San Lorenzo River (CA) at Santa Cruz

The past week

What floods at each level

• 25 ft

  Major Flooding. Flows are above the upper limits of the rating curve, but likely near 20,000cfs. More widespread flooding in the benchlands adjacent to the County buildings expected, although flows will still remain below levee top elevations.

• 23.33 ft

  Moderate Flooding. (~15,000 cfs) Salz Tanner/Tannery Arts Center and Central Home Supply will become more heavily flooded, as well as some low lying areas off of Ocean Street extension. Flooding of benchlands adjacent to the Santa Cruz County buildings, the Boardwalk, and Beach Flats near the river. Drainage problems and flooding along East Cliff Drive and Murray Street near the river. Major flooding at Paradise Park. NWS will issue a Flash Flood Warning, if not yet already issued.

• 20.55 ft

  Minor Flooding. At 20.55 feet, discharge is approximately 10,000 cfs. Minor flooding in Salz Tannery/Tannery Arts Center and Central Home Supply, and along the Santa Cruz Riverwalk trail beneath Highway 1. Benchlands next to the Santa Cruz County buildings may begin to flood, and problematic flooding and drainage issues may begin in the lowermost reaches of the river floodplain near the Boardwalk and Beach Flats area. Paradise Park begins to flood. NWS will issue an Urban/Small Stream Advisory.

• 18 ft

  Action Stage. Stage can rise rapidly on the San Lorenzo River, up to several feet per hour. Level is roughly equivalent to 15 feet stage at the Big Trees gage in Felton, which is 1.5 feet below the flood stage at the Big Trees gage for Paradise Park flooding. NWS may issue a Flash Flood Watch for Santa Cruz area flooding, if not yet already issued.

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