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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Pinal Creek at Inspiration Dam, near Globe, AZ. Water Level
Live river level, flow, historical records and forecast for Pinal Creek at Inspiration Dam, near Globe, AZ. in AZ, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Location AZ, United States
- Watershed upper salt
- Primary gauge 09498400 (USGS)
About Pinal Creek at Inspiration Dam, near Globe, AZ.
Pinal Creek - A resilient stream in the arid Southwest.
Nestled near Globe, Arizona, Pinal Creek flows from the Inspiration Dam, a vital lifeline for the surrounding arid landscape. This river, which is part of the Upper Salt watershed, weaves through a region marked by its seasonal variability, where summer monsoon thunderstorms give rise to sudden flash floods, while winter storms and snowmelt from the high country nourish the larger river systems.
The watershed context
Pinal Creek drains an area of approximately 195 square miles upstream of the gauge, reflecting the interplay of diverse weather patterns that define the region's hydrology. This watershed is not only pivotal for local ecology but also acts as a crucial resource for the communities and agriculture that rely on its water. The creek’s hydrological behavior is characterized by its responsiveness to intense weather events, often transforming from a calm stream to a powerful force following heavy rainfall.
The stark changes in water levels serve as a reminder of the dynamic environment in which Pinal Creek exists. During the dry seasons, parts of the creek may run nearly dry, only to surge with life when storms sweep through the region, illustrating the extremes of the arid Southwest's climate.
Why the data matters here
The monitoring station at Pinal Creek is operated by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), providing valuable data that helps stakeholders manage water use and navigate the risks associated with flash floods and variable stream flows. Today's reading is an essential metric, allowing comparisons to the median for this date over the past 46 years. This context enriches our understanding of any current water levels, beyond raw elevation alone. By evaluating today's conditions in relation to historical data, users can make more informed decisions regarding water management, agriculture, and recreation within this vibrant yet challenging environment.
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
