Spicket River near Methuen
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 6.5 ft; minor flooding begins at 8.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 10.0 ft; major flooding begins at 12.0 ft.
| Action stage | 6.5 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 8.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 10.0 ft |
| Major flooding | 12.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 12.2 ft on May 16, 2006 (historic crest)
- 9.9 ft on Mar 16, 2010 (historic crest)
- 9.1 ft on Apr 1, 2010 (historic crest)
- 9.1 ft on Mar 24, 2001 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 7.5 ft | Minor flooding of several parking areas along the river is possible as water from the Spicket River backs up into storm drains. Water begins to back up behind the Hampshire Road Bridge at the Methuen and Salem town line. Floodwaters encroach on lowest lying properties on Fiedler Ave in Salem. |
|---|---|
| 8.0 ft | Water backs up behind the Hampshire Road Bridge at the Methuen and Salem line. Floodwaters encroach on lowest lying properties on Fiedler Avenue in Salem. In Lawrence, floodwaters reach onto Willow Street as well as nearby low lying buildings in the vicinity of Willow and Myrtle Streets. Floodwaters begin ponding onto Spruce Street around the bridge. Schofield Park begins to flood, and floodwaters begin to spread onto nearby Saratoga Street. |
| 8.5 ft | In Salem, floodwaters encroach on lowest lying properties on Fiedler Ave. In Methuen, floodwaters encroach near properties on Horne Street, Morrison Court, and Broadway. In Lawrence, the river inundates Schofield Park and spreads onto Saratoga Street. Floodwaters reach onto Willow Street as well as nearby low lying buildings in the vicinity of Willow and Myrtle streets. In addition, floodwaters begin to inundate Spruce Street around the bridge. |
| 9.0 ft | In Salem, the lower ends of Haigh St, Bluff St Extension and lowest lying properties on Fiedler Ave are impacted. Main St floods by the river. In Methuen, floodwaters affect the following locations, Horne, Pine and Gleason Streets, Morrison Court, Broadway, and East River Place. In Lawrence, floodwaters affect the following locations, Erving Avenue, Spruce, Saratoga, Myrtle and Willow Streets, and Schofield Park. |
| 10.0 ft | Moderate flooding occurs along the Spicket in Salem, Methuen and Lawrence. In Salem the following streets and/or low lying properties along those streets are affected, Haigh and Main St, Bluff St Ext, and Fiedler Ave. In Methuen, floodwaters affect the lowest lying homes and properties on Horne St, Gleason St, Morrison Court and Broadway. In Lawrence flooded areas include but are not limited to, Berving Ave, Spruce St, Saratoga St and Short St. Homes are affected on Myrtle and Willow. |
| 11.0 ft | In Salem the following locations are affected, Haigh St, Main St, Bluff St Ext, Hampshire Rd, Mulberry Rd, Fiedler Ave and Linwood Ave. In Methuen, floodwaters affect the following locations, Horne St, Pine St, Gleason St, Morrison Court, Broadway, and East River Place. In Lawrence, locations impacted include the general vicinity of Park St to Broadway St, Erving Avenue and some nearby streets. Flooding is also expected further down river on Haverhill St, Access Rd, and Garden St. |
| 12.0 ft | This is a dangerous, major flood in Salem, Methuen and Lawrence. In Salem, flooding occurs on Haigh St, Main St, Bluff St Ext, Hampshire Rd, Linwood Ave, Mulberry Rd and Fiedler Ave. In Methuen, affected areas include Horne St, Morrison Court, Broadway, Gleason St, Pine St, and East River Place. In Lawrence, numerous homes in the general vicinity of Holly St, Park St, Myrtle St and Erving Ave will be innundated. Floodwaters reach the Mary Immaculate Nursing Home. |
| 13.2 ft | This is the maximum reportable stage at the Spicket River gage. In Salem, flooding occurs on Haigh St, Main St, Bluff St Ext, Hampshire Rd, Linwood Ave, Mulberry Rd and Fiedler Ave. In Methuen, affected areas include Horne St, Morrison Ct, Broadway, Gleason St, Pine St, and East River Place. In Lawrence, numerous homes in the general vicinity of Holly St, Park St, Myrtle St and Erving Ave will be inundated. Floodwaters will reach the Mary Immaculate Nursing Home. |
| 14.0 ft | This is a dangerous, major flood in Salem, Methuen and Lawrence. In Salem, affected areas include Haigh St, Bluff St Ext, Main St, Hampshire Rd, Fiedler Ave, Linwood Ave and Mulberry Rd. In Methuen, affected areas include Horne St, Morrison Ct, Broadway, Gleason St, East River Place, and Pine St. This river inundates numerous roadways and homes in Lawrence within the vicinity of Route 28 and Daisy St, through Erving Ave and Myrtle St. Flooding occurs at the Mary Immaculate Nursing Home. |
Forecast office: NWS Norton · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
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- Spicket River at North Salem NWS gauge · 7.3 mi
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- Merrimack River at Lowell NWS gauge · 8.1 mi
- Concord River at Lowell NWS gauge · 8.8 mi