SANTA CRUZ RIVER AT CORTARO, AZ
USGS 09486500 · Arizona · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading SANTA CRUZ RIVER AT CORTARO, AZ…
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USGS 09486500 · Arizona · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 6:45 PM MST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 8:00 PM MST to Nov 5, 6:45 PM MST; ranging 15.2 to 9,680 ft³/s; latest 43 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 6:45 PM MST | 43 | 8.27 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM MST | 45.2 | 8.31 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM MST | 45.2 | 8.31 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM MST | 46.4 | 8.33 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM MST | 47.5 | 8.35 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM MST | 47.5 | 8.35 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM MST | 40.9 | 8.24 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM MST | 29.1 | 8.07 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM MST | 26.6 | 8.03 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM MST | 22.3 | 7.96 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM MST | 16.7 | 7.86 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM MST | 18.4 | 7.89 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM MST | 18.9 | 7.9 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM MST | 21.2 | 7.94 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM MST | 27.2 | 8.04 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM MST | 35.9 | 8.17 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM MST | 43 | 8.27 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM MST | 45.8 | 8.32 | 0–56 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM MST | 48.7 | 8.37 | 0–56 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM MST | 48.1 | 8.36 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM MST | 46.9 | 8.34 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM MST | 45.8 | 8.32 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM MST | 44.6 | 8.3 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM MST | 44.1 | 8.29 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM MST | 44.1 | 8.29 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM MST | 46.4 | 8.33 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM MST | 46.4 | 8.33 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM MST | 47.5 | 8.35 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM MST | 48.7 | 8.37 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM MST | 49.3 | 8.38 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM MST | 45.8 | 8.32 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM MST | 35.9 | 8.17 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM MST | 33.1 | 8.13 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM MST | 27.2 | 8.04 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM MST | 21.8 | 7.95 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM MST | 19.5 | 7.91 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM MST | 20.6 | 7.93 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM MST | 25.3 | 8.01 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM MST | 38.7 | 8.21 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM MST | 45.8 | 8.32 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM MST | 50.4 | 8.4 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM MST | 56.9 | 8.49 | 0–58 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM MST | 61 | 8.54 | 0–58 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM MST | 63.5 | 8.57 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM MST | 66.1 | 8.6 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM MST | 68.7 | 8.63 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM MST | 73.2 | 8.68 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM MST | 77.9 | 8.73 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM MST | 86.6 | 8.82 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM MST | 98.9 | 8.94 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM MST | 113 | 9.07 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM MST | 126 | 9.18 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM MST | 146 | 9.34 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM MST | 168 | 9.5 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM MST | 188 | 9.64 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM MST | 214 | 9.81 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM MST | 227 | 9.89 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM MST | 244 | 9.99 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM MST | 251 | 10 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM MST | 244 | 9.99 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM MST | 245 | 10 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM MST | 249 | 10 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM MST | 256 | 10.1 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM MST | 270 | 10.1 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM MST | 279 | 10.2 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM MST | 294 | 10.3 | 0–57 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM MST | 303 | 10.3 | 0–57 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM MST | 303 | 10.3 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM MST | 309 | 10.3 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM MST | 307 | 10.3 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM MST | 318 | 10.4 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM MST | 332 | 10.4 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM MST | 354 | 10.5 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM MST | 354 | 10.5 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM MST | 361 | 10.6 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM MST | 387 | 10.6 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM MST | 454 | 10.8 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM MST | 524 | 11 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM MST | 585 | 11.1 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM MST | 617 | 11.1 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM MST | 747 | 11.4 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM MST | 1,120 | 11.9 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM MST | 1,590 | 12.4 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM MST | 2,100 | 12.8 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM MST | 2,360 | 13 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM MST | 2,680 | 13.2 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM MST | 2,970 | 13.4 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM MST | 3,520 | 13.7 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM MST | 4,210 | 14.1 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM MST | 5,140 | 14.5 | 0–56 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM MST | 6,540 | 15.1 | 0–56 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM MST | 6,960 | 15.2 