Rivers in California
San Lorenzo River (CA) at Big Trees
Below flood stage
3.19ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:30 AM PDT
- Flood stage
- 16.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 3.19 ftTue, Sep 22, 3:00 AM PDT
- Record crest
- 28.85 ft1982
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 21.76 ft |
| Moderate flood | 19.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 16.50 ft |
| Action | 14.00 ft |
- 21.76 ftMajor Flooding. At approximately 21.76 feet discharge in the San Lorenzo River is approximately 15,000 cfs. Major flooding in the Felton Grove neighborhood occurs at this stage, with roadways several feet deep and waters inundating the approaches to the Felton Covered Bridge. Felton Covered Bridge Park begins to experience widespread flooding at shallow depths. At 15,000 cfs, the City of Santa Cruz downstream will experience more serious flooding. The flood wave may take 2-3 hours to reach Santa Cruz.
- 19.50 ftModerate Flooding. The St. Bernard Street area in Paradise Park is under several feet of water, with below grade floodplain infrastructure several feet deeper. St. Augustine Avenue neighborhood in Paradise Park begins to flood. Flooding imminent or already occurring in the Felton Grove neighborhood. Ground stories, first floors, and garages flooded. Felton Covered Bridge Park begins to flood.
- 16.50 ftMinor Flooding. Flooding is either imminent or already occurring in Paradise Park, with initial flooding in the St. Bernard Street area.
- 14.00 ftAction Stage. Stage can rise rapidly on the San Lorenzo River, up to several feet per hour. Approximately 2.5 feet below flood levels in Paradise Park and approximately 5.5 feet below flood stage in Felton Grove.
Crest history
53 crests on NOAA’s list since 1938.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 5, 1982 | 28.85 ft |
| 2 | January 9, 2023 | 24.54 ft |
| 3 | February 7, 2017 | 24.10 ft |
| 4 | February 3, 1998 | 24.08 ft |
| 5 | December 23, 1955 | 22.55 ft |
| 6 | January 16, 1973 | 22.53 ft |
| 7 | December 31, 2022 | 22.15 ft |
| 8 | January 14, 1978 | 21.85 ft |
| 9 | January 14, 2023 | 21.83 ft |
| 10 | February 17, 1986 | 21.22 ft |
| 11 | February 20, 2017 | 21.21 ft |
| 12 | February 27, 1940 | 21.10 ft |
| 13 | February 19, 1980 | 20.82 ft |
| 14 | March 10, 1995 | 20.71 ft |
| 15 | January 24, 1983 | 20.69 ft |
| 16 | January 16, 1978 | 20.56 ft |
| 17 | December 23, 2012 | 20.42 ft |
| 18 | January 10, 2017 | 20.13 ft |
| 19 | February 7, 1998 | 20.05 ft |
| 20 | March 10, 2023 | 19.90 ft |
| 21 | March 2, 1983 | 19.65 ft |
| 22 | March 5, 2016 | 19.46 ft |
| 23 | January 20, 2010 | 19.40 ft |
| 24 | January 22, 2017 | 19.26 ft |
| 25 | March 24, 2011 | 18.85 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 14, 2023: 16.90 ft
- March 10, 2023: 19.90 ft
- January 14, 2023: 21.83 ft
- January 9, 2023: 24.54 ft
- December 31, 2022: 22.15 ft
- December 13, 2021: 16.06 ft
- April 5, 2020: 6.13 ft
- January 17, 2019: 16.88 ft
- March 22, 2018: 12.06 ft
- February 20, 2017: 21.21 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the California Nevada River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.