FLOODS IN NEW YORK, 1972,

WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TROPICAL STORM AGNES

U.S. GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Water-Resources Investigations 34-75

Prepared in cooperation with

New York State Department of Transportation

BIBLIOGRAPHIC DATA ,1. Report No. 3. Recipient's Accession No. SHEET 4. Title ar,d Subtitle 5. Report Date FLOODS IN NEW YORK, 1972, January 1976 WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TROPICAL STORM AGNES 6. USGS/WRI-34-75 7. Author(s) 8. Performing Organization Rept. F. Luman Robison No. 9. Performing Organization Name and Address 10. Project/Task/Work Unit No. U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division Room 343 Post Office & Court House 11. Contract/Grant No. Albany, New York 12201

12. Sponsoring Organization Name and Address 13. Type of Report & Period U.S. Geological Survey, Water Resources Division Covered Room 343 Post Office & Court House Final Albany, New York 12201 14.

15. Supplementary Notes Prepared in cooperation with the New York State Department of Transportation 16. Abstracts Intense rainfall associated with Tropical Storm Agnes in late June resulted in the worst flood damage in the history of New York State. Flooding that began in Westchester County on June 19 was followed by widespread flooding in the Southern Tier and Finger Lakes regions on June 23. Maximum known peak discharges were measured at three major rivers in the State. The Allegheny River crested at the highest discharge of record on June 23 (73,000 cubic feet per second or 2,070 cubic metres per second). The Chemung River at Chemung reached the highest discharge of record on June 24 (189,000 cubic feet per second or 5,350 cubic metres per second). The Genesee River raised the water at Mount Morris Dam to the highest level of record (755.8 feet or 230.4 metres). Flooding associated with Tropical Storm Agnes caused 24 deaths and evacua­ tion of 100,000 residents. Damage to· private property in the State has been estimated at more than $400 mill ion; to public property, $221 million; and to agriculture $84 mi 11 ion. 17. Key Words and Document Analysis. 17a. Descriptors

*Flood damage, *Flood data, *Peak discharge, *Precipitation, New York.

17b. Identifiers/Open-Ended Terms

*Tropical Storm Agnes, Southern Tier, Allegheny River, Chemung River, Finger Lakes, Genesee River, Long Island.

17c. COSATI Field/Group

18. Availability Statement 19. Security Class (This 21. No. of Pages No restriction on distribution. Re)f~~T "ASSIFIED 98 . 20. Secumy Class (This 22. Price Page UNCLASSIFIED fORM NTI!I-315 tREY. 10·731 ENDORSED BY ANSI AND UNESCO. THIS FORM MAY BE REPRODUCED USCOMM·OC 82615•1"74

FLOODS IN NEW YORK, 197 ,

WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO TROPICAL STORM AGNES

F Luman

U GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

Water-Resource Inve 3 7

New York tate tment of

1976 UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR

Thomas S Kleppe retary GEOLOGICAL SURVEY

V. McKelvey, 0 rector

Fo add tiona 1 i tion wr

U . Geological Survey ice Box 1 New York 12201

i i CONTENTS

Conver ion ...... vi Abstract ...... 1 Introduction. Acknowl 3 West 4 i torm 10 Chronological caused by Tropi Storm . 14 Western and Cent regions of extreme floodi ) . 14 Central region ide the of extreme flooding 21 region ..... tern region .. rn region ...... Summary of other flood Chronological descri ions Western region 66 Central ion Eastern region ...... heas tern region...... Northern region . ILLUSTRATIONS

i gures 1 5 showing

Precipitat on n sou tern New York June 1 19. 6

Location flood-measurement ites in Westchester Coun , June 1 7

3 Precipitation in New York, June 20-

4. icia1 observations of rai 11 in Allegany and teuben Counties June

5. Location flood-measurement i tes in central and western New York June 1

10. p i 1

6 Cohocton River from Bath to the mouth at inted Post flood of June 1

]. Cani teo River from Addison to the mouth 1ood of June 1 • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • . • • • • • •

8 T oga Ri r from New York­ 1 ine to mouth flood ...... 34

9 R ver from Corning to flood 1 ••••••••••••••••• 5

10

11. Cross section of tream channel River near Big F1 ts, flood

12 showing counti declared di ter areas by President Nixon because of inflicted by ica1 Storm and frontal storms June 1

iv ILLUSTRATIONS ( tinued)

Page

Figures 13-20. Photogra of:

l . c River t Corning ...... 40

14. Walnut Street bridge at Elmira ...... 41

15. Frankl in Street and South Avenue at Elmira ....

16 . Chemung R i v e r a t E1 m i r a ......

17 Allegheny River at Westons Mills ...... 44

18. Allegheny River at Allegany ......

19. Downtown Sa 1amanca...... 46

20. Salamanca city hall and business area on south side of Allegheny River ...... 47

21. Map showing water content of snow on the ground in northern New York, March 27-29 ...... 84

22. G showing mean daily air temperature and precipitation at Stillwater Reservoir, March 1-May 15 ...... 85

Map showing regions and sites in New York where damage from floods was reported in 1972, excepting the floods from Tropical Storm Agnes and frontal storms, June 18- ...... 86

TABLES

Table 1. Summary of peak stages and discharges in Westchester County, New York, for the flood of June 1972...... 8

2. Summary of selected peak stages and discharges in central and western New York for the flood of June 1972 ...... 48

v CONVERSION FACTORS

1 i h u n i t s used i n t h i converted to the International System of Units ( I) or metric li ted be ow:

Multiply lishunits by To obtain Sl units

Length inches (in 2. centimetres (em) inches (in .4 mi 11 imetres (mm) ( .3 metres (m) miles (mi) 1. kilometres (km)

Area square miles (mi2) 2.590 sq~are kilometres (km2)

Flow

per second (ft3 2 cubic metres per second (m31s) per second cubic metres per second re mile per square kilometre ) i 2] .01 [ ( m3 Is ) I km 2] mi 1es per hour L kilometres per hour (kmlh)

vi WI

F.

ipitation from June 20 to than 2 inches ( mill i roughout the te t corner and on ipitat on in Coun th the to Broome from inches 1 to 200 and in Allegany teuben Counties from 10 to nearly 14 to millimet

three or ve in t discharge record metres per second) walls at lamanca. The River at charge of reco ,000 cubic per ). The Genesee River the highest level of record .o0 0 4 metres).

Flooding associated with caused deaths and evacuation of 100,000 res dent . rope in the State has been estimated at more than lie prope 1 million; and to agriculture INTRODUCTION

F ooding and flood in New York during the lendar year 1972 are summarized in thi report The repo was prepared at the request of the New York State of Trans tion under provi ions of an agreement between the U.S. Geological Survey for a ive tatewide program to investi the water resources of the State.

In addition to the material included in the flood maps were prepared from high water marks observed in the field by Geological Survey personnel. Also two hydrologic atlases were published by Geological Survey in 1 , one for the flood at Elmira and one for the flood at Corning. Complete references for the flood maps and the atlases are given under ' "

A report (Bailey, Patterson, and Paulhus, 1975) that summarizes the data for a1 1 the States affected by the Hurricane Agnes floods is Geological Survey Professional Paper 924.

2 recipitation data n the were obtained from the National Wea how ng precipitation June 1 19 and June 20- storms were from maps rnished A. B. Pack Climatologi t with the National Weather Service Additional observations of precipitation were collected by the US. Soil Conservation Service.

tream discharge data included Geological Survey gaging- tation and discharge data determined by indirect measurements the flood.

ts of flooding were obtained from newspaper clippings and publications of the Environmental Data Service of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (11 Cl imatological Data 11 and "Storm '). The news items are arranged in chronological order within geographical regions.

Photographs were furnished by the Chemung County Historical Society, Corning Glass Works, Olean Times-Herald, and Jim Weber of the Salamanca Republican-Press. (See figs. 13-20.)

3 J

minor.

Floodwa from the Bronx, Hutchinson, Mamaroneck, and Sheldrake Rivers, and ind Brook homes, pa s and streets. Some persons were evacuated from their homes in parts White Plains, New Rochelle, , and Ems was estimated to total $2 mill ion in White Plains and $1.8 million in Yonkers.

Peak discharges a six continuous-record gagi in Westchest r Coun t since records in 1 s and discha in table 1, and the locations determina ion in figure 2.

The storm of June 19 which yielded 2.5 to 3. in. to mm) of rai 11 in Putnam, Rockland, and West ter Counties, was preceded 1 5 to 2 in to 11 on June 1 17

rmation that llows rom ited sources.

4 itan hat

Hund banks, turned idences and busi from the Mamaroneck

TARRYTOWN NEWS, June Irvington leaning floodwaters that rake up roads and flooded res basements

YONKERS HERALD STATESMAN, June Stating that more than million in had been recorded in Westches r Putnam, and Rockland Counties Bronx from this week 1 s floods the Small Busi Adm nistration t residents would be el igibl r di ter loans.

EASTCHESTER OBSERVER June 22 The most severe torm in many f ooaea and parts of Eastchester on when the Bronx River ove banks and swamped cars basements Bronxvi 1 School, and sinesses.

RYE CHRONICLE, On 9, the worst flood in 's his thousands dol 1~ to homes, bu ines establ ishmen c buildings when Blind Brook lowed its banks above the ci and the water ran rampantly from upper Purchase Street to Milton Harbor. irst floors homes long Avenue and round-level apartments were flooded. Rye pol icemen in rowboats evacua some residents from their

PORTCHESTER DAILY ITEM, June 22 Flood was considerabl in Har ison, al no estimate has yet been announced. One town bri over Blind Brook was undermined and may have to be replaced at a cost ,000.

5 15'

EXPLANATION

Line of equal precipitation, in inches ORANGE

15'

45' NASSAU

40° , 30' ~------~~~--~----~------~------~------~------~Base from U.S. Geological Survey State base map, 1:500,000, 1967

Figure 1.--Precipitation in sout tern New York, June 1 from map rnished A. B. , C1 i National Wea Service, I , New York.)

6 41 15'

WE T C H

EXPLANATION

.&01302000 Active gaging station 01376430 Miscellaneous site 41 l

MILES

from U.S. Geological Survey State base map, 1 :500,000, 1967

Figure 2 Location flood-measurement s tes in Westchester , June 1

7 tat ion Drainage Pe iod number Stream and place of determination a known (m i ) f oods

LONG ISLAND SOUND BASIN

01299000 Blind Brook near Purchase 1. 01 100 Blind Brook Tributary at Purchase 1. 04 01300000 Blind Brook at Rye 9.20 1944-71 01300450 Beaver Swamp Brook at North St., at Rye 1. 64 01300500 Beaver Swamp Brook at Mamaroneck 4.71 1944-71

01300700 West Branch Mamaroneck River at White Plains 1.09 01300800 Mamaroneck River at Winfield Ave., at Mamaroneck 14.5- 01300900 Sheldrake River at Mamaroneck 5.55 01301000 Mamaroneck River at Mamaroneck 23.4 1943-53 1954-71

01301500 Hutchinson River at Pelham 5.76 1943-71 01302000 Bronx River at Bronxville 26.5 1944-71

HUDSON RIVER BASIN

01376430 Run Brook at Elmsford .93 01376500 Saw Mill River at Yonkers 25.6 1944-71

a Outside the period of record.

8 Day

1 ' 1 119 114 10-1 9. 1 '360 148 !9 1300 12.44 19 12- 3.09 167 . 5 1 2100 3 06 41.8 19 19 2, 1 .0 11.5 19 9.71 4,740 203 6 68 2,260 96.6 28-71 5. 18 526 91. 19 1245 4.53 44.6 1 69 7. 31 1 '580 19 1400 9.63 2,500 94.3

19 10-1 20

9 TROPICAL STORM AGNES JUNE 20-

lhe t1 t indi tion of the most tructive widespread flood record in the Ea tern United ta was tropi sion that de- vel off the of Mexico on June 15, 1 When th intens fled and i ter c sed northwestern Florida on became Hurricane

As the torm pa sed Georgia and South Carol ina, its wind vel i decreased unti 1 ion tage was again reached. Thi weak depres ion produced torrent 11 in the Carolinas on June 20. As it continued to move nor terly toward the ocean near Norfolk, Va., again became a tropical torm on June 21.

r picking up additional moi ture from the ocean, the storm center veered to the west and pa sed over the Southern Tier of New York State where it was absorbed by extensive low-pressure system. For the next several days, this system dominated the wea and produced heavy rains over most of the northea t.

