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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Why Central and South Texas rivers go from gravel beds to fifty-year records in an afternoon - including July 2026 on the Nueces.
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Rillito Creek at la Cholla Blvd near Tucson, AZ. Water Level
Live river level, flow, historical records and forecast for Rillito Creek at la Cholla Blvd near Tucson, AZ. in AZ, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Location AZ, United States
- Watershed upper santa cruz
- Primary gauge 09486055 (USGS)
About Rillito Creek at la Cholla Blvd near Tucson, AZ.
Rillito Creek - A dry canvas waiting for rain.
Rillito Creek flows at La Cholla Boulevard near Tucson, Arizona, weaving through the arid landscape of the Upper Santa Cruz watershed. This river, typically running dry between rain events, comes to life with the seasonal rhythms characteristic of the region. The variable discharges respond dynamically to summer monsoon thunderstorms and winter snowmelt from surrounding high ground, bringing dramatic shifts from calm to sudden torrents.
The watershed context
The Upper Santa Cruz watershed is marked by its fluctuating hydrology. With a drainage area of approximately 922 square miles feeding into Rillito Creek, the flow can vary widely, reflecting the region's dry conditions interspersed with brief and intense storms. This phenomenon creates a unique ecosystem, where life not only adapts but thrives in an unpredictable environment. Nearby peers such as the Santa Cruz River and Canada Del Oro contribute to the complex hydrological network that defines this region's natural landscape.
Why the data matters here
Today's reading from the United States Geological Survey (USGS) offers insights into the creek's current status by comparing it against the median for this calendar day, accumulated over 36 years of records. This measure is crucial for understanding water availability and potential flood risks in the area, as it provides context beyond raw elevation numbers. Discharge levels can inform farmers, cottagers, and residents about current conditions in this diverse but arid environment, highlighting the importance of live data in managing and enjoying Rillito Creek and its surroundings.
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
