Merrimack River at Lowell, MA
River level and flood forecast · Middlesex County
The river is 10.0 ft below flood stage (52 ft).
Forecast to rise to 42.4 ft Tue 2 AM, below the 52 ft flood stage.
Flow: 2,030 cubic feet per second (USGS).
Normal for October 13.
Usual for October 13: 1,970 to 4,480 cubic feet per second (the middle half of 104 years).
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.
Get flood alerts for this river
An email when the National Weather Service forecasts Merrimack River at Lowell to flood, when it floods, and when it's over.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 58 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 54 ft |
| Flood stage | 52 ft |
| Action stage | 50 ft |
| Record crest (March 20, 1936) | 68.4 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 65 ftThis 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 ftThis 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 ftThis 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 ftFlooding 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 ftFlooding 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 ftFlooding 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 ftLowland flooding is likely along the Merrimack River. Most of the impact will be felt by businesses and mills where basement flooding is likely.
Highest crests on record
- 68.4 ft — March 20, 1936
- 60.6 ft — April 23, 1852
- 60.57 ft — September 23, 1938
- 58.84 ft — May 15, 2006
- 58.09 ft — April 17, 2007
Recent crests: 52.3 ft (May 11, 2025) · 53.16 ft (December 20, 2023) · 54.64 ft (April 1, 2010) · 53.63 ft (March 16, 2010) · 58.09 ft (April 17, 2007)
Highest flow on record
173,000 cubic feet per second — March 20, 1936. From the USGS's yearly peaks since 1852.
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (LOWM3); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.