USGS Water-Year Summary 2024

50046000 RIO DE LA PLATA AT HIGHWAY 2 NEAR TOA ALTA, PR

LOCATION - Lat 18°24'41.72", long 66°15'39.45" referenced to North American Datum of 1927, Dorado Municipio, PR, Hydrologic Unit 21010005, on left bank at downstream side of bridge on Highway 2, 1.3 mi (2.1 km) downstream from Río Lajas, 1.6 mi (2.6 km) northwest of Toa Alta, and 11.3 mi (18.2 km) downstream from the La Plata reservoir.

DRAINAGE AREA - 208 mi², (539 km2), excludes 8.2 mi² (21.2 km2) upstream from Lago Carite, flow from which is diverted to Rio Guamani. Area at site used prior to September 25, 1984, 200 mi² (518 km2).

SURFACE-WATER RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - November 1959; measurements only, January 1960 to current year. Prior to October 1984, published as Río de La Plata at Toa Alta, PR; October 1984 to September 1988 published as 50046900.

GAGE - Water-stage recorder, crest-stage gage, and satellite telemetry at station. Datum of gage is 8.38 ft (2.55 m), below PRVD2002, (levels by U.S. Army Corps of Engineers). Prior to October 1984, at site about 1 mi (1.6 km) upstream at same datum.

REMARKS - Regulation at all stages by Lago de La Plata Dam reservoir upstream from gage, operated since 1974 by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority (PRASA). Flow affected by water extraction for La Virgencita water treatment plant by the Puerto Rico Aqueduct and Sewer Authority, (PRASA) of about 3.99 ft³/s (0.11 m3/s). Located about 1,000 ft upstream from station.

EXTREMES OUTSIDE PERIOD OF RECORD - Approximate discharges and elevations of major floods, as pointed out by local residents are as follows: 1899: 157,000 ft³/s, estimated discharge, month or day of occurence is unknown; September 13, 1928, 120,000 ft³/s (3,400 m3/s), gage height 37.4 ft (11.4 m); June 16, 1943, 82,000 ft³/s (2,322 m3/s), gage height 34.4 ft (10.48 m), at site 1 mi upstream and different datum.

WATER-QUALITY RECORDS

PERIOD OF RECORD - Water years 1958 to current year.