Cayuga Creek at Lancaster, NY
River level and flood forecast · Erie County
Normal2.7 ftas of Mon 3:30 PM
The river is 5.3 ft below flood stage (8 ft).
Forecast to hold near 2.7 ft through Thu, Oct 15, 8 AM.
Flow: 7 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 11:14 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 12 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 10 ft |
| Flood stage | 8 ft |
| Action stage | 6 ft |
| Record crest (January 23, 1999) | 13.35 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 12 ftMajor flood, protective dikes in town of Lancaster are topped. Major damages to commercial and residential areas in village of Lancaster. Widespread flooding in Alden, Marilla, and Cheektowaga, especially near Bowen Road, Transit Road, and Union Road including Williamstowne apartments.
- 10 ftModerate flood, flooding of backyards, basements and streets in Village of Lancaster. Some flooding of low lying areas in Alden, Marilla, and Cheektowaga, especially near Bowen Road and Transit Road. Some flooding possible near Union Road too.
- 8 ftFlood stage, minor flooding in lowlying areas of Lancaster and Alden.
- 6 ftAction stage, high flows. No flooding.
Highest crests on record
- 13.35 ft — January 23, 1999
- 12.36 ft — March 9, 1942
- 12 ft — March 24, 1941
- 11.74 ft — March 21, 1978
- 11.65 ft — February 19, 1948
Recent crests: 9.73 ft (April 1, 2026) · 8.43 ft (February 18, 2022) · 11.06 ft (July 13, 2017) · 8.44 ft (April 21, 2017) · 9.29 ft (November 24, 2014)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (LCSN6); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.