Rivers in New York
Black River at Watertown
Below flood stage
2.72ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 6:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 10.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 2.80 ftWed, Sep 23, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 16.02 ft1998
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 14.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 12.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 10.00 ft |
| Action | 8.00 ft |
- 14.00 ftMajor flood, heavy commercial, industrial, and residential damages in Watertown, Carthage, and Dexter. Flooding on Huntington Street and River Street in Watertown.
- 12.00 ftModerate flood, widespread farmland flooding in the Flats. Numerous road closures in Castorland, Denmark, Lowville, and Carthage. Some residential properties flooded in the Flats.
- 10.00 ftFlood stage, farmland flooding begins in the Flats with some roads flooded. Minor damages to riverfront commercial properties in Dexter.
- 8.00 ftAction stage, minor agricultural flooding in the Flats area near Castorland and Croghan.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.
Crest history
29 crests on NOAA’s list since 1926.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 10, 1998 | 16.02 ft |
| 2 | April 12, 1993 | 14.20 ft |
| 3 | April 17, 2014 | 13.81 ft |
| 4 | January 1, 1985 | 13.15 ft |
| 5 | December 31, 1984 | 13.01 ft |
| 6 | March 16, 1977 | 12.84 ft |
| 7 | April 30, 2011 | 12.70 ft |
| 8 | April 5, 1963 | 12.43 ft |
| 9 | April 18, 1994 | 12.19 ft |
| 10 | May 22, 1969 | 11.86 ft |
| 11 | April 20, 1982 | 11.65 ft |
| 12 | December 16, 1984 | 11.64 ft |
| 13 | December 16, 1983 | 11.64 ft |
| 14 | April 9, 1928 | 11.60 ft |
| 15 | March 19, 1990 | 11.46 ft |
| 16 | May 5, 1972 | 11.32 ft |
| 17 | April 26, 1926 | 11.30 ft |
| 18 | March 24, 1948 | 11.09 ft |
| 19 | February 23, 1981 | 11.02 ft |
| 20 | April 14, 2001 | 11.01 ft |
| 21 | April 4, 2005 | 10.99 ft |
| 22 | April 13, 2008 | 10.74 ft |
| 23 | April 16, 2002 | 10.69 ft |
| 24 | December 20, 2023 | 10.55 ft |
| 25 | March 14, 2026 | 10.52 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 3, 2026: 10.42 ft
- March 14, 2026: 10.52 ft
- December 20, 2023: 10.55 ft
- March 22, 2022: 10.12 ft
- March 29, 2021: 10.13 ft
- April 8, 2017: 10.51 ft
- April 17, 2014: 13.81 ft
- April 30, 2011: 12.70 ft
- April 13, 2008: 10.74 ft
- April 4, 2005: 10.99 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Northeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Impact statements listed below may not be representative during times of ice jam flooding. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.