USGS Streamgage 06478390
Wolf Creek near Clayton, SD
Wolf Creek near Clayton, SD is USGS streamgage 06478390 in South Dakota, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 10160011. It drains a watershed of about 397 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1975. Typical flow runs near 3.4 cfs in July and 36.9 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- South Dakota
- Drainage area
- 397 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 1,209 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 10160011
- Coordinates
- 43.37131, -97.60367
- USGS site number
- 06478390
- Records begin
- 1975-10-01 (51 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 13 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 | 0 | 2.2 | 9.6 | |
| February | 0.1 | 7.3 | 148.2 | |
| March | 2.7 | 35.7 | 538.6 | |
| April | 2.6 | 36.9 | 574.1 | |
| May | 0.7 | 11.7 | 145.2 | |
| June | 0.1 | 6.8 | 659.5 | |
| July | 0 | 3.4 | 88.7 | |
| August | 0 | 4.1 | 26.7 | |
| September | 0 | 3.8 | 205.5 | |
| October | 0.1 | 2.8 | 47.2 | |
| November | 0.2 | 4.8 | 40 | |
| December | 0.3 | 3.7 | 14.1 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Wolf Creek near Clayton, SD normally run highest?
- April, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 36.9 cfs, against 2.2 cfs in January, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Wolf Creek near Clayton, SD?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 2.2 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0 and 9.6 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Wolf Creek near Clayton, SD been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 06478390 begin in 1975, about 51 years. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Wolf Creek near Clayton, SD?
- The gauge sits at 43.37131, -97.60367, in South Dakota, in hydrologic subbasin 10160011, at an elevation of about 1,209 feet, draining roughly 397 square miles.
- Can I use Wolf Creek near Clayton, SD 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.