National Weather Service California Nevada River Forecast Center Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service

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SANTA MARGARITA RIVER - YSIDORA (YDRC1)
Latitude: 33.31º NLongitude: 117.35º WElevation: 75 Feet
Location: San Diego County in CaliforniaRiver Group: Southern California
Monitor Stage: 10.85 FeetFlood Stage: 12.5 Feet

Observed Data Credit
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Raw streamflow data is provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS).
View USGS Data for this station location.

Historical Stage/Flow Data
Note: Water Year 2025 is currently showing peak daily mean values. These will be updated to instantaneous peaks in the coming months.
Water Year
Peak Discharge (cfs)
Stage (feet)
Date
 Most Recent 5 Years
2025*
708
9.10
Feb 14, 2025
2024*
8,250
11.26
Mar 31, 2024
2023*
11,100
11.73
Jan 16, 2023
2022*
4,270
9.37
Dec 24, 2021
2021*
1,120
7.31
Dec 29, 2020
 Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - Sep 2001 to Present)** - Ranked by Flow
1993*
44,000***
20.47***
Jan 16, 1993
1927
33,600****
18.00
Feb 16, 1927
2017*
31,200
14.60
Jan 22, 2017
1938
31,000
12.70
Mar 3, 1938
2011* 30,000*** 12.29 Dec 22, 2010
2019*
29,500
15.07
Feb 14, 2019
* Discharge affected by regulation or diversion
** Most recent continuous record back to Sep 2001 with segmented periods back to Feb 1923
*** Estimated value
**** Highest flow since regulation by Skinner Reservoir began in 1974
Location Photographs
ESRI™ Locator Map
Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast   (CAZ043)
Tonight: Cloudy. A chance of showers with isolated thunderstorms overnight. Lows 54 to 57. Areas of winds south 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph. Chance of measurable precipitation 50 percent.

Wednesday: Cloudy. Showers likely. Highs around 64. Areas of winds south 10 to 15 mph. Chance of measurable precipitation 70 percent.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the evening. Lows 46 to 52. Light winds. Chance of measurable precipitation 20 percent.

Thursday: Partly cloudy. Highs around 65. Areas of winds north 10 to 15 mph. Gusts to 25 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening and becoming mostly cloudy. Lows 45 to 52. Areas of winds northwest 10 to 15 mph with gusts to 25 mph becoming north overnight.

Friday: Mostly cloudy in the morning and becoming mostly sunny. Highs 64 to 67 near the coast to 68 inland.

Friday Night: Mostly clear. Lows 45 to 50.

Saturday: Mostly sunny. Highs 64 to 68 near the coast to 69 inland.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening and becoming cloudy. Lows 46 to 50.

Sunday: Cloudy in the morning, then partly cloudy with a slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs 63 to 66 near the coast to 67 inland.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers in the evening, then showers likely overnight. Lows 48 to 52.

washingtons birthday: Showers. Locally heavy rainfall possible in the morning. Highs around 61.

Monday Night: Showers. Lows 46 to 50.

Tuesday: Showers. Highs around 63.
Flood Impacts
16.29 FeetMajor flood, 37,000 cfs. Widespread inundation of Camp Pendleton with evacuations likely. Flood of Record Jan 16, 1993.
13.78 FeetModerate flood stage, 17,000 cfs. Vandegrift Road is flooded for several miles downstream of the gage site. Stuart Mesa Road is flooded near the bridge.
12.5 FeetMinor flood stage, 8,000 cfs. Vandegrift Road has begun to flood downstream of the gage. Stuart Mesa Road closures can be expected.
10.85 Feet2,500 cfs. The river has reached monitor stage. Personnel begin regular patrols along the levee.
Product Disclaimer

This river graphic is not intended to serve as a substitute for official flood watches, warnings, advisories, or statements issued by the NWS San Diego Weather Forecast Office. Observations are preliminary and subject to change. River levels identified as "forecast" should be consistent with those contained in official NWS products. River levels identified as "guidance" have significant uncertainty due to future weather or reservoir regulation and are provided for planning purposes only.