For emergency situations, please contact Chris Gazoorian, Surface Water Specialist at the USGS New York Water Science Center or call our general number (518) 285-5600 and follow the directions to leave voicemail which will be immediately forwarded to a responsible party and responded to as quickly as possible.
Flooding can be a serious problem in many parts of New York State. Information on floods and analyses of flood data are needed to aid in the design of bridges, culverts, dams, highways, and buildings, and for the prudent management of flood-prone areas. Documentation of floods and a more thorough understanding of flood hydrology and hydraulics will result in more effective management of flood plains and design of structures.
The New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) provides information on the magnitude and frequency of floods to agencies and individuals involved in flood-protection, planning, and design. The NYWSC also develops regional flood-frequency relations for streams in New York to allow flood-frequency determinations at locations without stream gages and conducts local site studies using hydrologic and hydraulic analyses.
The New York Water Science Center collects, analyzes, and distributes data on a wide variety of water-related issues and resources. Much of our data is publicly available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), but additional datasets and analytical tools are also available.
Flood and High Flow Condition (New York)
Map of locations where the water level is currently at or above flood stage or at high flow in New York
Southeastern New York Coastal Monitoring Sites
USGS real-time monitoring data for estuary and coastal-ocean sites in the southeastern New York region
USGS Flood Event Viewer - Sandy
The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
New York Peak Flows
Locations (depicted as orange dots) in New York State where the New York Water Science Center has records of maximum recorded stages and discharges.
Crest-Stage Gage Network (New York)
In cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York Water Science Center maintains a network of crest-stage gages to improve flood frequency statistics generated at locations across the state.
Map of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
Map of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year (New York)
This list of New York Water Science Center publications spans from the late 1800's to present. It includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists.
Analysis of storm-tide impacts from Hurricane Sandy in New York
Measuring storm tide and high-water marks caused by Hurricane Sandy in New York: Chapter 2
Maximum known stages and discharges of New York streams and their annual exceedance probabilities through September 2011
Floods of 2011 in New York
Monitoring storm tide and flooding from Hurricane Sandy along the Atlantic coast of the United States, October 2012
Flash floods of August 10, 2009, in the Villages of Gowanda and Silver Creek, New York
Flood of June 26-29, 2006, Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River Basins, New York
Flood of April 2-3, 2005, Esopus Creek Basin, New York
Flood hazards— A national threat
Magnitude and Frequency of Floods in New York
Flood of April 2-3, 2005, Neversink River Basin, New York
Flood of September 18-19, 2004 in the Upper Delaware River Basin, New York
The New York Water Science Center collects, analyzes, and distributes data on a wide variety of water-related issues and resources. Much of our data is publicly available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), but additional datasets and analytical tools are also available.
USGS Flood Event Viewer - Harvey
The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
USGS Rainfall Calculator
Find out how much rain has fallen—how many gallons have come down from the skies onto your roof, yard, block, or town.
- Overview
For emergency situations, please contact Chris Gazoorian, Surface Water Specialist at the USGS New York Water Science Center or call our general number (518) 285-5600 and follow the directions to leave voicemail which will be immediately forwarded to a responsible party and responded to as quickly as possible.
Flooding can be a serious problem in many parts of New York State. Information on floods and analyses of flood data are needed to aid in the design of bridges, culverts, dams, highways, and buildings, and for the prudent management of flood-prone areas. Documentation of floods and a more thorough understanding of flood hydrology and hydraulics will result in more effective management of flood plains and design of structures.
The New York Water Science Center (NYWSC) provides information on the magnitude and frequency of floods to agencies and individuals involved in flood-protection, planning, and design. The NYWSC also develops regional flood-frequency relations for streams in New York to allow flood-frequency determinations at locations without stream gages and conducts local site studies using hydrologic and hydraulic analyses.
