Presumpscot River above West Falmouth
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 14.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 16.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 21.0 ft; major flooding begins at 24.0 ft.
| Action stage | 14.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 16.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 21.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 24.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 21.1 ft on Mar 14, 1977 (historic crest)
- 17.6 ft on Jan 11, 2024 (historic crest)
- 16.3 ft on Feb 25, 1981 (historic crest)
- 16.2 ft on Mar 10, 2024 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 14.0 ft | High flows make recreational activities hazardous. |
|---|---|
| 16.0 ft | Water approaches the backyards of properties along Water Street in Westbrook and Riverside Street in Portland. River comes out of its banks and floods portions of Fraser Field. |
| 17.0 ft | Minor flooding affects storage yards of industrial businesses on Warren Avenue in Westbrook. Property should be relocated to avoid being impacted. |
| 18.0 ft | Minor flooding with water encroaching upon East Bridge Street in Westbrook and Route 302. Riverbank Park in Westbrook floods. Sappi Wastewater Drive access cut off by floodwaters. |
| 21.0 ft | Moderate flooding occurs. Flooding along Route 302 and East Bridge Street in Westbrook. Water Street flooded near Mentor Street with residential properties impacted. |
| 22.0 ft | Forest Avenue in Portland and Bridgton Road in Westbrook cut off by floodwaters. Water up to properties along River Street in Westbrook. The flood level is comparable to that of Hurricane Bob in 1991. |
| 23.0 ft | Backwater from Mill Brook floods properties off Forest Avenue and East Bridge Street in Westbrook. |
| 24.0 ft | Major flooding in Westbrook. Inundation is around the FEMA 1 percent flood level. Floodwaters cover Route 302 cutting off access between Portland and Westbrook, inundating several businesses and homes on the north side of the river. Flooding to properties along Riverside Street incuding storage buildings. Materials should be moved to higher ground. This is a dangerous situation. |
| 25.0 ft | FEMA 0.2 percent flood level. Floodwaters several feet deep along Route 302, East Bridge Street, and River Street in Westbrook. Several businesses and homes impacted. Travel in and out of the area is severely disrupted. |
Forecast office: NWS Gray · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
Presumpscot River above West Falmouth in your pocket
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Presumpscot River Bridge NOAA tide station · 3.8 mi
- Back Cove NOAA tide station · 4.1 mi
- Falmouth Foreside NOAA tide station · 4.9 mi
- PORTLAND NOAA tide station · 5.5 mi
- Atlantic Coast at Portland (IN MLLW) NWS gauge · 5.5 mi
- Fore River NOAA tide station · 5.8 mi