From early evening of June 20 through the night of June 24-25, totals of 10 to nearly 14 in. (250 to 356 mm) of precipitation were recorded in oining parts of Allegany and Steuben Counties of the Southwestern Tier. Unofficial totals of 16 in. (406 mm) were reported by residents in the Andover area of Allegany County. Figure 3 is a map showing amount and distribution storm rai 11. Figure 4 is a map showing amounts and sites of unofficial observations of rainfall.

National Weather Service measurements of rainfall were: Wellsville, 13.9 in. (353 mm); Alfred, 13.2 in. (335 mm); Canisteo, 13.0 in. (330 mm); Bo 1 i v a r , 1 1. 7 i n . mm) ; Has k i nv i 1 1e , 1 1. 8 i n ( 30 0 mm) ; Horne 1 1 , 1 1. 2 in. ( 84 mm); Prattsburg, 10.5 in. (267 mm); and Whitesville, 9.8 in. (249 mm). In southwestern Ontario County, totals of 10.5 in. (267 mm) were measured south and west of Canandaigua Lake. Storm precipitation ranged from 6.0 to 8.0 in. (i50 to 200 mm) in a belt from Chautauqua, Cattaraugus, and Wyoming Counties eastward across the Finger Lakes to Cayuga, Tompkins and Tioga Counties; from 2.0 to 3.0 in. (51 to 76 mm) along western Lake Ontario, in the St. Lawrence River valley, central Adirondacks, and much of the Hudson Valley; and decreased to less than 2.0 in. (51 mm) in north­ ern border counties, on Long Island, and in a 11 rainshadow11 area about 50 mi (80 km) northwest of the Catskills. The storm began with very heavy rainfalls of 4.0 to 6.5 in. (100 to 160 mm) in eastern Allegany and western Steuben Counties on the night of June 20-21 and 2.0 to 3.0 in. (51 to 76 mm) elsewhere in the southwest. Rainfall became widespread in the State by mid- or late morning of June 21. Steady precipitation continued through June and was followed by intermittent and much lighter rainfall on June 24 and

10 Extensive fl concen in about 1 ing the Southwestern Tier and Finger region. rom fi ing proper and rred central, and southeastern regions of tate. Only the quarter tern border counties, immedi te t rela ively mi r

Fl h on the morning of June 21 in the Bolivar Scio Allegany and the Hornell Almond and Cani teo of northwestern teuben County On June and peak di charges at many long-term gaging tations on the largest treams in the flood rea r exceeded maximum flows previously recorded (tabl 2). S tes where peak and discharges were ined are shown in figure 5. In some smaller drainage ba ins, and discharges the 1 flood were les than their previous maximums

The Allegheny River crested at hi t s record yea at 01 ft (7.32 m), June at Salamanca, compared with prev ous peak 16. (4. m) on 1 Recently completed floodwalls at thi site were over In its greatest flood of record ( years), Chemung River at Chemung cres June at 31. (9.64 m). The pre- vious record at this point was ft (7.3 m) in 1946. The and Su Rivers near Bi rested on June at level ft (.6 to 1.2 m) above flood raised the water level at Mount Morris dam to the hi t of record. Flood on the dam were to the water 4.2 ft (1 3 below the pillway and, thu to the amount i llected in the reservoir from being wa hed and piled agains bri or other obstructions. Some lowland dam in Livingston and Monroe Counties were flooded.

As the rain continued to and the treams to go over thei banks, people in the threa reas were requested to leave their homes and to seeks ter in school firehouses, or with friends or atives on higher ground. Some first evacuations were in Cani teo, where ali the iii i iving teo River dike were requested to evacuate to the Central School building. Eighty residents a nursing home in Wellsville were moved to other il ities Residents 14 homes in Por ille were to evacuate. As the larger treams rose to flood levels and above, number evacuees increased rapidly. Some of more seriously communities were Elmira, where the Chemung River flowed over the protective dikes and bout half of the more than 40,000 population was forced to flee, and Corning, where virtually all it 17,000 inhabitants were evacuated. In the Olean area, as many as 10,000 persons were forced from their homes. At Salamanca, the Allegheny River overtopped the new 23-ft (7-m) flood walls and flooded areas of the city thought safe from the high water. Approximately 15,000 people were evacuated from Auburn under threat of a weakened dam on Owasco Lake Outlet. The number of persons evacuated during the flood in New York was estimated to be 100,000.

11 n the Corning t

Southwestern Tier ily Portvill ,

of were flooded in the Penn Yan Montour

The of each of the Finger La Oneida and Chau caused great to boats mari and other hare properti 1 ke 1 l we till above flood n l te July.

tream iles the flood for the Cohocton, Chemung and Allegheny Rivers were and were personnel the Geologi 1 Survey (figs. F i gu 11 i ion plot of the t channel of t C River r Big hawing the water sur level of the flood in rel tion to the normal channel

Streams flowing into the Finger Lakes caused the wat teles, Owasco , , Keuka and Canandaigua to near record level . Lake t Ithaca crested t on July lmost 0.9 m) above flood surpas ing t pre­ vious record level of 4ft (117.8 m) i Canandaigua ke crested at 1.08 10.6 m) or a t (0 3 than the i record of ft 103m) on March 11, 1 Signi icant overflow Oneida Lake no theast of , occurred long the southeast hare between Brewerton and Bri

to private been timated t more than $400 million· to on· and to agricultu million. The Small Business Admini tration t ted that 19,1 homes and 1, businesses were or dest in the seven hardest hit counties. President Nixon declared counties disaster areas. fig. 12.)

To help alleviate the severe housing shor caused by the torm, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development purchased ral hundred house trailers to be furnished rent free for a year to families who lost their homes.

12 n Oneida Coun ted when than ft (0 6

About il i were evacuated from and near the village Blenheim in Schoharie Creek valley in Schoharie County.

At G t Lake the water level reached a record hei for the r hi the 1 ke. Two f1 tes were to prevent the water from reaching pillway.

Although more than 10 in. ( mm) of rainfall was measured by the National Weather Service gage at Slide Mountain, Ul ter Coun , flooding in the Delaware River basin in New York and the Creek basin was comparativel li The heavy rainfall was not reflected in di charges or in bas n torage reservoirs, where were much below previously recorded maximums.

The outs ing features of the flood caused by Tropical Storm were the number of lives lost, the vast areas of land and building or dest , and the number of new record of stage and discharge estab- 1 ished on the larger streams. Flooding wa so severe throughout the area of intense rai 11 that it may be several years before the total cost damage can be tabulated.

13 h

Almond were mis ing fter ing swept away n the swirling

ft of water was being held between two 1 of the ier under con truction r Almond. i were that 1 mi t collapse and endanger the lage

Extensive flooding wa reported on East Avenue in rt, Lime Kiln overflowed ts banks

Canisteo firemen reported that all homes bordering the Canisteo River dike were evacuated this morning and residents were given shelter in the Central School building and at the Canisteo Fire rtment.

There was extensive flooding of homes and streets in the village of Alfred, but no evacuations were reported.

OLEAN TIMES-HERALD, June 21 Flash loading caused by 2 to 6 in. (51 to 1 mm) of rain in the last 4 hours lased roads, schools, and industries; washed out bri ; caused power interruption ; and evacuations in some areas. Area hardest hit were those to the south and east Olean. Evacuation the Wellsville Nursing Home seemed to be the most eri immediate of h gh ter that virt~ally isolated the populous Bol ivar-Scio-We11svi 1e triangle in southern Allegany County. Some elderly, handi residents were removed from the home.

BATAVIA N June 22 The Genesee River overflowed its banks at Por ille late yes with water 4ft (1.2 m) on Main Street of this small village just south of Letchworth Park. Residents of 14 homes were to the local fire 11.

ITHACA JOURNAL June 22 A sta of emergency was declared in Tioga at 6 a.m. roads were closed r emergency and utili service vehicles. The sheriff's rtment reported that 15 bridges were known to have been washed away. 14 HORNE L TRIBUNE June 22 cores area road were conti to pelt teuben and A1 th peopl have been reed to their homes and area school The driver a who drove Vandermark Creek near Scio was t in the swirling water morning. Three other senge were rescued. A Savona man away flood waters rom the Cohocton Rver while at ing to escape from an auto on Route 15 nea Bath Three passengers in the car were saved.

ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICAL, June 22 The small community Almond, about 4 mi (6.4 km) southwest Horne1 1, was till hut off from the outside world and could be only by amphibious vehicles. Between 300 and residents were yesterday. They spent the night in the Almond Central School.

OLEAN TIMES-HERALD, June 22 The Pittsburgh Office the National Weather Service warned today that the Olean area should prepare for the greatest flood of record, and that the current flood would exceed the record-breaking one of July 1942.

Some residents of Olean, on the south side the Allegheny River were evacuated, some by s. Portville Flats and areas of Westons Mills are flooded. The trest1e of the former Shawmut Railroad across Olean Creek was under water about 10 a.m. today. Railroad cars from the Penn-Central were run on the bridge to keep it in p

ELMIRA TELEGRAM, June 23 Although the city of Hornell f comparatively easy, the village of North Hornell was hit hard at its northernmost extremity by Big Creek. The flooding in Hornell was from su drainage rather than from Crosby Creek or the Canisteo River.

HORNELL TRIBUNE, June 23 Property damage in Allegany County is estimated to be mill ions of do11ars, and several months will probably elapse before roads and bridges can rebuilt. Hardest hit was Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, when one wall of the hospital was undermined by the Genesee River and collapsed at 7:30a.m. today. Patients, doctors, staff, and equipment were moved to the Congregational Church and the Elk's Club.

At 11:00 a.m. today Almond Lake officials reported that the water level behind the dam was falling but that water was still 68ft (21 m) deep at the dam.

15 SYRACUSE HERALD-JOURNAL ng waters that additional southwes rn New York and Southern Ti the evacua ion of thousands of persons and bu i p 1 in Elmira Corning 01 n iver pi11ed over in Elmi and Corning River into 01 nd Salamanca.

he mill ion a homes automobil were away· busi and farmland were flood- ed; and crops were 1 t. Telephone and power rvices were knocked out in many p1 were water- and treatment plants. In numerous communiti , drinking water had to be boiled to make it

In lmi half the i 40,000 res dents we evacu- ated as the raging waters pilled into downtown and southside streets. One of two houses that were swept down the river lammed into the Main Street bri

At Corning water tarted pouring over the high dikes about 3 a.m and cascaded th the downtown area ua11y all the 17,000 residents of the ci were evacuated.

In the Olean rea 1oca1 officials requested that 10,000 person be evacuated. The nea communities of Allegany Portville, and Westons Mills were isolated. The north ide of 0 ean is protected a 24-ft (7-m) ike wall. Water was pected to t today about a foot be 1O\tJ the of the dike.

In Salamanca, the Allegheny River, which was 6.2 ft (1.9 m) higher than in previous record floods, flowed over a recently built 23-ft (7-m) dike.

National Guard units were called to duty in Elmira, Corning, and 01 ean.

Wel svi11e remained under cu last night and food supplies were running low. One-third of the village was covered by water 8ft (2.4 m) deep in places. At least 2,000 persons from the village and surrounding town had 1 t their homes Some looting was reported by pol ice.

JAMESTOWN POST-JOURNAL, June 23 Chautauqua County escaped massive flooding but still suffered damage. Evacuations due to flooding in the county were restricted to the Stow area on Chautauqua Lake, a Westfield trailer park, and a small section of Portland.

16 ( 102 18

the onsl at Vestal to ri 4 ting

i and were above flood were no mas ations in the 1 t n i t. to be in the mil 1 ions of many road by the flood.

