Proposed Flood Stage Changes to the Cuyahoga River in Independence

 River Forecast Services for the Cuyahoga River in Independence Ohio will be modified effective June 1, 2017.     

The data and forecasts for is site can be found at: water.noaa.gov/wfo/CLE  

Effective Thursday June 1, 2017 the National Weather Service will change the official flood stages at the Cuyahoga River official forecast point at Independence Ohio. The minor, moderate, and major flood stages will be changed from the current stages of 16.0, 17.0, 18.5 feet respectively to 17.0, 18.5, and 21.0 feet.

Minor flooding is defined as the point at which property is inundated or a flooded roads cut off  emergency access. Moderate flooding is considered the stage at which numerous roads are threatened or a few low lying properties become inundated. Major flood stage is considered the point where flood waters cause major property damage or extreme threat to life.  Based on the impacts associated with specific river stages, it is recommended that the minor flood stage be raised to 17.0 feet, moderate flood stage to 18.5 feet, and the major flood stage to 21.0 feet.

It is necessary for the National Weather Service to periodically update flood stages at river forecast points as changes, both natural and manmade, occur over a watershed. These updates are needed to ensure the best quality river forecasts and resulting warnings to local communities. The NWS, Ohio River Forecast Center (OHRFC), and Local and County Officials have supported the above corrections.

Additional river forecasts can be found at: water.weather.gov/ahps/

The data for these sites are provided by our partner the USGS. Without this critical data forecasts and warnings would not be possible. The USGS website is : HTTP://OH.WATER.USGS.GOV

For further information regarding this change please contact

Sarah Jamison

Senior Service Hydrologist

National Weather Service

Cleveland Ohio

 SARAH.JAMISON@NOAA.GOV