Santa Cruz River at Cortaro, AZ
River level and flood forecast · Pima County
The river is 10.0 ft below flood stage (18.5 ft).
Forecast to fall to 8.2 ft by Sun, Oct 18, 4 AM.
Flow: 64 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 5:57 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
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An email when the National Weather Service forecasts Santa Cruz River at Cortaro to flood, when it floods, and when it's over.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 20.7 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 19.5 ft |
| Flood stage | 18.5 ft |
| Action stage | 17.2 ft |
| Record crest (July 31, 2010) | 16.69 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 20.7 ftMajor flood stage. Homes in far northwest marana downstream of raised levees could see major damage.
- 19.5 ftModerate 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 ftMinor flood stage. Water reaches gravel pits between rillito river and Cortaro Road in northwest tucson. Ina Road bridge closed as a precaution.
Highest crests on record
- 16.69 ft — July 31, 2010
- 15.06 ft — July 31, 2006
- 14.6 ft — January 19, 1993
- 13.26 ft — July 4, 2009
- 10.64 ft — October 23, 2000
Recent crests: 16.69 ft (July 31, 2010) · 13.26 ft (July 4, 2009) · 10.01 ft (January 28, 2008) · 15.06 ft (July 31, 2006) · 10.62 ft (August 26, 2003)
Up and down the river, and nearby
- UpstreamSanta Cruz River at Congress Street, AZ
- DownstreamSanta Cruz River at Trico Road, AZ
- Canada del Oro Wash at Ina Road, AZ
- Rillito Creek at La Cholla, AZ
- Rillito Creek at Dodge Boulevard, AZ
- Tanque Verde Creek near Sabino Canyon Rd., AZ
- Sabino Creek near Sabino Dam, AZ
- Pantano Wash at Broadway Blvd, AZ
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (CSCA3); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.