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		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: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Patchy dense fog in the morning. A slight chance of drizzle in the morning. Highs in the mid 60s. Light winds and Becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Tonight: Mostly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows in the upper 40s. Southwest winds around 5 mph in the evening and becoming light.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the mid 60s. Light winds and Becoming southwest 5 to 10 mph in the afternoon.

Thursday Night: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the upper 40s. Southwest winds 5 to 10 mph in the evening and becoming light.

Friday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs in the upper 60s. Light winds and Becoming west 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon.

Friday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. Lows around 50.

Saturday through Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the mid 60s. Lows in the upper 40s.

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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