FLOOD: Water levels expected to decrease in Schenectady (UPDATE)

Water levels at 5:50 p.m. of the Mohawk River at Schenectady on Friday, according to the National Weather Service.

Water levels on the Mohawk River near Schenectady are projected to decrease in the evening, according to the National Weather Service.

“It is starting to slow down,” said Joe Villani, a meteorologist with the weather service.

The Mohawk River at Schenectady was at near flooding levels around 4 p.m., but was expected to keep dropping during the evening and on Saturday. The Mohawk River at Little Falls was at minor flooding levels around 4 p.m. and was also expected to drop.

Despite projections for the Mohawk River at Utica to keep rising, Villani said areas to the east were relatively safe, but would be under constant attention. “We’re not expecting surges down the Mohawk,” he said.

One challenge in projecting the water levels in Schenectady is the lack of monitors available along the Mohawk between Schenectady and Little Falls.

“We are not anticipating it to make it to flood stage [in Schenectady].” Villani said. “Is it a guarantee? No.”

He added that the comparatively low water levels in Schenectady were partially due to a lack of serious rainfall in the Schoharie Creek, which pours into the Mohawk River on its way to Schenectady.

UPDATE, 5:50 p.m.: Water levels at the Mohawk River in Schenectady rose from 3:50 p.m. to 4:50 p.m., but the river was still projected to drop below the near flooding leveling on Saturday morning. The decrease is expected to start after the river increases about another five inches.

The water level at 3:50 p.m. and where it was projected to go can be seen HERE.

UPDATE, 6:25 p.m.: Water levels on the Mohawk River at Schenectady stabilized between 4:50 p.m. and 5:50 p.m., according to data from the National Weather Service.

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