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| Latitude: 37.04º N | Longitude: 122.07º W | Elevation: 227 Feet | |||
| Location: Santa Cruz County in California | Bulletin Group: Central Coast | River Group: Salinas/Pajaro | |||
| Action/Monitor: 14.0 Feet | Minor Flood: 16.5 Feet | Moderate Flood: 19.5 Feet | Major Flood: 21.76 Feet |
| Observed Data Credit | |
 | Raw streamflow data is provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS). |
|
Water Year
|
Peak Discharge (cfs)
|
Stage (feet)
|
Date
|
| Most Recent 5 Years | |||
2025 |
3,560 |
13.25 |
Feb 13, 2025 |
2024 |
5,220 |
14.69 |
Feb 4, 2024 |
| 2023 | 20,500 |
24.54 |
Jan 9, 2023 |
| 2022 | 5,600 | 16.06 | Dec 13, 2021 |
2021 |
1,750 | 9.11 | Jan 28, 2021 |
| Historical High Stage/Flow Events (Period of Record - Oct 1936 to Present)* - Ranked by Flow | |||
| 1956 | 30,400 |
22.55** |
Dec 23, 1955 |
1982 |
29,700 |
28.85 |
Jan 5, 1982 |
| 1940 | 24,000 | 21.10** | Feb 27, 1940 |
2023 |
20,500 |
24.54 |
Jan 9, 2023 |
| 1986 | 19,800 | 21.22 | Feb 17, 1986 |
| 1998 | 19,400 | 24.04 | Feb 03, 1998 |
| * Low flow partially regulated by Loch Lomond Reservoir since 1961, and inflatable fiber dam located 500 ft upstream from gauge. Many small diversions upstream from station for domestic supply. | |||
| ** Unknown old datum. | |||
| Location Photographs | ||
| ESRI™ Locator Map |
| Flood Impacts | |
| 21.76 Feet | Major Flooding. At approximately 21.76 feet discharge in the San Lorenzo River is approximately 15,000 cfs. Major flooding in the Felton Grove neighborhood occurs at this stage, with roadways several feet deep and waters inundating the approaches to the Felton Covered Bridge. Felton Covered Bridge Park begins to experience widespread flooding at shallow depths. At 15,000 cfs, the City of Santa Cruz downstream will experience more serious flooding. The flood wave may take 2-3 hours to reach Santa Cruz. |
| 19.5 Feet | Moderate Flooding. The St. Bernard Street area in Paradise Park is under several feet of water, with below grade floodplain infrastructure several feet deeper. St. Augustine Avenue neighborhood in Paradise Park begins to flood. Flooding imminent or already occurring in the Felton Grove neighborhood. Ground stories, first floors, and garages flooded. Felton Covered Bridge Park begins to flood. |
| 16.5 Feet | Minor Flooding. Flooding is either imminent or already occurring in Paradise Park, with initial flooding in the St. Bernard Street area. |
| 14.0 Feet | Monitor Stage. Stage can rise rapidly on the San Lorenzo River, up to several feet per hour. Approximately 2.5 feet below flood levels in Paradise Park and approximately 5.5 feet below flood stage in Felton Grove. |
| Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast (CAZ512) |
| rest of Tonight: Rain. Lows in the upper 40s. Southwest winds 10 to 15 mph. Sunday: Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain. Highs in the 50s. Southwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Sunday Night: Showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms. Locally heavy rainfall possible. Lows in the mid 40s. South winds 10 to 20 mph with gusts to around 40 mph. Monday: Rain in the morning, then a chance of rain in the afternoon. Highs in the lower to mid 50s. Southwest winds 10 to 20 mph and becoming west 5 to 15 mph in the afternoon. Monday Night: Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain in the evening, then a slight chance of rain after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 10 mph. Chance of rain 50 percent. Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Highs in the 50s to lower 60s. Tuesday Night: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Patchy fog. Lows in the mid 40s. Wednesday: Sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the 50s to lower 60s. Wednesday Night and Thursday: Rain likely. Lows in the upper 40s. Highs in the 50s. Thursday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. A chance of rain. Lows in the mid 40s. Friday and Friday Night: Partly cloudy. Highs in the 50s to lower 60s. Lows in the mid 40s. Saturday: Sunny. Highs in the 50s to mid 60s. |
| 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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