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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). |
Historical Stage/Flow Data |
|||
|
Water Year
|
Peak Discharge (cfs)
|
Stage (feet)
|
Date
|
| Most Recent 5 Years | |||
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 |
2020 |
2,170 |
8.88 |
Dec 7, 2019 |
| 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 |
| * 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) |
| Today: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Patchy dense fog in the morning. Highs in the 60s. South winds around 5 mph. Tonight: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Areas of fog after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s to lower 50s. West winds up to 5 mph. Thursday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Areas of fog in the morning. Highs in the 50s to upper 60s. Southwest winds up to 5 mph. Thursday Night: Mostly clear in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Patchy fog after midnight. Lows in the mid 40s. West winds 5 to 10 mph. Friday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Highs in the mid 50s to upper 60s. West winds 5 to 15 mph. Friday Night: Mostly cloudy. Lows in the upper 40s. Saturday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Breezy. A slight chance of rain. Highs in the 40s to upper 50s. Saturday Night through Sunday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the 50s to lower 60s. Monday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Highs in the upper 50s to mid 60s. Monday Night and Tuesday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the mid 40s. Highs in the upper 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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