USGS Streamgage 10336610
Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe, CA
Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe, CA is USGS streamgage 10336610 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 16050101. It drains a watershed of about 55 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1971. Typical flow runs near 27 cfs in July and 147.7 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 55 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 6,229 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 16050101
- Coordinates
- 38.92241, -119.99157
- USGS site number
- 10336610
- Records begin
- 1971-10-01 (55 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 55 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 | 13.6 | 30.5 | 127.5 | |
| February | 18.7 | 43.1 | 112.7 | |
| March | 34.9 | 77.9 | 187.3 | |
| April | 75.6 | 147.7 | 309.8 | |
| May | 99.6 | 245.1 | 597.1 | |
| June | 36.5 | 165.5 | 579.6 | |
| July | 6.3 | 27 | 219.1 | |
| August | 2 | 7.6 | 42.3 | |
| September | 1.8 | 7.2 | 23.2 | |
| October | 3.8 | 10.8 | 29.9 | |
| November | 7.8 | 16.3 | 76.4 | |
| December | 11.1 | 22.2 | 104.7 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe, CA normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 245.1 cfs, against 7.2 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 Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe, CA?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 30.5 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 13.6 and 127.5 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe, CA been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 10336610 begin in 1971, about 55 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 Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe, CA?
- The gauge sits at 38.92241, -119.99157, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 16050101, at an elevation of about 6,229 feet, draining roughly 55 square miles.
- Can I use Upper Truckee River at South Lake Tahoe, 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.