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: 25.0 Feet

Flood Stage: 32.0 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
2021	1,160	9.97	Jan 29, 2021
2020	1,070	9.60	Apr 6, 2020
2019	4,540	20.49	Feb 15, 2019
2018	909	9.22	Mar 23, 2018
2017	9,160	26.98	Feb 21, 2017
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
1955	21,500	32.20	Mar 11, 1955
1969	17,800	23.90	Feb 25, 1969
* 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 Today: Sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows in the mid 50s. South winds 5 to 10 mph in the evening and becoming light.

Monday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the mid 70s. Southeast winds up to 5 mph and becoming southwest in the afternoon.

Monday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the mid 50s. Southeast winds around 5 mph in the evening and becoming light.

Tuesday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Areas of fog in the morning. Highs in the upper 70s. Light winds and becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s.

Wednesday: Sunny. Highs in the upper 70s.

Wednesday Night and Thursday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 50s. Highs in the mid 70s.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows in the mid 50s.

Friday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Patchy fog. Highs in the mid 70s.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows in the mid 50s.

Saturday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Patchy fog. Highs in the lower 70s.

Impacts - E19 Information
25.0 Feet	Scouring of lowlands throughout the Pajaro Valley in areas not protected by levees.
28.0 Feet	Some minor flooding of lowest agricultural areas in all reaches above Chittenden. Some secondary roads begin to flood. Watsonville levees within 3 feet of top.
29.5 Feet	Levees protecting Watsonville within 2 feet of top. Moderate bank erosion and sediment deposition throughout reach. Some secondary roads flooded. State Highway 129 between US 101 and Watsonville begins to flood at railroad underpass 300 feet below gage and other lower spots along the river.
32.0 Feet	Significant damage from bank erosion and sediment deposition throughout reach. Some primary and many secondary roads flooded. Minor flooding of low portions of towns within the reach of the gage begins. Damage to roads and bridges possible due to erosion or logjams.
32.5 Feet	Widespread flooding through the Pajaro Valley, with extensive damage and possible loss of life. Extensive erosion and logjam damage to highways and bridges. Many primary and most secondary roads flooded making transportation difficult.
33.11 Feet	Extensive flood damage throughout the Pajaro Valley. Transportation extremely difficult. Watsonville and Pajaro levees overtopped or severely strained if sandbagged.
33.5 Feet	Severe damage in Pajaro Valley, especially in Pajaro and Watsonville areas and likely near San Juan Bautista along the San Benito River and portions south of Gilroy near the Pajaro River. Transportation essentially impossible.
33.73 Feet	Stage and flow of record. 02/03/1998. 25,100 cfs.
35.0 Feet	Bankfull at gage. Transportation impossible. Levees protecting Watsonville and Pajaro in great danger of failing.

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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