Christina River at Wilmington, DE

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 7 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

• 9.91 ft(Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW)) The level reached on October 30, 2012 during Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy.
• 9.61 ft(MLLW) The level reached on October 29, 2021.
• 9.4 ft(MLLW) MAJOR FLOODING. At this level, widespread roadway flooding begins near the Christina River and its tidal tributaries in Wilmington. Vulnerable homes and businesses may be damaged as water levels rise further above this threshold. Numerous roads become impassable and some neighborhoods may be isolated. The water becomes a danger to anyone who attempts to cross on foot or in a vehicle.
• 8.4 ft(MLLW) MODERATE FLOODING. At this level, additional roadways near the Christina River and its tidal tributaries in Wilmington begin to flood. Lives may be at risk when people put themselves in harm's way. Some damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur. COASTAL FLOOD WARNING LEVEL.
• 8 ft(MLLW) Flooding from the Brandywine Creek begins along East 12th Street in Wilmington. Flooding begins along the south bank of the Christina River in Wilmington.
• 7.7 ft(MLLW) COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY LEVEL.
• 7.4 ft(MLLW) MINOR FLOODING.

Highest crests on record

1. 9.91 ft — October 30, 2012
2. 9.61 ft — October 29, 2021
3. 9.4 ft — December 21, 2012
4. 9.34 ft — April 16, 2011
5. 9.31 ft — January 10, 2024

Recent crests: 8.55 ft (April 12, 2024) · 8.46 ft (March 9, 2024) · 9.31 ft (January 10, 2024) · 8.46 ft (December 18, 2023) · 7.56 ft (April 19, 2022)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• Brandywine Creek at Wilmington, DE
• Red Clay Creek at Wooddale, DE
• Red Clay Creek at Stanton, DE
• White Clay Creek near Newark, DE
• Brandywine Creek at Chadds Ford, PA
• Red Clay Creek at Kennett Square, PA
• Chester Creek near Chester, PA
• White Clay Creek at Newark, DE