ROCHESTER TIHES The U.. ineers ordered the evacuation the village Avon between Mount Mor i and Rochester nd decl red the rea flood disa ter the worst in a century. They said that water will reach of Mount Morri Dam between 6 and 10 a.m. tomorrow. Flood will be to avoid spillove. or is t the lower Genesee Valley, when water from the dam will reach Avon 18 hours after the reopened.

ITHACA JOURNAL, June Floodwa r continued to invade basements and lake cot and to undermine and bri yeste and today. All creeks in the cou were reported ither filled to capacity or flooding. Lake, which reached a record high is to rise even hi r

Three people were in a car headed south on Route 14 when a mud 1 ide pushed the r into Catherine Creek. All three passengers were able to escape from the submerged car and eventually to swim to shore The car was not found.

ITHACA JOURNAL June A state of emergency ha been declared in Schuyler Tioga and Chemung Counties Motorists other than on emergency mi ions are subject to arrest.

Counties that have been declared disaster areas by President Nixon are: Allegany, taraugus, Cayuga, Chemung, Liv ngston Ontario, part of Rockland Schuyler, Seneca, Steuben, Tompkins, Westchester Wyoming, and Yates.

The rapidly r1s1ng Genesee River, which 4 days ago flooded wide areas of southwestern New York began spilling over its banks today about a dozen miles south of Rochester. Most of the flooded area was low-lying farmland, but some water overflowed into Henrietta, Chili, Industry, Rush and Wheatland.

GENEVA TIMES, June Ontario, Seneca, and Wayne Counties last night were declared in a state of emergency. Yates County had already been so declared. 17 BUFFALO EVENING NEWS be over lood-str cken Southern-Tier communi i ing waters have al killed several person the thousands caused mi 11 ions do 11 a in property was receding or holding in t rea .

I n We 1 1s v i 1 1 , i c i 1 r e as s e s i n g da rna g e to three­ story wing of the Jones Memori 1 Hospital, part of which col into the Genes River yes

BUFFALO COURIER EXPRESS June resident Nixon has declared the flood-stricken Southern Tier area of Western New York a major di ster area. The President 1 s action will permit Federal to be used such things as clearance of debris, restoration public ilities health and sanitation ion mea- sures, and long-term, low-interest loans to homeowners, farmers, and businessmen.

BINGHAMTON EVENING PRESS, June All entrances and exits at Elmira are closed today. To help prevent possible looting of homes, stores, and businesses, no one can get in or out of the city without a pol ice pass.

ITHACA JOURNAL, June 26 Approximately 100 truckloads of food, clothing, bedding, and other basic necessities 1 downtown Ithaca between 4 p.m. Saturday and 6:30 p.m. Sunday for flood victims in the Elmira and Chemung County areas. An unknown number of trucks from surrounding Tompkins County towns joined the convoys to the stricken areas.

SYRACUSE HERALD-JOURNAL, June 26 The Auburn city manager lifted the evacuation orders at 8:25a.m. today allowing residents and businesses to return to normalcy. About 3:30 p.m. yesterday, two city engineers discovered that the dam holding back Owasco Lake was showing signs of weakening. After consulting with the Army of Engineers, city officials asked some 16,000 residents to evacuate their homes. Affected were those living within half a mile (0.8 km) the stream called Owasco Outlet.

KNICKERBOCKER NEWS-UNION STAR, June 26 The regional administrator of the Department of Housing and Urban Development reported that an early estimate of property damage from the flood was $100 million. An estimate of houses damaged or destroyed showed: Elmira 5,700; Olean 3,400; Corning 2,300; Wellsville 2,300; Alfred 860 Hornell 700; Allegany 600; Almond 300; Salamanca 170; and Portville 300.

18 AUBURN CITIZEN-ADVERTISER, June Residents Lake area 1 iving near the shore were advised ni to evacuate and to move to hi ground as the red lapse Owasco Lake dam mi cause a flood wave in the Seneca Ri could back up and the level of Lake. The advice was rescinded 10 m.

BUFFALO EVENING NEWS June Ri ing waters Chau ua Lake scores of boat over the weekend and will total thousands dollars. Dozens boats were sunk or some of them costing as much as $ ,000.

ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICLE, June 26 Two civil ian employees of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and their pilot died when their hel i struck a power line in Hornell, Steuben County, while they were making an aerial survey of flood-stricken areas.

GENESEO LIVINGSTON LEADER, June 28 Flood damage in the Genesee Valley from Canaseraga Creek and water released from Mount Morris Dam has been estimated to be nearly $5 mill ion. It represents loss of 1 ivestock, crops, buildings, roads, and other property.

SYRACUSE HERALD-JOURNAL, June 28 The Chemung County community of Big Flats was reopened at noon today by State officials, but on a restricted basis. Only residents were allowed to enter the village, and they were not permitted in the area near the leaking 1 tanks, where half a million gallons of high octane gasoline was stored.

BUFFALO COURIER EXPRESS, June 28 Village of Almond residents in Allegany County returned to their homes Tuesday, June 26, as most other residents within the flood-ravaged Southern Tier continued the arduous task of digging out the wreckage.

LYONS STAR, June 28 At least 3,500 acres flooded, of a total acreage of 5,000, with losses estimated at $1! mill ion in southeastern Wayne County were the expected results of last week 1 s storms and floods.

ROCHESTER DEMOCRAT AND CHRONICAL, July 3 Five hundred house trailers, for use by families driven out of their homes by the flood, are expected to be shipped into the Southern Tier today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The trailers may be used for as long as 1 year rent free.

WELLSVILLE REPORTER, July 5 Cost of flood damage to property owned by the village of Wellsville is now estimated to be more than $5 million. This figure includes damage to bridges, highways, sewers, municipal buildings, and equipment and $3! mill ion for the Jones Memorial Hospital.

19 KNICKERBOCKER NEWS-UNION More n 4 mil lion documen th w th ruin a being frozen in Binghamton in the 1 t res ration at t 1 1 con rn. One hundred emp1oyees re trying to d ings and valuabl legal papers m red Corn ng

OGDENSBURG ADVANCE NEWS 13 In New Yo ta were flooded private p los estimated to be more than 11 ion public r mi 11 ion, and agricultural 1 $84 mi 11 ion. The Small Bus ines ist said that 19,122 homes and l, businesses were or dest in the seven hardest-hit counti

BUFFALO EVENING NEWS August 3 The Kinzua Dam more than paid for itself in directly averting estimated at ,340,000 during the June flood. The total cost of build ing the dam was $107 mi11 ion.

20 t i the f1

SYRACUSE HERALD-JOURNAL une the third time in the Meadow- b

ROME June Fo il i were evacuated rom their homes in the Oneid community Taberg t ni ht, when i llen Fu C it banks and sent 3 4 (0.9 to 1.2 m) water down Main treet r a di tance of 1,000 ( m). Gushing waters flowed into the cellars 20 to homes and a local hotel.

ROME ENTINEL June 22 The rain-swollen Mohawk River surged near flood this afternoon, and some roads near Rome were under water. In Camden employees of manu ring plant were unable to work because the plant was f by about 2 ft (0 6 m) water.

ONEIDA DISPATCH, June 22 Homes and business establishments in the flats section Oneida were ordered evacuated by pol ice and fire offici 1 , as water from Oneida Creek covered the area. The flooding llowed heavy rains and the breaking of the dike in several places along the creek. Ten animals were by boat from an animal hospital in Oneida Castle.

SYRACUSE HERALD-JOURNAL, June 22 At least five roads in Onondaga County were closed today by flooding, and many more were barely passable. Many streets in racuse were also flooded. Area rmers face serious losses from flooding, which has de­ stroyed or extensively damaged their crops and fields.

TULLY INDEPENDENT, June 22 Flooding from last Thursday•s rain in the village Otisco was the worst in the memory of some of the oldest residents. Streets and basements in Tully and Vesper and nearby roads were flooded or washed out.

BINGHAMTON EVENING PRESS, June 22 Big Choconut and Tracy Creeks damaged many residential properties along their banks at Vestal. Several families were ordered to evacuate their homes about 6 o'clock this morning, when Big Choconut Creek swept over its banks in three places. One house was lashed to a bulldozer by a cable to prevent it from washing downstream against a bridge.

21 UTICA DA LV une Most of ident of and Blos le were evacuated from their t night, lenmore Dam threatened to crack open and sp i 11 ove flowing east branch of Florence Creek. Some Ta had just returned to thei homes be evacuated Wed because flooding Furnace C Two t in 0 i were residents the hamlet of Fish Creek Landing left their homes, when water flooded the highway and threatened a bri over Fish C 11 rs were flooded in the New York Mills-Yorkville- Whi

ONEIDA DISPATCH June 23 idents of bout 40 homes in the city's 11 flats 11 section and 6 homes in the Belmont Avenue area evacuated yesterday were still notal lowed to return High water in Oneida Lake damaged some camps and smashed docks· boats were sunk or were washed away.

23 The C County highway commissioner this morning reported that a great many shoulders had been washed out on county roads and some bridges had been

CORTLAND STANDARD, June 23 Minor flooding of streets and yards was reported today in Cortland, Homer, and Marathon.

SYRACU E POST-STANDARD, June 24 The Air National Guard and an Air Force unit were sent to Oneida Lake yes after almost 6 in. (1 mm) of rain caused flooding on the south shore near Cicero and forced many families to evacuate their homes. Muskrat Bay Road Long Point Road, Polar Beach Road, and Beach Road were covered with as much as 4ft (1.2 m) of water. About 100 Beach Road residents were, evacuated yesterday morning.

OXFORD REVIEW-TIMES, June 28 Flood damage in the village of Oxford and vicinity was comparatively light. Overflow from Clark Creek in that village flooded a few streets and basements. Two bridges on side roads in Coventry were washed out. At Greene some streets, basements, and a golf course were flooded. Whitney Point and Lisle, protected by the dams built after the 1935 flood, were not damaged by flooding.

UTICA DAILY PRESS, June 29 Flood damage from last weekend 1 s major storm in the village of Sylvan Beach was estimated to total $250,000 A few streets, basements, and yards were flooded, and boats and marinas were badly damaged.

SYRACUSE HERALD-JOURNAL, July 4 Property damage from current flooding in Onondaga County was close to $6.8 million, according to initial estimates prepared by the county's Bureau of Emergency and Safety Services. 22 BALDWINSViLLE MESSENGER, July 5 The Road and Road areas, in the town Van Buren, and Surbrook Road in the town of which are a- cent Rver were hard-hit by the recent floods and are till under water Some homes are surrounded by water.

SYRACUSE HERALD-JOURNAL, July 5 Several coun roads, such a Road near Baldwinsville and Pleasant Valley Road in Marcellus, t i 11 water. residents in these areas been unable to homes since the flood ing began almost 2 weeks ago.

UTICA DAILY PRESS, July 5 Oneida Madison, and Broome Counties have been added to the list of 18 counties to qualify as disaster areas. Cost flood damage at Rome was estimated to be $433 000; half of the amount is for damage to the Humiston Bri on the Rome-town of Vienna boundary above Fi h Creek.

NORTH SYRACUSE STAR, July 5 Damage totalling more than $750,000 has been inflicted by the recent flooding on properties in the town of Clay. Flooding of 45 first-floors of houses and 60 cellars has been noted, and various cars, tractors, and other equipment have been submerged and ruined. Some boats have been sunk, and croplands have been extensively damaged.

CICERO RECORDER, July 5 This spring 1 s floods have caused more than $2 million in damage to public and private property in the town of Cicero according to estimates filed with the county's Bureau of Emergen~y Services.

UTICA DAILY PRESS, July 7 The first estimate of the damage from flooding by Tropical Storm Agnes in the city of Utica is $375,000 according to the city's calculations. The bulk of the damage was to private property.

ONEIDA DISPATCH, July 8 The county Disaster Committee reported that more than $5 mill ion in damages occurred to farm and vegetable crops and farmland in Madison County during the heavy rains and floods last month.

