San Francisco River At Clifton flow report
As of July 13, 2026, San Francisco River At Clifton is flowing at 125 cfs with a gage height of 9.43 ft, rising 1390% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #09444500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
San Francisco River At Clifton at a glance
How San Francisco River At Clifton is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
San Francisco River At Clifton is flowing at 125 cfs, with the water sitting 9.43 ft at the gage. Flow is up 1390% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #09444500 in Arizona. Over the past 10 days the average has been 20 cfs, peaking at 125 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, San Francisco River At Clifton is expected to recede from today's 125 cfs, toward roughly 109 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 29-406 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Arizona flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
San Francisco River At Clifton
The river is a significant contributor to the Gila River system, which serves as a vital source of water for agriculture and municipal use in Arizona. There are several tributaries that feed into the river, including the Blue River and Eagle Creek. The flow of the river is highly seasonal, with peak flows occurring during the monsoon season in late summer. The San Francisco River is also home to several dams, including the Coolidge Dam, which was built to control flooding and provide water storage. Interestingly, the river played a key role in the mining history of the area, with gold, silver, and copper deposits found along its banks.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check San Francisco River At Clifton's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| San Francisco River At Clifton | 125 cfs |
| Gila River Near Clifton | 19 cfs |
| Eagle Creek Above Pumping Plant | 38 cfs |
| Bonita Creek Near Morenci | 1 cfs |
| Blue River Near Clifton | 0 cfs |
| Gila River At Head Of Safford Valley | 48 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near San Francisco River At Clifton. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Buckhorn | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Silver Creek Divide | 0 in |
| Silver Creek Divide | 0 in |
| Nohrsc Hannagan Meadows | — |
| Hannagan Meadows | 0 in |
| Beaver Head | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of San Francisco River At Clifton.
Boat launches
See all →
River runs
See all →
River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track San Francisco River At Clifton in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when San Francisco River At Clifton crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About San Francisco River At Clifton
Where does the streamflow data for San Francisco River At Clifton come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 09444500. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when San Francisco River At Clifton rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free San Francisco River At Clifton report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app