Chemung River at Elmira, NY
River level and flood forecast · Chemung County
Normal1.2 ftas of Mon 3:30 PM
The river is 10.8 ft below flood stage (12 ft).
Forecast to fall to 1.0 ft by Thu, Oct 15, 2 PM.
Flow: 466 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 2:48 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 19 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 15 ft |
| Flood stage | 12 ft |
| Action stage | 10 ft |
| Record crest (January 19, 1996) | 18.51 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 25.2 ftDevastating 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.
- 25 ftWater overtops the north bank of the levee system resulting in widespread flooding of downtown Elmira.
- 23 ftThe 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.
- 20 ftNeighborhoods 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.
- 19 ftMost 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.
- 15 ftThe 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.
- 12 ftMinor 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.
Highest crests on record
- 18.51 ft — January 19, 1996
- 16 ft — November 8, 1996
- 13.55 ft — September 18, 2004
- 13.4 ft — October 30, 2021
- 13.18 ft — January 8, 1998
Recent crests: 13.4 ft (October 30, 2021) · 12.49 ft (August 19, 2021) · 12.16 ft (May 16, 2014) · 12.19 ft (September 3, 2006) · 12.47 ft (November 30, 2005)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (CHEN6); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.