CNRFC - Hydrology - Observed River/Reservoir Conditions

PAJARO RIVER - CHITTENDEN (AROC1)

Latitude: 36.90º N	Longitude: 121.60º W	Elevation: 82 Feet
Location: Santa Cruz County in California		River Group: Central Coast

Monitor Stage: 22.0 Feet

Flood Stage: 24.1 Feet

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

Historical Stage/Flow Data
Water Year	Peak Discharge (cfs)	Stage (feet)	Date
Most Recent 5 Years
2025	3,180	17.68	Feb 13, 2025
2024	2,340	15.48	Feb 8, 2024
2023	13,200	29.11	Mar 11, 2023
2022	1,150	11.57	Dec 28, 2021
2021	1,160	9.97	Jan 29, 2021
Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - February 1938* to Present) - Ranked by Flow
1998	25,100	33.73	Feb 3, 1998
1956	24,000	32.46	Dec 24, 1955
1958	23,500	33.11	Apr 3, 1958
1995	21,500	32.20	Mar 11, 1995
1969	17,800	23.90	Feb 25, 1969
1997	15,800	29.53	Jan 03, 1997
1983	15,800	28.03	Mar 02, 1983
* Missing data during 1939, otherwise record complete

Location Photographs
Upstream Photo	Gage House Photo	Downstream Photo

ESRI™ Locator Map

Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (CAZ529)

rest of Tonight: Mostly clear late in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the upper 40s. Light winds.

Wednesday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Areas of fog in the morning. Highs in the mid 70s. Light winds and Becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Areas of fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. West winds 5 to 10 mph in the evening and becoming light.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Areas of fog in the morning. A slight chance of showers in the afternoon. Highs around 70. Light winds and becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon. Chance of showers 20 percent.

Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of showers. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph in the evening and becoming light. Chance of showers 50 percent.

Friday: Patchy fog. Showers likely and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Highs in the upper 60s.

Friday Night and Saturday: Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. A chance of rain. Lows around 50. Highs in the mid 60s.

Saturday Night and Sunday: Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the lower 60s.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. A slight chance of rain. Lows in the mid 40s.

Monday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Highs in the upper 60s.

Monday Night and Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the lower 70s.

Flood Impacts
33.73 Feet	Stage and flow of record. 02/03/1998. 25,100 cfs
29.0 Feet	Levees protecting Watsonville and Pajaro at risk of failure. Flooding throughout the Pajaro Valley.
27.1 Feet	Major Flood Stage. Levees protecting Pajaro at risk of overtopping at lowest points or severely strained if sandbagged. Seepage likely throughout the levee system.
25.1 Feet	Water levels within 2 feet of top of levee protecting Pajaro.
24.1 Feet	Minor Flood Stage. Water levels within 3 feet of top of levee protecting Pajaro. Increased potential for seepage through levee at vulnerable locations.
22.0 Feet	Monitor Stage. Water beginning to rise onto levee slopes.

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 Francisco Bay Area-Monterey 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.

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