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM MST | 7,180 | 15.3 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM MST | 7,920 | 15.5 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM MST | 9,300 | 15.9 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM MST | 9,530 | 15.9 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM MST | 9,260 | 15.9 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM MST | 9,370 | 15.9 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM MST | 9,680 | 16 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM MST | 8,550 | 15.7 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM MST | 5,450 | 14.7 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM MST | 3,870 | 13.9 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM MST | 2,340 | 13 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM MST | 1,590 | 12.4 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM MST | 1,090 | 11.8 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM MST | 176 | 9.56 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM MST | 169 | 9.51 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM MST | 224 | 9.87 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM MST | 284 | 10.2 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM MST | 292 | 10.3 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM MST | 307 | 10.3 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM MST | 312 | 10.4 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM MST | 266 | 10.1 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM MST | 290 | 10.3 | 0–53 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM MST | 384 | 10.6 | 0–53 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM MST | 514 | 10.9 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM MST | 367 | 10.6 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM MST | 234 | 9.93 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM MST | 135 | 9.25 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM MST | 142 | 9.31 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM MST | 136 | 9.26 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM MST | 88.6 | 8.84 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM MST | 77.9 | 8.73 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM MST | 77.9 | 8.73 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM MST | 71.4 | 8.66 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM MST | 61.9 | 8.55 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM MST | 43 | 8.27 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM MST | 31.1 | 8.1 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM MST | 22.3 | 7.96 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM MST | 19.5 | 7.91 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM MST | 15.2 | 7.83 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM MST | 16.7 | 7.86 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM MST | 16.7 | 7.86 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM MST | 17.8 | 7.88 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM MST | 26 | 8.02 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM MST | 28.5 | 8.06 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM MST | 35.2 | 8.16 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM MST | 39.4 | 8.22 | 0–56 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM MST | 43 | 8.27 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM MST | 44.6 | 8.3 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM MST | 46.4 | 8.33 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM MST | 45.8 | 8.32 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM MST | 46.4 | 8.33 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM MST | 49.9 | 8.39 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM MST | 53.8 | 8.45 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM MST | 61.9 | 8.55 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM MST | 65.3 | 8.59 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM MST | 78.8 | 8.74 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM MST | 111 | 9.05 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM MST | 153 | 9.39 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM MST | 141 | 9.3 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM MST | 168 | 9.5 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM MST | 230 | 9.91 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM MST | 281 | 10.2 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM MST | 270 | 10.1 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM MST | 29.8 | 8.08 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM MST | 30.4 | 8.09 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM MST | 33.1 | 8.13 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM MST | 48.1 | 8.36 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM MST | 222 | 9.86 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM MST | 240 | 9.97 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM MST | 47.5 | 8.35 | 0–56 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM MST | 50.4 | 8.4 | 0–56 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM MST | 49.9 | 8.39 | 0–56 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM MST | 48.1 | 8.36 | 0–56 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM MST | 46.9 | 8.34 | 0–56 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM MST | 45.8 | 8.32 | 0–56 |
| Oct 29, 8:00 PM MST | 45.2 | 8.31 | 0–56 |
Map of USGS gauge 09486500 and the river around it
Where SANTA CRUZ RIVER AT CORTARO, AZ sits, with 3 other gauges on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines Arizona Game and Fish uses are 67°F.
Normal for Nov 5: 0–56 ft³/s (middle half of 77 years of record). Now: 43 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 43 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 77 years of record (1940–2026): 10th 0, 25th 0, median 41, 75th 56, 90th 68 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 0 ft³/s, highest 89 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (−2.5% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Arizona Game and Fish Department: Arizona fish stocking schedule · Arizona fishing licenses and regulations.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 8.27 ft stage, 42 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:45 PM MST (NWS gauge CSCA3; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 8:37 AM MST. Highest point: 8.48 ft, 57 ft³/s on Nov 5, 4:00 PM MST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 8.48 ft | 57 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 8.48 ft | 57 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 8.48 ft | 57 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 8.47 ft | 56 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 8.47 ft | 56 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 8.46 ft | 55 ft³/s |
| Wed, Nov 11 | 8.46 ft | 55 ft³/s |
| Thu, Nov 12 | 8.46 ft | 55 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 7:57 PM MST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.