Saco River near Conway, NH

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.

• 21 ftVery serious flooding with inundation near the FEMA 0.2 percent flood level. The Saco River valley could suffer worse damages than from the floods of Hurricane Irene in 2011 by several feet. Access in and out of the region is very difficult with homes surrounded by floodwaters for days.
• 17 ftSevere flooding with inundation near the FEMA 1 percent flood level. The floodwaters will be as high as the flood which occurred in Hurricane Irene in 2011, and almost 2 feet higher than the flood crest which occurred on October 30, 2017. Widespread flood levels varying up to 12 feet in depth will cover campgrounds and agricultural lands along the river. In Conway, Hillside Avenue, Washington Street, and East Side Drive flood. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
• 16 ftSignificant flooding along the Saco River. Hundreds of homes surrounded or isolated by floodwaters and travel in and out of the area is difficult.
• 15 ftMajor flooding occurs in Conway and North Conway. Flood waters come up to properties off West Side Road in Conway Village. Transvale Acres severely impacted with flood water several feet deep. Permanent buildings on area campgrounds become flooded.
• 14 ftWidespread flooding occurs along the west bank of the Saco River near Moat Brook Road, cutting off access to some homes. Flood waters enter agricultural lands in eastern Conway and into Freyburg.
• 13 ftFlooding occurs on West Side Road in two sections, cutting off access to hundreds of homes. River Road flooded on the west bank impacting agricultural lands. Floodwaters inundate first floors of properties in Transvale Acres. This is a dangerous situation at riverside campgrounds.
• 12 ftMinor flooding occurs as floodwaters reach West Side Road. Much of Transvale Acres floods from Moat Brook Bridge east to the Saco River. Numerous structures become flooded with buildings on campgrounds flooded by several feet. Campers should move to higher grounds.
• 11 ftFlood waters 2 to 3 feet deep at east bank camping areas.
• 10 ftMinor flooding occurs as floodwaters surround properties across Transvale Acres. Flood waters 1 to 2 feet deep in sections of east bank camping areas.
• 9 ftExpect flooding of low-bottom fields and private roads in Conway and North Conway. Minor flooding in Transvale Acres, Moat Brook Bridge, and the lower part of E. Road flood.
• 8 ftFlooding begins along the east bank campgrounds in Conway and North Conway. Campers along the river should move to higher ground.
• 7 ftMinor flooding as Moat Brook backs up and floods Transvale Road, cutting off access to a dozen homes and camps. Beaches at area camps flooded.
• 6 ftFaster flows along the river are expected but no flooding occurs. Interests near the river should continue to monitor later forecasts. High risks for recreational paddlers.
• 4.5 ftFaster flows along the river are expected but no flooding occurs. Interests near the river should continue to monitor later forecasts. High risks for recreational paddlers.

Highest crests on record

1. 17.71 ft — December 19, 2023
2. 17.23 ft — August 29, 2011
3. 17.2 ft — March 27, 1953
4. 17.04 ft — April 1, 1987
5. 16.45 ft — March 19, 1936

Recent crests: 11.58 ft (April 13, 2024) · 17.71 ft (December 19, 2023) · 13.6 ft (May 1, 2023) · 10.54 ft (December 24, 2022) · 10.23 ft (October 15, 2022)

Highest flow on record

50,200 cubic feet per second — December 19, 2023. From the USGS's yearly peaks since 1904.

Up and down the river, and nearby

• Swift River near Conway, NH
• Saco River at Bartlett, NH
• Bearcamp River at South Tamworth, NH
• Saco River at Cornish, ME
• Peabody River at Gorham, NH
• Wild River at Gilead, ME
• East Branch Pemigewasset River at Lincoln, NH
• Pemigewasset River at Woodstock, NH