USGS Streamgage 11532500
Smith River near Crescent City, CA
Smith River near Crescent City, CA is USGS streamgage 11532500 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18010101. It drains a watershed of about 614 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1927. Typical flow runs near 472.7 cfs in July and 3,600.3 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 614 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 83 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18010101
- Coordinates
- 41.79148, -124.07615
- USGS site number
- 11532500
- Records begin
- 1927-01-01 (99 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 95 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 | 1,512.9 | 5,025.2 | 19,096.8 | |
| February | 1,790.3 | 4,711.7 | 15,803.4 | |
| March | 1,947.1 | 4,828.1 | 13,272.3 | |
| April | 1,575 | 3,600.3 | 8,098.3 | |
| May | 1,032.8 | 2,131.6 | 4,775.5 | |
| June | 609.5 | 938.1 | 2,137.3 | |
| July | 362.6 | 472.7 | 702.8 | |
| August | 250.4 | 312.7 | 419.2 | |
| September | 208.3 | 261 | 391.1 | |
| October | 208.4 | 333.4 | 1,926.5 | |
| November | 348.1 | 1,857.5 | 10,658 | |
| December | 1,032 | 4,096.5 | 19,245.2 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Smith River near Crescent City, CA normally run highest?
- January, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 5,025.2 cfs, against 261 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 Smith River near Crescent City, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 5,025.2 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 1,512.9 and 19,096.8 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Smith River near Crescent City, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 11532500 begin in 1927, about 99 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 Smith River near Crescent City, CA?
- The gauge sits at 41.79148, -124.07615, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18010101, at an elevation of about 83 feet, draining roughly 614 square miles.
- Can I use Smith River near Crescent City, 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.