Saco River at Bartlett
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 5.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 10.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 12.5 ft; major flooding begins at 13.0 ft.
| Action stage | 5.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 10.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 12.5 ft |
| Major flooding | 13.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 14.8 ft on Aug 28, 2011 (historic crest)
- 13.9 ft on Oct 30, 2017 (historic crest)
- 13.9 ft on Dec 18, 2023 (historic crest)
- 10.7 ft on May 1, 2023 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 5.0 ft | High streamflows are expected but no flooding occurs in Bartlett. High risk for recreational paddlers. |
|---|---|
| 6.0 ft | Downstream riverside campgrounds from Glen Ellis to Conway flooded hours later. Campers should move to higher ground. |
| 9.0 ft | River out of banks in Bartlett. Backwater on the Ellis River combined with the Saco River high flows will inundate campground property in Glen Ellis. |
| 10.0 ft | Minor flooding to properties along River Street in Bartlett. Significant flooding likely along downstream campgrounds from Glen Ellis, North Conway, and Conway. |
| 12.0 ft | Minor flooding occurs on River Street. Flood waters approach properties on Cobb Farm Road. |
| 12.5 ft | Moderate flooding to homes on River Street in Bartlett. Homes along Sleepy Hollow Road in Glen flooded. Flood waters encroach on properties off Pine Glen Road and Bartlett Place Road. Backwater on the Rocky Branch impacts properties off Sleepy Hollow Road. Significant flooding expected downstream in North Conway. |
| 13.0 ft | Severe Flooding on River Street, upper West Side Road, and Cobb Farm Road in Bartlett. Flood waters affect propertly along Route 302 and Covered Bridge in Bartlett. River Road First Bridge in North Conway flooded. Inundation near the FEMA 1 percent flood hazard level. |
| 13.5 ft | Flood inundation near the FEMA 0.2 percent flood hazard level. |
| 14.8 ft | Extremely severe flooding comparable to the flooding from Hurricane Irene on August 28, 2011. Numerous homes and businesses from Bartlett to North Conway damaged by water depths of several feet. Rural lands and roads along the Saco River are inundated and damaged by swift currents. Hundreds of homes inaccessible due to floodwaters. |
Forecast office: NWS Gray · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Swift River near Conway NWS gauge · 7.4 mi
- Saco River near Conway NWS gauge · 11.6 mi
- Bearcamp River at South Tamworth NWS gauge · 17.5 mi
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- Ammonoosuc River at Bethlehem NWS gauge · 19.7 mi
- Pemigewasset River at Woodstock NWS gauge · 21.0 mi