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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Imperial Reservoir at Imperial Dam, AZ-CA Water Level
Live lake level, flow, historical records and forecast for Imperial Reservoir at Imperial Dam, AZ-CA in AZ, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Location AZ, United States
- Watershed imperial reservoir
- Primary gauge 09429495 (USGS)
About Imperial Reservoir at Imperial Dam, AZ-CA
Imperial Reservoir - A key water body in the arid Southwest.
Imperial Reservoir, located at Imperial Dam, sits at the intersection of Arizona and California. This reservoir plays a vital role in the regional water management system, serving multiple demands from agriculture to occasional recreational use. The arid landscape surrounding the reservoir sets the stage for a unique hydrological environment, where water management is crucial due to the variable conditions brought on by seasonal weather patterns.
The watershed context
Covering a substantial drainage area of roughly 188,500 square miles upstream, Imperial Reservoir is part of a larger network of waterways that includes several significant peers such as the Colorado River below Palo Verde Dam and various canals nearby. The main water inflows are heavily influenced by summer monsoon thunderstorms that can quickly lead to flash floods, as well as winter storms that contribute to snowmelt in the high country. This unique combination makes the reservoir an essential player in managing water resources amid the challenges posed by the Southwest's arid climate.
Why the data matters here
Today's readings from the USGS station at Imperial Reservoir provide essential data for stakeholders managing water resources in this region. By comparing current water levels with historical median values for this date, we gain a clearer understanding of current conditions in relation to long-term averages. This contrast is crucial beyond simple elevation figures; it allows for evaluating the reservoir's capacity to meet regional demands, thus ensuring efficient planning for agricultural, ecological, and community needs. As it stands, the data is observational and spans over the last 10 years, permitting a meaningful assessment of both short-term fluctuations and long-term trends in water availability.
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
