When the Tonawanda Creek crested at 11.94 feet at 6:30 p.m. yesterday, it wasn't anywhere near its historical high.
In March, 1942, the river overflowed at 14.5, making the resulting flood the worst in Batavia history.
It caused an estimated $500,000 damage and put many people out of their homes for days.
Greg Brockway, of Pembroke, brought in these two pictures this morning from the 1942 flood. They were taken on the Southside in the area of the Jackson School showing Hutchings, Otis and Swan.
The last time the Tonawanda crested over 12 feet (considered the major flood level) was 1998 when it hit 12.44. It hit 11.71 in December 2008, and twice in 2009 it exceeded 10.5 feet, once in February and again in March.
The creek has crested at more than 10 feet on 24 ocassions in the more than 60 years the National Weather Service has been measuring creek levels.
All the flood control work
All the flood control work that has been done along the creek banks over the years has really paid off--far less damage and inconveniences from flooding than in the past.
Does anyone know when the
Does anyone know when the dike was built? I seem to remember the Army Corp of engineers came in to do some work, but don't remember when.
Bea, wasn't it after the 1972
Bea, wasn't it after the 1972 flood?
the dike was built in the 50s
the dike was built in the 50s ... maybe. there was work done at the ball park later, after 1960, but don't remember when
error
error
I always wonder from what
I always wonder from what vantage point a photo like was taken. Seems so much taller than the houses.