USGS Streamgage 09481740
Santa Cruz River at Tubac, AZ
Santa Cruz River at Tubac, AZ is USGS streamgage 09481740 in Arizona, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 15050301. It drains a watershed of about 1,210 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1995. Typical flow runs near 8.8 cfs in July and 10.5 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- Arizona
- Drainage area
- 1,210 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 3,166 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 15050301
- Coordinates
- 31.61304, -111.04013
- USGS site number
- 09481740
- Records begin
- 1995-09-23 (31 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 31 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 | 3.8 | 16.2 | 34.1 | |
| February | 3.7 | 17.5 | 35.9 | |
| March | 4.8 | 15 | 30.7 | |
| April | 2.1 | 10.5 | 22 | |
| May | 0.3 | 4 | 13.9 | |
| June | 0 | 1.2 | 10.3 | |
| July | 0.1 | 8.8 | 139.1 | |
| August | 0.9 | 15 | 151.6 | |
| September | 0.8 | 10.3 | 60.1 | |
| October | 0 | 7.5 | 24.3 | |
| November | 0.1 | 11.2 | 27.3 | |
| December | 1.1 | 15 | 32.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Santa Cruz River at Tubac, AZ normally run highest?
- February, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 17.5 cfs, against 1.2 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 Santa Cruz River at Tubac, AZ?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 16.2 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 3.8 and 34.1 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Santa Cruz River at Tubac, AZ been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 09481740 begin in 1995, about 31 years, covering roughly 9,113 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Santa Cruz River at Tubac, AZ?
- The gauge sits at 31.61304, -111.04013, in Arizona, in hydrologic subbasin 15050301, at an elevation of about 3,166 feet, draining roughly 1,210 square miles.
- Can I use Santa Cruz River at Tubac, 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.
Other gauges in this subbasin
- Santa Cruz River at Continental, AZ
- Santa Cruz River at Silverlake Rd, at Tucson, AZ
- Santa Cruz River at Tucson, AZ
- Rillito Creek at La Cholla Blvd near Tucson, AZ
- Canada del Oro below Ina Road, near Tucson, AZ
- Santa Cruz River near Lochiel, AZ
- Santa Cruz River near Nogales, AZ
- Nogales Wash at Nogales, AZ