Pajaro River Watershed

California Resiliency Alliance

Pajaro River Watershed

Page last updated: March 12, 2023

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The Pajaro River watershed encompasses four counties and drains approximately 1,300 square miles into the Pajaro River. It commences in San Benito and southern Santa Clara counties, and eventually forms the boundary between Monterey and Santa Cruz counties before it empties into the Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary. The river crosses the San Andreas fault with the upper watershed positioned on the North American plate, and the lower on the Pacific plate. (Source: Monterey County Water Resource Agency – Major Flood Hazards)

USGS Water Alert allows you to get notifications for changes in water conditions based on thresholds you choose. Observation stations are listed from the headwaters to the mouth of the river. Map of USGS observation stations available via the National Water Dashboard. To learn more about the program, visit USGS’s WaterAlerts page.

Pajaro River Monitoring Points

@ Chittenden, CA in Santa Cruz County
Lat/Long: 36.9002307, -121.5977215, Site Identification Number: 11159000

California Nevada River Forecast Center – main page and ensemble forecasts

USGS Page

USGS WaterAlert – Create Alerts for This Location

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

@ Watsonville, CA in Santa Cruz County
Lat/Long: 36.9056111, -121.7518889, Site Identification Number: 11159500

USGS Page

USGS WaterAlert – Create Alerts for This Location

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

Pacheco Creek Monitoring Points

Near Dunneville, CA in Santa Clara County
Lat/Long: 36.98, -121.3802778, Site Identification Number: 11153000

USGS Page

USGS WaterAlert – Create Alerts for this Location

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

Near Bell Station in Santa Clara County
Lat/Long: 37.0347, -121.31

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

Below Pacheco Reservoir in Santa Clara County
Lat/Long: 37.049412, -121.29099

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

Above Pacheco Reservoir in Santa Clara County
Lat/Long: 37.0867, -121.2876

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

Source: California Data Exchange Center – Stage Maps, additional maps are available for 1 hour ago and 2 hours ago.

Llagas Creek Watershed Monitoring Points

Llagas Creek is a conduit to the Pajaro River and Monterey Bay. It drains a 100-square mile watershed and includes the Chesbro Reservoir. The Llagas Creek watershed, which includes Llagas Creek, West Little Llagas Creek, and East Little Llagas Creek, is especially prone to flooding. Source: Valley Water – West Little Llagas Creek Emergency Action Plan

Llagas Creek Near Gilroy, CA in Santa Clara County
Lat/Long: 36.98744858, -121.5271622, Site Identification Number: 11153650

USGS Page

USGS WaterAlert – Create Alerts for this Location

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

East Little Llagas Creek above Church Ave, San Martin, CA in Santa Clara County
Lat/Long: 37.0733, -121.585

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

Lake Silveira in Santa Clara County
Lat/Long: 37.0956, -121.6229

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

West Little Llagas Creek below Edmundson in Santa Clara County
Lat/Long: 37.1114, -121.6442

National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service