MAD R NR ARCATA CA
USGS 11481000 · California · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading MAD R NR ARCATA CA…
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USGS 11481000 · California · 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, 7:45 PM PST · provisional USGS data
Below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 8:45 PM PDT to Nov 5, 7:45 PM PST; ranging 41.6 to 54.5 ft³/s; latest 53.1 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, 7:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM PST | 49.1 | 5.69 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM PST | 50.4 | 5.7 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM PST | 50.4 | 5.7 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 57–413 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 57–413 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM PST | 49.1 | 5.69 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM PST | 50.4 | 5.7 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM PST | 49.1 | 5.69 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM PST | 42.8 | 5.64 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM PST | 41.6 | 5.63 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM PST | 42.8 | 5.64 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM PST | 42.8 | 5.64 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM PST | 42.8 | 5.64 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 59–235 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 59–235 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM PST | 50.4 | 5.7 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM PST | 54.5 | 5.73 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM PST | 49.1 | 5.69 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM PST | 42.8 | 5.64 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–273 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 58–273 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM PST | 49.1 | 5.69 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM PST | 50.4 | 5.7 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM PST | 50.4 | 5.7 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM PST | 42.8 | 5.64 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM PST | 42.8 | 5.64 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM PST | 42.8 | 5.64 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM PST | 42.8 | 5.64 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM PST | 44 | 5.65 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM PST | 45.2 | 5.66 | 58–224 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 58–224 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM PST | 49.1 | 5.69 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM PST | 53.1 | 5.72 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM PST | 51.8 | 5.71 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM PST | 50.4 | 5.7 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM PST | 49.1 | 5.69 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM PST | 49.1 | 5.69 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM PST | 49.1 | 5.69 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM PST | 46.5 | 5.67 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM PST | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 56–163 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM PDT | 49.1 | 5.69 | 56–163 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM PDT | 50.4 | 5.7 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM PDT | 51.8 | 5.71 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM PDT | 53.1 | 5.72 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM PDT | 53.1 | 5.72 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM PDT | 51.8 | 5.71 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM PDT | 51.8 | 5.71 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM PDT | 50.4 | 5.7 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM PDT | 46.5 | 5.67 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM PDT | 46.5 | 5.67 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM PDT | 44 | 5.65 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM PDT | 44 | 5.65 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM PDT | 45.2 | 5.66 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM PDT | 46.5 | 5.67 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM PDT | 44 | 5.65 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM PDT | 44 | 5.65 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM PDT | 44 | 5.65 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM PDT | 46.5 | 5.67 | 53–215 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM PDT | 49.1 | 5.69 | 53–215 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM PDT | 51.8 | 5.71 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM PDT | 51.8 | 5.71 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM PDT | 53.1 | 5.72 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM PDT | 53.1 | 5.72 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM PDT | 53.1 | 5.72 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM PDT | 53.1 | 5.72 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM PDT | 51.8 | 5.71 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM PDT | 49.1 | 5.69 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM PDT | 46.5 | 5.67 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM PDT | 45.2 | 5.66 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM PDT | 42.8 | 5.64 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM PDT | 44 | 5.65 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM PDT | 42.8 | 5.64 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM PDT | 45.2 | 5.66 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM PDT | 46.5 | 5.67 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM PDT | 45.2 | 5.66 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM PDT | 45.2 | 5.66 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM PDT | 46.5 | 5.67 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM PDT | 46.5 | 5.67 | 54–199 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM PDT | 47.8 | 5.68 | 54–199 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM PDT | 50.4 | 5.7 | 53–233 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM PDT | 51.8 | 5.71 | 53–233 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM PDT | 54.5 | 5.73 | 53–233 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM PDT | 53.1 | 5.72 | 53–233 |
Map of USGS gauge 11481000 and the river around it
Where MAD R NR ARCATA CA sits and our water's map point.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer: the trout lines CDFW uses are 67°F.
Species the agency lists for Mad River: Steelhead.
Source: Steelhead Report and Restoration Card location codes (named river systems) (California Department of Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Branch).
Normal for Nov 5: 57–413 ft³/s (middle half of 64 years of record). Now: 53.1 ft³/s, below normal.
Below normal for this date. 53.1 ft³/s is between the 10th and 25th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 64 years of record (1963–2026): 10th 43, 25th 57, median 113, 75th 413, 90th 928 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 11 ft³/s, highest 4,030 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.
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 5.72 ft stage, 53 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:45 PM PST (NWS gauge ARCC1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 12:33 PM PST. Highest point: 5.69 ft, 49 ft³/s on Nov 8, 1:00 PM PST (Below NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Thu, Nov 5 | 5.67 ft | 47 ft³/s |
| Fri, Nov 6 | 5.67 ft | 47 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 5.68 ft | 48 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 5.69 ft | 49 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 5.69 ft | 49 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 5.69 ft | 49 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 8:24 PM PST; 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.