Major Flood
7 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
6.5 ft
Minor Flood
6 ft
Action Stage
5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
11.2 ft
Ice jam flood crest from February 1971.
9.5 ft
Catastrophic flood damage occurred from Etna to downtown Ithaca in July of 1935.
8.4 ft
Devastating flood of October 1981. Bridges destroyed. Homes evacuated. Swiftwater rescues occurred from Etna to Forest Home. Several streets in Ithaca's Northside neighborhood were flooded.
8 ft
Flooding will damage several bridges upstream of the gage from Varna to Etna.
7.5 ft
This is the crest stage from the January 1996 rain on snowmelt with ice jams flooding.
7 ft
Widespread flooding of properties and some homes occurs between Varna and Etna. If Cayuga Lake is high, water from Fall Creek completely inundates Stewart Park.
6.5 ft
Lower Creek Road is inundated between Varna and Etna. Main Street near Etna is flooded. A few properties between Etna and Varna are affected by flooding. If Cayuga Lake is high, water from Fall Creek will flood roads in Stewart Park.
6.1 ft
This is the crest stage of the April 2005 flood.
6 ft
Widespread flooding of unoccupied lands occurs nearest the river. Portions of Lower Creek Road will flood.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 20, 1971 | 11.16 ft | -9,999 cfs |
| Jul 7, 1935 | 9.52 ft | 15,500 cfs |
| Feb 24, 1977 | 9.11 ft | -9,999 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Fall Creek
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 Fall Creek at Ithaca?
The Fall Creek at Ithaca gauge is maintained by USGS (site 04234000) 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 Fall Creek at Ithaca?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Fall Creek at Ithaca is 6 feet. Action stage begins at 5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 6.5 feet, and major flooding at 7 feet.
How do I get alerts when Fall Creek rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Fall Creek 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 Fall Creek at Ithaca gauge located?
The gauge is located in Tompkins County, New York at coordinates 42.4533°N, 76.4731°W. USGS site number: 04234000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice. Forecast flows are unadjusted for ice.