Rivers in Pennsylvania

Clarion River at Ridgway

Elk County, PennsylvaniaNWS RDYP1USGS 03029000State College office

Below flood stage
3.79ftStage

Observed Tue, Sep 22, 4:00 PM EDT

Flood stage
16.00 ft
Record crest
23.10 ft1964

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood20.00 ft
Moderate flood18.00 ft
Minor flood16.00 ft
Action11.00 ft
  1. 24.00 ftRecord flooding is expected on the clarion river in the vicinity of Ridgway. Water levels are expected to exceed those experienced in July 1964.
  2. 22.00 ftWidespread flooding occurs along the right, or west bank. The left bank overflows and affects the sewage treatment plant.
  3. 20.00 ftThe entire area along the right, or west bank is inundated. Numerous homes and businesses are affected by high water. Route 948 is closed due to flooding at several locations.
  4. 18.00 ftHomes on the right, or west bank above the highway bridge are affected by high water levels.
  5. 16.00 ftThe right, or west bank overflows, affecting low lying areas.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor flooding8%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.

Crest history

13 crests on NOAA’s list since 1936.

#DateStage
1July 19, 196423.10 ft
2May 21, 201421.67 ft
3January 19, 199620.27 ft
4June 23, 197219.50 ft
5December 1, 201019.21 ft
6September 18, 200416.89 ft
7June 21, 201916.73 ft
8July 1, 194216.40 ft
9August 14, 199416.00 ft
10March 10, 196415.50 ft
11July 15, 199215.10 ft
12February 14, 198415.00 ft
13March 18, 193614.00 ft

Most recent crests

  • June 21, 2019: 16.73 ft
  • May 21, 2014: 21.67 ft
  • December 1, 2010: 19.21 ft
  • September 18, 2004: 16.89 ft
  • January 19, 1996: 20.27 ft
  • August 14, 1994: 16.00 ft
  • July 15, 1992: 15.10 ft
  • February 14, 1984: 15.00 ft
  • June 23, 1972: 19.50 ft
  • July 19, 1964: 23.10 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. Stage may be affected by 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.