23 1 r.n rn iVIii

CATS KI LL MA I L flooding evacuated g i lenvi 1 Flood-control dams two ites re credi ed with the prevention floodi w ndham

GLOVERSVI LE-JOHNSTON LEADER-HERALD June High winds and rain from Tropi 1 torm t night nd thi morning caused con iderable to camps, docks and boa on G t Sa Lake. One gate on the dam t Conkl ingville wa opened to help the 1 ke l eve 1.

TROY TIMES-RECORD June High water in the Hudson River in the Troy a necessitated the cl ing of the Federal Lock, halted New York State Barge Canal traff temporarily and forced the evacuation of six to eight famll i from their homes near the river t Waterford.

SCHENECTADY GAZETTE, June About 60 families were evacuated from the vil ]age of Blenheim and north of that hamlet along Route 30 in early morning hours yes rday while water g hed (0.8 m) over the spillway of Gilboa Dam. Water at Har iman Dam, near Tannersville in Greene County, spilled over both sides of the spillway and flooded treet in Prattsville.

ALBANY TIMES-UNION June 27 Only 6 in. (150 mm) below the pillway of Conk1 ingville Dam on Great Sacandaga Lake, June , floodwater reached a record height for the -year hi tory of the big 1 ke. One floodgate was opened in the middle of the week and the second on Saturday, June 24, to prevent the level from reaching the spillway. Some minor flooding was reported in Saratoga Springs.

CANAJOHARIE COURIER-STANDARD, June 28 Considerable crop damage resulted from last Friday's torrential downpour, which swept the middle Mohawk River valley. Usually placid streams overflowed their banks, flooded cellars, and eroded driveways. A flash flood originating from heavy rains in the Salt Springville area flooded the community of Sprout Brook. Water flowed in one side of the Grange Hall and out the other. Three ft (0.9 m) of water covered Route 163. Lowlands and the basements of homes along Otsquago Creek and a parking lot in the village of Fort Plain were flooded.

24 NE~JBU NEWS Four child r t year old gir in her. landed on In the mean ime the water holdi to the boat. two from the over urned boat but was flown from rt Ai rt two membe Detachment. While the he hovered standing on the craft's pontoon grabbed both on a nearby railroad trestle.

25 Sou tern ion

MIDDLETOWN TIMES Water was receding Satu basements and rmland in the Middletown area, but a till impassable Some the rmland was till under to 1.2 water. The ident Mye Grove in the town rk, who were forced to evacuate have returned to their homes.

MIDDLETOWN TIMES HERALD-RECORD June Five canoeists were rescued from the flood-swollen Delaware River during the past weekend two canoes had been swamped by the rough water.

NYACK JOURNAL NEWS, June 26 Rockland and Westchester Counties have been declared major disaster areas as a result of damages caused by Tropical Storm Agnes. Many home­ owners in these counties are eligible for special Federal aid. The areas hardest hit by flooding in Rockland County were along creeks in Palisades, Sparkill, West Nyack, Clarkstown, West Haverstraw, and Stony Point.

MIDDLETOWN TIMES HERALD-RECORD, June 27 Some farmers in the black-dirt area here claim to have lost as much as 70 percent of their spring lettuce crops because of flooding. The mucklands became flooded on Friday, June 23, and the situation has become progressively worse, as the Wallkill River and Pochuck Creek continued to overflow their banks. Cost of damage was estimated to be $16.5 million.

26 Northern ion

OLD FORGE ADIRONDACK ECHO June The Rondaxe Lake road was heavily by the storm last evening. Some ections of the road were completely washed out. A section Route between Old and Inlet was closed because of washouts.

WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES, June Three Lewis County roads were closed, and a bridge was damaged by washouts yesterday.

WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES, June Cost of flood damage to crops and land adjacent to the Black River in Lewis County was estimated to be $200,000.

LOWVILLE JOURNAL AND REPUBLICAN, June 28 Torrential rains and rapid runoff caused severe flooding in many parts of Lewis County in the early morning of Thursday, June 22. Flooding along the Black River caused the closing of several roads.

27 80° 79° 78° 74° 730 72° 45°

--2---- Line of equal (dashed

43°

N 00

6

N E W Y 0 R K 41°

Base from U.S. Geoloaica State base map,

ig re 3 --Precipitation York, map A. B. C imatolog st, thaca 78° --r------

------v 42° 30' e12 t___

9.5 8.5 8Short Tract 7.9 I I \

ALLEGANY STE BEN

N 1..0

Greenwood

I 42° ___ .J.. _____ ------00' ...,....--.., EXPLANATION 0 10 201\/liLES

0 10 20 Kl LOMETRES

Base from U.S. Geoloaical State base map,

Figure 4. icial observations rain 11 in Allegany and Steuben Count es une Data shed bv .S So Conservation Service LAKE

ORLEANS NIAGARA EXPLANATION ,. 75 Active gaging statiq,n

8 74 Miscellaneous site 0 l ,'o

,.t36

"'..,... .. , I ..

'I \ I 82 .81 I I • 78 77 I CATTARAUGUS ~ . ~CHAUTAUQUA I ·~ ,.79

Base from U.S. Geological Survey State base map, 1 :500,000, 1967

Figure S.--Location of flood-measurement sites in central and western New·vork, June 1972.

30 77° OSWEGO I ONTARIO LAKE ~ \ / \ 143b' \' '1 ONEIDA I L I --\)\.~~"\...I ' I ~143 I ~- I WAYNE \ } ""'-I...... ~143a ~ -.. \...

I .167 \ . (_l '\

I '\ -,----~1741 ..177 I 178 ONONDAGA ~1731 • I ·: I ~171 11s• ~- ~ \ I ~170

ONTARIO CAY MADISON I j ~138 \L,'______,..! I UGA 175 l I \ fj I \------I .139 -, ---~---J \ ~6 I 165 I TOMPKINS 1 CORTLAND ~ 1 I ~. 16 ~1,, 158 \ CHENANGO 149 159 I .~~ 157 160 51·5~53 15~ 156 -,------1 • .54 148 J .154 \ I STEUBEN ~57 I ~ \ L------,I I ~ I I CHEMUNGL..,_) l

.61 TIOGA r'8 1 BROOME ! ~13 1 .62 \ .10 I

.}I ______------

31 DISTANCE UPSTREAM FROM MOUTH OF CHEMUNG RIVER, N KILOMETRES

350

1125

340

1100

(/) wf- -- w w ""0 Q) a: LL co .D f- 2 0. 330 w z (0 E ~ N co N _j' 1075 u z > '- w co co _j' > (l) w ..r:::s c w _j OJ c > 0 w <( I .,_, _j w CD <( (/) tJ w (/) z OJ <( c 1050 320 z w OJ <( CD ~ ('f) w OJ ('f) w ('f) ~ > >- w 0 CD CCI > <( ..r:::s LO 0 ..- CCI OJ <( z I >- 0 1025 cos z i= ..r::: 0 <( OJ i= >w I (/) 310 <( _j •t > w :J w _j u w

LO ..- 1000 >- co ..r:::s OJ I 300

975

950~--~---L--~----~---L--~----~--~--~----~--~--~~~ 290 70 68 66 64 62 60 58 56 54 52 50 48 46 44 DISTANCE UPSTREAM FROM MOUTH OF CHEMUNG RIVER, IN MILES

Figure 6.--Profile of Cohocton River from Bath to the mouth at Painted Post, flood of June 1972.

32 DISTANCE UPSTREAM FROM MOUTH OF CHEMUNG RIVER, IN KILOMETRES 88 86 1000 304

..cL (/) u ro >w w LD ·~ _J _J u 300 u LlJ +-'ro w w ro (/) (f) +-' ro .r:5 l.O z I' 0) z 980 ,- > .::L ('() 5 ~ ~ > u c ex: > 0 I 0 0 co (/) 0 co Q) Q) .s:; u >w w £ _J _J cO :::1 w 0 w :2 294 _I

9601 I I I 56 54 52 50 48 DISTANCE UPSTREAM FROM MOUTH OF CHEMUNG RIVER, IN MILES

Figure 7.--Profile of Canisteo River from Addison to the mouth, flood of June 1

33 DISTANCE UPSTREAM FROM MOUTH OF CHEMUNG RIVER, IN KILOMETRES 90 86 82 78 74

.:L (J) +-' (J) ~ u UJ 306

(f) 1- w w a: w 1- LL 304 w (J) ~ CJ) u .:L z (J) .....i (J) w 302 ....J u w >w > ....J UJ w c ....J <( w -~ 300 <( (f) LU w (f) z (J) w > (J) £9 0 a: (.}) .0 > ro 0 0 u u <( (J) co 296 ro z (;) 2 <( 0 co z a: as 0 i= > <( i= 0:: 294 <( > ~ co w c CJ) > ....J (J) w w 0 ....J u i= w 292

290 95058 56 54 52 50 48 46 44 DISTANCE UPSTREAM FROM MOUTH OF CHEMUNG RIVER, IN MILES

Figure 8.--Profile of Tioga River from New York-Pennsylvania 1 i ne to the mouth, flood of June 1972.

34 ELEVATION ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL, IN FEET

co co co co co <.0 <.0 <.0 <.0 0 N .+::>. O'l CO 0 N .+::>. O"l .+::>.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 01 Junction of Cohocton and Tioga Rivers, head of ~ sw~ ~ c Bridge Street at .., Penn Centra I Centerway at 0 (I) 0 s . (/) UJ tate H1ghway 17 at Gibson- ~ ~ .+::>. z I )> 0 () ~ ~ Steuben -Chemung County I i ne - m ~ m me 0 c 0~ 0 ~ ~ 0.. -· (f) :::0 _, ~ w m (I) :::0 01 )> ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ § ~ 0 (I) 0 01~ ~ 0~ ~ ~ 0 ~ 0 ~ w !"" ~ I V'1 ::?. I Walnut Street bridge at Elmira ~ ~ ~ Nationa Weather () .., n -Newtown Creek b ffi I ~ m C ~ z cz Q n Q 0 :::0 ~ ~ -Bently Creek w -· :::o -Bridge at Wellsburg o ~ -Baldwin Creek Z Z A rt ~ r 0 0 r ~ m m (f) ~ Nm:::0 l:hPm1mn Ri\/Pr r:Jt l:hPm11nn 0 (f)

... 0 N N N N N 01 m -..J co <.0 0 0 0 0 0 ELEVATION ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL, I METRES ~ ELEVA Tl ON ABOVE MEAN SEA LEVEL, FEET lO -' -' -' -' _. _. c ~ 2x5 22? ~ ~ t, t; t ~ N 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 I\ I P-=> 0 (J) - 0 0 0 : 0 Stream Valley Road bridge ~ rt -o (J) )> 0 ~ ~ ~ z (.f) z (J1 0 ~ ~= ~ c rum c ~ 3 (J) ru ~ Union Street bridge at Olean- ;j ~ ~ m 0 :::0 N )> ru:t> ~~ ..,.~ ~ 0~ ~m o:::o -lO ~ 0 g 0 Penn Centra I Ra i I road bridge $: c... ~ N Highway ~ ~..,. c 0 (J1 ~ c ~ w - ~ WI 0"\ c...< I wo em o~ ~ , 0 )> m ~ _.,~ )>ro ~ f=m ~0 r Q ~3 m I N Q m Z I Z m m w, ~ ~ N ~ :::0 -< :::0 ~ < g < ~ ~ m . B :::0 z Z A ~~ ~5 ro o~ - rn m < ~ w :::0 ~ m W N N b------~~------~--~ (J1 ..,. ..,. ..,. ..,. N N W W ~ 0 (J1 0 (J1 m ELEVATION SEA LEVEL. METRES DISTANCE, IN METRES 60 90 120 ~------~------~------~r------~------~------L,------~------~------~.-----~n-12 - -z::__:_ Wat~u~e ~e-;;, ~2------

(.f) 1- w w 0:: w 1- u_ w :::2: z z w z ""'-J 0 1- <( w> .....!w Norma I water surface

