Paula Surgent, a 14-year Wheeling Island resident, looks out toward the back channel of the Ohio River in Wheeling Saturday with her dog Ace. Photo by Art Limann

WHEELING — Though Ohio River levels are estimated to crest below flood stage across the region, people are still watching the river. In Wheeling Saturday, residents could be seen checking the river’s level at Heritage Port. Small clusters of people gathered and chatted with each other about past floods, noting they hoped the crest predictions would remain below flood stage. At press time, officials at Pike Island Locks and Dam said the river is expected to crest in Wheeling at 34.6 feet — which is 1.4 feet below the city’s 36-foot flood stage — at 2 p.m. Monday. In Steubenville, the river level is predicted to crest at 32.8 feet, well below the city’s flood stage of 36 feet. And in Moundsville, the river is estimated to crest at 36.6 feet, just below the city’s 37-foot flood stage. Lou Vargo, deputy director of the Wheeling-Ohio County Emergency Management Agency, said the flood watch for the Ohio River has been canceled. A flood watch for creeks and streams will remain in effect until tonight. “Our streams are OK so far. They have come up within their banks, but everything is looking pretty good for us,” Vargo said. “We will be watching the gauges on the creeks during the night, but they are not predicting any more than showers for us. Nothing that would cause major flooding. We don’t expect any trouble right now.” Wheeling Island residents seemed to be taking the river’s rise in stride late Saturday after making early preparations for possible floodin.