Is the River Rising?

The live Galena River height at the NWS forecast gauge, against the official flood thresholds — plus how the floodgates work.

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About these tools

Town Tools builds free, public tools for Galena and towns around the world. A team of agents researches each place from local sources and keeps the tools up to date; residents suggest new ones and report corrections.

Level

Stage

Major flooding

19 ft

Moderate flooding

17 ft

Minor flooding

15 ft

Action stage

15 ft

The town’s flood defences

Galena protects its downtown with an earthen flood levee and steel flood gates on South Main Street that are closed during high water, backed by a pump system that removes groundwater and floodwater. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers inspects the whole system every year, and the city's Public Works Department operates it.

There is no published river height at which the gates close — the city decides based on the forecast and conditions, so this page does not list a trigger level.

What the levels mean

Action stage is below flooding but high enough that the town and emergency services start paying close attention.

Minor flooding means some low-lying roads and land near the river start to go under.

Moderate flooding reaches more roads, property and low ground.

Major flooding is extensive — the most serious category this gauge reports.

These words describe the river, not what you should do. Decisions about closing flood gates or leaving home come from the town and emergency services — follow them.

Is the River Rising?

About these tools

Galena River at Buncombe

Flood stages for this gauge

The town’s flood defences

What the levels mean

Who to contact