Merrimack River at Lawrence water level

Name: Merrimack River at Lawrence water level (U.S. Geological Survey)
Creator: U.S. Geological Survey
License: https://www.usgs.gov/information-policies-and-instructions/copyrights-and-credits

River gauge, Merrimack River, Massachusetts, United States

Directions

Normal for mid-October

Water level

10.97ft Down 0.24 ft over the last 24 hours

Measured Oct 18, 2026, 10:30 AM EDT (48 min ago)

History

7 days 30 days 1 year Years compared

20252026

Water level Normal range (10–90 %) Minor flood stage

What this means

The gauge at Merrimack River at Lawrence reads 10.97 ft, a normal level for mid-October.

That puts it 0.56 ft above the median of 10.41 ft for mid-October, based on 13 years of readings. It is 13.03 ft below the flood stage of 24.00 ft. A year ago it stood at 7.96 ft (+3.01 ft).

The level is falling, down 0.24 ft over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 8.68 ft and 11.82 ft.

Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.

Compared with 13 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date: 10.41 ft0.56 ft above the median for this date
Normal for this date: 8.09 ft – 12.64 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (13 years of records)
Same day last year: 7.96 ft+3.01 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days: 8.68 ft – 11.82 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months: 7.94 ft – 19.36 ft
Highest on record: 25.37 ftDecember 20, 2023

What the stage means on the water

A normal level is usually prime time for floating and wade fishing, as long as the weather holds upstream.

The National Weather Service puts flood stage for this gauge at 24.00 ft, still 13.03 ft away.

What happens at each level

36.00 ft: This is a major, life threatening flood. People in flood prone areas should prepare to evacuate. Follow the directions of local officials. Serious flood impacts are expected at some factories along the river. In addition, major backwater flooding is expected on the lower Shawsheen River in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover. Know alternate routes of travel to avoid flooded areas, and bridges that may be shut down.
34.00 ft: Flooding occurs on low lying roads and homes, as well as lower levels of buildings along the river's historic industrial corridor. This includes portions of Riverview Street and 90 Sutton Street in North Andover, and the Riverwalk Complex in Lawrence. Substantial backwater flooding is expected on the lower Shawsheen River in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover. This includes Route 114 at I-495 Exit 42 and Mass Ave and Commonwealth Ave at I-495.
32.00 ft: Moderate flooding is expected in Lawrence and North Andover. Some roads and homes along the river, as well as lower levels of factory buildings and low lying parking lots along the river's historic industrial corridor, are expected to experience flooding. In North Andover, North Main Street and Riverview as well as 90 Sutton Street are impacted. Backwater flooding on the lower Shawsheen River is expected in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover.
30.00 ft: Floodwaters affect some businesses and parking lots in Lawrence and North Andover. In North Andover, the Merrimack River affects properties in the vicnity of North Main Street and Riverview, as well as 90 Sutton Street. Backwater flooding into the lower Shawsheen River is expected in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover. Areas affected by backwater flooding include Route 114 nearest to the river, Mass Ave at I-495, and homes in the vicinity of Glenwood, Elmwood and Fernwood Streets.
29.00 ft: Floodwaters affect some businesses and parking lots in Lawrence and North Andover. In North Andover, the Merrimack River affects properties in the vicnity of North Main Street and Riverview, as well as 90 Sutton Street. Backwater flooding into the lower Shawsheen River is expected in Lawrence, North Andover and Andover. Areas affected by backwater flooding include Route 114 nearest to the river, Mass Ave at I-495, and homes in the vicinity of Glenwood, Elmwood and Fernwood Streets.
28.00 ft: Lowland flooding is expected along the Merrimack River near Lawrence. This will affect some businesses and associated parking lots along the river. Backwater flooding along the Shawsheen River may result in flood impacts along lower Glenwood Street in North Andover, as well as businesses on Route 114 on the Lawrence-North Andover town line that are adjacent to the river.
26.00 ft: Minor lowland flooding is expected along the Merrimack River near Lawrence. This will affect some businesses along the river susceptible to basement flooding. In addition, backwater flooding may occur in the lower Shawsheen River area in Lawrence and North Andover. First imapcts include very lowest lying parking lots for businesses on Route 114 adjacent to the river.
24.00 ft: Minor lowland flooding is expected along the Merrimack River near Lawrence. This will affect some businesses along the river susceptible to basement flooding. In addition, backwater flooding may occur along the lower Shawsheen River in Lawrence and North Andover. First impacts include very lowest lying parking lot flooding for businesses on Route 114 adjacent to the river.
10.97 ft: Right now

Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Highest crests on record

Rank	Level	Date
1	25.37 ft	December 20, 2023
2	22.60 ft	April 28, 2019
3	22.48 ft	April 1, 2014

Weather at the gauge

Rain in the last 3 days: 0.11 in. Rain that falls upstream can take hours or days to show up at a river gauge.

