Kennebec River at Gardiner
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 12.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 13.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 15.0 ft; major flooding begins at 17.0 ft.
| Action stage | 12.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 13.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 15.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 17.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 26.4 ft on Mar 21, 1936 (historic crest)
- 24.7 ft on Apr 2, 1987 (historic crest)
- 19.2 ft on Dec 19, 2023 (historic crest)
- 14.2 ft on May 2, 2023 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 9.0 ft | Gardiner waterfront park flooded. |
|---|---|
| 13.0 ft | Minor flooding occurs. Combination of Kennebec River and Cobbosseecontee Stream flooding off Arcade Street and Maine Avenue. |
| 13.4 ft | Flood comparable to that of April 2005. |
| 14.0 ft | Travel in and out of Gardiner east of Route 201 impacted as floodwaters close Maine Street and Arcade Street. Waterfront Park and Arcade Street parking lots flooded. Businesses along Water Street in Randolph surrounded by floodwaters near Togus Stream. |
| 14.3 ft | Flood comparable to that in May 2023. |
| 15.0 ft | Moderate flooding occurs. Floodwaters of 3 feet or more in Gardiner along Maine Avenue and off Water Street. Across the river in Randolph floodwaters encroach on Water Street between Elm Street and Mill Road. Businesses in both Randolph and Gardiner inundated. |
| 17.0 ft | Major flooding occurs. Significant damage to businesses along Water Street in Randolph and Maine Avenue to Water Street in Gardiner. |
| 19.2 ft | Flood comparable to December 2023. Floodwaters several feet deep in the first floor of multiple buildings in Gardiner and Randolph. |
| 24.7 ft | Flood comparable to that of April 1987. |
| 26.4 ft | Level comparable to the flood of record in March 1936. |
Forecast office: NWS Gray · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Gardiner NOAA tide station · 0.2 mi
- Cobbosseecontee Stream at Gardiner NWS gauge · 0.4 mi
- Kennebec River at Hallowell NWS gauge · 4.0 mi
- Kennebec River at Augusta NWS gauge · 6.1 mi
- Sheepscot River at North Whitefield NWS gauge · 8.7 mi
- Richmond NOAA tide station · 9.9 mi