Arroyo Seco (Salinas River tributary)

Arroyo Seco
Map of the Salinas River basin including the Arroyo Seco
Location
CountryUnited States
StateCalifornia
Physical characteristics
Sourcenear Junipero Serra Peak
 • locationVentana Wilderness, California Coast Ranges
 • coordinates36°07′52″N 121°26′57″W / 36.13111°N 121.44917°W / 36.13111; -121.44917
 • elevation5,480 ft (1,670 m)
MouthSalinas River
 • location
Greenfield, Monterey County
 • coordinates
36°24′49″N 121°20′33″W / 36.41361°N 121.34250°W / 36.41361; -121.34250
 • elevation
164 ft (50 m)
Length40 mi (64 km)
Basin size275 sq mi (710 km2)
Discharge 
 • locationnear Vaqueros Creek, 10 miles (16 km) from the mouth
 • average168 cu ft/s (4.8 m3/s)
 • minimum0 cu ft/s (0 m3/s)
 • maximum28,300 cu ft/s (800 m3/s)

The Arroyo Seco ("dry stream") is a major tributary of the Salinas River in central California. About 40 miles (64 km) long, it drains a rugged area of the Coast Ranges east of Big Sur before flowing through the agricultural Salinas Valley.