USGS Streamgage 11124500
Santa Cruz C near Santa Ynez, CA
Santa Cruz C near Santa Ynez, CA is USGS streamgage 11124500 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18060010. It drains a watershed of about 74 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1941. Typical flow runs near 0.3 cfs in July and 12.6 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 74 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 786 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18060010
- Coordinates
- 34.59666, -119.90875
- USGS site number
- 11124500
- Records begin
- 1941-10-01 (85 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 85 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 | 0.1 | 4.7 | 75.1 | |
| February | 0.6 | 9.4 | 146.1 | |
| March | 1.4 | 13.3 | 171.2 | |
| April | 0.9 | 12.6 | 91.3 | |
| May | 0.2 | 6.4 | 38.8 | |
| June | 0 | 1.9 | 18.1 | |
| July | 0 | 0.3 | 7.3 | |
| August | 0 | 0 | 2.7 | |
| September | 0 | 0 | 1.5 | |
| October | 0 | 0 | 1.6 | |
| November | 0 | 0 | 3.8 | |
| December | 0 | 1 | 17.4 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Santa Cruz C near Santa Ynez, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 13.3 cfs, against 0 cfs in August, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Santa Cruz C near Santa Ynez, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 4.7 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0.1 and 75.1 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Santa Cruz C near Santa Ynez, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11124500 begin in 1941, about 85 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 Santa Cruz C near Santa Ynez, CA?
- The gauge sits at 34.59666, -119.90875, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18060010, at an elevation of about 786 feet, draining roughly 74 square miles.
- Can I use Santa Cruz C near Santa Ynez, CA 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.