Swift River at Roxbury
Flood levels
Official flood levels at this gauge: action stage begins at 5.0 ft; minor flooding begins at 8.0 ft; moderate flooding begins at 9.5 ft; major flooding begins at 12.0 ft.
| Action stage | 5.0 ft |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 8.0 ft |
| Moderate flooding | 9.5 ft |
| Major flooding | 12.0 ft |
Highest recorded crests
- 14.2 ft on Dec 18, 2023 (historic crest)
- 12.9 ft on Oct 24, 1959 (historic crest)
- 12.6 ft on Sep 17, 1932 (historic crest)
- 12.5 ft on Apr 1, 1987 (historic crest)
What the water does
National Weather Service impact statements for this gauge, in the Weather Service's own words.
| 7.0 ft | River at bankfull with minor flooding of agricultural fields possible between Farmington Falls and New Sharon. |
|---|---|
| 8.0 ft | Minor flooding occurs. River encroaches on Route 17 and some properties along the Swift River in and around Byron. 7 Swift River comes out of banks and inundates lowlands in Roxbury and Byron. |
| 9.0 ft | Flood waters inundate Route 17 a few miles north of Byron Village Road. |
| 9.5 ft | Moderate flooding occurs. Closure of Route 17 likely from flood waters, significantly impacting travel in and out of the area. Numerous locations on Route 17 likely to flood due to a combination of high water on the Swift River and backwater from smaller tributaries along Easter Hill Road in Roxbury and along what is known as the Byron Flats. |
| 10.0 ft | Moderate flooding occurs. Properties near Houghton Road in northern parts of Byron surrounded by flood waters. Further downstream in Rumford and Mexico flooding from the Swift River can occur if the Androscoggin River is also in flood including several parks and river access areas. |
| 12.0 ft | Major flooding occurs. Water surrounds homes in Byron and Roxbury. Travel in and out of the region is cut off. |
| 12.5 ft | Approaching levels seen during the April 1987 flood. Route 17 likely washed out in multiple areas making travel extremely dangerous. |
| 14.0 ft | Flooding comparable to record levels observed in December 2023. Severe flooding at the confluence with the Androscoggin River in Rumford and Mexico where homes and businesses are impacted. Roadways will remain unsafe during and after the storm. |
Forecast office: NWS Gray · River Forecast Center: Northeast River Forecast Center.
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Nearby stations and gauges
- Androscoggin River at Rumford NWS gauge · 6.7 mi
- Ellis River at South Andover NWS gauge · 7.9 mi
- Sandy River near Madrid NWS gauge · 15.7 mi
- Sandy River at Farmington NWS gauge · 20.8 mi
- Little Androscoggin River near South Paris NWS gauge · 23.5 mi
- Wild River at Gilead NWS gauge · 26.0 mi