Butte Creek Near Chico flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Butte Creek Near Chico is flowing at 164 cfs with a gage height of 0.78 ft. Source: USGS gauge #11390000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Butte Creek Near Chico at a glance
How Butte Creek Near Chico is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Butte Creek Near Chico is flowing at 164 cfs, with the water sitting 0.78 ft at the gage.
This is USGS gauge #11390000 in California. Over the past 10 days the average has been 171 cfs, peaking at 180 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Butte C Nr Chico Ca is expected to recede from today's 164 cfs, toward roughly 142 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 92-221 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the California 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.
Butte Creek Near Chico
The stream is primarily fed by snowmelt from the Sierra Nevada mountains and rainfall. There are several dams on the creek, including the Oroville Dam, which is one of the tallest dams in the United States. The flow of the creek is influenced by seasonal trends, with high flows in the spring from snowmelt and lower flows in the summer and fall. Interestingly, Butte Creek is home to the only known self-sustaining population of spring-run Chinook salmon in California.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Butte Creek Near Chico's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Butte C Nr Chico Ca | 164 cfs |
| Deer C Nr Vina Ca | 103 cfs |
| Mill C Nr Los Molinos Ca | 143 cfs |
| Sacramento R A Colusa Ca | 8,620 cfs |
| Yuba R Nr Marysville Ca | 545 cfs |
| Deer C Nr Smartville Ca | 4 cfs |
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 Butte Creek Near Chico in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Butte Creek Near Chico crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Butte Creek Near Chico
Where does the streamflow data for Butte Creek Near Chico come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 11390000. 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 Butte Creek Near Chico 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 Butte Creek Near Chico report
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