Major Flood
385 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
384 ft
Minor Flood
383.5 ft
Action Stage
383 ft
What Floods at Each Level
386.5 ft
This is the approximate level during the April 1993 record snowmelt flood.
386.3 ft
This is approximately the lake level during the June 1972 Hurricane Agnes major flood.
385 ft
Significant flooding occurs around the lake. This level is approximately the same as the April 1916 and March 1936 floods. Wind waves will cause unusual land erosion and damage docks.
384 ft
Water will affect some properties along the lake shore in the towns of Ulysses, Trumansburg and Lansing. No homes are flooded at this level. Parks near the lake may flood. Wind waves may cause unusual land erosion and damage docks.
383.5 ft
The lake level is high enough to flood normally dry areas along the shoreline and may affect some paths, or roads nearest the shore.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 25, 1993 | 386.46 ft | — |
| Jun 24, 1972 | 386.27 ft | — |
| Apr 4, 1916 | 385.12 ft | — |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Cayuga Lake
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Cayuga Lake at Ithaca?
The Cayuga Lake at Ithaca gauge is maintained by USGS (site 04233500) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Cayuga Lake at Ithaca?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cayuga Lake at Ithaca is 383.5 feet. Action stage begins at 383 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 384 feet, and major flooding at 385 feet.
How do I get alerts when Cayuga Lake rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Cayuga Lake at Ithaca to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Cayuga Lake at Ithaca gauge located?
The gauge is located in Tompkins County, New York at coordinates 42.4458°N, 76.5125°W. USGS site number: 04233500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Cayuga Lake
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey