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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Santa Cruz River at Trico Road, near Marana, AZ. Water Level
Live river level, flow, historical records and forecast for Santa Cruz River at Trico Road, near Marana, AZ. in AZ, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Location AZ, United States
- Watershed lower santa cruz
- Primary gauge 09486520 (USGS)
About Santa Cruz River at Trico Road, near Marana, AZ.
Santa Cruz River - A vital waterway in an arid land.
The Santa Cruz River at Trico Road, near Marana, AZ, flows through a landscape defined by its seasonal patterns and varied hydrology. As part of the Lower Santa Cruz watershed, this river plays an essential role in the ecology and resource management of the region. With a substantial drainage area of approximately 3,641 square miles above the station, the river highlights the dynamic interplay between water and land in the arid Southwest.
The watershed context
The Santa Cruz River collects water from a vast area, shaping the landscape as it connects to neighboring watercourses, such as the Santa Cruz River near Laveen and Vekol Wash near Stanfield. The river's character fluctuates significantly throughout the year, deeply influenced by the region’s climate. Summer monsoon thunderstorms can produce rapid runoff and flash floods, while winter storms contribute to snowmelt that feeds the waterways. Between these critical events, channels may run dry, underscoring the necessity of monitoring the river's conditions.
Why the data matters here
Understanding the river's current conditions is vital for local communities, farmers, and environmental managers. The United States Geological Survey (USGS) station at Trico Road measures not only the water level but also the discharge, which is a key indicator of the river's flow. This data helps in assessing potential flood risks, especially during the unpredictable summer monsoon season, and ensures that water resources are effectively managed during drier times.
Today's reading at the Santa Cruz River is compared against the median for this calendar day over 37 years of historical record. This comparison provides an essential context for evaluating the river's current status, making it more meaningful than raw elevation figures alone. It’s through these insights that we can better understand and adapt to the waterway’s dynamics in an ever-changing 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