Flood Inundation Map USGS Flood Inundation Maps, along with Internet information regarding current stage from the USGS streamgage, provide emergency management personnel and residents with information that is critical for flood-response activities, such as evacuations and road closures, as well as for post-flood recovery efforts. (Public domain.) New York Peak Flows This interactive map identifies locations (depicted as orange dots) in New York State where the New York Water Science Center has records of maximum recorded stages and discharges. Many of the locations have flood frequency statistics computed. (Public domain.) Southeastern New York Coastal Monitoring Sites USGS real-time monitoring data for estuary and coastal-ocean sites in the southeastern New York region (Public domain.) - Data
The New York Water Science Center collects, analyzes, and distributes data on a wide variety of water-related issues and resources. Much of our data is publicly available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), but additional datasets and analytical tools are also available.
Flood and High Flow Condition (New York)
Map of locations where the water level is currently at or above flood stage or at high flow in New York
Southeastern New York Coastal Monitoring Sites
USGS real-time monitoring data for estuary and coastal-ocean sites in the southeastern New York region
USGS Flood Event Viewer - Sandy
The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
New York Peak Flows
Locations (depicted as orange dots) in New York State where the New York Water Science Center has records of maximum recorded stages and discharges.
Crest-Stage Gage Network (New York)
In cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation, the New York Water Science Center maintains a network of crest-stage gages to improve flood frequency statistics generated at locations across the state.
Map of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year
Map of real-time streamflow compared to historical streamflow for the day of the year (New York)
- Publications
This list of New York Water Science Center publications spans from the late 1800's to present. It includes both official USGS publications and journal articles authored by our scientists.
Filter Total Items: 16Analysis of storm-tide impacts from Hurricane Sandy in New York
The hybrid cyclone-nor’easter known as Hurricane Sandy affected the mid-Atlantic and northeastern United States during October 28-30, 2012, causing extensive coastal flooding. Prior to storm landfall, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary monitoring network from Virginia to Maine to record the storm tide and coastal flooding generated by Hurricane Sandy. This sensor network augmenAuthorsChristopher E. Schubert, Ronald Busciolano, Paul P. Hearn, Ami N. Rahav, Riley Behrens, Jason S. Finkelstein, Jack Monti, Amy E. SimonsonMeasuring storm tide and high-water marks caused by Hurricane Sandy in New York: Chapter 2
In response to Hurricane Sandy, personnel from the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary network of storm-tide sensors from Virginia to Maine. During the storm, real-time water levels were available from tide gages and rapid-deployment gages (RDGs). After the storm, USGS scientists retrieved the storm-tide sensors and RDGs and surveyed high-water marks. These data demonstrate that theAuthorsAmy E. Simonson, Riley BehrensMaximum known stages and discharges of New York streams and their annual exceedance probabilities through September 2011
Maximum known stages and discharges at 1,400 sites on 796 streams within New York are tabulated. Stage data are reported in feet. Discharges are reported as cubic feet per second and in cubic feet per second per square mile. Drainage areas range from 0.03 to 298,800 square miles; excluding the three sites with larger drainage areas on the St. Lawrence and Niagara Rivers, which drain the Great LakeAuthorsGary R. Wall, Patricia M. Murray, Richard Lumia, Thomas P. SuroFloods of 2011 in New York
Record rainfall combined with above-average temperatures and substantial spring snowmelt resulted in record flooding throughout New York during 2011. Rainfall totals in eastern New York were the greatest since 1895 and as much as 60 percent above the long-term average within the Catskill Mountains area and the Susquehanna River Basin. This report documents the three largest storms and resultant flAuthorsRichard Lumia, Gary D. Firda, Travis L. SmithMonitoring storm tide and flooding from Hurricane Sandy along the Atlantic coast of the United States, October 2012
