Rivers in New York
Cattaraugus Creek at Gowanda
Below flood stage
1.29ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 6:15 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 10.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.30 ftWed, Sep 23, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 14.14 ft1956
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, extreme residential and commercial flooding downstream from Gowanda. Also some flooding 1 to 2 miles upstream. Serious flooding possible near Thatcher Brook in Gowanda and Sunset Bay near Lake Erie.
- 12.00 ftModerate flood, residential flooding begins downstream of Gowanda, especially on the right bank. Flooding also possible at Sunset Bay on Lake Erie and along Thatcher Brook in Gowanda.
- 10.00 ftFlood stage, flooding along right bank a half mile to a mile downstream from Gowanda, mostly in industrial and commercial areas. Watch for developing problems along Thatcher Creek in Gowanda and at Sunset Bay at the mouth near Lake Erie.
- 8.00 ftAction stage, water begins to spill over right bank near the sewage disposal plant, about 1 mile downstream from Gowanda.
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
22 crests on NOAA’s list since 1942.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 7, 1956 | 14.14 ft |
| 2 | September 14, 1979 | 13.99 ft |
| 3 | March 17, 1942 | 13.62 ft |
| 4 | August 10, 2009 | 13.47 ft |
| 5 | January 19, 1996 | 13.02 ft |
| 6 | September 28, 1967 | 12.85 ft |
| 7 | January 22, 1959 | 12.44 ft |
| 8 | June 23, 1972 | 12.17 ft |
| 9 | June 26, 1998 | 12.02 ft |
| 10 | April 5, 1947 | 11.94 ft |
| 11 | July 17, 2021 | 11.70 ft |
| 12 | June 18, 1984 | 11.57 ft |
| 13 | December 21, 2013 | 11.54 ft |
| 14 | January 23, 1957 | 11.53 ft |
| 15 | January 12, 2018 | 11.23 ft |
| 16 | February 26, 1961 | 10.92 ft |
| 17 | March 30, 1960 | 10.75 ft |
| 18 | January 12, 2017 | 10.70 ft |
| 19 | October 2, 1945 | 10.63 ft |
| 20 | March 5, 1964 | 10.56 ft |
| 21 | March 15, 2007 | 10.41 ft |
| 22 | November 12, 2022 | 10.30 ft |
Most recent crests
- November 12, 2022: 10.30 ft
- July 17, 2021: 11.70 ft
- January 12, 2018: 11.23 ft
- January 12, 2017: 10.70 ft
- December 21, 2013: 11.54 ft
- August 10, 2009: 13.47 ft
- March 15, 2007: 10.41 ft
- June 26, 1998: 12.02 ft
- January 19, 1996: 13.02 ft
- June 18, 1984: 11.57 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. Gauge reading may be affected by ice. Forecast flows are unadjusted for ice.
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.