Squannacook River at West Groton, MA
River level and flood forecast · Middlesex County
The river is 4.7 ft below flood stage (7 ft).
Forecast to rise to 2.8 ft Tue 2 AM, below the 7 ft flood stage.
Flow: 66 cubic feet per second (USGS).
Higher than normal for October 13.
Usual for October 13: 14 to 50 cubic feet per second (the middle half of 77 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 Squannacook River at West Groton to flood, when it floods, and when it's over.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 9.5 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 8.5 ft |
| Flood stage | 7 ft |
| Action stage | 6 ft |
| Record crest (April 17, 2007) | 8.5 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 9 ftThis is a serious flood event. Widespread flooding is expected along the river through Townsend, Shirley and Groton. Small brooks and tributaries trying to flow into the Squannacook will experience flooding as well. Some road closures may be needed. If asked to evacuate, do so immediately. Follow the directions of emergency management officials.
- 8.5 ftFlooding will affect portions of Townsend and Groton. Areas along Turnpike and Barker Hill Roads and along Squannacook Terrace should expect flooding. In addition, flooding also occurs on several access roads to the Townsend State Forest.
- 8 ftMinor flooding is expected in lower lying sections of Townsend including the farming areas along Turnpike and Barker Hill roads. Flooding may also spread into low lying areas along Squannacook Terrace.
- 7.5 ftMinor flooding affects the lowest lying sections of Townsend, including the farmland along Turnpike and Barker Hill roads.
Highest crests on record
- 8.5 ft — April 17, 2007
- 8.16 ft — April 6, 1987
- 8.07 ft — April 2, 2004
- 8.04 ft — October 16, 1955
- 8.03 ft — March 15, 2010
Recent crests: 6.9 ft (September 19, 2018) · 6.15 ft (March 31, 2014) · 7.21 ft (March 8, 2011) · 7.56 ft (March 31, 2010) · 8.03 ft (March 15, 2010)
Highest flow on record
4,820 cubic feet per second — April 16, 2007. From the USGS's yearly peaks since 1950.
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (WGTM3); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.