Presumpscot River above West Falmouth, ME
River level and flood forecast · Cumberland County
The river is 13.9 ft below flood stage (16 ft).
Flow: 238 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The lowest for October 13 in 15 years of records.
Usual for October 13: 445 to 960 cubic feet per second (the middle half of 15 years).
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.
Get flood alerts for this river
An email when the National Weather Service forecasts Presumpscot River above West Falmouth to flood, when it floods, and when it's over.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 24 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 21 ft |
| Flood stage | 16 ft |
| Action stage | 14 ft |
| Record crest (March 14, 1977) | 21.11 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 25 ftFEMA 0.2 percent flood level. Floodwaters several feet deep along Route 302, East Bridge Street, and River Street in Westbrook. Several businesses and homes impacted. Travel in and out of the area is severely disrupted.
- 24 ftMajor flooding in Westbrook. Inundation is around the FEMA 1 percent flood level. Floodwaters cover Route 302 cutting off access between Portland and Westbrook, inundating several businesses and homes on the north side of the river. Flooding to properties along Riverside Street incuding storage buildings. Materials should be moved to higher ground. This is a dangerous situation.
- 23 ftBackwater from Mill Brook floods properties off Forest Avenue and East Bridge Street in Westbrook.
- 22 ftForest Avenue in Portland and Bridgton Road in Westbrook cut off by floodwaters. Water up to properties along River Street in Westbrook. The flood level is comparable to that of Hurricane Bob in 1991.
- 21 ftModerate flooding occurs. Flooding along Route 302 and East Bridge Street in Westbrook. Water Street flooded near Mentor Street with residential properties impacted.
- 18 ftMinor flooding with water encroaching upon East Bridge Street in Westbrook and Route 302. Riverbank Park in Westbrook floods. Sappi Wastewater Drive access cut off by floodwaters.
- 17 ftMinor flooding affects storage yards of industrial businesses on Warren Avenue in Westbrook. Property should be relocated to avoid being impacted.
- 16 ftWater approaches the backyards of properties along Water Street in Westbrook and Riverside Street in Portland. River comes out of its banks and floods portions of Fraser Field.
- 14 ftHigh flows make recreational activities hazardous.
Highest crests on record
- 21.11 ft — March 14, 1977
- 17.58 ft — January 11, 2024
- 16.28 ft — February 25, 1981
- 16.19 ft — March 10, 2024
- 15.51 ft — December 19, 2023
Recent crests: 16.19 ft (March 10, 2024) · 17.58 ft (January 11, 2024) · 15.51 ft (December 19, 2023) · 15.14 ft (August 9, 2023) · 14.32 ft (May 1, 2023)
Highest flow on record
12,500 cubic feet per second — March 14, 1977. From the USGS's yearly peaks since 1976.
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (WFAM1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.