When they say, “river crested at 26 feet” where are they measuring from? The bottom of the river? The ‘normal’ water level?

Question

When they say, “river crested at 26 feet” where are they measuring from? The bottom of the river? The ‘normal’ water level?

In: Other

Answer 1

from “normal” river levels; at the time the measurement tool was placed. this might mean we strapped a gage to the bottom of a bridge or near some easy to access area.

over time rivers might raise or lower naturally and the gage isnt always ajusted; its possible for the “norm” to be at -10inches or +18inches