National Weather Service California Nevada River Forecast Center Department of Commerce National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service

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PAJARO RIVER - CHITTENDEN (AROC1)
Latitude: 36.90º NLongitude: 121.60º WElevation: 82 Feet
Location: Santa Cruz County in CaliforniaBulletin Group: Central CoastRiver Group: Salinas/Pajaro
Issuance Time: Dec 08 2023 at 7:25 AM PSTNext Issuance: Dec 08 2023 at 3:00 PM PST
Monitor Stage: 25.0 FeetFlood Stage: 32.0 Feet

Please Note: Each individual timeseries plotted on the graphical river forecast can be toggled on and off by clicking the legend entry above. If the "Observed (Raw Data)" contains bad data and is toggled off, the plot will scale to the remaining timeseries.
Observed Data Credit
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Raw streamflow data is provided by the US Geological Survey (USGS).
View USGS Data for this station location.

Verification - Historical Graphical RVF
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To view other verification locations, use our Historical Graphical River Forecast Interface.
Historical Stage/Flow Data
Water Year
Peak Discharge (cfs)
Stage (feet)
Date
 Most Recent 5 Years
2022
1,150
11.57
Dec 28, 2021
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
 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
 * Missing data during 1939, otherwise record complete
Location Photographs
ESRI™ Locator Map
Impacts - E19 Information
25.0 FeetScouring of lowlands throughout the Pajaro Valley in areas not protected by levees.
28.0 FeetSome 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 FeetLevees 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 FeetSignificant 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 FeetWidespread 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 FeetExtensive flood damage throughout the Pajaro Valley. Transportation extremely difficult. Watsonville and Pajaro levees overtopped or severely strained if sandbagged.
33.5 FeetSevere 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 FeetStage and flow of record. 02/03/1998. 25,100 cfs.
35.0 FeetBankfull at gage. Transportation impossible. Levees protecting Watsonville and Pajaro in great danger of failing.
Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast   (CAZ529)
Today: Sunny. Patchy fog in the morning. Highs around 60. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

Tonight: Mostly clear. Areas of frost after midnight. Lows in the mid 30s. North winds 5 to 10 mph.

Saturday: Sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Areas of frost in the morning. Highs in the mid 60s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

Saturday Night: Partly cloudy. Lows in the upper 30s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

Sunday: Mostly cloudy. Highs in the upper 60s. Northeast winds around 5 mph.

Sunday Night: Mostly cloudy in the evening then becoming partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s.

Monday: Partly cloudy in the morning then becoming sunny. Highs in the mid 60s.

Monday Night through Wednesday: Mostly clear. Lows in the lower 40s. Highs in the mid 60s.

Wednesday Night and Thursday: Partly cloudy. Lows in the lower 40s. Highs in the 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.