Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay flow report
As of July 12, 2026, Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay is flowing at 5 cfs with a gage height of 2.41 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #11162630, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay at a glance
How Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay is flowing at 5 cfs, with the water sitting 2.41 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #11162630 in California. Over the past 10 days the average has been 5 cfs, peaking at 5 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Pilarcitos C A Half Moon Bay Ca is expected to recede from today's 5 cfs, toward roughly 4 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 2-7 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.
Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay
The creek's main constituents include agricultural runoff and urban stormwater. The stream has several tributaries, including San Vicente Creek and Denniston Creek, and is impounded by the Lower Crystal Springs Dam. Seasonal trends show increased flow during winter rains and decreased flow during dry summers. The hydrology of Pilarcitos Creek is also interesting due to its unique geological formations, including a stretch of the creek that flows through an underground lava tube. Overall, the stream gauge is crucial for monitoring water resources and understanding the complex hydrology of the area.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Pilarcitos C A Half Moon Bay Ca | 5 cfs |
| Pilarcitos C Bl Stone Dam Nr Hillsborough Ca | 2 cfs |
| San Mateo C Bl Lo Crystal Sp Res Nr San Mateo Ca | 3 cfs |
| San Gregorio C A San Gregorio Ca | 5 cfs |
| San Francisquito C A Stanford University Ca | 1 cfs |
| Pescadero C Nr Pescadero Ca | 10 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay. 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 |
|---|---|
| Half Moon Bay 0.5 Ssw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay.
Nearby reservoirs
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Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay
Where does the streamflow data for Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 11162630. 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 Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay 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 Pilarcitos Creek A Half Moon Bay report
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