Blackstone River at Woonsocket
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 8.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 9.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 12.0 ft; major flooding begins at 16.0 ft.
| Action stage | 8.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 9.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 12.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 16.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 21.8 ft on Aug 19, 1955 (historic crest)
- 15.3 ft on Oct 16, 2005 (historic crest)
- 15.1 ft on Jan 25, 1979 (historic crest)
- 14.6 ft on Mar 19, 1968 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 8.5 ft | If unprotected, floodwaters reach the very base of the lower level of the 148 Bernon St condominium building in Woonsocket. |
|---|---|
| 9.0 ft | Flooding may begin to affect the lower parking area to the Highland Falls Apartments. Lower lying residential areas along the Rhode Island and Massachusetts line, including the lower level of the 148 Bernon St condominiums in Woonsocket, may begin to experience flooding. Businesses along the river should take the necessary actions to protect property. |
| 10.0 ft | Flooding is likely along low lying areas of the river. This includes the lower level of the 148 Bernon St condominiums in Woonsocket, and lower end of the Highland Falls Apartments parking area. Flood waters may also cover portions of the parking areas of some of the mills and shopping outlets in Cumberland located just off of Route 122. |
| 11.0 ft | Floodwaters are inside the lower level of the 148 Bernon St condominiums in Woonsocket. Flooding spreads across most of the lower parking area of the Highland Falls Apartments. Flooding is also expected to overspread lowest lying sections of Lonsdale in Cumberland. |
| 12.0 ft | Flooding impacts lower lying sections of Woonsocket and Cumberland. Significant flooding occurs within the lower level of the River Island Condominiums in Woonsocket. Many buisnesses along the river will have several feet of water into their parking areas. Vehicles should be moved from these areas. |
| 13.0 ft | Flooding impacts lower lying sections of Woonsocket and Cumberland. Significant flooding occurs within the lower level of the River Island Condominiums in Woonsocket. Businesses along the river will have several feet of water into their parking areas, including the parking lot for the Cumberland school district buses. Vehicles should be moved from these areas. |
| 14.0 ft | Flooding will be comparable to the March floods of 2010. Flooding is likely in lower lying sections of Woonsocket and Cumberland. Deep floodwaters are expected in the lower level of the River Island Condominiums in Woonsocket. Several buisnesses along the river will have several feet of water into their parking areas, including the parking lot for the Cumberland school district buses. Vehicles should be moved from these areas. |
| 16.0 ft | This is a serious situation! Flooding will be comparable to, or worse than, the floods of October 2005. Flooding of homes and businesses is expected outside of flood protection levees and walls. Some river roads will become impassable from Woonsocket through Central Falls. Floodwaters encroach near the floorboards of the first level of the River Island Condominiums in Woonoscket. Parking areas along the river will be flooded. Follow the advice of local officials and evacuate if asked to do so. |
| 18.0 ft | This is a serious situation! Flooding along the Blackstone River is forecast to be the worst flooding since the flooding associated with Connie and Diane in 1955. Flooding will affect homes and business near the river, and many roads will become impassable. Follow the instructions of local officials and evacuate if asked to do so. Obey posted road closures. Do not go sightseeing. River banks can suddenly erode due to swift river flows. |
Forecast office: NWS Norton · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Blackstone River above Woonsocket NWS gauge · 0.3 mi
- Blackstone River at Woonsocket Falls Dam NWS gauge · 0.9 mi
- Branch River at Forestdale NWS gauge · 3.1 mi
- Blackstone River near Uxbridge NWS gauge · 6.7 mi
- West River Below West Hill Dam near Uxbridge NWS gauge · 8.7 mi
- Woonasquatucket at Centerdale NWS gauge · 10.2 mi