Manahawkin Bay at Ship Bottom (IN MLLW)
Stage at this gauge is reported IN MLLW.
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: minor flooding begins at 3.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 4.0 ft; major flooding begins at 5.0 ft.
| Minor flooding | 3.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Moderate flooding | 4.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 5.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 7.3 ft on Oct 29, 2012 (historic crest)
- 5.3 ft on Sep 26, 2026 (historic crest)
- 4.8 ft on Oct 13, 2025 (historic crest)
- 4.7 ft on Feb 2, 2021 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 3.0 ft | (MLLW) MINOR FLOODING. |
|---|---|
| 3.2 ft | (MLLW) Flooding begins along local roads in Stafford Township (Beach Haven West and Cedar Bonnets Islands). Bayside flooding begins in Surf City, Ship Bottom and in the communities on the south half of Long Beach Island (including Beach Haven). |
| 3.3 ft | (MLLW) COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY LEVEL. |
| 3.4 ft | (MLLW) Flooding begins at the east end of the NJ Route 72 bridge in Ship Bottom. |
| 3.6 ft | (MLLW) Flooding begins on Barnegat Avenue and Central Avenue in Surf City and Ship Bottom. |
| 3.8 ft | (MLLW) Extensive flooding begins on Long Beach Boulevard from Ship Bottom to Beach Haven. |
| 4.0 ft | (MLLW) MODERATE FLOODING. At this level, widespread flooding of roadways begins with many roads becoming impassable in Stafford Township, Surf City, Ship Bottom, Brant Beach, Beach Haven and nearby communities. Lives may be at risk when people put themselves in harm's way. Some damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur. COASTAL FLOOD WARNING LEVEL. |
| 5.0 ft | (MLLW) MAJOR FLOODING. At this level, flooding starts to become severe enough to begin causing structural damage along with widespread flooding of roadways in Stafford Township, Surf City, Ship Bottom, Brant Beach, Beach Haven and nearby communities. Vulverable homes and businesses may be severely damaged as water levels rise further above this threshold. Numerous roads become impassable and some neighborhoods may be isolated. The flood waters become a danger to anyone who attempts to cross them. |
| 7.3 ft | (Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW)) The level reached on October 29, 2012 during Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy. |
Forecast office: NWS Mount Holly · River Forecast Center: Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center.
A NOAA tide station shares this spot: Manahawkin Drawbridge, with tide predictions and official flood levels.
Manahawkin Bay at Ship Bottom (IN MLLW) in your pocket
Tidora puts this spot on your Home Screen and Lock Screen with free widgets, and sends free flood alerts before the water reaches the levels that matter to you. No account, no subscription needed for either.
Download Tidora on the App Store
Tidora is preparing for launch; these pages go fully live when the app ships.
Nearby stations and gauges
- Manahawkin Drawbridge NOAA tide station · 0.1 mi
- Manahawkin Creek NOAA tide station · 1.8 mi
- North Beach NOAA tide station · 2.0 mi
- Mill Creek NOAA tide station · 2.6 mi
- Beach Haven Crest NOAA tide station · 3.1 mi
- Flat Creek NOAA tide station · 3.6 mi