Oneida Creek at Oneida, NY

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

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

• 20.2 ftFEMA flood insurance risk maps indicate that this is the 0.2% (500 year) flood level. Your property is at risk for flooding during a record flood event. A 500 year flood is a flood that has a 0.2 percent chance of occurring in any year. A flood of this magnitude has not occurred since record keeping began.
• 17.6 ftThis is the stage that would reach the bottom of the Genessee Street Bridge.
• 17.23 ftRecord Flood of June 28, 2013. Flooding, several feet deep, extends well into the City of Oneida, affecting areas almost to Cedar Street, MacArthur Parkway and S. Lake Street. There is widespread flood devastation at this level for many residences, businesses and city infrastructure.
• 17.1 ftFEMA flood insurance risk maps indicate that this is the 1% (100 year) floodplain. Your property is at risk for flooding during a major flood event. A 100 year flood is a flood that has a 1 percent chance of occurring in any year. In the past, water has reached this level one time since 1950.
• 15.6 ftThis is the Tropical Storm Lee 2011 flood level. Widespread and significant flooding occurred throughout the Flats area in the City of Oneida, and also in Oneida Castle adn the Towns of Vernon and Verona. This was a serious flood with extensive damage to business and residential areas.
• 15 ftMajor Flood Stage. Between 15 and 15.5 feet, overbanking occurs and rapidly spreads into the City of Oneida with water flowing across Devereaux Street, Sconondoa Street, Wilson Street and the lower part of Stevens, Lenox and Prospect Streets. At this flood stage, several homes and businesses are affected by severe flooding of basements and the first floor level.
• 14.6 ftThis is the 1972 Hurricane Agnes flood level. Flood waters reached the low spots along E. Walnut Street and Wilson Street Shopping Center. Water was knee deep in this area during the flood.
• 14.1 ftAt this level, water can reach the bottom of the Bennett Road Bridge.
• 14 ftStormwater runoff begins to pool in areas around Carinci Park, and in locations between Sconondoa Street and the abandoned railroad tracks. Water begins to flood the Oneida Animal Hospital, and evacuation of animals and personnel has occurred in the past.
• 13.3 ftWater at this level would equal the June 28, 2006 flood.
• 13 ftModerate Flood Stage. Flooding spreads into the mobile home park off of Highland Street in Oneida Castle. Some homes are also affected on the south side of Prospect Street near Highland Street.
• 12 ftMaxwell Field and the lower portion of E. Sands Street are flooded.
• 11.5 ftWater spreads across Highland Avenue, cutting off some residences from accessing Prospect Street. Low lying areas in the Town of Verona north of Sconondoa Street flood as water backs up along Sconondoa Creek.
• 11 ftFlood Stage. Low lying areas in the Town of Verona, and near Oneida Castle, flood. No homes, businesses, or infrastructure are affected.
• 10 ftAction Stage. The river stage at which some initial planning and preparation by local emergency officials takes place.

Highest crests on record

1. 17.23 ft — June 28, 2013
2. 15.76 ft — July 2, 2017
3. 15.55 ft — September 8, 2011
4. 15.11 ft — June 22, 2025
5. 15.01 ft — October 9, 1976

Recent crests: 15.11 ft (June 22, 2025) · 13.39 ft (December 18, 2023) · 11.43 ft (April 6, 2023) · 12.05 ft (August 19, 2021) · 13.66 ft (November 1, 2019)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• Cowaselon Creek near Canastota, NY
• Fish Creek at Becks Grove, NY
• Chittenango Creek near Chittenango, NY
• Oriskany Creek near Oriskany, NY
• Sauquoit Creek at Whitesboro, NY
• Scriba Creek near Constantia, NY
• Mohawk River at Utica, NY
• Onondaga Creek above Inner Harbor, NY