USGS Streamgage 11444500
SF American River near Placerville, CA
SF American River near Placerville, CA is USGS streamgage 11444500 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18020129. It drains a watershed of about 598 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1911. Typical flow runs near 881.8 cfs in July and 1,981 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 598 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 920 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18020129
- Coordinates
- 38.77101, -120.81632
- USGS site number
- 11444500
- Records begin
- 1911-10-01 (115 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 114 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 | 237.7 | 875.7 | 3,467.7 | |
| February | 305.4 | 1,162.8 | 3,306.9 | |
| March | 487.7 | 1,506.1 | 3,871.6 | |
| April | 643 | 1,981 | 4,223 | |
| May | 676.4 | 2,508.4 | 5,163.5 | |
| June | 463.1 | 1,484.4 | 4,366.7 | |
| July | 309.3 | 881.8 | 1,886.8 | |
| August | 165.8 | 854.8 | 1,411.6 | |
| September | 109.3 | 710.6 | 1,290.7 | |
| October | 110.8 | 453 | 940.7 | |
| November | 132.8 | 454.3 | 1,170.9 | |
| December | 187.1 | 683.2 | 2,191.9 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does SF American River near Placerville, CA normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 2,508.4 cfs, against 453 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 SF American River near Placerville, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 875.7 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 237.7 and 3,467.7 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has SF American River near Placerville, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11444500 begin in 1911, about 115 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 Placerville, CA?
- The gauge sits at 38.77101, -120.81632, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18020129, at an elevation of about 920 feet, draining roughly 598 square miles.
- Can I use SF American River near Placerville, 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.