USGS Water-Year Summary 2024
05457000 CEDAR RIVER NEAR AUSTIN, MN
LOCATION - Lat 43°38'14", long 92°58'28" referenced to North American Datum of 1927, in NE 1/4 SE 1/4 sec.15, T.102 N., R.18 W., Mower County, MN, Hydrologic Unit 07080201, at left downstream abutment of highway bridge, 1.0 mi downstream from Turtle Creek, and 1.0 mi south of Austin.
DRAINAGE AREA - 399 mi².
REVISIONS HISTORY - WSP 1145: 1945, 1948.
SURFACE-WATER RECORDS
PERIOD OF RECORD - May 1909 to September 1914, October 1944 to current year.
GAGE - Water-stage recorder. Datum of gage is 1,162.10 ft above sea level (NGVD of 1929). May 1909 to April 1912, non-recording gage in tailwater of powerplant 200 ft downstream at datum 3.1 ft lower. May 1912 to September 1914, non-recording gage on highway bridge 500 ft downstream at datum 1.1 ft lower.
EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - Maximum discharge: 20000 cfs on Sep. 16, 2004, Maximum gage height: 23.26 ft on Sep. 16, 2004. Minimum discharge, 0.00 ft³/s, Jan. 15, 1911 (several days in 1911, result of regulation).
WATER-QUALITY RECORDS
PERIOD OF RECORD - March 2018 to current year.
COOPERATION - The Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MPCA).
INSTRUMENTATION - Water quality monitor March 2018 to current year, which provides continuous readings. Turbidity and Nitrate sensors are mounted on the left bank in close proximity to the gage house.
EXTREMES FOR PERIOD OF RECORD - TURBIDITY: Maximum, 421 FNU, June 21, 2019; maximum daily, 220 FNU, June 21, 2019; minimum, 2.8 FNU, Febraury 25, 2019, minimum daily, 3.3 FNU, January 27, 2019. NITRATE: Maximum, 12.8 mg/l, July 9, 2019; maximum daily, 12.6 mg/l, July 9, 2019; minimum, 1.1 mg/l, March 16, 2019; minimum daily, 1.2 mg/l, March 16, 2019.