Lake Erie near Buffalo
New York — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Erie County, New York on the Lake Erie. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: BUFN6). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
11 ft
Moderate Flood
9 ft
Minor Flood
8 ft
Action Stage
6 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
11 ft
Flooding in the First Ward of South Buffalo, Riverworks, Hamburg St and along the Buffalo River. Widespread lakeshore flooding on Hoover Beach, South Grand Island and Dunkirk. Flooding at Van Buren Point and Silver Creek, lakewalls also impacted. Flooding on Old Lakeshore Rd in Evans.
10 ft
Flooding at Canalside, Sunset Beach, Hoover Beach, and Ralph Wilson Park. Flooding starts on Niagara and Tonawanda St. and the mouth of Buffalo River. Dunkirk lakewall impacted. Flooding at North Grand Island Bridge at I-190 ramps, LaSalle Expressway, and Niagara Parkway and Colony, Bronson, and East River roads on Grand Island.
9 ft
Flooding begins at Canalside, minor flooding at Sunset Beach. Possible flooding on Lakefront Blvd, Dunkirk City Pier, and Crooket Brook Dr and Rt. 5 in Hamburg. Dunkirk breakwall may be impacted. Minor flooding begins on Cayuga Island.
8 ft
Minor flooding and and splashover along the immediate Lake Erie shoreline. Rt. 5 in Hamburg may be impacted.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 2, 1985 | 12.08 ft | — |
| Dec 2, 1985 | 12.08 ft | — |
| Nov 15, 2020 | 11.12 ft | — |
| Nov 15, 2020 | 11.12 ft | — |
| Jan 30, 2008 | 11.06 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
BUFN6
River
Lake Erie
County
Erie, NY
Coordinates
42.8767°N, 78.8900°W
Get Flood Alerts for Lake Erie
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 Lake Erie near Buffalo?
The Lake Erie near Buffalo gauge is maintained by USGS 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 Lake Erie near Buffalo?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Lake Erie near Buffalo is 8 feet. Action stage begins at 6 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 9 feet, and major flooding at 11 feet.
How do I get alerts when Lake Erie rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Lake Erie near Buffalo to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Lake Erie near Buffalo gauge located?
The gauge is located in Erie County, New York at coordinates 42.8767°N, 78.8900°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Lake Erie
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: National Ocean Service