Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine, following rainfall and snowmelt that led to high water levels in the Fish and St. John Rivers in April and May of 2018.
The USGS delivers continuous streamflow, stage (water-level), and tide data to help emergency managers and other decision makers protect life and property caused by floods and other water-related hazards.
December 2023 Flooding in Maine
December 2023 Flooding in Maine
USGS captures critical data during recent flood in Maine.
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
The USGS New England Water Science Center maintains 434 streamgages that collect data to determine the amount of water flowing in rivers and streams in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Water Science Center also maintains 13 tide along the coast of New England.
Nationwide, the USGS operates and maintains about 8,000 streamgages, which deliver near real-time data to the public.
Automatic alerts can be sent to mobile devices when streamflow of river or tide stage (water levels) reach user defined thresholds, such as a National Weather Service defined flood stage. These alerts help emergency managers and the public assess potentially hazardous conditions nearby a streamgage, stage-only gage, or tide gage.
USGS WaterAlert automatically sends email or SMS text messages when certain parameters at a USGS real-time data-collection station, exceed user-defined thresholds.
USGS Flood Information provides additional information about USGS flood science.
Media
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Current Flood Data for New England
- National Water Dashboard for New England
- WaterWatch Map of flood and high flow condition (select a State or Water-Resources Region)
- WaterWatch Map of flood and high flow conditions – New England
- USGS Project Alerts – Flood and Drought
- USGS Flood-Event Viewer (Data for Selected Current and Historic Floods – Coastal and Riverine)
- USGS Flood Inundation Mapper
- USGS Operational Total Water Level and Coastal Change Viewer
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Flood Frequency Information
Visit USGS Floods and Recurrence Intervals for more information about floods and the annual exceedance probability (AEP).
New England Flood Frequency Studies
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Flood Resources from Partner Agencies
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
National Weather Service (NWS)
- NWS Northeast River Forecast Center
- NWS Current Precipitation Radar
- NWS Future Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (1-7 day totals)
- NOAA Office of Water Prediction – National Water Model
Northeast River Forecast Center (NERFC)
- NERFC Daily Hydrometeorological Briefing
- Recent NERFC Observed Precipitation Maps
- NERFC 5-Day Significant River Flood Outlook
- NERFC Future Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (72 Hours)
State Emergency Management
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – New England Reservoir Control Center
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Silver Jackets Program
Safety Related Resources
Below are resources associated with flood information.
USGS Flood Information
The USGS collects flood data and conducts targeted flood science to help Federal, State, and local agencies, decision makers, and the public before, during, and after a flood. Our efforts provide situational awareness, drive predictive models, inform infrastructure design and operation, undergird floodplain mapping, assist flood constituent/load quantification, and facilitate flood impact...
Filter Total Items: 17
Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program
Floods are the leading cause of natural-disaster losses in the U.S. More than 75 percent of declared Federal disasters are related to floods, and annual flood losses average almost $8 billion with over 90 fatalities per year. Although the amount of fatalities has declined due to improved early warning systems, economic losses continue to rise with increased urbanization in flood-hazard areas.
Floods: Recurrence intervals and 100-year floods Floods: Recurrence intervals and 100-year floods
How do we know or measure if a flood that could happen tomorrow is worse than one that happened 2, 10 or 50 years ago? If heavy rain is being forecasted does that mean that rivers are going to rise and spill over their banks and flood your neighborhood? These are some of the questions that we think about when flooding or heavy rain is forecast by public media or the National Weather Service (NWS).
The 100-Year Flood
A 100-year flood happened last year so it won't happen for another 99 years, right? Not exactly. Misinterpretation of terminology often leads to confusion about flood recurrence intervals. Read on to learn more.
Development of Flood Insurance Maps in New England
FEMA has requested USGS expertise in hydraulics, hydrology, and mapping to generate flood insurance maps for New England.
Northeast Region Flood Science Capability Team
The USGS Northeast Region has been an active and competent force in flood-science through (1) maintenance of our streamgaging network to provide timely and accurate data to the National Weather Service, other federal (USACE and FEMA) and state agencies (Emergency Management Agencies), and the public in times of flood emergencies; (2) documentation of major floods; (3) involvement in the USGS Flood...
Below are multimedia items associated with flood information.
Filter Total Items: 53
Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine
Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine, following rainfall and snowmelt that led to high water levels in the Fish and St. John Rivers in April and May of 2018.
Flooded Road near USGS gaging station 01055500 in Turner, Maine
Flooded Road near USGS gaging station 01055500 in Turner, MaineStop sign at the end of School House Hill Rd in Turner, Maine near USGS gaging station 01055500 on the Nezinscot River.
Flooded Road near USGS gaging station 01055500 in Turner, Maine
Flooded Road near USGS gaging station 01055500 in Turner, MaineStop sign at the end of School House Hill Rd in Turner, Maine near USGS gaging station 01055500 on the Nezinscot River.
Flooding around Mill River streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, MA
Flooding around Mill River streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, MAFlooding around Mill River USGS streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, Massachusetts.
Flooding around Mill River streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, MA
Flooding around Mill River streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, MAFlooding around Mill River USGS streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, Massachusetts.
Rising River
On April 9, 2014 a visit to the USGS gaging station on Libby Brook near Northfield, Maine showed that while runoff had caused a large rise in the small brook, there still remained a significant snowpack in the area.
On April 9, 2014 a visit to the USGS gaging station on Libby Brook near Northfield, Maine showed that while runoff had caused a large rise in the small brook, there still remained a significant snowpack in the area.
Flood damage from tropical storm Irene
Flood damage from tropical storm Irene, August 28, 2011, washed out Maxam Road bridge on the West Branch North River in Colrain, Massachusetts.
Flood damage from tropical storm Irene, August 28, 2011, washed out Maxam Road bridge on the West Branch North River in Colrain, Massachusetts.
Covered bridge damaged by tropical storm Irene
Flood damage to Eunice Williams Road in Greenfield, MA on the Green River from tropical storm Irene on August, 28, 2011.
Flood damage to Eunice Williams Road in Greenfield, MA on the Green River from tropical storm Irene on August, 28, 2011.
Flooded Streamgage
Flooding at the USGS Streamgage Nashua River at Pepperell, MA (01096500) on March 17, 2010 at about 12:15 EDT at a gage height of 14.58 ft and discharge of 9,780 cfs.
Flooding at the USGS Streamgage Nashua River at Pepperell, MA (01096500) on March 17, 2010 at about 12:15 EDT at a gage height of 14.58 ft and discharge of 9,780 cfs.
Flooding on the Kennebunk River
The USGS has been monitoring the Kennebunk River near Kennebunk, Maine since June 2008 and the peak discharge for the period of record occurred in February 2010.
The USGS has been monitoring the Kennebunk River near Kennebunk, Maine since June 2008 and the peak discharge for the period of record occurred in February 2010.
St. John River at Ft. Kent, Maine Flood 2008
Understanding the forces that influence major floods can help inform the design of more resilient infrastructure. Image shows a major flood on the St. John River on the border of Maine, United States and New Brunswick, Canada, April 29, 2008. This site was part of the study. USGS Public Domain.
Understanding the forces that influence major floods can help inform the design of more resilient infrastructure. Image shows a major flood on the St. John River on the border of Maine, United States and New Brunswick, Canada, April 29, 2008. This site was part of the study. USGS Public Domain.
Snow Falls - Maine
As the Little Androscoggin River flows through western Maine it eventually reaches Snow Falls, a 25 ft cascading waterfall in the town of West Paris.
As the Little Androscoggin River flows through western Maine it eventually reaches Snow Falls, a 25 ft cascading waterfall in the town of West Paris.
Connecticut River, Holyoke Dam during flood of March 1936
Connecticut River, Holyoke Dam during flood of March 1936Connecticut River Holyoke Dam, Holyoke Water Power Company, during flood of March 1936.
Connecticut River, Holyoke Dam during flood of March 1936
Connecticut River, Holyoke Dam during flood of March 1936Connecticut River Holyoke Dam, Holyoke Water Power Company, during flood of March 1936.
Below are FAQ associated with flood information.
Where can I find flood maps? Where can I find flood maps?
FEMA is the official public source for flood maps for insurance purposes: FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer NOAA is responsible for producing flood forecast maps that combine precipitation data with USGS streamflow data: NWS - National Water Prediction Service: River forecasts and long range flood outlook Coastal Inundation Dashboard: Real-time and historical...
The USGS delivers continuous streamflow, stage (water-level), and tide data to help emergency managers and other decision makers protect life and property caused by floods and other water-related hazards.
December 2023 Flooding in Maine
December 2023 Flooding in Maine
USGS captures critical data during recent flood in Maine.
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
The USGS New England Water Science Center maintains 434 streamgages that collect data to determine the amount of water flowing in rivers and streams in Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, and Vermont. The Water Science Center also maintains 13 tide along the coast of New England.
Nationwide, the USGS operates and maintains about 8,000 streamgages, which deliver near real-time data to the public.
Automatic alerts can be sent to mobile devices when streamflow of river or tide stage (water levels) reach user defined thresholds, such as a National Weather Service defined flood stage. These alerts help emergency managers and the public assess potentially hazardous conditions nearby a streamgage, stage-only gage, or tide gage.
USGS WaterAlert automatically sends email or SMS text messages when certain parameters at a USGS real-time data-collection station, exceed user-defined thresholds.
USGS Flood Information provides additional information about USGS flood science.
Media
Sources/Usage: Some content may have restrictions. View Media Details
Current Flood Data for New England
- National Water Dashboard for New England
- WaterWatch Map of flood and high flow condition (select a State or Water-Resources Region)
- WaterWatch Map of flood and high flow conditions – New England
- USGS Project Alerts – Flood and Drought
- USGS Flood-Event Viewer (Data for Selected Current and Historic Floods – Coastal and Riverine)
- USGS Flood Inundation Mapper
- USGS Operational Total Water Level and Coastal Change Viewer
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Flood Frequency Information
Visit USGS Floods and Recurrence Intervals for more information about floods and the annual exceedance probability (AEP).
New England Flood Frequency Studies
Media
Sources/Usage: Public Domain. View Media Details
Flood Resources from Partner Agencies
Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)
National Weather Service (NWS)
- NWS Northeast River Forecast Center
- NWS Current Precipitation Radar
- NWS Future Quantitative Precipitation Forecasts (1-7 day totals)
- NOAA Office of Water Prediction – National Water Model
Northeast River Forecast Center (NERFC)
- NERFC Daily Hydrometeorological Briefing
- Recent NERFC Observed Precipitation Maps
- NERFC 5-Day Significant River Flood Outlook
- NERFC Future Quantitative Precipitation Forecast (72 Hours)
State Emergency Management
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers – New England Reservoir Control Center
- U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Silver Jackets Program
Safety Related Resources
Below are resources associated with flood information.
USGS Flood Information
The USGS collects flood data and conducts targeted flood science to help Federal, State, and local agencies, decision makers, and the public before, during, and after a flood. Our efforts provide situational awareness, drive predictive models, inform infrastructure design and operation, undergird floodplain mapping, assist flood constituent/load quantification, and facilitate flood impact...
Filter Total Items: 17
Flood Inundation Mapping (FIM) Program
Floods are the leading cause of natural-disaster losses in the U.S. More than 75 percent of declared Federal disasters are related to floods, and annual flood losses average almost $8 billion with over 90 fatalities per year. Although the amount of fatalities has declined due to improved early warning systems, economic losses continue to rise with increased urbanization in flood-hazard areas.
Floods: Recurrence intervals and 100-year floods Floods: Recurrence intervals and 100-year floods
How do we know or measure if a flood that could happen tomorrow is worse than one that happened 2, 10 or 50 years ago? If heavy rain is being forecasted does that mean that rivers are going to rise and spill over their banks and flood your neighborhood? These are some of the questions that we think about when flooding or heavy rain is forecast by public media or the National Weather Service (NWS).
The 100-Year Flood
A 100-year flood happened last year so it won't happen for another 99 years, right? Not exactly. Misinterpretation of terminology often leads to confusion about flood recurrence intervals. Read on to learn more.
Development of Flood Insurance Maps in New England
FEMA has requested USGS expertise in hydraulics, hydrology, and mapping to generate flood insurance maps for New England.
Northeast Region Flood Science Capability Team
The USGS Northeast Region has been an active and competent force in flood-science through (1) maintenance of our streamgaging network to provide timely and accurate data to the National Weather Service, other federal (USACE and FEMA) and state agencies (Emergency Management Agencies), and the public in times of flood emergencies; (2) documentation of major floods; (3) involvement in the USGS Flood...
Below are multimedia items associated with flood information.
Filter Total Items: 53
Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine
Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine, following rainfall and snowmelt that led to high water levels in the Fish and St. John Rivers in April and May of 2018.
Flooding in Soldier Pond, Maine, following rainfall and snowmelt that led to high water levels in the Fish and St. John Rivers in April and May of 2018.
Flooded Road near USGS gaging station 01055500 in Turner, Maine
Flooded Road near USGS gaging station 01055500 in Turner, MaineStop sign at the end of School House Hill Rd in Turner, Maine near USGS gaging station 01055500 on the Nezinscot River.
Flooded Road near USGS gaging station 01055500 in Turner, Maine
Flooded Road near USGS gaging station 01055500 in Turner, MaineStop sign at the end of School House Hill Rd in Turner, Maine near USGS gaging station 01055500 on the Nezinscot River.
Flooding around Mill River streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, MA
Flooding around Mill River streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, MAFlooding around Mill River USGS streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, Massachusetts.
Flooding around Mill River streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, MA
Flooding around Mill River streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, MAFlooding around Mill River USGS streamflow gage 01171500 at Northampton, Massachusetts.
Rising River
On April 9, 2014 a visit to the USGS gaging station on Libby Brook near Northfield, Maine showed that while runoff had caused a large rise in the small brook, there still remained a significant snowpack in the area.
On April 9, 2014 a visit to the USGS gaging station on Libby Brook near Northfield, Maine showed that while runoff had caused a large rise in the small brook, there still remained a significant snowpack in the area.
Flood damage from tropical storm Irene
Flood damage from tropical storm Irene, August 28, 2011, washed out Maxam Road bridge on the West Branch North River in Colrain, Massachusetts.
Flood damage from tropical storm Irene, August 28, 2011, washed out Maxam Road bridge on the West Branch North River in Colrain, Massachusetts.
Covered bridge damaged by tropical storm Irene
Flood damage to Eunice Williams Road in Greenfield, MA on the Green River from tropical storm Irene on August, 28, 2011.
Flood damage to Eunice Williams Road in Greenfield, MA on the Green River from tropical storm Irene on August, 28, 2011.
Flooded Streamgage
Flooding at the USGS Streamgage Nashua River at Pepperell, MA (01096500) on March 17, 2010 at about 12:15 EDT at a gage height of 14.58 ft and discharge of 9,780 cfs.
Flooding at the USGS Streamgage Nashua River at Pepperell, MA (01096500) on March 17, 2010 at about 12:15 EDT at a gage height of 14.58 ft and discharge of 9,780 cfs.
Flooding on the Kennebunk River
The USGS has been monitoring the Kennebunk River near Kennebunk, Maine since June 2008 and the peak discharge for the period of record occurred in February 2010.
The USGS has been monitoring the Kennebunk River near Kennebunk, Maine since June 2008 and the peak discharge for the period of record occurred in February 2010.
St. John River at Ft. Kent, Maine Flood 2008
Understanding the forces that influence major floods can help inform the design of more resilient infrastructure. Image shows a major flood on the St. John River on the border of Maine, United States and New Brunswick, Canada, April 29, 2008. This site was part of the study. USGS Public Domain.
Understanding the forces that influence major floods can help inform the design of more resilient infrastructure. Image shows a major flood on the St. John River on the border of Maine, United States and New Brunswick, Canada, April 29, 2008. This site was part of the study. USGS Public Domain.
Snow Falls - Maine
As the Little Androscoggin River flows through western Maine it eventually reaches Snow Falls, a 25 ft cascading waterfall in the town of West Paris.
As the Little Androscoggin River flows through western Maine it eventually reaches Snow Falls, a 25 ft cascading waterfall in the town of West Paris.
Connecticut River, Holyoke Dam during flood of March 1936
Connecticut River, Holyoke Dam during flood of March 1936Connecticut River Holyoke Dam, Holyoke Water Power Company, during flood of March 1936.
Connecticut River, Holyoke Dam during flood of March 1936
Connecticut River, Holyoke Dam during flood of March 1936Connecticut River Holyoke Dam, Holyoke Water Power Company, during flood of March 1936.
Below are FAQ associated with flood information.
Where can I find flood maps? Where can I find flood maps?
FEMA is the official public source for flood maps for insurance purposes: FEMA’s Flood Map Service Center FEMA’s National Flood Hazard Layer NOAA is responsible for producing flood forecast maps that combine precipitation data with USGS streamflow data: NWS - National Water Prediction Service: River forecasts and long range flood outlook Coastal Inundation Dashboard: Real-time and historical...