USGS Streamgage 11443500
SF American River near Camino, CA
SF American River near Camino, CA is USGS streamgage 11443500 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18020129. It drains a watershed of about 493 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1922. Typical flow runs near 47.8 cfs in July and 365.4 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 493 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 1,650 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18020129
- Coordinates
- 38.77296, -120.7016
- USGS site number
- 11443500
- Records begin
- 1922-10-01 (104 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 103 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 | 11 | 57.4 | 1,044.8 | |
| February | 12.4 | 97.1 | 1,393.4 | |
| March | 13.4 | 158.7 | 1,625.5 | |
| April | 13 | 365.4 | 2,844 | |
| May | 12.9 | 617.8 | 3,921.6 | |
| June | 35.9 | 237.8 | 2,606.7 | |
| July | 22.7 | 47.8 | 574.8 | |
| August | 12.3 | 37.7 | 91.1 | |
| September | 10.8 | 37.1 | 83.3 | |
| October | 10.4 | 37.8 | 109.7 | |
| November | 10.6 | 38 | 368.9 | |
| December | 10.5 | 39.4 | 827.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does SF American River near Camino, CA normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 617.8 cfs, against 37.1 cfs in September, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for SF American River near Camino, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 57.4 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 11 and 1,044.8 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has SF American River near Camino, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11443500 begin in 1922, about 104 years, covering roughly 8,821 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is SF American River near Camino, CA?
- The gauge sits at 38.77296, -120.7016, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18020129, at an elevation of about 1,650 feet, draining roughly 493 square miles.
- Can I use SF American River near Camino, 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.