Chemung River at Elmira

1. 25.20 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.
2. 25.00 ftWater overtops the north bank of the levee system resulting in widespread flooding of downtown Elmira.
3. 23.00 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.
4. 20.00 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.
5. 19.00 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.
6. 15.00 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.
7. 12.00 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.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.

Most recent crests

• October 30, 2021: 13.40 ft
• August 19, 2021: 12.49 ft
• May 16, 2014: 12.16 ft
• September 3, 2006: 12.19 ft
• November 30, 2005: 12.47 ft
• April 3, 2005: 13.17 ft
• September 18, 2004: 13.55 ft
• September 9, 2004: 12.85 ft
• July 23, 2003: 12.23 ft
• January 8, 1998: 13.18 ft

• UpstreamChemung River at Corning
• DownstreamChemung River at Chemung
• Chemung River at Corning
• Catharine Creek at Montour Falls
• Cohocton River at Scudder Bridge
• Susquehanna River at Waverly
• Tioga River at Erwins
• Sugar Creek at Columbia Crossroads

Forecasts by the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Gauge reading may be affected by ice. Forecast flows are unadjusted for ice.

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.