Variations in low-water streambed elevations at selected stream-gaging stations in northwestern California

Graphs and a table are presented showing the variations in streambed elevations that have occurred over the years in the low-water channels at selected gaging stations in northwestern California. The streambed elevations are calculated from data obtained during discharge measurements. The greatest elevation changes that were recorded occurred between the 1964 and 1965 low-water periods. Those streambed changes are related to the flood of December 1964 and probably reflect large quantities of .sediment placed in the streams from bank erosion and landslides. At 25 of 51 stations with data for that period, elevation changes exceeded 1 foot, and at 42 stations the changes represented fill, rather than scour.