National Weather Service California Nevada River Forecast Center Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service

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PAJARO RIVER - CHITTENDEN (AROC1)
Latitude: 36.90º NLongitude: 121.60º WElevation: 82 Feet
Location: Santa Cruz County in CaliforniaRiver Group: Central Coast
Monitor Stage: 22.0 FeetFlood Stage: 24.1 Feet

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

Historical Stage/Flow Data
Note: Water Year 2025 is currently showing peak daily mean values. These will be updated to instantaneous peaks in the coming months.
Water Year
Peak Discharge (cfs)
Stage (feet)
Date
 Most Recent 5 Years
2025
2,300
15.19
Feb 14, 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
ESRI™ Locator Map
Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast   (CAZ529)
rest of Today: Cloudy. Highs around 60. Southwest winds around 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain after midnight. Lows in the upper 40s. South winds 10 to 20 mph and becoming southeast after midnight.

Sunday: A chance of rain in the morning, then rain in the afternoon. Highs in the lower 60s. South winds 10 to 20 mph.

Sunday Night: Rain. Lows in the mid 40s. Southeast winds 5 to 15 mph.

washingtons birthday: Rain. Highs in the mid 50s. North winds 5 to 10 mph and becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Rain. Lows in the lower 40s.

Tuesday: Showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Some thunderstorms may produce small hail. Highs in the lower 50s.

Tuesday Night: Rain. Lows around 40.

Wednesday: Rain. Highs in the mid 50s.

Wednesday Night: Rain likely. Lows in the upper 30s.

Thursday through Friday: Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain. Highs in the upper 50s. Lows in the upper 30s.
Flood Impacts
33.73 FeetStage and flow of record. 02/03/1998. 25,100 cfs
29.0 FeetLevees protecting Watsonville and Pajaro at risk of failure. Flooding throughout the Pajaro Valley.
27.1 FeetMajor 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 FeetWater levels within 2 feet of top of levee protecting Pajaro.
24.1 FeetMinor Flood Stage. Water levels within 3 feet of top of levee protecting Pajaro. Increased potential for seepage through levee at vulnerable locations.
22.0 FeetMonitor 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.