Tonawanda Creek at Rapids
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 14.0 ft; major flooding begins at 16.0 ft.
| Action stage | 10.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 12.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 14.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 16.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 17.0 ft on Apr 1, 1960 (historic crest)
- 16.4 ft on Feb 26, 1985 (historic crest)
- 15.9 ft on Mar 7, 1979 (historic crest)
- 15.5 ft on Jan 25, 1957 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 10.0 ft | Action stage, some impact to low lying roads along Royalton and Newstead border, possibly impacting Fletcher, Kelkenberg, and Burdick Roads. |
|---|---|
| 12.0 ft | Flood stage, lowland flooding of farm areas along Tonawanda Creek between Rapids and the Tonawanda Indian Reservation. Flooding may impact Fletcher, Burdick, Kelkenberg, and Tonawanda Creek Roads. |
| 14.0 ft | Moderate flood, some residential flooding with widespread road closures in North Clarence, east into Newstead and Royalton. Water begins to back up into smaller creeks such as Ransom, Black, Beeman, Gott, and Mud Creeks. Flooding in some low lying areas along Tonawanda Creek Road, Rapids Road, and Wolcott Road, with widespread farmland flooding. |
| 16.0 ft | Major flood, considerable residential flooding in most of North Clarence, North Amherst, Royalton, and Newstead. Widespread road closures. Ransom Oaks area in East Amherst is inundated with backwater into Ransom, Mud, Beeman, and other small creeks. Residential flooding and widespread road closures along the creek from North Amherst to the Alabama Swamps. Widespread farmland flooding. |
Forecast office: NWS Buffalo · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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