USGS Streamgage 11138500
Sisquoc River near Sisquoc, CA
Sisquoc River near Sisquoc, CA is USGS streamgage 11138500 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18060008. It drains a watershed of about 282 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1929. Typical flow runs near 1.7 cfs in July and 30.7 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 282 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 627 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18060008
- Coordinates
- 34.83996, -120.16717
- USGS site number
- 11138500
- Records begin
- 1929-10-01 (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 | 1.1 | 8 | 163.1 | |
| February | 1.4 | 23.6 | 434.1 | |
| March | 2 | 35.1 | 484.3 | |
| April | 1.8 | 30.7 | 283.6 | |
| May | 1.3 | 12.6 | 94.8 | |
| June | 0.9 | 4 | 35.6 | |
| July | 0.5 | 1.7 | 13.6 | |
| August | 0.3 | 1.2 | 5.1 | |
| September | 0.3 | 1.1 | 4.3 | |
| October | 0.3 | 1 | 3.1 | |
| November | 0.3 | 1.2 | 7 | |
| December | 0.5 | 1.9 | 42.6 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Sisquoc River near Sisquoc, CA normally run highest?
- March, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 35.1 cfs, against 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 Sisquoc River near Sisquoc, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 8 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 1.1 and 163.1 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Sisquoc River near Sisquoc, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11138500 begin in 1929, about 97 years, covering roughly 4,885 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Sisquoc River near Sisquoc, CA?
- The gauge sits at 34.83996, -120.16717, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18060008, at an elevation of about 627 feet, draining roughly 282 square miles.
- Can I use Sisquoc River near Sisquoc, 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.