National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

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Weather Forecast Office State College, PA

Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center

Severe Thunderstorm Watch

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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Inundation
Mapping

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About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (EDT)

Datum: NGVD29

Metadata

NOTE: Forecasts for the Swatara Creek near Hershey are issued routinely year-round.

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Upstream Gauge

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	14
Moderate Flood Stage:	10
Flood Stage:	7
Action Stage:	6
Low Stage (in feet):	0

Historic Crests
(1) 26.80 ft on 09/08/2011
(2) 17.08 ft on 07/26/2018
(3) 16.12 ft on 06/29/2006
(4) 15.36 ft on 09/27/1975
(5) 14.43 ft on 01/25/1979
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 7.24 ft on 05/01/2020 (P)
(2) 8.52 ft on 11/02/2019 (P)
(3) 7.14 ft on 04/16/2019
(4) 9.24 ft on 08/14/2018
(5) 17.08 ft on 07/26/2018
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 1.20 ft on 07/14/1983
(2) 1.40 ft on 09/15/1980
(3) 1.40 ft on 08/15/1987
(4) 1.44 ft on 09/12/1977
(5) 1.44 ft on 07/17/1988

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:16

	Gauge Location	Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Flood Impacts & Photos

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
27	FEMA 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Level (500-year flood).
26.8	Flood of record from the flooding in September, 2011. Maximum recordable gage height (stage sensor operational limit). Water levels above this stage will not be reported in real time.
20	FEMA 1% Annual Chance Flood Level (100-year flood).
18	Flood waters begin to reach the Route 39 Bridge (Hershey Road) northwest of Hershey. FEMA 2% Annual Chance Flood Level (50-year flood).
16	Numerous homes adjacent to the creek are affected by high water.
14	Numerous homes adjacent to the creek are affected by high water.
12	High water affects several homes upstream of the Route 39 bridge. FEMA 10% Annual Chance Flood Level (10-year flood).
10	A few homes adjacent to the creek upstream of the Route 39 bridge flood.
8	The right, or north bank overflows. Several roads are affected.
7	The right, or north bank begins to overflow. Several roadways upstream of the gage are affected by high water.
Photos (1) looking upstream (2) view of the gagehouse (3) looking downstream

About This Location

Latitude: 40.298333° N, Longitude: 76.668056° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	7 ft	Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum	Elevation (gauge height = 0)	Elevation (gauge height = flood stage)	Elevation information source
NAVD88	Not Available	Not Available	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	325.94	332.94	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	Not Available	Not Available

Current/Historical Observations:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for Hershey

Additional Information

Potential River Levels - Used to

Potential River Levels Used to Estimate the Chance of Flooding and the Range of Possible River Levels
10 Day (HEFS)	7 Day (NAEFS)	7 Day (GEFS)

Note: Use the official hydrograph at the top of this web page for river levels within the next 72 hours.

Click individual graphics to enlarge.

Resources

Hydrologic Resources

Additional Resources

Collaborative Agencies

The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.

NWS Information

National Weather Service
State College Weather Forecast Office
328 Innovation Boulevard, Suite 330
State College, PA 16803
(814) 231-2408
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Page last modified: 1-Mar-2019 12:35 AM

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