Pawtuxet River at Cranston
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 11.0 ft; major flooding begins at 13.0 ft.
| Action stage | 8.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 9.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 11.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 13.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 20.8 ft on Mar 31, 2010 (historic crest)
- 15.1 ft on Dec 19, 2023 (historic crest)
- 15.0 ft on Mar 15, 2010 (historic crest)
- 14.5 ft on Jun 7, 1982 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 9.0 ft | Minor lowland flooding will occur along the river as it flows through Warwick and Cranston. |
|---|---|
| 9.5 ft | Parking lots and roads are flooded in low lying areas of Warwick and Cranston near the Pawtuxet River. Impacted roads include River Street, Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street and Venturi Avenue in Warwick. |
| 10.0 ft | Flooding will occur along Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street and Venturi Avenue in Warwick. Some homes are impacted on Avery Road and Wellington Avenue in Cranston. |
| 11.0 ft | Structures and homes are impacted in low lying sections of Warwick. Affected areas include homes and businesses on Wellington Avenue and Avery Road in Cranston, as well as Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street, Venturi Avenue and a portion of River Street in Warwick. |
| 11.5 ft | Homes and businesses are impacted in low lying sections of Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Affected roads in Cranston include Avery Road and Wellington Avenue. Affected roads in Warwick include Pioneer Avenue, River Street, Bellows Street and Venturi Avenue. In West Warwick, affected areas include Daisy Street and the lower ends of Canna, Begonia and Aster Streets. |
| 12.0 ft | Evacuations are likely near the Pawtuxet River in Warwick and Cranston. Both homes and businesses will be impacted from this flood event. Businesses and homes will be impacted on streets including but not limited to the following, in Warwick, Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street, Venturi Avenue, and River Street. In Cranston, Wellington Avenue and Avery Road. In West Warwick, Daisy Street, the lower ends of Canna, Begonia and Aster Streets, and portions of Providence Street to Route 2. |
| 14.5 ft | Evacuations are likely near the Pawtuxet river in Warwick and Cranston. Both homes and businesses will be impacted from this flood event. Businesses and homes will be impacted on streets including but not limited to the following, in Warwick, Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street, Venturi Avenue and River Street. In Cranston, Wellington Avenue and Avery Road. In West Warwick, Daisy Street, the lower ends of Canna, Begonia and Aster Streets, and portions of Providence Street to Route 2. |
| 16.5 ft | This is a serious and potentially life threatening flood situation. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate. Do not go sightseeing and stay away from river banks, which can suddenly give way due to erosion and fast moving water. Swiftly moving water can pose an imminent threat to life. Evacuations are likely in Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Homes and businesses will be impacted. |
| 18.0 ft | This is a serious and potentially life threatening flood situation. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate. Do not go sightseeing and stay away from river banks, which can suddenly give way due to erosion and fast moving water. Swiftly moving water can pose an imminent threat to life. Evacuations are likely in Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Homes and businesses will be impacted. |
| 20.0 ft | This is a serious and potentially life threatening flood situation, approaching flood levels seen during the historic March 2010 Floods. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate. Do not go sightseeing and stay away from river banks, which can suddenly give way due to erosion and fast moving water. Swiftly moving water can pose an imminent threat to life. Evacuations are likely in Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Homes and businesses will be impacted. |
| 22.0 ft | This is a serious and potentially life threatening flood situation, nearing or exceeding flood levels seen during the historic March 2010 Floods. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate. Do not go sightseeing and stay away from river banks, which can suddenly give way due to erosion and fast moving water. Swiftly moving water can pose an imminent threat to life. Evacuations are likely in Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Homes and businesses will be impacted. |
Forecast office: NWS Norton · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Pawtuxet NOAA tide station · 3.0 mi
- Narragansett Bay at Providence Fox Point (IN MLLW) NWS gauge · 4.5 mi
- Providence NOAA tide station · 4.5 mi
- Bay Spring NOAA tide station · 4.8 mi
- North Branch Pawtuxet River at Fiskville NWS gauge · 5.6 mi
- Conimicut Light NOAA tide station · 5.8 mi