Penobscot River at Bangor
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 11.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 11.6 ft; moderate flooding begins at 13.0 ft; major flooding begins at 15.0 ft.
| Action stage | 11.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 11.6 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 13.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 15.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 17.9 ft on Feb 2, 1976 (historic crest)
- 13.1 ft on Jan 10, 2024 (historic crest)
- 12.1 ft on Apr 10, 2020 (historic crest)
- 12.0 ft on Jan 13, 2024 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 11.0 ft | High water in low areas surrounding the Kenduskeag Plaza and Bangor Waterfront. |
|---|---|
| 12.0 ft | Bangor Waterfront begins to flood in portions of the riverwalk. Flood control systems and barriers in Kenduskeag Plaza may become stressed. |
| 14.0 ft | High water levels in the Kenduskeag Plaza channel. Catch basins and stormwater systems begin backing up into Kenduskeag Plaza parking areas and lowest levels of parking garages. |
| 15.0 ft | Widespread flooding throughout the Kenduskeag Plaza, from above State Street to the Washington Street bridge. Bangor and Brewer riverside parks inundated. Basement flooding possible in Kenduskeag Plaza businesses. |
| 16.0 ft | Significant flooding in Kenduskeag Plaza in Downeast Bangor. Impacts expanding into multiple commercial buildings in Kenduskeag Plaza with water several feet deep. Front Street near the Bangor Waterfront flooded. Lower industrial sections of Hampden and Brewer flooded with some inundation of storage buildings. |
| 17.0 ft | Floodwaters enter riverside businesses West of South Main Street in Brewer. |
| 17.9 ft | Record flooding similar to Groundhogs Day 1976. |
| 21.5 ft | Comparable to the FEMA 0.2 percent flood level. State Road in Bangor flooded north of the hospital. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation. Transportation, communications, water and power severely affected. |
Forecast office: NWS Caribou · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Bangor NOAA tide station · 0.8 mi
- Penobscot River at Eddington NWS gauge · 4.1 mi
- Kenduskeag Stream near Bangor NWS gauge · 5.5 mi
- Winterport NOAA tide station · 11.6 mi
- Bucksport NOAA tide station · 15.6 mi
- Bucksport Tidal Gage (MLLW) NWS gauge · 15.7 mi