Chemung River at Elmira
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 10.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 12.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 15.0 ft; major flooding begins at 19.0 ft.
| Action stage | 10.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 12.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 15.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 19.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 25.2 ft on Jun 23, 1972 (historic crest)
- 21.2 ft on May 28, 1946 (historic crest)
- 19.7 ft on Sep 26, 1975 (historic crest)
- 18.5 ft on Jan 19, 1996 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 12.0 ft | Minor flooding develops outside the area of levees and flood protection. Portions of Lower Maple Avenue (Route 427) in the Town of Ashland may be closed. The Lowman Crossover floods. Route 352 in Big Flats floods. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet. |
|---|---|
| 15.0 ft | The Hamlet of Big Flats begins to flood. Water may also affect streets nearest the river from Golden Glow Heights through West Elmira. Flooding extends into the Town of Soutport affecting neighborhoods along Maple Avenue. Front Street in Wellsburg floods. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet. |
| 19.0 ft | Most of Big Flats is inundated. Streets between York Avenue and Morningside Drive in West Elmira begin flooding. Homes at the lower end of Morningside and Country Club Drive are flooded to the first floor. Routes 225 and 352 are closed at Fitch's Bridge. Flooding worsens along Lower Maple Avenue from Southport to Wellsburg. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet. |
| 20.0 ft | Neighborhoods south of Water Street in West Elmira experience extensive flooding. Properties along West Hudson Street at Morrowfield, Bonaview, and Homewood Avenues in the Town of Southport flood. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet. |
| 23.0 ft | The Carriage Estates neighborhood and Farm Lane in Ashland flood. Flooding extends to 3rd Street in Wellsburg. The City of Elmira is protected by levees to 25 feet. |
| 25.0 ft | Water overtops the north bank of the levee system resulting in widespread flooding of downtown Elmira. |
| 25.2 ft | Devastating flood damage occurs throughout the City of Elmira and surrounding areas. Public utilities, transportation, and communications are severely disrupted. This is the record flood from June 1972. |
Forecast office: NWS Johnson City · River Forecast Center: Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
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