Conestoga River at Lancaster, PA

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 2:51 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.

• 34.6 ftApproximate level of the FEMA 0.2% Annual Chance Flood level (500-year flood).
• 27.9 ftFlood of record from Hurricane Agnes in 1972.
• 27 ftFlood waters begin to reach the South Duke Street Bridge.
• 26.1 ftApproximate level of the FEMA 1% Annual Chance Flood level (100-year flood).
• 22.6 ftFlood waters begin to reach the New Holland Pike Bridge, and the Eden Road Bridge. Approximate level of the FEMA 2% Annual Chance Flood level (50-year flood).
• 20 ftFlood waters begin to reach the East King Street Bridge, the East Strawberry Street Bridge and the bridge at the water treatment facility.
• 17 ftFlood waters begin to reach the Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge.
• 15.6 ftApproximate level of the FEMA 10% Annual Chance Flood level (10-year flood).
• 15 ftMany homes near the river are affected by high water.
• 14 ftThe footbridge near the confluence of Stauffer Run begins to flood.
• 13 ftSeveral homes are affected by high water.
• 11 ftGrofftown Road will flood.

Highest crests on record

1. 27.9 ft — June 23, 1972
2. 21.3 ft — September 8, 2011
3. 18.49 ft — September 2, 2021
4. 18.14 ft — January 25, 1978
5. 17.8 ft — October 9, 2005

Recent crests: 12.47 ft (July 2, 2025) · 11.9 ft (January 10, 2024) · 13.25 ft (December 18, 2023) · 18.49 ft (September 2, 2021) · 13.86 ft (August 22, 2018)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• DownstreamConestoga River at Conestoga, PA
• Big Spring Run near Mylin Corners, PA
• Pequea Creek near Ronks, PA
• Pequea Creek above Martic Forge, PA
• Chiques Creek above MARIETTA, PA
• Susquehanna River at Marietta, PA
• Kreutz Creek at Strickler, PA
• Conewago Creek near Bellarie, PA