River stage
Watertown, Black River
- River level
- 2.91 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.35 ft
- Recent high
- 4.40 ft
- Recent low
- 2.52 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS ARTN6
- 30-day change
- -0.27 ft
- Average
- 2.95 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 16.02 ft
In brief
The Black River at Watertown, NY read 2.91 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.09 ft below action stage. That is 0.27 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge ARTN6
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 16.02 ft | 1998-01-10 |
| 2 | 14.20 ft | 1993-04-12 |
| 3 | 13.81 ft | 2014-04-17 |
| 4 | 13.15 ft | 1985-01-01 |
| 5 | 13.01 ft | 1984-12-31 |
| 6 | 12.84 ft | 1977-03-16 |
| 7 | 12.70 ft | 2011-04-30 |
| 8 | 12.43 ft | 1963-04-05 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 8.00 ft
Action stage, minor agricultural flooding in the Flats area near Castorland and Croghan.
- 10.00 ft
Flood stage, farmland flooding begins in the Flats with some roads flooded. Minor damages to riverfront commercial properties in Dexter.
- 12.00 ft
Moderate flood, widespread farmland flooding in the Flats. Numerous road closures in Castorland, Denmark, Lowville, and Carthage. Some residential properties flooded in the Flats.
- 14.00 ft
Major flood, heavy commercial, industrial, and residential damages in Watertown, Carthage, and Dexter. Flooding on Huntington Street and River Street in Watertown.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Trout stocking on the Black River
NYSDEC's 2026 spring schedule lists 2 trout releases on the Black River, 4,350 fish in total, the first in the first week of May. Brown Trout at 12-15 inches and 9-10 inches. NYSDEC's published figures for 2025, the most recent season it has confirmed, record 4,270 trout actually released here across 7 visits.
| Species | Fish | When |
|---|---|---|
| Brown Trout | 450 | May - first week |
| Brown Trout | 3,900 | May - first week |
NYSDEC lists a week or a month rather than a date, and notes that actual stocking can differ with fish availability and weather. Released at Watertown, Jefferson County. Full New York stocking schedule →
Frequently asked questions
Is the Black River flooding at Watertown?
No. The Black River at Watertown is at 2.91 ft, 5.09 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Watertown?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 8 ft, minor flooding 10 ft, moderate flooding 12 ft and major flooding 14 ft.
What is the highest the Black River has been at Watertown?
The highest crest on record is 16.02 ft, on 1998-01-10.
Is the Black River high or low right now at Watertown?
At 2.91 ft it is higher than 57% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge ARTN6); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 04260500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.