USGS Streamgage 11126000
Santa Ynez River near Santa Ynez, CA
Santa Ynez River near Santa Ynez, CA is USGS streamgage 11126000 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18060010. It drains a watershed of about 422 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1929. Typical flow runs near 1.9 cfs in July and 10.4 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 422 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 543 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18060010
- Coordinates
- 34.58915, -119.98872
- USGS site number
- 11126000
- Records begin
- 1929-01-01 (97 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 81 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 | 2.1 | 171.5 | |
| February | 0 | 11.5 | 501 | |
| March | 0 | 14.8 | 800.9 | |
| April | 0.4 | 10.4 | 282.5 | |
| May | 0 | 6.4 | 96.4 | |
| June | 0 | 3.1 | 35.1 | |
| July | 0 | 1.9 | 24.1 | |
| August | 0 | 1 | 45.3 | |
| September | 0 | 0.2 | 36.2 | |
| October | 0 | 0.1 | 20.5 | |
| November | 0 | 0.1 | 5.9 | |
| December | 0 | 0.1 | 36.6 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Santa Ynez River near Santa Ynez, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 14.8 cfs, against 0.1 cfs in October, 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 Ynez River near Santa Ynez, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 2.1 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0 and 171.5 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Santa Ynez River near Santa Ynez, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11126000 begin in 1929, about 97 years, covering roughly 8,532 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Santa Ynez River near Santa Ynez, CA?
- The gauge sits at 34.58915, -119.98872, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18060010, at an elevation of about 543 feet, draining roughly 422 square miles.
- Can I use Santa Ynez River 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.