Merrimack River near Haverhill
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 10.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 11.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 14.0 ft; major flooding begins at 16.0 ft.
| Action stage | 10.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 11.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 14.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 16.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 25.8 ft on Mar 20, 1936 (historic crest)
- 18.2 ft on Sep 13, 1938 (historic crest)
- 17.1 ft on May 15, 2006 (historic crest)
- 15.6 ft on Apr 19, 2007 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 11.0 ft | Flooding is expected in low lying sections around Haverhill. Marinas near and downstream of Haverhill should take action to protect boats and docks due to the increased flows. |
|---|---|
| 12.0 ft | Flooding is expected in low lying sections around Haverhill. Marinas near and downstream of Haverhill should take action to protect boats and docks due to the increased flows. |
| 13.5 ft | Flooding is likely in low lying sections of Haverhill, including portions of Coffin Avenue. Should evacuations be necessary, act quickly and follow the directions of emergency management officals. Know your alternate routes of travel so you can avoid flooded areas. Marinas, boats and docks will be impacted. |
| 14.0 ft | Flooding is likely in parts of Haverhill, particularly in the vicinity of Coffin Avenue. Floodwaters may surround homes in this area. Should evacuations become necessary, act quickly and follow the directions of emergency management officials. Marinas, boats and docks will be impacted. |
| 15.0 ft | Floodwaters reach into low lying businesses and residences along River Street, Western Avenue, Coffin Avenue and Orchard Avenue. Backwater flooding occurs near old Ferry Road and Slavit Riverside Airport. Marinas, docks and boats will be impacted. Should evacuations be necessary, act quickly and follow the directions of emergency management officals. Know your alternate routes of travel so you can avoid flooded areas. |
| 16.0 ft | Major flooding is expected from Haverhill to Amesbury. The lowest lying roads in Salisbury and Newburyport will also be affected. In Haverhill, floodwaters will innundate portions of Old Ferry Road, Western Avenue, Coffin Avenue, Orchard Avenue, and River Street. Marinas along the river will likely experience considerable flooding. While floodwsaters are expected to remain on the river side of the sea wall, innundation may occur on the lowest levels of businesses adjacent to the river. |
| 17.0 ft | Major flooding is expected from Haverhill to Amesbury. The lowest lying roads in Salisbury and Newburyport will also be affected. In Haverhill, floodwaters will innundate portions of Old Ferry Road, Western Avenue, Coffin Avenue, Orchard Avenue, and River Street. Marinas along the river will likely experience considerable flooding. While floodwsaters are expected to remain on the river side of the sea wall, innundation may occur on the lowest levels of businesses adjacent to the river. |
| 18.5 ft | Major flooding will occur from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury. Newburyport and Salisbury will experience flooding along roadways closest to the river. In Haverhill numerous evacuations are likely, especially along Coffin Avenue, Western Avenue, Orchard Avenue, Old Ferry Road and River Street. Follow the directions of local officials. Boats, docks and marinas will be severely impacted. |
| 21.0 ft | Major flooding occurs from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury. Newburyport and Salisbury will experience flooding along roadways closest to the Merrimack River. In Haverhill numerous evacuations are likely, especially along stretches of Coffin Avenue, Old Ferry Road, Western Avenue, Orchard Avenue and River Street. Follow the directions of local officials. Boats, docks and marinas will be severely impacted. |
| 22.0 ft | Disastrous, life threatening flooding is expected. The river has not flooded to this level since 1936. Major flooding occurs along the river from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury. Numerous evfacuations will occur. Flooding is also expected along Newburyport and Salisbury communities closest to the river. The Haverhill seawall begins to overtop, resulting in the onset of flooding in downtown Haverhill. Follow the directions of local officials. Docks and boats in the water will likely be destroyed. |
| 25.0 ft | Catastrophic, life threatening flooding will occur from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury and Newburyport. The Seawall in downtown Haverhill will be overtopped. Widespread evacuations along the river are likely. Docks and boats, if not removed from the water, will likely be destroyed. Marinas will be severely impacted. Follow the directions of local officials, and stay away from these floodwaters. |
| 27.0 ft | Catastrophic, life threatening flooding will occur from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury and Newburyport. The Seawall in downtown Haverhill will be overtopped. Widespread evacuations along the river are likely. Docks and boats, if not removed from the water, will likely be destroyed. Marinas will be severely impacted. Follow the directions of local officials, and stay away from these floodwaters. |
Forecast office: NWS Norton · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
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- Merrimack River at Lawrence NWS gauge · 7.3 mi
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