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.