | 0 | 10.4 | 60.9 | |
| October | 0 | 12.8 | 34.8 | |
| November | 0 | 15.3 | 35.1 | |
| December | 0 | 17.2 | 38.2 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Rio Penasco near Hope, NM normally run highest?
- January, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 19 cfs, against 1 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 Hope, NM?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 19 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0 and 39 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Rio Penasco near Hope, NM been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 08397620 begin in 2000, about 26 years, covering roughly 8,543 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Rio Penasco near Hope, NM?
- The gauge sits at 32.83677, -105.06942, in New Mexico, in hydrologic subbasin 13060010, at an elevation of about 4,852 feet, draining roughly 675 square miles.
- Can I use Rio Penasco near Hope, 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.