Wills Creek near Cumberland
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 9.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 10.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 12.0 ft; major flooding begins at 14.0 ft.
| Action stage | 9.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 10.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 12.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 14.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 23.1 ft on Jan 19, 1996 (historic crest)
- 20.2 ft on Mar 17, 1936 (historic crest)
- 15.1 ft on Oct 15, 1942 (historic crest)
- 14.9 ft on Aug 13, 1984 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 9.0 ft | The creek floods over its banks but no property is affected. |
|---|---|
| 10.0 ft | Water reaches a private bridge near Corriganville, and a car wash at Motor City. Water also reaches the parking lots of businesses along route 36 at Motor City. Vehicles may need to be moved to higher ground. |
| 11.0 ft | Water approaches businesses at Motor City. Vehicles must be moved to higher ground. |
| 12.0 ft | Water reaches businesses in Motor City along route 36, and begins to approach homes in Locust Grove. Water may be approaching the lowest sections of the railroad tracks on the left bank. The tracks on the right bank will not be affected. |
| 14.0 ft | Several businesses at Motor City and outside the levee protection north of Cumberland are flooded, along with at least a couple homes in Locust Grove. Water approaches low spots on Route 36, possibly affecting one lane. |
| 18.0 ft | Portions of the Western Maryland Railroad in The Narrows are underwater. Numerous homes and businesses in Motor City and Locust Grove are flooded. |
| 22.0 ft | Significant portions of Maryland Route 36 at Motor City and National Highway in The Narrows are flooded, along with many homes and businesses in Motor City and Locust Grove. |
| 23.0 ft | The levee system on Wills Creek protects the city of Cumberland from flooding to approximately this level. |
Forecast office: NWS Sterling · River Forecast Center: Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- North Branch Potomac River at Cumberland NWS gauge · 3.4 mi
- Wills Creek below Hyndman NWS gauge · 10.5 mi
- Painter Run near Fort Ashby NWS gauge · 12.8 mi
- Town Creek (MD) near Oldtown NWS gauge · 14.8 mi
- Patterson Creek near Headsville NWS gauge · 15.8 mi
- South Branch Potomac River near Springfield NWS gauge · 17.0 mi