SWEETWATER RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
April 26, 2025


Red Flag Warning
2025-04-27T20:00:00-06:00

The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Sunday. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 214, 240, 241, 242, 243, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 249. * TIMING...From 11 AM to 8 PM MDT Sunday. * WINDS...South 20 to 30 mph with gusts up to 45 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.


Total streamflow across the Sweetwater River was last observed at 151 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 300 acre-ft of water today; about 72% of normal. Average streamflow for this time of year is 211 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2017-05-19 when daily discharge volume was observed at 2,720 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Sweetwater River Near Sweetwater Station reporting a streamflow rate of 151 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Sweetwater R Nr Descanso Ca with a gauge stage of 4.76 ft. This river is monitored from 4 different streamgauging stations along the Sweetwater River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 6,593 ft, the Sweetwater River Near Sweetwater Station.

Last Updated 2025-04-26
Discharge Volume 300 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 151.0 cfs
+10.0 cfs (+7.09%)
Percent of Normal 71.72%
Maximum 2,720.0 cfs
2017-05-19
Seasonal Avg 211 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Sweetwater River Near Sweetwater Station
USGS 06638090
151 cfs 2.6 ft 7.09
Sweetwater River Near Alcova
USGS 06639000
27 cfs 1.77 ft -6.23
Sweetwater R Nr Descanso Ca
USGS 11015000
2 cfs 4.76 ft 1.35
Sweetwater R A Dehesa Ca
USGS 11016200
0 cfs 2.92 ft None
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge

Weather Forecast

Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Sweetwater River is a 55-mile (89 km) long stream in San Diego County, California.
From its headwaters high in the Cuyamaca Mountains, the river flows generally southwest, first through rugged hinterlands but then into the urban areas surrounding its mouth at San Diego Bay. Its drainage basin covers more than 230 square miles (600 km2), all of it within San Diego County. Towns on the river include Descanso, La Presa and Chula Vista.
The term "Sweetwater" is a name often given to freshwater which tastes good in regions where much of the water is bitter to the taste. The Spanish called the river "Agua Dulce", a name they applied to good clear water anywhere they lived.