Monocacy River near Frederick at Interstate 70, MD

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 8:57 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.

• 30 ftWater reaches the second floor of Gambrill Mill on the Monocacy National Battlefield.
• 24 ftWater approaches Urbana Pike near Monocacy National Battlefield.
• 21 ftMaryland Route 26 is flooded near the Monocacy River bridge.
• 20 ftWater reaches Gambrill Mill on the Monocacy National Battlefield.
• 17 ftSignificant lowland flooding is occurring along the river, with backwater flooding also occurring. Numerous roads are closed. Water is approaching the parking lot at Gambrill Mill on the Monocacy National Battlefield. Backwater flooding from Carroll Creek is likely approaching the underside of the bridge leading to the Frederick city wastewater treatment plant.
• 16 ftMuch of Pinecliff Park and Rivermist Park in Frederick are flooded. Buckeystown Community Park is also flooded with water approaching the parking lot. Waters are also approaching the Frederick city wastewater treatment plant and the Ballenger Creek wastewater treatment plant. Significant backwater flooding is occurring. Several roads will be closed along the river and adjoining creeks.
• 15 ftBoth banks of the river are flooded. Water begins to flood low-lying fields at Monocacy National Battlefield. Water reaches the access road of the Frederick city wastewater treatment plant. Backwater flooding is occurring on several area creeks, particularly Carroll Creek in Frederick.
• 14 ftTwo low-water crossings, one on Michaels Mill Road /State Route 880/ in Buckeystown, and one on Retreat Road north of Frederick, begin to flood.
• 13 ftWater covers portions of Pinecliff Park in southeast Frederick. Water also approaches Rivermist Park in northeast Frederick.
• 10 ftThe east side of the Monocacy River, or left bank, begins to flood east of Frederick. Although no structures are affected, water approaches an access road at Pinecliff Park.
• 5 ftAfter rain events, the river may become hazardous for recreational purposes when stages are over 5 feet.

Highest crests on record

1. 35.9 ft — June 23, 1972
2. 30.8 ft — September 26, 1975
3. 28.1 ft — August 24, 1933
4. 25.38 ft — October 10, 1976
5. 23.67 ft — January 20, 1996

Recent crests: 17.75 ft (January 10, 2024) · 19.04 ft (September 24, 2021) · 22.1 ft (September 2, 2021) · 15.83 ft (May 1, 2020) · 16.62 ft (May 6, 2019)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• UpstreamMonocacy River at Monocacy Blvd. in Frederick, MD
• Bennett Creek at Park Mills, MD
• Soper Branch at Hyattstown, MD, MD
• Catoctin Creek Near Middletown, MD
• Ten Mile Creek near Clarksburg, MD
• Potomac River at Point of Rocks, MD
• Ten Mile Creek near Boyds, MD
• LITTLE SENECA CREEK TRIBUTARY NEAR CLARKSBURG, MD, MD