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 CaliforniaRiver Group: Central Coast
Monitor Stage: 25.0 FeetFlood Stage: 32.0 Feet


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.

Historical Stage/Flow Data
Water Year
Peak Discharge (cfs)
Stage (feet)
Date
 Most Recent 5 Years
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
2017
9,160
26.98
Feb 21, 2017
 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
1955
21,500
32.20
Mar 11, 1955
1969
17,800
23.90
Feb 25, 1969
 * Missing data during 1939, otherwise record complete
Location Photographs
ESRI™ Locator Map
Official 7 Day National Weather Service Forecast   (CAZ529)
Rest of Tonight: Rain. Lows in the lower 40s. South winds around 5 mph and becoming east 5 to 15 mph after midnight.

Tuesday: Breezy. Rain in the morning, then showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon. Highs in the mid 50s. Southeast winds 15 to 20 mph and becoming south 20 to 30 mph in the afternoon.

Tuesday Night: Showers and a slight chance of thunderstorms in the evening, then rain after midnight. Lows in the lower 40s. Southeast winds 10 to 20 mph.

Wednesday: Showers likely. Highs in the upper 50s. Northeast winds around 10 mph and becoming northwest in the afternoon. Chance of showers 70 percent.

Wednesday Night: Mostly cloudy. A slight chance of showers in the evening. Lows in the lower 40s. Northwest winds 5 to 15 mph. Chance of showers 20 percent.

Thursday: Mostly cloudy in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Highs in the upper 50s.

Thursday Night and Friday: Partly cloudy. Lows around 40. Highs in the upper 50s.

Friday Night through Saturday Night: Mostly clear. Lows in the upper 30s. Highs in the upper 50s.

Sunday: Sunny in the morning then becoming partly cloudy. Areas of frost. A slight chance of rain. Highs in the mid 50s.

Sunday Night: Partly cloudy in the evening then becoming mostly cloudy. A chance of rain. Lows in the upper 30s.

Monday: Mostly cloudy. A chance of rain. Highs in the mid 50s.
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.
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.