Charles River at Dover, MA

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 11:14 AM. 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 ftAnyone with interests along the Charles River must act now to protect life and property. If you are asked to evacuate, do so immediately. Flooding will impact portions of Dover, Medway, South Natick and Wellesley. Some roadways may become flooded. Never try to cross a flooded roadway. The road could be washed out. Know your alternate routes of travel. Some roads will be closed due to flooding.
• 8 ftFlooding will impact portions of Dover, Medfield, Millis, Medway, South Natick, Needham and Wellesley With Road closures and local evacuations possible.
• 7 ftFlooding will close a portion of Mill Street in Dover. Flooding also affects low lying sections of Medway along Shaw Street and Charles River Road, as well as Route 109 at the Millis and Medfield town line. Flooding also is expected along Causeway Street in Medfield. Flooding affects homes along River Street in South Natick.
• 6.5 ftFlooding affects homes along River Street in South Natick. Flood waters also affect part of Route 109 at the Medfield and Millis town line. Flooding will continue to increase in Needham along Fisher Street.
• 6 ftFlooding will affect a few homes in Needham along Fisher Street, as well as a portion of Route 109 at the Medfield and Millis town line. Some flooding is also likely on the South Natick and Wellesley town line along River Street.
• 5 ftPeople living along the Charles River should prepare for flooding of low lying areas along the river. Susceptible locations include low lying areas along Fisher Street in Needham and a small area on the South Natick and Wellesley line along River Street.

Highest crests on record

1. 9.24 ft — August 23, 1955
2. 9.1 ft — March 25, 1936
3. 9 ft — June 27, 1938
4. 8.72 ft — March 22, 1968
5. 8.36 ft — January 28, 1979

Recent crests: 5.28 ft (April 7, 2024) · 4.5 ft (March 12, 2024) · 5.11 ft (January 21, 2024) · 6.78 ft (January 15, 2024) · 5.12 ft (January 10, 2024)

Highest flow on record

3,220 cubic feet per second — August 23, 1955. From the USGS's yearly peaks since 1938.

Up and down the river, and nearby

• UpstreamCharles River at Medway, MA
• DownstreamCharles River at Mother Brook at Dedham, MA
• Charles River at Wellesley, MA
• Neponset River at Norwood, MA
• Neponset River at Green Lodge St Canton, MA
• Cochituate Brook at Framingham, MA
• Charles River at Waltham, MA
• Sudbury River at Saxonville, MA
• Neponset River at E. Br. at Canton, MA