West Branch Delaware River at Hale Eddy
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 9.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 11.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 13.0 ft; major flooding begins at 15.0 ft.
| Action stage | 9.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 11.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 13.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 15.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 20.3 ft on Oct 10, 1903 (historic crest)
- 19.1 ft on Jun 28, 2006 (historic crest)
- 15.8 ft on Sep 30, 1924 (historic crest)
- 15.7 ft on Mar 22, 1948 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 11.0 ft | Minor Flood Stage. Between 11 and 13 feet, minor flooding of farm lands adjacent to the river begins. River flooding affects Winterdale Road and River road in the Village of Hancock. |
|---|---|
| 13.0 ft | Moderate Flood Stage. Between 13 and 15 feet, flooding of farm lands adjacent to the river intensifies. River water encroaches onto properties along parts of River Road and Sherman Creek Road. Winterdale Road and River Road in Hancock are flooded. |
| 15.0 ft | Major Flood Stage. Above 15 feet, riverside campgrounds and resorts are flooded. River water crosses portions of River Road, Faulkner Road and Sherman Creek Road. Some homes in the area are flooded. In Hancock, river water spreads across S. Pennsylvania Avenue, and affects portions of Old State Road and W. Main Street near Exit 87 off Route 17. There is also considerable backwater flooding in the Village along Sands Creek and Shehawken Creek. |
| 16.8 ft | FEMA flood insurance maps indicate that a river level of 16.8 feet corresponds to the water elevation associated with the 1 percent (100 year) flood zone. If your property is determined to be in this zone, then it is at a high risk for flooding during major floods. This magnitude of flooding has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any year. |
| 19.1 ft | This level is the modern day record flood of June 2006. Widespread flooding occurred from Cannonsville Dam to Hancock with catastrophic property and infrastructure damages. |
| 20.3 ft | This level is the all-time, historic flood of record before the existence of the stream gauge at this location. The flood occurred on October 9, 1903, and is commonly known as the Pumpkin Flood. |
| 24.4 ft | FEMA flood insurance maps indicate that a river level of 24.4 feet corresponds to the water elevation associated with the 0.2 percent (500 year) flood zone. If your property is determined to be in this zone, then it is at a high risk for flooding during a record flood event. This magnitude of flooding has a 0.2 percent chance of occurring in any year. |
Forecast office: NWS Johnson City · River Forecast Center: Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- West Branch Delaware River at Cannonsville Reservoir NWS gauge · 4.2 mi
- West Branch Delaware River at Stilesville NWS gauge · 5.0 mi
- Oquaga Creek at McLure NWS gauge · 6.1 mi
- East Branch Delaware at Hancock NWS gauge · 6.5 mi
- East Branch Delaware River at Fishs Eddy NWS gauge · 11.0 mi
- Delaware River at Lordville NWS gauge · 12.8 mi