Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs flow report

California, USA USGS #10257600 ↗

As of July 15, 2026, Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs is flowing at 1 cfs with a gage height of 10.13 ft, rising 100% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #10257600, refreshed throughout the day.

⚠ Extreme Heat Warning · Extreme Heat Warning issued July 15 at 1:53AM PDT until July 16 at 8:00PM PDT by NWS San Diego CA
Stale data This gauge hasn’t reported in days (last reading unknown). The readings below may not reflect current conditions.
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Right now · latest observation
Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs
USGS gauge #10257600
1 cfs streamflow
Latest reading from this gauge.
Gage height
10.13ft
Water temp
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% of median
Since yesterday
↑ 100%
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Conditions summary

Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs at a glance

How Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.

Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs is flowing at 1 cfs, with the water sitting 10.13 ft at the gage. Flow is up 100% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.

This is USGS gauge #10257600 in California. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1 cfs, peaking at 2 cfs.

For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the California flow report.

Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs on the map Open map →
Site IDUSGS 10257600
Last updated2023-08-20
Gage height, feet10.13 ft
Streamflow, ft3/s0.52 ft3/s
Max recorded25 cfs
Engineering & permitting

Engineering Data

Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #10257600).

P10 exceedanceexceeded 10% of days
P25 exceedanceexceeded 25% of days
P50 (median)exceeded half of days
P75 exceedanceexceeded 75% of days
P90 exceedanceexceeded 90% of days
Period of recorddaily observations
Conditions report:

Percentiles are flow-duration values from this gauge’s observed daily record. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima — decision-support context, not a regulatory flood-frequency analysis (no Bulletin 17C fitting). Verify against USGS NWIS approved records for permitting or litigation use. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.

Historical context

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.

Detailed forecast

Weather Forecast

Hourly detail

Next 5 days, hour by hour

Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.

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Deep dive

5-day forecast table

Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.

TimeConditionTemp (°F)Snow (in)Rain (in)Humidity (%)Wind (mps)Wind dir
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Long-term outlook

15-day forecast

Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.

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About this location

Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs

The constituents that benefit from this data include farmers, cities, tribes, and recreational users. The Whitewater River flows through the San Gorgonio Pass, and its flow is impacted by the seasonal snowmelt in the San Bernardino Mountains. The river is also impacted by the Seven Oaks Dam and potentially the future planned Sites Reservoir. Quirky/interesting facts include that the Whitewater River was used by Native Americans for trade routes and that it is home to the endangered Arroyo Toad.

Regional streamflow

Nearby streamflow levels

Cross-check Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.

Regional snowpack

Nearby snowpack data

Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.

SNOTEL stationSnowpack
Johnson Valley 0 in
Lake Arrowhead 1.5 Se 0 in
Hesperia 1ene 0 in
Nearby recreation

Plan a trip

Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs.

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 Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs in the Snoflo app

Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.

FAQ

About Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs

Where does the streamflow data for Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs come from?

Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 10257600. 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 Mission Creek Near Desert Hot Springs 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.