Summary
Total streamflow across the
Nacimiento River
was last observed at
70
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
138
acre-ft of water today; about 105%
of normal.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
66 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2023-03-11 when daily discharge volume was observed at
14,150 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Nacimiento R Bl Nacimiento Dam Nr Bradley Ca
reporting a streamflow rate of 66.1 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Nacimiento R Bl Sapaque C Nr Bryson Ca
with a gauge stage of 7.9 ft.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Nacimiento River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 819 ft, the
Nacimiento R Bl Sapaque C Nr Bryson Ca.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-05 |
| Discharge Volume | 138 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
69.68 cfs
+5.4 cfs (+8.4%) |
| Percent of Normal | 104.87% |
| Maximum |
14,150.0 cfs
2023-03-11 |
| Seasonal Avg | cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Nacimiento R Bl Sapaque C Nr Bryson Ca
USGS 11148900 |
4 cfs | 7.9 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Nacimiento R Bl Nacimiento Dam Nr Bradley Ca
USGS 11149400 |
66 cfs | 2.5 ft | 8.9 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The river has played an important role in the history of the area, serving as a water source for the Salinan and Chumash tribes. Today, the Nacimiento River is used for recreational and agricultural purposes. The river is impounded by two major reservoirs, Lake Nacimiento and Lake San Antonio, which provide water for irrigation, drinking, and power generation. The Nacimiento River watershed is also home to several smaller dams and reservoirs, including the Nacimiento Dam and the San Antonio Dam. Recreational activities on the river include boating, fishing, and camping, while agriculture in the area primarily consists of vineyards, orchards, and crop farming. The river's hydrology is affected by droughts and seasonal rainfall patterns.