00 FEET

Figure 11. ross section stream R ver near Big Flats flood of June 80° 79° 78° 77° 76° 75° 74° 73° 72c 45° ,...,--\-­ EXPLANATION r // , Wffi1 ; Counties that were declared disaster areas because of tropical storm Agnes, June 18-25, 1972 I .(' '-...._ \ tJ~ ,Jj ('"'-- _1-r 44° I, ~ ,/ r-\ ; t -./ I ' / ( I \ \ '"""'- / \ ~ I ___ / ~ ' \

43°

w 00

/ /

\ /'/"' ~... ) ~ SO,UTHEASTERN ~ )/-'-J~, \_ r __.~ ... _, .., ...... N E W Y 0 R K 41°

Base from U.S. State base map, 1

Figure 12.--Counties declared disaster areas Nixon because inflicted ical Storm and storms, June flood - F re gure 15.-- Elmira, ooding R ver June 1 Historical Soci u 0 V'l

ctl u

-c ctJ s.. Q) :::c I Ill Q) E ...... c ctJ ;:...QJ c ft'JO en Q) wate

Salamanca can-Press area s de cou Salamanca can-Press b

r r· n ta. tat T Tributary)

Drainage Period of d rminat on known (mi ) flood

VER N

0 r Conklin 71

Ri t Eaton

0 r t herburne

4 r South Plymouth . 9 7 t Homer 6.81 68 6 Cortland 1 71 7 r nnatus 1938- 1 71 Ri 1

l '483 1912-71 1 3,960 1938-71 11 . 7 l 71 12 8.6 1 13 19

14 t . 5 15 quehanna River at rl 4, 71 6 . nr roup burg 30 . 17 Lindl 1 1930-71 18 Lindl 9. 13

19 A mond 0. 17 20 nr Almond . 31 21 i l l 22 4 22 • 5 71 A rt . 6 71 D

3, cl, .4 d2,730 1 ' b 4,820 0 1 ' a bl

Map Stat on Drainage Period of num- numbe Stream and lace of determination a known ber (mi floods

SUSQUEHANNA RIVER BASIN (Continued)

24 01 Big Cr. nr North Hornell 16.8 1935 25 01 Canacadea Cr. at Alfred 1 • 26 01 Canacadea Cr. Trib. no. 2 nr Alfred 27 01 Canacadea Cr. Trib. no. 1 at Alfred 1.02 28 01 East Branch Canacadea Cr. at Alfred Sta. 6.54

29 01 Canacadea Cr. at Alfred Sta. 14.8 30 01 McHenry Valley Cr. Trib. no. 2 nr Alfred 1. 73 31 01 McHenry Valley Cr. Trib. no. 1 nr Alfred .96 32 01 Karr Valley Cr. nr Almond 27.6 1937- 33 01 Almond Lake nr A1mond 55.8 1949-71

34 01 3500 Canacadea Cr. nr Hornell 57.9 1940- 1944-71 35 01 Canisteo River at Hornell 158 1942-71 36 01 Cole Valley Cr. at West Greenwood 3. 14 37 01 Purdy Cr. nr Canisteo 21.2 1935 38 01525000 Bennett Cr. at Cani teo 95.3 1938-47

39 01 Colonel Bill's Cr. at South Canisteo 10. 1 40 01525500 Canisteo River at West Cameron 342 1930-31 1937-70 41 01 Tuscarora Cr. Trib. nr Woodhull 9.4 1966-68 42 01526000 Tuscarora Cr. nr South Addison 114 1937-70

43 01526070 Canisteo River at Erwins

44 01526495 Mulholland Cr. nr Erwins 5. l 1966-68 45 01526500 Tioga River at Erwins 1 ,370 1918-71 46 01526980 Kirkwood Cr. nr Atlanta 4.6 1966-68 47 01527000 Cohocton River at Cohocton 52.2 1950-71 48 01527428 Nei 1 Cr. (at the Rocks) nr Bloomervi lle 18.0 1935

50 Da Day

51 rm t ion

RIVER IN tinued)

1 l 4.

19 71

nr Tri Cameron rd 19 71 01 Cohocton ver n 11 470 71

ranch Mich gan n Ris i 11 e 1.0 r rn i ng 31.6 61 i ng Cr. nr Big Flats 14.7 iver nr Big Fl ts 2' 1 Newtown at Horseheads . 4

01 Newtown Cr at lmi ra . 5 71 Seeley Elmira .6 Rorick 1. 2, 71

ALLEGHENY RIVER BASI

0 Littl Genesee at Little Genesee 0 0 c t Portv lle . 7 0 Gates Cr. at Franklinville . 3 1967 71 0 John is Cr at Cuba • 1 1 0 Olean Cr. nr ean l Da

8.88 3,880 24.7 7

4.59 2,680 4 2 0200 s. 14,000 391 . 1 7

3- 56 6.89 l '860 24 4 15 8 6 100 . 6

7- 35 11.6 41 '1 00 . l 23 11. 16 . 1 22- 819 819

3-36 87,200 40.6 23 2

12- 42 15.23 3,460 . 4 15 19. 4 000 51.6 l 0-1 55 17.06 3,350 42.0 18

28-46 23.97 132,000 . 2 31. ,000 4

8, 4,200 9-28-67 4,880 253 9- 67 632 301 9-29-67 16.06 18,200 91.9 11. 6,000 . 3 bl Maxi mum du ri

Day Time

3 840 113 9,300 307.9 2,000 66.2 16.24 41,700 25.9 1300 24.01 73,000 45.4 l 1 . 35 8,600 29.7 26 0845 10. 15 3,970 1 3. 7 11.58 6,750 23.3 2,740 150.5 2,070 118 56 10.65 25 0200 10. 15 4- 47 4.56 2,050 10.6 24 1600 4.01 1 '650 a

10.30 7,780 216 0- ..1 67 7.23 2,780 108.6 7.34 2,910 114 6.84 4,000 57.1 17-42 13.73 35,900 83.1 23 0445 12.18 25,300 58.6 3- 14.14 34,600 80. 1 9- 12.50 5,790 155.6 11 .05 4,670 126

9-28-67 11.61 9,260 121.0 11. 36 8,830 110 9-28-67 6.66 1 ,680 120 5. 81 l '160 82.9 9- 11.90 23 1030 9.09 12,000 83.3 3-1-55 9.43 13' 000 90.3 1-22-59 10.09 8,750 92.2 10.09 8,800 92.7 3-1-55 15.82 13,500 100.7 23 0700 13.52 12,300 91.8

11-26-64 7.49 l '370 58.1 11.05 3-7- 56 16.04 2,700 122.2 11 • 52 1 '800 81.4

55 D of num­ numbe pl de rmi nat i knovm ber l

LAKE ONTARIO BASIN

Cr. 1 1 . 01 r. at .0 Orebed Cr nr 4. Genesee River 96 1mer 1 ey Andover 97 Flumer Va ey Cr. nr Hallsport 11.8 98 Chenunda Cr. Trib. nr tannards .04 99 Chenund r. at Stanna 30.6 100 Cr. nr West Greenwood 1. 64 71 101 Quig Hollow Brook nr Andover 4.2 7

102 East Valley Cr. Trib. nr Andover 1. 59 103 Railroad Brook nr Alfred 1.

104 Indian Cr at Andover l. 07 1 Elm Valley Cr. nr Elm Valley 4.18 106 Trapping Brook nr Wellsville 3. 19 107 Dyke Cr at Wellsville 71.4

108 1000 Genesee River at Wellsville 288 109 1 Genesee River at Scio 308 110 04221510 Vandermark Cr. nr Scio 22.0 1 1 1 1518 Snowball Hollow Cr. nr Scio 3.47

112 04221 North Branch Phillips Cr. nr Withey 7.16 11 3 04221 Phillips Cr. nr Withey 24.1 114 04221 1 Feathers Cr. at Belmont 3.69 115 04221600 Van Campen Cr. at Friendship 45.8 1964-68 116 04221640 Black Cr. at Birdsall

56 7. 600 366 3.40 7 .9 • 1

3. 3. 2.

2. l 300 . 5 1'

6-1 16. 10 5,230 73.2 12,000

17. 15,800 .9 1 1 ll. 23 300 . 6 0300 14. 12 41' 8,

13.10 13,400 3 1 • Tabl 2.

Map tation D Peri num- number S ream and place of determination known ber floods

LAKE ONTARIO BASIN (Continued)

117 1698 Angelica Cr. at Angelica 61.0 1 18 1700 Ange 1 i ca Cr. n r Ange 1 i ca 61.3 1 19 1 71 0 Baker Cr. n r Ange 1 i ca 22.4 120 04221720 Angelica Cr. at Transit Bridge 86.5 1964-68 121 04222510 Sixtown Cr. nr Higgins 17.8

122 04222600 Wiscoy Cr. at Bliss 21.8 1 l 7 123 0422 3000 Genesee River at Portageville 981 1908-71 124 04224000 Mount Morris Lake nr Mount Morris 1 '075 1 71 125 04224550 Ewart Cr. at Swain 3.9 1964-65 1967-68 126 04224650 Canaseraga Cr. nr Canaseraga 58.2 1964-68

127 04224700 Sugar Cr. nr Ossian 9.83 1964-71 128 04224800 Stony Brook at South Dansville 2.23 1964-69 129 04224810 Sponable Cr. nr South Dansville .7 1964-67 130 04224900 Mill Cr. at Patchinville 5.00 1964-71 1 31 04224965 Little Mill Cr. Reservoir--Relief Channel 7.54

1 32 04224970 Little Mill Cr. Trib. nr Dansville 1. 42 133 04225000 Canaseraga Cr. nr Dansville 153 1910-12 191 68 1 35 04227500 Genesee River nr Mount Morris 1,417 1903-06 1908-14 191 71 136 04227980 Conesus Lake nr Lakeville 69.7 1963-71 137 04228500 Genesee River at Avon l ,667 1955-71

1 38 04228845 Honeoye Lake nr Honeoye 41.1 1963-71 1 39 04228900 Springwater Cr. at Springwater 10.1 1964-68 140 04229500 Honeoye Cr. at Honeoye Falls 195 1945-70 141 04230380 Oatka Cr. at Warsaw 41.9 1963-71 142 04230500 Oatka Cr. at Garbutt 204 1945-71

58 Max Maximum during June 19

Da Day

7-18-42 14,000 230 6,120 .8 3,050 136 9-28- 10.28 9,560 110 f8,4oo 97. 1 2,460 138

5-64 3.38 4.06 l ,850 84.9 17-16 12.81 44,400 45.2 23 0230 32.25 90,000 91.7 4-5-60 c719.40 d216,ooo 25 1700- 755.8 2200 5-64 3.80 3.75 700 179 9-28-67 11.10 5,480 94.2 12,400 213

3-5-64 6.45 6.85 1 ,380 140 1-30-68 2.64 490 220 28- 2.04 121 173 3-5-64 3.79 3.01 1 ,350 270 835 111

1 1 "') ..,,., r I I :J I'J·":> 8-23-40 9.93 9,110 59.5 23 0245 14.66 9,600 62.7 16 25.44 '100 38.9 24 0415 24.50 17,800 12.6

4-25, 69 23.80 24 1200 22.50 7- 37.20 15,600 9.4 25 0700 40.64 16,500 9.90 4-15-71 4.72 23 2400 6.94 3-5-64 5.25 156 15.4 1 '180 11 7 28- 6.42 4,630 23.7 6.5 4,800 24.6 28- 7.28 1 '760 80 23 0245 9.75 4,010 95.7 31-60 8.64 6,920 33.9 24 1500 6.89 3,840 18.8

59 riod of t pl of de nnination knovm

60 Da

l 10.3 3- 19.7 25 15 31 1 1 15 4

3 1 • 5 64 8.56 25 0945 10.47 4,600 365. 1 5.40 fl ,500 119 5.79 24 1345 9. 29-61 119 517

300 2-1 66 3 78 640 3. 1 22 1045 8. 4 000 19.3 9-29-67 3.94 3. 1 610 19.9 13-66 3. 218 15.8 4.93 417 .2 1 ' 184 8-1 42 7. 4,110 112.0 0115 8. 10 4' 800 1 9.94 1,060 93.8 1 1'\ -.I. /r. "' 3-l 71 IV./'i 5,200 ou.u 14. 6 11 '800 516 2-l 66 3.82 9.37 5, 128 187 4,330 95.2 4,430 97.4 8.4 24 2400 9. 26 1100 9. 3-28-67 2.58 656 31.8 3.90 1 '380 67.0 9. 15,500 123 23 0530 5. 38 4,660 37.0

61 Tabl

tat ion Drainage Period of num­ umber tream and place of determination area known ber (m i ) floods

LAKE ONTARIO BASIN (Continued)

165 04234018 Salmon Cr. at Ludlowville 81.7 166 04234200 Mud Creek at East Victor 64.2 167 04234250 Ganargua Cr~ at Macedon fo4 168 04234400 West River nr Middlesex 29.3 169 04234428 Reservoir Cr. nr Naples 5.76

170 04234500 Canandaigua Lake at Canandaigua 184 1927-71 171 04235000 Canandaigua Outlet at Chapin 195 1939-71 172 04235150 Flint Cr. at Potter 31.0 1 68 173 04235250 Flint Cr. at Phelps 102 1959-71

174 04235276 Black Brook at Tyre 19.0 1965-71

175 04235300 Owasco Inlet at Moravia 106 1960-68

176 04235296 Owasco Lake nr Auburn 205 1967-71 177 04235500 Owasco Outlet nr Auburn 206 1912-71

178 04236000 Skaneateles Lake at Skaneateles 72.7 1890-1971

a Regulated. b Outside the period of record. c Elevation. d Acre-feet. e Estimated. f About. g Backwater.

