Instream flow modeling is one tool historically used by resource managers to assess habitat suitability for aquatic species, including fish and benthic macroinvertebrates. Until recently, these methods had not been used for amphibians. Instream flow modeling requires quantitative habitat suitability criteria across a range of hydraulic conditions. We developed regional habitat suitability criteria (HSC) from data on habitat conditions at Foothill Yellowlegged Frogs (Rana boylii) oviposition and tadpole rearing locations in eight study sites in the northern Sierra Nevada mountains, California. We evaluated both univariate (percentile-based and interval-based) and multivariate logistic regression techniques for creating suitability criteria. The transferability and predictive performance of the HSC were evaluated using validation data gathered from other rivers in the Sierra Nevada and applying the criteria in a twodimensional (2D) hydrodynamic model. We evaluated conditions under which predictive performance was poor to discern the limitations of each technique. Multivariate logistic regression analyses classified the majority of the river as low suitability, and consequently produced overestimates of suitable area for egg masses and underestimates of highly suitable area for tadpoles. Univariate HSC performed well on rivers that had similar geomorphology to the study rivers. For small rivers and creeks with shallow depths and finer substrates, locally-derived HSC are needed. The percentilebased habitat suitability index (HSI) is recommended for regional habitat suitability criteria when the goal is to assess categorical levels of suitability. The interval-based HSI would be appropriate if further information on population outcomes (eg, population trajectory, survival rates) could be quantitatively linked to fine scale gradients of suitability in hydraulic conditions. The univariate HSI are easily applied in 2D hydrodynamic models, which can provide information on oviposition and tadpole rearing conditions under various flow regimes. Managers can use HSC to make flow recommendations beneficial to R. boylii during the hydropower relicensing process.