Major Flood
20.7 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
19.5 ft
Minor Flood
18.5 ft
Action Stage
17.2 ft
What Floods at Each Level
20.7 ft
Major flood stage. Homes in far northwest marana downstream of raised levees could see major damage.
19.5 ft
Moderate flood stage. Far northwest marana downstream of raised levees threatened. Homes in this area may be evacuated as a precaution. Bridges on Sanders Road, Trico Road, and Trico-marana Road will be closed due to overtopping.
18.5 ft
Minor flood stage. Water reaches gravel pits between rillito river and Cortaro Road in northwest tucson. Ina Road bridge closed as a precaution.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 30, 2010 | 16.69 ft | 16,800 cfs |
| Oct 1, 1983 | 16.57 ft | 65,000 cfs |
| Jul 30, 2006 | 15.06 ft | 40,900 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
CSCA3
River
Santa Cruz River
County
Pima, AZ
Coordinates
32.3512°N, 111.0945°W
Get Flood Alerts for Santa Cruz River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Santa Cruz River at Cortaro?
The Santa Cruz River at Cortaro gauge is maintained by USGS (site 09486500) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Santa Cruz River at Cortaro?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Santa Cruz River at Cortaro is 18.5 feet. Action stage begins at 17.2 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 19.5 feet, and major flooding at 20.7 feet.
How do I get alerts when Santa Cruz River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Santa Cruz River at Cortaro to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Santa Cruz River at Cortaro gauge located?
The gauge is located in Pima County, Arizona at coordinates 32.3512°N, 111.0945°W. USGS site number: 09486500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers