Major Flood
22 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
18 ft
Minor Flood
16 ft
Action Stage
13 ft
What Floods at Each Level
22 ft
Major Flooding. Floods of record roughly equivalent to this level (22.33 feet in 1955; 21.85 feet in 1982). Debris blockage at Soquel Drive Bridge possible, as well as major backwatering in downtown Soquel. Capitola and Esplanade flooded, with widespread regional damage.
18 ft
Moderate Flooding. Flooding of several feet in downtown Soquel, Old Mill area, Heart of Soquel, and houses along Soquel Wharf Road flooded, and other areas along creek in Capitola and Esplanade. Soquel Drive Bridge likely backwatered.
16 ft
Minor Flooding. Water begins to reach riverfront properties in downtown Soquel, including the Old Mill mobile home park, Heart of Soquel, and along Soquel Wharf Road. Flooding may also be possible downstream in Capitola, especially during high tide. NWS will issue a Flash Flood Warning, if not yet already issued.
13 ft
Monitor Stage. Three feet below flood stage. NWS may issue a Flash Flood Watch, if not yet already issued.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 1955 | 22.33 ft | 15,800 cfs |
| Jan 3, 1982 | 21.85 ft | 9,700 cfs |
| Jan 9, 1995 | 17.93 ft | 7,370 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
SOQC1
River
Soquel Creek
County
Santa Cruz, CA
Coordinates
36.9913°N, 121.9558°W
Get Flood Alerts for Soquel Creek
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 Soquel Creek at Soquel?
The Soquel Creek at Soquel gauge is maintained by USGS (site 11160000) 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 Soquel Creek at Soquel?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Soquel Creek at Soquel is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 13 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 18 feet, and major flooding at 22 feet.
How do I get alerts when Soquel Creek rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Soquel Creek at Soquel 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 Soquel Creek at Soquel gauge located?
The gauge is located in Santa Cruz County, California at coordinates 36.9913°N, 121.9558°W. USGS site number: 11160000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey