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SwedenMerrimack River below Concord River at Lowell water level
River gauge, Merrimack River, Massachusetts, United States
Right now
Below flood stage
Water level
- Flow
- 3,960 cfs
History
The forecast expects the river to fall to 42.40 ft by Thursday, October 22 at 02:00 AM. Issued Monday, October 19 at 10:40 AM by NOAA National Weather Service.
What this means
The Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell is at 42.88 ft, in the normal range.
It is 9.12 ft below the flood stage of 52.00 ft.
It has dropped 0.08 ft over the past 24 hours. The forecast expects the river to fall to 42.40 ft by Thursday, October 22 at 02:00 AM. In the last month it has stayed between 42.27 ft and 43.52 ft.
Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Highest on record
- 68.40 ftMarch 20, 1936
- Forecast peak
- 42.80 ftMonday, October 19 at 02:00 PM
Floating and fishing near Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell
Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.
Flood stage here is 52.00 ft, 9.12 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 65.00 ft
- This is a serious flood event. All persons along the Merrimack River should follow the evacuation recommendations from your local emergency managemant officials. If asked to evacuate, do so immediately. All flood protection measures must be rushed to completion in flood prone areas.
- 62.00 ft
- This is a serious flood event. All persons along the Merrimack River should follow the evacuation recommendations from your local emergency managemant officials. If asked to evacuate, do so immediately. All flood protection measures must be rushed to completion in flood prone areas.
- 60.00 ft
- This is a serious flood event. All persons along the Merrimack River from the Massachusetts border through Methuen should follow the evacuation recommendations from your local emergency managemant officials. If asked to evacuate, do so immediately. All flood protection measures must be rushed to completion in flood prone areas.
- 58.00 ft
- Flooding is expected to overspread portions of Route 113 above Pawtucket Falls. Also, portions of Route 110 and several homes and businesses along Route 110 heading north and east into Tewksbury may begin to experience flooding. Follow the direction of your local emergency management officals. If asked to evacuate, do so immediately.
- 56.00 ft
- Flooding will become more widespread from the New Hampshire border through Methuen. Those areas outside local flood protection should take measures to protect property. Follow the directions of your local emergency management agency.
- 55.00 ft
- Flooding will become more widespread from the New Hampshire border through Methuen. Those areas outside local flood protection should take measures to protect property. Follow the directions of your local emergency management agency.
- 52.00 ft
- Lowland flooding is likely along the Merrimack River. Most of the impact will be felt by businesses and mills where basement flooding is likely.
- 42.88 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
Chance of at least minor flooding in October to December: < 5 %.
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 68.40 ft | March 20, 1936 |
| 2 | 60.60 ft | April 23, 1852 |
| 3 | 60.57 ft | September 23, 1938 |
| 4 | 58.84 ft | May 15, 2006 |
| 5 | 58.09 ft | April 17, 2007 |
| 6 | 57.16 ft | April 7, 1987 |
| 7 | 56.50 ft | November 5, 1927 |
| 8 | 56.00 ft | April 20, 1933 |
| 9 | 56.00 ft | April 6, 1960 |
| 10 | 54.64 ft | April 1, 2010 |
Weather at the gauge
Rain in the last 3 days: 0.34 in. Rain that falls upstream can take hours or days to show up at a river gauge.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Other gauges on the Merrimack River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Merrimack River at Franklin JunctionRiver gauge, Merrimack River | 4.85 ft | Below flood stage | −0.28 ft | 57 mi |
| Merrimack River at ConcordRiver gauge, Merrimack River | 3.93 ft | Below flood stage | +0.05 ft | 41 mi |
| Merrimack River near Goffs Falls, below ManchesterRiver gauge, Merrimack River | 4.40 ft | Below flood stage | +0.58 ft | 22 mi |
| Merrimack River at NashuaRiver gauge, Merrimack River | 4.93 ft | Below flood stage | +0.20 ft | 11 mi |
| Merrimack River at LawrenceRiver gauge, Merrimack River | 9.89 ft | Normal | −1.03 ft | 8 mi |
| Merrimack River at NewburyportEstuary gauge, Merrimack River | −1.99 ft | Very low | −0.08 ft | 25 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Concord River below R Meadow Brook, at LowellRiver gauge, Concord River | 4.74 ft | Below flood stage | −0.10 ft | 0.7 mi |
| Shawsheen River near WilmingtonRiver gauge, Shawsheen River | 2.31 ft | Below flood stage | +0.09 ft | 7 mi |
| Shawsheen River at Balmoral Street at AndoverRiver gauge, Shawsheen River | 23.94 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 8 mi |
| Spicket River near MethuenRiver gauge, Spicket River | 4.23 ft | Below flood stage | −0.01 ft | 8 mi |
| Beaver Brook at North PelhamRiver gauge, Beaver Brook | 23.4 cfs | Normal | −3.4 cfs | 10 mi |
| Nashoba Brook near ActonRiver gauge, Nashoba Brook | 2.0 cfs | Low | −0.2 cfs | 11 mi |
| Nashua River at East PepperellRiver gauge, Nashua River | 2.28 ft | Below flood stage | +0.26 ft | 14 mi |
| Cambridge Reservoir, Unnamed Tributary 2, near LexingtonRiver gauge, Cambridge Reservoir, Unnamed Tributary 2 | 0.1 cfs | Low | ±0 | 15 mi |
Questions and answers
What is flood stage for the Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell?
The official flood stage is 52.00 ft. The level is currently 9.12 ft below it.
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 below Concord River at Lowell today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 12:30 PM EDT, the water level was 42.88 ft. Down 0.08 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell rising or falling?
Down 0.08 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is the level of Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell normal?
Below flood stage. Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell?
The highest level on record is 68.40 ft on March 20, 1936.
Is Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell expected to rise?
The forecast expects the river to fall to 42.40 ft by Thursday, October 22 at 02:00 AM.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:01100000(Agency page)- Coordinates
42.64592, -71.29839(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 | 42.88 ft | 2026-10-19 16:30 | Provisional |
| Flow | 3,960 cfs | 2026-10-19 16:30 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell (usgs:01100000). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/massachusetts/merrimack-river-below-concord-river-at-lowell
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