USGS Streamgage 09444500
San Francisco River at Clifton, AZ
San Francisco River at Clifton, AZ is USGS streamgage 09444500 in Arizona, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 15040004. It drains a watershed of about 2,766 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1891. Typical flow runs near 56.9 cfs in July and 142.3 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- Arizona
- Drainage area
- 2,766 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 3,438 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 15040004
- Coordinates
- 33.05604, -109.29902
- USGS site number
- 09444500
- Records begin
- 1891-02-21 (135 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 113 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 | 51 | 82.4 | 475.4 | |
| February | 53.1 | 109.7 | 946.4 | |
| March | 51.4 | 175.5 | 1,116.9 | |
| April | 44.1 | 142.3 | 701.2 | |
| May | 26.1 | 71.6 | 307.9 | |
| June | 13.5 | 35.6 | 93.6 | |
| July | 20.1 | 56.9 | 193 | |
| August | 34.6 | 99.9 | 408.1 | |
| September | 30.1 | 71.5 | 291.7 | |
| October | 28.4 | 56 | 202.9 | |
| November | 38.3 | 63 | 171.1 | |
| December | 47.1 | 73.5 | 329.8 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does San Francisco River at Clifton, AZ normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 175.5 cfs, against 35.6 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 San Francisco River at Clifton, AZ?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 82.4 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 51 and 475.4 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has San Francisco River at Clifton, AZ been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 09444500 begin in 1891, about 135 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 San Francisco River at Clifton, AZ?
- The gauge sits at 33.05604, -109.29902, in Arizona, in hydrologic subbasin 15040004, at an elevation of about 3,438 feet, draining roughly 2,766 square miles.
- Can I use San Francisco River at Clifton, AZ 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.