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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Salt River at Priest Drive near Phoenix Water Level
Live river level, flow, historical records and forecast for Salt River at Priest Drive near Phoenix in AZ, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Location AZ, United States
- Watershed lower salt
- Primary gauge 09512165 (USGS)
About Salt River at Priest Drive near Phoenix
Salt River - a vital artery of the arid Southwest.
The Salt River at Priest Drive near Phoenix is a key waterway within the expansive Lower Salt watershed. This river serves as an essential resource in a region marked by diverse hydrological patterns, driven largely by summer monsoon thunderstorms and winter snowmelt from the high country. The river measures the effective flow downstream, capturing the dynamic conditions of this vibrant desert environment.
The watershed context
This section of the Salt River drains an impressive 13,223 square miles above the station, feeding into the intricate network of waterways that supports both urban and ecological systems in the area. The river often experiences rapid changes in water levels due to sporadic summer storms, which can lead to flash floods, while the winter months may see water from melting snow contributing to larger flows. This current interplay between monsoonal influx and winter precipitation illustrates the complex seasonal rhythm typical of the arid Southwest.
Nearby, Fish Creek near Tortilla Flat contributes to the diverse hydrology of the Lower Salt watershed. Additionally, the Salt River below Stewart Mountain Dam becomes relevant for monitoring downstream impacts and flow management. The Salt River not only plays a vital role in the local ecosystem but serves the needs of Phoenix's growing population.
Why the data matters here
Understanding the current reading for the Salt River at Priest Drive is essential for communities and stakeholders who rely on this river for water supply and flood management. The US Geological Survey (USGS) continually monitors this location, providing critical data on river flow conditions. Comparing today's measurements against the median for this calendar day across a historical record of 33 years offers invaluable perspective. Changes in elevation, particularly when informed by historical medians, present a clearer picture than raw individual readings. This information supports flood forecasts and informs water use strategies, ensuring the river can adequately sustain both human and ecological needs amid shifting climate patterns.
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
