San Lorenzo River (CA) at Santa Cruz, CA
River level and flood forecast · Santa Cruz County
Normal1.7 ftas of Mon 8 PM
The river is 18.9 ft below flood stage (20.55 ft).
Flow: 11 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 4 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Get flood alerts for this river
An email when the National Weather Service forecasts San Lorenzo River (CA) at Santa Cruz to flood, when it floods, and when it's over.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 25 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 23.33 ft |
| Flood stage | 20.55 ft |
| Action stage | 18 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 25 ftMajor 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 ftModerate 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 ftMinor 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 ftAction 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.
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (LRRC1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.