18 Sun 54° 32° – Wind 5 mph

19 Mon 57° 36° – Wind 7 mph

20 Tue 61° 44° – Wind 12 mph

21 Wed 51° 41° – Wind 13 mph

22 Thu 64° 39° – Wind 7 mph

23 Fri 57° 40° – Wind 7 mph

24 Sat 54° 34° – Wind 6 mph

Forecast: Open-Meteo

Sunrise 07:02 AM Sunset 05:59 PM Daylight 10 hr, 57 min First quarter 50%

Map

Other gauges on the Merrimack River

Gauge	Level	Compared with normal	24 hours	Distance
Merrimack River at Franklin JunctionRiver gauge, Merrimack River	5.13 ft	Below flood stage	+0.16 ft	56 mi
Merrimack River at ConcordRiver gauge, Merrimack River	3.80 ft	Below flood stage	−0.20 ft	40 mi
Merrimack River near Goffs Falls, below ManchesterRiver gauge, Merrimack River	3.51 ft	Below flood stage	−0.90 ft	23 mi
Merrimack River at NashuaRiver gauge, Merrimack River	4.83 ft	Below flood stage	+0.15 ft	15 mi
Merrimack River below Concord River at LowellRiver gauge, Merrimack River	43.08 ft	Below flood stage	+0.09 ft	8 mi
Merrimack River at NewburyportEstuary gauge, Merrimack River	−0.92 ft	Very low	+0.90 ft	16 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge	Level	Compared with normal	24 hours	Distance
Shawsheen River at Balmoral Street at AndoverRiver gauge, Shawsheen River	23.96 ft	Below flood stage	−0.05 ft	2.3 mi
Spicket River near MethuenRiver gauge, Spicket River	4.24 ft	Below flood stage	−0.03 ft	3.9 mi
Concord River below R Meadow Brook, at LowellRiver gauge, Concord River	4.84 ft	Below flood stage	−0.06 ft	9 mi
Shawsheen River near WilmingtonRiver gauge, Shawsheen River	2.22 ft	Below flood stage	−0.08 ft	10 mi
Spicket River at North SalemRiver gauge, Spicket River	1.8 cfs	Very low	−0.1 cfs	10 mi
Parker River at ByfieldRiver gauge, Parker River	4.1 cfs	Normal	−0.7 cfs	11 mi
Ipswich River at South MiddletonRiver gauge, Ipswich River	17.3 cfs	Normal	−2.9 cfs	11 mi
Beaver Brook at North PelhamRiver gauge, Beaver Brook	27.5 cfs	Normal	−9.8 cfs	12 mi

Questions and answers

How does the Merrimack River at Lawrence compare with last year?

It is 3.01 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 7.96 ft.

What is flood stage for the Merrimack River at Lawrence?

The official flood stage is 24.00 ft. The level is currently 13.03 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the Merrimack River at Lawrence in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 10.41 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 8.09 ft and 12.64 ft, based on 13 years of records.

Is gage height the same as water depth?

No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.

What is the water level of Merrimack River at Lawrence today?

On Oct 18, 2026, 10:30 AM EDT, the water level was 10.97 ft. Down 0.24 ft over the last 24 hours.

Is Merrimack River at Lawrence rising or falling?

Down 0.24 ft over the last 24 hours. Up 2.18 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Merrimack River at Lawrence normal?

Normal for mid-October. Compared with 13 years of daily readings for this time of year.

For specialists

Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads

Operator: U.S. Geological Survey
Station code: usgs:01100500 (Agency page)
Coordinates: 42.70483, -71.15314 (WGS84)
Vertical datum: NAVD88
Update interval: every 15 minutes
Licence: Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision

Published series

Parameter	Last value	Time (UTC)	Quality
Water level	10.97 ft	2026-10-18 14:30	Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Merrimack River at Lawrence (usgs:01100500). Accessed October 18, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/massachusetts/merrimack-river-at-lawrence

How we check values

Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.

Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer