Nibi Metrics
Real-time water levels, forecasts, and alerts for lakes and rivers across Canada and the US. Built on official government data.
Nibi Metrics turns raw gauge readings from official hydrometric networks into something a person standing on a dock can actually use: is the water high or low for today, which way is it moving, and how unusual is this? This page explains where every number on the platform comes from and what we do to it along the way.
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Altar Wash near Three Points, AZ. Water Level
Live river level, flow, historical records and forecast for Altar Wash near Three Points, AZ. in AZ, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Location AZ, United States
- Watershed brawley wash
- Primary gauge 09486800 (USGS)
About Altar Wash near Three Points, AZ.
Altar Wash - A seasonal pulse through the desert landscape.
Altar Wash near Three Points in Arizona carries the seasonal rhythms of the arid Southwest. This river, part of the Brawley Wash watershed, is influenced by the dramatic weather patterns typical of the region—particularly the summer monsoon thunderstorms that bring about intense, yet brief, flooding events. In the winter, the melting snow from the high country contributes to the flow, though many channels, including Altar Wash, can run dry between these significant events.
The watershed context
The Altar Wash drains a catchment area of approximately 463 square miles, providing a vital conduit for water that nourishes the surrounding landscape during times of high flow. This wash connects with other nearby streams, including Las Moras Wash at various points, forming a dynamic drainage network in an otherwise arid terrain. The behavior of Altar Wash is indicative of the region’s hydrology, which is marked by extreme variability, with naturally dry periods punctuated by occasional, powerful surges of water.
Why the data matters here
The near real-time data collected by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) is essential for monitoring flooding risks and understanding water availability in this desert ecosystem. Today's reading shows the current flow level in relation to the median for this calendar day across the station’s historical record of 34 years. This context is crucial; it helps reveal trends and changes in water patterns that raw elevation numbers alone cannot convey. By comparing today's measurement to historical averages, we gain valuable insights on how Altar Wash is performing relative to its seasonal norms, guiding local responses to flooding and water management.
How this page is built
Readings come from official government gauges and are rolled into daily records: the daily mean, high and low for every day on record. Each calendar day gets its own baseline from the full history, so the level you see is compared against what this specific date usually looks like rather than an annual average.
How Nibi Metrics works · Water stories
