HUMBOLDT RIVER

River Levels Streamflow Hydrology
November 21, 2024

TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)

SUMMARY

Last Updated 2024-11-20
Discharge Volume 572 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 288.6 cfs
+1.9 cfs (+0.66%)
Percent of Normal 86.31%
Maximum 22,830.0 cfs
2019-06-11
Seasonal Avg 334 cfs

Total streamflow across the Humboldt River was last observed at 289 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 572 acre-ft of water today; about 86% of normal. Average streamflow for this time of year is 334 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2019-06-11 when daily discharge volume was observed at 22,830 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Humboldt River At Old Us 40 Bridge reporting a streamflow rate of 70.3 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Humboldt R At Battle Mountain with a gauge stage of 4.17 ft. This river is monitored from 8 different streamgauging stations along the Humboldt River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 5,144 ft, the Humboldt R Nr Elko.

The Humboldt River is a 290-mile long river in northern Nevada that was named after the famous explorer, Alexander von Humboldt. The river has played a significant role in the history of the region, serving as a critical transportation route for settlers and gold miners during the 1800s. The river flows through the Great Basin and is fed by several smaller streams and tributaries. The Humboldt River is widely regarded as one of the driest rivers in the United States, with much of its water being used for irrigation and agriculture. The river is also home to several reservoirs and dams, such as the Rye Patch Dam and the Humboldt storage reservoir, which serve as vital sources of water for the surrounding communities. Recreational activities like fishing, rafting, and kayaking are also popular along the river.

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Humboldt R Nr Elko
USGS 10318500
16 cfs 1.17 ft -12.02
Humboldt R Nr Carlin
USGS 10321000
35 cfs 0.91 ft 3.22
Humboldt R At Palisade
USGS 10322500
61 cfs 1.21 ft 0
Humboldt River At Old Us 40 Bridge
USGS 10323425
70 cfs 2.59 ft 5.56
Humboldt R At Battle Mountain
USGS 10325000
62 cfs 4.17 ft 13.21
Humboldt R At Comus
USGS 10327500
34 cfs 2.47 ft -16.09
Humboldt R Nr Imlay
USGS 10333000
14 cfs 1.64 ft 0
Humboldt R Nr Rye Patch
USGS 10335000
18 cfs 4.06 ft -13.86
History of the River

The Humboldt River runs through northern Nevada in the western United States. At approximately 290 miles (470 km) long it is the third longest river in the Great Basin, after the Bear and Sevier Rivers. It has no outlet to the ocean, but instead empties into the Humboldt Sink. It is the fifth largest river in the United States, in terms of discharge, that does not ultimately reach the ocean, while it is the largest in terms of area drained. Through its tributaries, the river drains most of sparsely populated northern Nevada, traversing the state roughly east to west, and passing through repeated gaps in the north–south running mountain ranges. It furnishes the only natural transportation artery across the Great Basin and has provided a route for historic westward migrations and subsequent railroads and highways. The river is named for the German naturalist Alexander von Humboldt.

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