62 Maximum dur

Day Time

7. 1 '940 23.7 10.62 4 160 50.9 6. 1 '370 21 . 3 7.90 1, Boo 0 2-12-66 5.91 1 '520 14.6 6.80 el 950 3- 67 3. 16 242 8.3 6.82 2,790 95.2 1 ,600 2 3-11-56 9.54 24 1400 10.94 3-1 42 4.64 1' 100 5.6 24 1500 5.62 1 '71 0 8.77 3- 64 6.87 920 29.9 23 0600 10.15 5,040 163 30-60 5.83 2,940 28.8 0400 5.74 2,800 24 1500 5.75 2,820 27.6 2-14-66 2.70 258 13.6 3.61 530 27.9

6-30-61 12.21 11 '600 109 23 16.17 64 12.76 g 25 1800 c716.48 3-19-36 4.88 2,090 10. l 23 1715 6.28 3,250 15.8 24 1030 6.28 3,140 15.2 25 0800 c865.20 26 0800 c865.20

63 in

in

lot

r rk i 1 in now on the in the Adirondacks The mean r ture the t ( . u ) below the normal 22.) The melting the snowpack was del until

ry ially in the cent and ea s f rom . 7 6 . i n . ( 14 mm) valley and coa tal divi for above normal. New York had t Al and the Hudson River general heaviest precipitation for in rs. Early in month many camps and home along the upper Ri r were flooded, when the iver overflowed its banks t several places upstream from Fort Edward. In the Schroon Lake rea, the stream discha were highest in 1 Some roads and lowla s were flooded. Oneida Lake' hi years caused severe flooding of 1akes i homes. In the town res dents were forced to evacuate their homes. Some road r several days.

In pite of the and the del from snow- melt, only one new record peak di was recorded at a long-term gaging station. The peak discharge of ield was just slightly greater on 8 than the previous maximum.

local ins rms re flooding at racuse and other communiti in the central part the te on June 1 16. There was some flooding of street and basements in Batavia, Genesee County, at Perry in Wyoming , and in the Adirondacks.

In July, August, and , local thunderstorms caused various degrees of flooding in many areas of the State. b h c i

da i 1y that ite. the 1 1

on November and Ves 1 1 1 in i the New York metropo1 i recordbreaking rain The 0 44 in. (11 on November total bove the p iou maximum annual rai fall torms caused treet and hig flooding. infa11 on Novembe November on record and flooded some t in New Dorp

On December 6, New York Ci the th- western coun ies, and a other minor flooding from heavy, ration rai torms. On December 22, motorists on the Long I land expressways were del by flooding.

Damage from all flood in New York in 1 ical Storm Agnes and frontal storms, June 1 , is shown by region in figure

65 Western ion

STORM DATA Janua \

NIAGARA FALLS GAZETTE, January The i manager of Niagara Fall declared a tate of emergency in the city today a wind-driven water of the Niagara River flooded rts of Cayuga Island and forced the evacuation of some of its resident .

A spokesman for Ontario Hydro said that the upper Niagara River, which normally flows tan average of 200,000 ft3/s (5,660 m3/s), was flowing at 340,000 ft 3/s (9,630 m3/s) during the peak of the windstorm today.

NIAGARA FALLS GAZETTE, January 26 Most of the residents evacuated from their homes were able to return today. The flood in Little Niagara River reached its peak at 12:30 p.m., when water wa 4ft (1.2 m) above the banks. At about 11 a.m. the State Power Authority opened all 13 gates of its Robert Moses powerplant. The plant drew 107,000 ft3/s (3,030 m3/s) of water for an hour. According to State Power Authority records, the average flow in the river on January 25, 277,250 ft 3/s (7,850 m3/s), was the highest since 1962.

STORM DATA, March 1-2 Rainfall of 1.2 in. (30 mm) and temperatures of 50-60 degrees Fahr­ enheit (10-16 degrees Celsius) caused rapid snowmelt and flash flooding of streams flowing into Lake Erie from Chautauqua and Erie Counties. Several persons were evacuated from homes along Cattaraugus Creek near its terminus with Lake Erie in the Silver Creek area. Flooding by Cazenovia Creek at West Seneca, Erie County, also forced evacuation of some families. Highways and basements of homes, stores, and schools were flooded in wide areas of Chautauqua, Erie, and Niagara Counties.

NORTH TONAWANDA NEWS, March 2 A combination of heavy rain and melting snow plagued the Tonawanda area today. Several streets were flooded in Tonawanda and North Tonawanda. All main roads in Niagara County were open, but many schools and industries were closed. Flooded cellars were common in Barker, Newfane, Middleport, and Olcott. A state of emergency was declared in West Seneca, when Cazenovia Creek overflowed and forced the evacuation of 30 families.

66 ng t t

DUNKIRK OBSERVER March persons were i 1ver Creek home t night when the worst covered the Central Avenue area with water 3 ft or more n h Moderate temper tu infall forced blocks of ice down from the hill nd jammed the mouths of Walnut and r C t. Alban Episcopal Church su t ined the wo t flood in it

Two and one-half hour fter the flood in Silver Creek Cattaraugus Creek reached flood l 1 at unset About persons were evacuated from the communi , whe the water backed up an i jam r the mouth of the creek reached th of 4ft (1. m) in most of the area.

tures in the high 50's (degrees Fahrenheit) or middle to rees Celsiu ) in the southern end of Chau County today, were overflowing their banks. Route 60 between Frewsburg and tand was under water from flooding Conewango Creek.

OLEAN TIMES-HERALD, March 3 In suburban Wellsville, one couple had to evacuate their home for the night when water surrounded it.

BUFFALO COURIER EXPRESS, March 4 Demo] ition teams will dynamite a giant ice jam that is plugging Cazenovia Creek this morning before it causes a second flood in suburban West Seneca. The jam, pressed by the current to an almost solid wall of ice measuring about 300 ft (91 m) by l ft (38 m), is in a sharp curve in the stream just east of Orchard Park Road and Ridge Road.

An official of the Red Cross, after making a survey of the Sunset Bay area, reported that 250 permanent houses and temporary summer cottages were flooded by Cattaraugus Creek and that 125 persons were forced to leave their homes.

BUFFALO COURIER EXPRESS, March 25 Residents of Sunset Bay began to move back into their homes yesterday, but the ice jam that caused the flooding remained at the mouth of the Creek. More than 100 charges of dynamite were used, but the attempt to remove the jam was unsuccessful. The water has receded, and all the roads are now passable.

STORM DATA, September 14 Communities in northwestern Chautauqua County, near Lake Erie, received more than 3.0 in. (76 mm) of precipitation during morning thunderstorms. Flooding of streets and store and home basements was excessive in Dunkirk, Fredonia, and Westfield. Damage to merchandise in the basement of a store in Dunkirk was estimated to be $10,000.

67 DUN IRK OBSERVER

he whose ment

ANDOVE NEWS loading ult of rnigh torm fo 11 owed to 1 stage. ed. re sent home 1

STORM DATA 7 smal thwes rn pa t te us minor f 1ood i in l ow-1 y i ng Exten ive floodi rted in Buffalo and James and some re closed because of flooding of ru 1 road .

HORNELL TRIBUNE December 7 Allegany County h g rtment crews re at work this morning repair ng from terday' floods. Approaches to two bridges were washed out, and several roads were badly damaged.

OLEAN TIME HERALD Decembe 7 A few homes in the village of Wellsville had water in their cell rs, and on family wa forced to evacuate its home.

BUFFALO COURIER EXPRESS, December 7 Minor flooding occurred in Wyoming and Livingston Counties yesterday. Several roads and fields were flooded.

WELLSVILLE REPORT, December 8 According to the highway superintendent of Allegany County, flood ng caused pproximately ,000 to Allegany County highways on December 6.

MEDINA OURNAL REGISTER, December 15 Water from Oak Orchard Creek flooded fields known as Welds Flat near Medina this week.

DUNKIRK OBSERVER, December 18 Some homes along Crooked Brook near Dunkirk were surrounded by water last weekend when the mouth of the creek was plugged with debris and silt was washed in from the lake by high waves.

68 Ti

ben

and f1 some homes on

A at Romulu

CORNING t was reported in t rom their 1 t

BINGHAMTON houses at Endwell were flooded

SYRACUS RALD AMERICAN~POST STANDARD April Beach Road along the south hore Oneida Lake, near Cicero was closed 1 te as water overflowed the bank and flooded the area to depth m). Many residents reported water in the r homes.

OSWEGO PALLADIUM-TIMES May 3 A rainstorm this rnoon flooded several streets in Many cellars were flooded, and new seedlings area muck farmers were dest

STORM DATA, May 10 Oneida Lake, no t racuse, reached its highest level in years. Flooding extensive, es ially along the southwest hare in the town of Cicero. Roads were closed, and several residents were to evacuate their homes.

ONEIDA DISPATCH, May 5 Fish Creek, near lvan Beach, overflowed its banks yes and flooded camps and houses along its shore.

SYRACUSE POST-STANDARD, 16 Last night 1 s rainstorm flooded streets and basements in the vicinity Meadowbrook Drive in racuse. SYRACUSE HERALD-JOURNAL The 1 11 B Admi i announced that he town Cicero had been fl of homes in earl

NORTH SYRACUSE STAR 17 Beach Road long Oneida La ti l impassabl beca of flooding· resident re forbidden to live in heir homes along much of t. The high water di bl home sewage unit and makes their u un fe and unsanitary.

STORM DATA 30 Street re flooded by a foot of water and basement of homes and stores were flooded by hort duration thunderstorm in Oswego.

FAYETTEVILLE EAGLE BULLETIN AND DEWITT NEWS TIMES June 15 Floodwater from Limestone Creek and its tributaries in Manlius and Fayettevill used thousand of doll rs damages to homes last Thu June 10. One family was forced to evacuate its home.

STORM DATA, June 15-16 Rainfall totaled 2.0 to 2.4 in. (51 to 61 mm) in Onondaga and Oneida Counti An observer at Skaneateles measured 1.88 in. (48 mm) in 2 hours. Highways and treets in Syracuse were flooded to a depth of 4ft (1.2 m). Sections of rural roads were washed out in many areas of Onondaga County. Many basement were flooded in Cortland, Geneva, Auburn, and Oneida.

SYRACUSE POST-STANDARD, June 16 Heavy rainfal i iast night flooded streets and cellars in Syracuse. Route 81 in the city was closed when 18 in. (0.5 m) of water collected in the elevated section. Route 20 was also closed in the Lafayette area.

