USGS Streamgage 11044000
Santa Margarita River near Temecula, CA
Santa Margarita River near Temecula, CA is USGS streamgage 11044000 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18070302. It drains a watershed of about 588 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1923. Typical flow runs near 3.2 cfs in July and 7.2 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 588 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 956 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18070302
- Coordinates
- 33.47392, -117.14225
- USGS site number
- 11044000
- Records begin
- 1923-02-01 (103 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 53 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 | 1.2 | 6.9 | 98.5 | |
| February | 1.6 | 8.5 | 166.2 | |
| March | 2 | 9 | 119.5 | |
| April | 1.3 | 7.2 | 32.3 | |
| May | 1.8 | 4.4 | 12.9 | |
| June | 1.8 | 3.8 | 11 | |
| July | 1.4 | 3.2 | 8.9 | |
| August | 1.4 | 3.2 | 7.7 | |
| September | 1.5 | 3.2 | 7.9 | |
| October | 1.6 | 3.3 | 8.5 | |
| November | 0.9 | 2.9 | 9.3 | |
| December | 1 | 3.2 | 20.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Santa Margarita River near Temecula, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 9 cfs, against 2.9 cfs in November, 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 Margarita River near Temecula, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 6.9 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 1.2 and 98.5 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Santa Margarita River near Temecula, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11044000 begin in 1923, about 103 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 Margarita River near Temecula, CA?
- The gauge sits at 33.47392, -117.14225, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18070302, at an elevation of about 956 feet, draining roughly 588 square miles.
- Can I use Santa Margarita River near Temecula, 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.