CNRFC - Hydrology - Observed River/Reservoir Conditions

*** IMPORTANT *** Week of June 16 - Website Data Outage - Due to a major computer upgrade the week of June 16, nearly all data on the CNRFC web site will not be updated. We anticipate the down time to be approximately 4 days. The latest deterministic hydrologic forecasts for official forecast points will continue to be available at the National Water Prediction Service during this time.

PAJARO RIVER - CHITTENDEN (AROC1)

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

Action/Monitor: 22.0 Feet

Minor Flood: 24.1 Feet

Moderate Flood: N/A

Major Flood: 27.1 Feet

Please Note:

Provisional monitor and flood stages have been established along the Pajaro River due to observed impacts to the levee system from previous flood events.

Plot Type:

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

Historical Stage/Flow Data
Water Year	Peak Discharge (cfs)	Stage (feet)	Date
Most Recent 5 Years
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
2020	1,070	9.60	Apr 6, 2020
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
2023	13,200	29.11	Mar 11, 2023
* Missing data during 1939, otherwise record complete

Location Photographs
Upstream Photo	Gage House Photo	Downstream Photo

ESRI™ Locator Map

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.

Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (CAZ529)

Today: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Highs in the lower 70s. Southeast winds around 5 mph and becoming west 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph and becoming east around 5 mph after midnight.

Tuesday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Highs in the mid 70s. Light winds and becoming south 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the lower 50s. Northeast winds 5 to 15 mph in the evening and becoming light.

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

Wednesday Night: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows around 50.

juneteenth: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

Thursday Night: Clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s.

Friday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Highs in the lower 70s.

Friday Night through Sunday: Mostly clear. Lows around 50. Highs in the mid 70s.

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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