BINGHAMTON EVENING PRESS, August 4 More than 2 in. (51 mm) of rainfall in 2 days caused minor flooding of some streets in Vestal today.

ELMIRA STAR GAZETTE, August 4 A flash flood struck Bellona shortly before 4 p.m. Wednesday after a series of storms swept Yates County. Water 18 in. (0.5 m) deep flowed across the main street in the village. Basements of several homes were f 1ooded.

OSWEGO PALLADIUM-TIMES, August 28 Heavy rainfall that began yesterday and continued through the night caused minor flooding in Fulton today.

SYRACUSE HERALD-JOURNAL, November 2 Some underpasses were flooded today.

70 ROME ENTINEL November Isolated in C flooded overnight rai lashed the rea. ( of preci itation wa recorded between 7 .m. morni

STORM DATA November 9 Precipitation ground p ious rain caused very high water level in the Mohawk nd iderabl lowland flooding in the Rome Oneida County rea. .0 n. ( mm) of precip tat on in Chenango and Broome Counties caused tributar of he r Su uehanna River to crest at high level but generally below flood Some minor flooding al occurred in part of Chemung County.

UTICA DAILY PRES , Novembe Minor treet flooding wa reported last night in Chadwicks and Kirkland, Oneida County.

BINGHAMTON SUN BULLETIN, November 10 Although the Susquehanna River crested above flood stage at Conklin and Ve tal yeste only minor flooding was reported. A temporary bri over Crocker Creek on Route 26 was washed out, and two pieces of heavy earth-moving equipment valued at $130,000 were buried in 20 ft (6. 1m) of water in a gravel pit in the town of Vestal.

SYRACUSE POST-STANDARD, November 12 Water is be ng drawn off from area lakes at a greater than normal ra to prevent damage to shorelines and bordering homes, as this year's recordbreaking rainfall raises area streams and rivers to high levels. Precautionary runoff operations were being conducted at Skaneateles, Oneida, and Ontario Lakes. The New York State Barge Canal System was closed because the water level was so high that boats could hit the bridges.

ELMIRA STAR-GAZETTE, November 15 Yesterday 1 s rainstorm caused minor flooding in Tioga and Chemung Counties. Some flooding was reported at two trailer parks in Horseheads.

HORNELL TRIBUNE, December 6 Rain and melting snow caused minor flooding of the flats between Hornel 1 and Arkport today.

WELLSVILLE SPECTATOR, December 17 A report from Lhe Steuben County Civil Defense office states that damages to bridges, highways, and water channels in the county from the December 6 flooding totaled $828,000.

71 rn

i t out.

TROY in Coloni Coun and White Creek in Wa by the Hoosic Rive . B kup rge in t road.

SCHENECTADY GAZETTE Ma 4 A few treets in Sara pring incurred minor flood ng t Some of the worst flooding in the county occurred in the town of Wilton, whe water rose to the of the foundations of approximately mobile homes

SARATOGA SPRINGS SARATOG AN March 19 The City Public Works rtment battled feverishly last night against floods t th tened to wash out Buff Road and acent streets in that part of the suburbs Saratoga Springs.

TROY RECORD, April 21 Precipitation, most y rain, totai ing 0. 76 in. ( 9 mm) in the Greater Troy area yesterday raised stream levels and flooded numerous basements. The Hoosic River overflowed its banks and flooded stretches of Route in Washington County with nearly 4ft (1.2 m) of water.

72 Hund nd of the era p away.

At t mobi 1 Rou and the into the wi h 4

Minor flooding of homes repo River in the 1 11 Downst became in.

loading and West River Road was under 3 (0 9 wa in some

Both tes of Indian River Dam vJere a 11 owing 000 3 ( 142 m3/s) to flow nto the Hudson of Abanakee Dam at Indian Lake was ga the floodgates Conkl ingvi lle Dam on were open.

State reported that f to Creek Road vJas red with water and was

STORM DATA 16 A thunderstorm centered over 1 • 1 in. (28 mm) ra i 11 in 60 subsiding in early rnoon. were stalled and abandoned in 2 3 tions were eroded, and numerous SCHENECTADY GAZETTE Nearly in ( p pi t ion hou in eri t t h t the treet and basement loaded. The t Union College became du and hundreds d that the flooding been

ONEONTA STAR A flash t down Willow Brook through reet ce la and pread debri and streets.

HUDSON REGISTER-STAR June 1 Spring rainstorms yes f ooded the school auditorium and the music room at a new high school at Hudson. A Claverack weather observer measured in. ( 64 mm) rain te and 1 in. ( mm) rna Road in Stockport-Stottvill area incurred minor from hi

CATSKILL MAIL, June Two ni and a day practically teady rain 11 caused some damage from flooding of the streets and basements in Cat kill.

STORM DATA, June 3-4 rainfall of 2.5 to 3.5 in. (64 to 89 mm) during the week ending June 4 caused the Wallkill River to ove low its banks in parts south- eastern Ul ter County. Damage was confined Lu rm lowlands near the river, where losses to corn, small grains, and hay were estimated to total $17,000.

TROY TIMES-RECORD, June 30 Minor flooding of several streets in Cohoes this ternoon was reported by 1oca 1 po 1 ice.

AMSTERDAM RECORDER AND DEMOCRAT, July 1 Yesterday•s heavy rainfall flooded two streets and low areas in Amsterdam.

TROY RECORD, July 5 Heavy rainfall on June 30 resulted in the flooding of several sections Mechanicville, principally in the Round Lake Avenue and North Main Street areas.

SARATOGA SPRINGS SARATOGIAN, July 5 Monday afternoon•s torrential rainfall caused considerable damage to roads in the Geyser Crest development in Saratoga Springs. As much as 4 ft (1.2 m) of water surrounded some of the camps in other parts of the county.

SCHENECTADY GAZETTE, July 6 Several families were evacuated from their homes last week at Blenheim in the Schoharie Valley. 74 ALBANY with L in. in ing 1 road n the towns of Gui1derl ehem.

La rnoon and evening thunde ced intense ra i 11 in t and th of the i Hig recreation pa and lowland tensively f 1ooded in Guilderland, Vorheesvi11e New ' 1 1 i 1 and lmar.

STORM DATA Ju1 20 Thunderstorms moving southward from the southern Adirondacks lt near the Hudson River in toga, Ren 1 r, Albany and Counti Intense 11 7 and 8 p.m. totaled 1.3 in. t and 1c1a ly as much as 2.0 in. (51 mm) in some local measu Flooding streets and highways in Troy and Cohoes was extensive

ALBANY TIMES-UNION, July 21 Thunderstorms that rolled across the Capitol District early last night knocked out power in many areas and flooded or washed out numerous roads. In Cohoes and Troy, bank cave-ins were caused by the flowing surface water. In the city of Albany, the area hardest hit by flooding was the south end, where debris and mud was washed down Third Avenue to clog Broad and South Pearl Streets. Lower Sheridan Avenue, which formerly was a canal, had its usual deluge converging on Chapel and North Pearl Streets.

ALBANY KNICKERBOCKER NEWS, July 26 Heavy rai 11 caused minor flooding of many streets in Albany yesterday.

STORM DATA, November 9 Considerable lowland flooding from the Mohawk River was reported in Montgomery County today.

LITTLE FALLS TIMES, November 9 A roads and many areas of flatland on the east and west sides of Little Falls were flooded this morning by the heavy rain that began Tuesday night and continued until this morning.

GLENS FALLS POST-STAR AND TIMES, November 10 Mud slides and flooding were reported yesterday by residents throughout the Glens Falls area, as the ground became saturated after many days of rain.

A massi mud slide estimated at tons, spread across the railroad right of way in Hudson Falls and blocked the tracks for more than an hour. Several of water covered Padanaran Road in the town of Bolton. The water was several deep in some places, as Fly Brook overflowed.

75 t he

Ri mi flood ng of t nd

camp ground on it sho The of the lake out et. the met m) and 1 th

February 1 11 0 7 to 1.0 in 8 to in New York Ci t ups ed flooding of some

STORM DATA i . ( of hi in New

STATEN LAND ADVANC Feb ry in nd bove normal tides minor loading in some Oakwood Beach and Great Kill

GARDEN CITY NEWSDAY ruary An tic coas torm ith rain and high tides ocean-front homes on north and south hores Long I land du ing the pas week- end t in Freeport, Merrick, and ton were flooded. Ei t famil i ender peninsul north of Nissequogue we marooned for hou when high t des flooded the road connecting them to the main and. Many homes on Island were also damaged.

NEWBURGH NEWS March 4 Warm weather and heavy thaws caused flooding in the Moodna Creek area in Wa hingtonville where homes along Cardinal Drive have been flooded 8 ti n the past 3 years.

BEACON NEWS il 24 rains on April 22 caused collapse 40ft (12m) of a ft (18 ining wall just above the dam on Wappinger Creek in Dutchess County

NEW YORK POST, May 9 Flood ng caused by nearly 1 in. (25 mm) rainfall delayed rush-hour traffi n Manhatten, Queens, and Brooklyn today.

STORM DATA, May 1 20 ins 2 0 to 3.3 in 1 to 84 mm) in a hour period caused severe flooding of streets in Staten Island and Brooklyn.

NEW YORK TIMES, May 21 A record-shattering rainfall yesterday flooded roads in the metropolitan area.

77 STORM DATA 31 rainfall to 3. in. most1y during early- and mid i ng r , ide 1f t Hud Ri va 11 inc 1ud i ng Dutches Putnam and Count i Cree and brooks reached bank-full s and some overflowed. Ci treet , hi and rural roads were flooded in numerou communiti in the four county a Many roads were red with soil and gravel rom ion of nea lopes and minor washouts of roadbeds.

The ground floor of the Ul ter County jai 1 and courthouse t King ton and basement of homes in low-lying areas were flooded by the torm

MIDDLETOWN TIMES HERALD-RECORD June Near torrential rai Wednesday flooded the basements of several homes in the Amchir section in Middletown.

POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL June l Wed 1 s heavy rain caused the flooding of some streets in Pough- keepsie.

MOUNT VERNON DAILY ARGUS, June The flash rains that hit Mount Vernon this week flooded the area around South Third and Columbus Avenues. An elderly woman was nearly sucked into an open manho1e but was saved by three men who went to her aid.

STORM DATA, June 3-4 Heavy rainfa1 1 of 2.5 to 3.5 in. (64 to 89 mm) during the week ending June 4 caused the Wallkill River to overflow its banks in parts of south­ eastern Ulster County. Damage to crops on lowlands near the river was estimated to total $17,000.

NEW YORK POST, June 30 A brief rainstorm between 11 p.m. and midnight yesterday in New York City left 0.65 in. (17 mm) of precipitation, which flooded some of the city's streets and highways.

NEW YORK TIMES, July 4 Rainfall in some areas of Westchester County totaled almost 1 in. (25 mm) in a 3-hour period today. The Rhinebeck area reported minor flooding.

POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL, July 10 A severe rainstorm Saturday, July 8, caused $100,000 worth of damage in the town of Poughkeepsie. Basements were flooded, and sections of asphalt pavement were undermined.

STORM DATA, July 13 A downpour of 2.5 to 3.0 in. (64 to 76 mm) of precipitation during the mid- and late-morning hours flooded subways, streets, highways, parking lots, and basements from Staten Island to Yonkers today.

78 n

it

f ooded on S t I 1and rd 's

s blamed for floodi the basement of

nearly 1 in. ( mm) of in the southeastern part

mino flooding in New Rochelle yeste

on in less than 2 hours area flooded a basements.

Island th t last night caused communiti

ipitation to New York rly in the during the morning rded . 8 in. (71 1 4. 4 in.

c i streets in k, and Westcheste Counties. numerous collisions. A trestl bri on r Bethpage washed out. Basement many rm precipi tion totaled 2.5 to 3.0 in. Island as well a in the lower Hudson River NEW The . ( p tation on New York Ci and and randed hundreds of motori

STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE October 8 The record in (102 mm) rainfall that Fri ni t and con- tinued until near noon te loaded road , round-level homes and basement throughout ten I 1 Communit es a were Midland Beach Bull Head, Elt ngvill pringvi11e Rosebank Terrace Willowbrook Princes Sou h Beach Grani ill and other places on the south shore.