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) deployed a temporary monitoring network of water-level and barometric pressure sensors at 224 locations along the Atlantic coast from Virginia to Maine to continuously record the timing, areal extent, and magnitude of hurricane storm tide and coastal flooding generated by Hurricane Sandy. These records were greatly supplemented by an extensive post-flood high-wateAuthorsBrian E. McCallum, Shaun Wicklein, Robert G. Reiser, Ronald Busciolano, Jonathan Morrison, Richard J. Verdi, Jaime A. Painter, Eric R. Frantz, Anthony J. GotvaldFlash floods of August 10, 2009, in the Villages of Gowanda and Silver Creek, New York
Late during the night of August 9, 2009, two storm systems intersected over western New York and produced torrential rain that caused severe flash flooding during the early morning hours of August 10 in parts of Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, and Erie Counties. Nearly 6 inches of rain fell in 1.5 hours as recorded by a National Weather Service weather observer in Perrysburg, which lies between Gowanda aAuthorsCarolyn O. Szabo, William F. Coon, Thomas A. NiziolFlood of June 26-29, 2006, Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River Basins, New York
A stalled frontal system caused tropical moisture to be funneled northward into New York, causing severe flooding in the Mohawk, Delaware, and Susquehanna River basins during June 26-29, 2006. Rainfall totals for this multi-day event ranged from 2 to 3 inches to greater than 13 inches in southern New York. The storm and flooding claimed four lives in New York, destroyed or damaged thousands of homAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Gary D. Firda, Carolyn O. SzaboFlood of April 2-3, 2005, Esopus Creek Basin, New York
On April 2-3, 2005, heavy rain moved into southern New York and delivered rainfall amounts that ranged from about 2 in. to almost 6 in. within a 36-hour period. Significant flooding occurred on many small streams and tributaries in the area, and extensive flooding occurred on the Esopus and Roundout Creeks in Ulster and Greene Counties, New York. The flooding damaged many homes, caused millions ofAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Gary D. FirdaFlood hazards— A national threat
In the late summer of 2005, the remarkable flooding brought by Hurricane Katrina, which caused more than \$ 200 billion in losses, constituted the costliest natural disaster in U.S. history. However, even in typical years, flooding causes billions of dollars in damage and threatens lives and property in every State. Natural processes, such as hurricanes, weather systems, and snowmelt, can cause flAuthorsMagnitude and Frequency of Floods in New York
Techniques are presented for estimating the magnitude and frequency of flood discharges on rural, unregulated streams in New York, excluding Long Island. Peak-discharge-frequency data and basin characteristics from 388 streamflow-gaging stations in New York and adjacent states were used to develop multiple linear regression equations for flood discharges with recurrence intervals ranging from 1.25AuthorsRichard Lumia, Douglas A. Freehafer, Martyn J. SmithFlood of April 2-3, 2005, Neversink River Basin, New York
Heavy rain on April 2-3, 2005 produced rainfall amounts of 3 inches to almost 6 inches within a 36-hour period throughout the Delaware River basin. Major flooding occurred in the East and West Branches of the Delaware River and their tributaries, the main stem of the Delaware River and the Neversink River, a major tributary to the Delaware River. The resultant flooding damaged hundreds of homes, cAuthorsThomas P. Suro, Gary D. FirdaFlood of September 18-19, 2004 in the Upper Delaware River Basin, New York
The interaction between the remnants of tropical depression Ivan and a frontal boundary in the upper Delaware River basin on September 18-19, 2004, produced 4 to more than 6 inches of rainfall over a 5-county area within a 24-hour period. Significant flooding occurred on the East Branch Delaware River and its tributaries, and the main stem of the Delaware River. The resultant flooding damaged moreAuthorsLloyd T. Brooks - Web Tools
The New York Water Science Center collects, analyzes, and distributes data on a wide variety of water-related issues and resources. Much of our data is publicly available through the USGS National Water Information System (NWIS), but additional datasets and analytical tools are also available.
USGS Flood Event Viewer - Harvey
The USGS Flood Event Viewer helps USGS and its partners to track of the storm and its impact on surface water levels. A storm track field is included from NOAA's National Hurricane Center, and real-time USGS streamgage data and Rapid Deployment Gage data are linked through this map-based product.
USGS Rainfall Calculator
Find out how much rain has fallen—how many gallons have come down from the skies onto your roof, yard, block, or town.