Gauge Information

Gauge Description:

There is no gauge on Big Creek itself. The flow number listed above is from NF Willow Creek which does have a gauge. NF Willow is a similar sized creek, with adjacent headwaters. It seems like the two creeks should have fairly similar flow patterns. However, the two creeks have not been closely monitored or compared in the past and recent comparisons show that they can vary quite a bit from each other.  There are small upstream diversions on both creeks which also affect the natural flow patterns.  Madera Irrigation district diverts water from each creek into tributaries of the Fresno River.


Boatable flows tend to be in April and May but can occur in other months as well. See this table of Monthly mean flows; 1997-2006.    There is at present no staff gauge on Big Creek.

Gauge Information

Name Range Difficulty Updated Level
NF WILLOW C NR SUGAR PINE CA
usgs-11242400 100 - 350 cfs V 2y119d21h59m 83 cfs (rc= -0.1 )

RangeWater LevelDifficultyComment
100 - 350 cfs barely runnable-high runnable V

Report - Reports of Big Creek The Middle Gorge Section and related gauges

Reports give the public a chance to report on river conditions throughout the country as well as log the history of a river.

Reports

When River/Gauge Subject Level Reporter
Big Creek [CA] Daniel kayaking on Big Creek n/a Daniel Lundberg
5y308d19h28m big creek [ca] one of the many 250 cfs Chris Tulley
6y230d19h28m Big Creek [CA] seal launch n/a Paul Martzen
6y230d19h28m Big Creek [CA] Daniel at First Falls low Paul Martzen
6y241d19h28m Big Creek at Wawona [CA] One more time. n/a Paul Martzen
6y250d19h28m Big Creek [CA] White flower n/a Paul Martzen
7y285d19h28m Big Creek [CA] Approaching the Drop n/a Daniel Lundberg