River stage
Gowanda, Cattaraugus Creek
- River level
- 1.18 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.02 ft
- Recent high
- 2.78 ft
- Recent low
- 1.16 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS GOWN6
- 30-day change
- -0.32 ft
- Average
- 1.48 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 14.14 ft
In brief
The Cattaraugus Creek at Gowanda, NY read 1.18 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 6.82 ft below action stage. That is 0.32 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge GOWN6
Water 68 °F (20 °C) · 13 °F warmer than normal for this date · +6 °F in 24 hours
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14.14 ft | 1956-03-07 |
| 2 | 13.99 ft | 1979-09-14 |
| 3 | 13.62 ft | 1942-03-17 |
| 4 | 13.47 ft | 2009-08-10 |
| 5 | 13.02 ft | 1996-01-19 |
| 6 | 12.85 ft | 1967-09-28 |
| 7 | 12.44 ft | 1959-01-22 |
| 8 | 12.17 ft | 1972-06-23 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 8.00 ft
Action stage, water begins to spill over right bank near the sewage disposal plant, about 1 mile downstream from Gowanda.
- 10.00 ft
Flood stage, flooding along right bank a half mile to a mile downstream from Gowanda, mostly in industrial and commercial areas. Watch for developing problems along Thatcher Creek in Gowanda and at Sunset Bay at the mouth near Lake Erie.
- 12.00 ft
Moderate flood, residential flooding begins downstream of Gowanda, especially on the right bank. Flooding also possible at Sunset Bay on Lake Erie and along Thatcher Brook in Gowanda.
- 14.00 ft
Major flood, extreme residential and commercial flooding downstream from Gowanda. Also some flooding 1 to 2 miles upstream. Serious flooding possible near Thatcher Brook in Gowanda and Sunset Bay near Lake Erie.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Trout stocking on the Cattaraugus Creek
NYSDEC's 2026 spring schedule lists 2 trout releases on the Cattaraugus Creek, 3,070 fish in total, the first in the first week of April. Brown Trout at 12-15 inches and 9-10 inches. NYSDEC's published figures for 2025, the most recent season it has confirmed, record 508 trout actually released here across 1 visit.
| Species | Fish | When |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout | 330 | April - first week |
| Brown Trout | 2,740 | April - first week |
NYSDEC lists a week or a month rather than a date, and notes that actual stocking can differ with fish availability and weather. Released at Sardinia, Erie County. Full New York stocking schedule →
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cattaraugus Creek flooding at Gowanda?
No. The Cattaraugus Creek at Gowanda is at 1.18 ft, 6.82 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Gowanda?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 8 ft, minor flooding 10 ft, moderate flooding 12 ft and major flooding 14 ft.
What is the highest the Cattaraugus Creek has been at Gowanda?
The highest crest on record is 14.14 ft, on 1956-03-07.
Is the Cattaraugus Creek high or low right now at Gowanda?
At 1.18 ft it is higher than 4% of readings over the last 122 days.
How warm is the water at Gowanda, Cattaraugus Creek?
The water temperature at Gowanda, Cattaraugus Creek is 68 °F (19.7 °C), measured 7:15 pm by USGS, which is 13 °F warmer than normal for this date over the past ten years. It has risen 6.0 °F in the last 24 hours.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge GOWN6); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 04213500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.