USGS Streamgage 10259540
Whitewater River near Mecca
Whitewater River near Mecca is USGS streamgage 10259540 in California, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 18100201. It drains a watershed of about 1,495 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1960. Typical flow runs near 78.4 cfs in July and 87.3 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- California
- Drainage area
- 1,495 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- -227 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 18100201
- Coordinates
- 33.52476, -116.0775
- USGS site number
- 10259540
- Records begin
- 1960-10-01 (66 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 66 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 | 54.8 | 78.3 | 120.2 | |
| February | 58 | 84.9 | 132.1 | |
| March | 56.5 | 86.3 | 137 | |
| April | 53.7 | 87.3 | 141.5 | |
| May | 49.1 | 85.3 | 143.4 | |
| June | 48.7 | 75.3 | 128.1 | |
| July | 46.6 | 78.4 | 125 | |
| August | 48.6 | 84.9 | 137.5 | |
| September | 52.3 | 82.2 | 134 | |
| October | 49.4 | 74.2 | 116.4 | |
| November | 51.1 | 74.4 | 111.9 | |
| December | 53.6 | 75.7 | 111.5 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Whitewater River near Mecca normally run highest?
- April, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 87.3 cfs, against 74.2 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 Whitewater River near Mecca?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 78.3 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 54.8 and 120.2 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Whitewater River near Mecca been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 10259540 begin in 1960, about 66 years, covering roughly 9,070 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Whitewater River near Mecca?
- The gauge sits at 33.52476, -116.0775, in California, in hydrologic subbasin 18100201, at an elevation of about -227 feet, draining roughly 1,495 square miles.
- Can I use Whitewater River near Mecca 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.
Other gauges in this subbasin
- Burnt Canyon C above Diversion Dam near Banning, CA
- Whitewater River Diversion Flume In Up Burnt Cyn near Banning
- Whitewater River A White Water, CA
- Snow C near White Water, CA
- Snow C and Diversion Combined, CA
- Snow C Diversion near White Water, CA
- Falls C Diversion near White Water, CA
- Falls C near White Water, CA