NEW YORK POST, November 8 in 11 and tides 2 (0.6 above normal caused by brought flooding and t eups to many the New York City's major arteri during the morning rush hour today.

DATA November 9 A heavy coastal torm produced 5.60 in (1 mm) of precipitation in New York City, most of which wa recorded on November 8. Thi wa the heavi t daily amount rain of record for November and the third greatest amount of any month in 103 year of record at New York City Flooding severely crippled highway and treet travel in many parts of the metropolitan area. Commuter trains were occasionally halted by flooded tracks washouts and mud slides. Lowland and highway flooding was reported in the lower Hudson River valley.

NEW YORK TIMES November 9 A torm with winds up to 60 mi/h (96 km/h) moved northward along the coastl ne yesterday and rought record rains flooded roads and basement in the New York City area, and disrupted air and subway traffic. Thousands of motori ts converging on the city 1 s streets and hi at about the same t a the storm created massive traffic jams that extended into late even­ ing hours.

LONG ISLAND PRESS November 9 Long Island till awash from yeste 1 s record-breaking rainstorm of 5 09 in. (1 mm), was surveying the to stalled cars, flooded streets, and basements. College Point with only four roads into and out of the community was virtually isolated at the height of the torm. The lnterboro Parkway in and the Bronx River Parkway n the Bronx were closed for their full length. Many other roads were closed in certain sec ions. In Ozone Park some streets were under 5~ ft (1.7 mm) of water.

KINGSTON FREEMAN, November 9 Torrential rains rday caused some flooding of the usual trouble spots in Kingston and near New Paltz.

80 November 9 the taten I land id Transit to sus service in the a when tracks were flooded in many places. Areas in the I land where flooding i frequently a problem experienced flooding in thi torm Great i 1 Hills Princes and Granitevi11 reported flooding

GARDEN CITY NEWSDAY 10 High ides and rai 11 loaded some treet in Sea rd yes

TARRYTOWN NEWS, November 10 Roads in Irvington incurred water from thi week's storm.

POUGHKEEPSIE JOURNAL, November 12 Ove low from Lake caused minor flooding treets in ie yeste

STORM DATA November 15 Rai 11 averaging 2 0 in. (51 mm) in New York City and on Long Island today flooded expressways and caused massive t ic jams.

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS, November 15 New York City was drenched yesterday by the second record-setting rai 11 in 6 treets and highways were flooded and traffic was backed up r mil in some area . The heavy rainfall on ground still satura from last week 1 s downpour and on accumu1 fallen leaves, which biocked ewers, was biamed the flooding.

STATEN I ADVANCE, November 20 Yes rai 11 of 0.44 in. (11 mm) in New York City broke the previous record for annual rainfall set in 1903. There was minor flooding on or highways around the city this morning.

STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE, December 2 Rains on Thursday night, November 30, ended the wettest November on record and flooded streets in New Dorp on Staten Island.

NEW YORK TIMES, December 7 A downpour flooded roads in the metropolitan area last night.

STATEN ISLAND ADVANCE, December 7 A torrential downpour swept across Staten Island late yesterday afternoon, snarled rush-hour traffic, flooded low-lying roads in scattered areas, and knocked out service to about 300 telephones.

NEWBURGH NEWS, December 12 Overflow from Crystal Lake flooded the Temple-Ell is Avenue area in Newburgh yesterday.

81 mota t

11 high t i other com-

Northern ion

H the ter region of the Bl River accompanied by high , wh reduced the 1 inge ing now have swe 11 ed rnight, closed the Ea t Martin burg Road in Lewis Route near New Bremen.

UTICA DAILY 4 Risi two famili between the ri rand the road on the north k River in Forestport to leave their homes last night. rt from residents of the area ind cated that the river wa about 2 ft (0 6 m) above banks.

STORM 10 on of melting snow in the Adirondacks and excessive rain 11 widespread, hi h water 1 ls and over low loading in lakes and major rivers north of a line from Syracuse to A bany. Pre- ci itation total of 2.5 3.5 in. (64 to 89 mm) during early May 3 in the Adirondacks and Mohawk and upper Hudson River valleys caused varying rees of flood condition for about week. Rivers a included the Moose and the upper Bl k in the southwestern Adirondacks, the Schroon and the upper Hudson in the eastern Adirondacks, and the Saranac and the Ausable, which flow northeast to Lake Champlain. Several homes and camps were evacuated, roads were closed, and lands were flooded in the Forestport area of Oneida Coun and in Essex

PLATTSBURGH PRESS-REPUBLICAN, 5 A few buildings on the shores Lake Champlain were surrounded by water yeste when the lake level rose to 100.4 (30.60 m). A trailer park at Plattsburgh experienced some slight flooding by the Saranac River.

TICONDEROGA SENTINEL, May 10 Rain and floods in the Adirondacks last week closed ferries, damaged trailers and cabins and put many roads under water. The severest was in the Schroon Lake area, where streams were the highest in 13 years. Schroon River flooded and partly blocked Route The East Shore Road was closed to all travel. In Ticonderoga, many low areas were under water. . (41 -was on Massena and nd 7 o 1 clock last night. Main and other aces.

PLATTSBURGH PRESS-REPUBLICAN, July Two sepa 1 ri 1 torms deluge rai and caused some flooding in the Pl ttsbu Several streets and intersection were flooded.

WATERTOWN DAILY TIMES, November Flooding continued in lowland sections the Black River from Ca to Glenfield. 0 20 40MILES

1-1--.-I ___..,--.-I _----JI 0 20 40 Kl LOMETRES

EXPLANA Tl ON -10- Line of equal water content of snow on the ground, in inches

Location map

Base from U.S. Geological Survey State base map, 1:500,000, 1967

Figure 21.--Water content of snow on the ground in northern New York, March

84 60 ~

1- w (f) zI ::J w (/) 0: _J I w <( u LL (f) (f) w w w w 0: 0: <..9 <..9 w w 0 0 z z - - w w 0: 0: ::J ::J 1- 1- <( <( a.: a.: w w CL Q_ 20 :::2: :::2: w w 1- 1- a.: a.: <( >- >- _J _J <( z <( ~ 0 0 0 z 1t 5-­ _J <( 0 -10~~~~--~L~UU~L-~~~~---~L-~~~~--~~~--~~~~~--- 1 5 9 15 20 25 30 MARCH 1972

Figure 22.--Mean daily air re and prec tat on at St 11water Reservo 1 5 74° 73° 72° c:::P SOUTHEASTERN F St 41° Q) 0

({) LU

X Q) (j) (j) UJ REFERENCES

F. Patterson, . L. and Paulhus J. L. H., 1 Hurricane rainfall and flood June-J ly 1 U . Geol. urvey Prof. ' 403 p.

Darmer K. I. A ummary of peak s and discharges in New York for the f1ood of June 1 U.S. Geol. Survey open file rept. 15 p.

River Ba in

Da rmer K. I . ' and Wagner L A.' 1 Flood of June 1972 at Elmira, New York: u. Geol. Survey Hydro' 1. lnv. At1as HA-518.

Da rmer K. I . ' and Wagner L. A.' 1973 Flood of June 1972 at Corn ng New York· u.s. Geol. Survey Hydro 1. lnv Atla HA-519

Embree, W. N., and Swallow, L. A., l Flood of June l , Canisteo River at Cani teo, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Embree, W. N., and Swa11ow L.A., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Canisteo River near Canisteo New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Embree, W. N., and Swallow, L. A. 1972, Flood of June 1972, Canisteo River near Rathbone, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7 . 5-mi n u t e s e r . ( to po g rap h i c) .

Swallow, L. A., and Embree, W. N., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Canisteo River at Cameron, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7 . 5-mi n u t e s e r . ( to po g rap h i c) .

Swallow, L. A., and Embree, W. N., 1972, r 1ood of June 1972, Canisteo River at Rathbone, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Wagner, L.A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Canisteo River, Tuscarora Creek, and Tioga River near Addison, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7. 5-minute ser. (topographic).

Wagner, L. A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Cohocton River at Bath, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Wagner, L. A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Chemung River at Big Flats, New York. U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7 . 5-mi n u t e s e r . ( to po g rap h i c) .

88 , L. A. P . H. , 1 F1 ood June 1 , River at York: U.. Geol. Survey open-f 1e map, 7 i nute ser ner L. A. and Hamecher P. H., , Flood June 1 Tioga, and Cohocton Rivers at Corning New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-f i 1e map 7. i nute ser. raph i c)

Wagner, L. A. and Hamecher P. H. Flood June 1 , River at Corning Manor, New York. U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7. inute ser (

, L. A. and Hamecher P. H., Flood June 1 Chemung River near East Corning, New York U.S. Geol. Survey open-fi1e map, 7. i nute ser. (

Wagner L. A., and Hamecher, P H , , Flood of June , Chemung River and Newtown Creek at Elmira New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7. inute ser. (topographic)

Wagner, L. A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1 , Canisteo River and Canacadea C at Hornell, Wew York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Wagner, L.A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Cohocton River at Savona, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Wagner, L. A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Chemung River near Waverly, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographi

Wagner, L.A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Chemung River at Wellsburg, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, /.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Allegheny River Basin

Schultz, G. K., Hladio, Stephen, and Sherwood, D. A., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Allegheny River at Allegheny, New York: U.S. Geo1. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).~

Schultz, G. K., Hladio, Stephen, and Sherwood, D. A., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Allegheny River near Limestone, New York: U.S. Geo1. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Schultz, G. K., Hladio, Stephen, and Sherwood, D. A., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Allegheny River and Olean Creek at Olean, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7-5-minute ser. (topographic).

89 and Sherwood D. A. Fl of t Portv i 11 e u. Geo 1. (

Schultz, G. K. and Sherwood 0. A. Flood of June 1 at Salamanca u Survey open-fi1 inut (

Genesee River Basin

, W. N. and Schneider W. J., 1 Flood June 1 River at Avon York U.S. Geol. Survey open fi1e map minute ser. ( ic)

Embree, W. N., and Schneider, W. J., 1972, Flood June 1972, Genesee River near Avon, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey i 1 map, 7. minute ser. (

Schneider, W. J. 1972, Flood June 1972, Genesee River near Mount Morris, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Schneider, W. J., and Swallow, L. A., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Genesee River at Geneseo, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map 7.5- minute ser. (topographic).

Schneider, W. J., and Swallow, L. A., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Genesee River at Portageville, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7. 5-m i nute ser. (topographic).

Swallow, L.A., and Embree, W. N., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Genesee River at Fillmore, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Swallow, L.A., and Embree, W. N., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Genesee River at Houghton, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. {topographic).

Swallow, L.A., and Schneider, W. J., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Genesee River near Rochester, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Wagner, L.A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Genesee River near Belfast, New York: U.S. Geo1. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Wagner, L.A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Genesee River at Belmont, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7. 5-m i nute ser. (topographic).

90 A and Hamecher June ver and c u. open- 1 map 7 inute

L. A. and Hamecher of June 1 Genesee iver' t Scio and York. u.s.' Geol. Survey i 1 map i c).

Johnston, W. H., 1972 Flood of June 1972, Cayuga Inlet and Cayuga Lake at Ithaca, New York U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographi

Nichols, W. J., 1972, Flood June 1972, Owasco Inlet at Moravia, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Shindel, H. L., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Onondaga Lake and Ley Creek at Syracuse, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. ( topographic).

Wagner, L.A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1972, Catharine Creek and Seneca Lake Inlet at Montour Falls, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7.5-minute ser. (topographic).

Wagner, L.A., and Hamecher, P. H., 1972, Flood of June 1 , Seneca Lake Inlet at Watkins Glen, New York: U.S. Geol. Survey open-file map, 7. i nute ser. (topographic).

iJU.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1976-617-703/112-76(2-11)

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