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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Santistevan Creek near Costilla Water Level
Live river level, flow, historical records and forecast for Santistevan Creek near Costilla in NM, United States, built from official government gauge data.
- Location NM, United States
- Watershed upper rio grande
- Primary gauge 08253500 (USGS)
About Santistevan Creek near Costilla
Santistevan Creek - a vital tributary of the Upper Rio Grande.
Santistevan Creek flows near the small community of Costilla in northern New Mexico. This modest river is characterized by its role in the broader hydrology of the Upper Rio Grande watershed. It drains an area of approximately 2.2 square miles, contributing to the intricate network of waterways that define this landscape.
The watershed context
As part of the Upper Rio Grande watershed, Santistevan Creek plays a significant role in connecting local ecosystems and providing water for both human activities and wildlife. This region experiences a unique hydrological pattern shaped by its arid conditions. High-country snowmelt generally drives the peak flows in spring, while the monsoon rains from July through September can lead to sudden and intense flash floods, creating dramatic shifts in water levels. Such fluctuations can impact everything from local agriculture to the delicate balance of surrounding habitats.
The creek shares its watershed with several nearby streams, including Casias Creek and various segments of Alamitos Creek, which all contribute to the health and dynamics of the Upper Rio Grande. These interconnections highlight the importance of Santistevan Creek as not just an isolated waterway but as part of a larger hydrological system essential for the region's ecology.
Why the data matters here
Monitoring Santistevan Creek is crucial for understanding water availability and flow patterns in this arid landscape. The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) currently measures the creek's discharge, providing valuable data to track changes over time. As today's reading is compared against the historical median for this calendar day, it helps contextualize current levels within a 50-year record. This historical perspective is instrumental in assessing trends, guiding local water management strategies, and ensuring sustainable use of this vital resource in an area that experiences long dry stretches between precipitation events.
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
