Major Flood
27.1 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.
Minor Flood
24.1 ft
Action Stage
22 ft
What Floods at Each Level
33.73 ft
Stage and flow of record. 02/03/1998. 25,100 cfs
29 ft
Levees protecting Watsonville and Pajaro at risk of failure. Flooding throughout the Pajaro Valley.
27.1 ft
Major Flood Stage. Levees protecting Pajaro at risk of overtopping at lowest points or severely strained if sandbagged. Seepage likely throughout the levee system.
25.1 ft
Water levels within 2 feet of top of levee protecting Pajaro.
24.1 ft
Minor Flood Stage. Water levels within 3 feet of top of levee protecting Pajaro. Increased potential for seepage through levee at vulnerable locations.
22 ft
Monitor Stage. Water beginning to rise onto levee slopes.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 3, 1998 | 33.73 ft | 25,100 cfs |
| Apr 2, 1958 | 33.11 ft | 23,500 cfs |
| Dec 23, 1955 | 32.46 ft | 24,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
AROC1
River
Pajaro River
County
Santa Cruz, CA
Coordinates
36.9002°N, 121.5977°W
Get Flood Alerts for Pajaro 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 Pajaro River at Chittenden?
The Pajaro River at Chittenden gauge is maintained by USGS (site 11159000) 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 Pajaro River at Chittenden?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Pajaro River at Chittenden is 24.1 feet. Action stage begins at 22 feet. Moderate flooding starts at N/A feet, and major flooding at 27.1 feet.
How do I get alerts when Pajaro River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Pajaro River at Chittenden 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 Pajaro River at Chittenden gauge located?
The gauge is located in Santa Cruz County, California at coordinates 36.9002°N, 121.5977°W. USGS site number: 11159000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Pajaro River
On This River
Downstream: Pajaro River at Watsonville
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
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