Rivers in Connecticut

Connecticut River at Middle Haddam

Middlesex County, ConnecticutNWS MHDC3USGS 01193050Norton office

Below flood stage
1.30ftStage

Observed Tue, Sep 22, 5:45 PM EDT

Flood stage
7.00 ft
Forecast crest
4.40 ftWed, Sep 23, 11:00 PM EDT
Record crest
11.20 ft2023

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood13.00 ft
Moderate flood10.50 ft
Minor flood7.00 ft
Action5.00 ft
  1. 18.00 ftThis is a serious and life threatening flood episode. Follow the direction of your local emergency management officals. If asked to evacuate, do so immediately. All flood protection measures must be rushed to completion in flood prone areas. Widespread inundation is likely from Middletown and Portland downstream through Chester, Old Lyme and Old Saybrook.
  2. 16.50 ftThis is a serious and potentially life threatening flood episode. Follow the direction of your local emergency management officals. If asked to evacuate, do so immediately. All flood protection measures must be rushed to completion in flood prone areas.
  3. 15.00 ftSignificant flooding will continue to impact low lying homes and businesses along the river from Wethersfield south through Middle Haddam, downstream to the mouth of the river in Old Saybrook. A portion of Route 9 will flood near the Middletown Portland railroad bridge. Follow the directions of your local emergency management officals.
  4. 13.00 ftMajor river flooding will impact towns along the Connecticut River from Middletown and Portland downstream through Chester and Essex. Many roads near the river will be flooded. Some localized evacuations may be needed. Follow the directions of your local emergency management official. Know alternate routes for travel should roads in your area become flooded.
  5. 11.50 ftFlooding will likely result in the evacuation of low lying areas along River Road in Cromwell and Meadow Road in Portland. Flooding will occur in the Harbor Park area. Flooding increases in surrounding towns along the river, from Middletown and Portland to the river mouth at Old Saybrook.
  6. 10.50 ftFlooding continues to overspread sections of Portland and Middletown, as well as downstream towns including Chester and Essex. Some immediate river roads will be impassable. In Cromwell this usually impacts portions of River Road. In Rocky Hill, portions of Meadow Road will become impassable.
  7. 9.50 ftFlooding closes most of Meadow Road, Route 17A, in the Gildersleeve section of Portland. Flooding impacts the Middletown Marina and Meadow Farms. In Cromwell, portions of River Road will be closed. In Rocky Hill, parts of Meadow Road will be impassable for a time. Flooding continues along the river southward through Essex.
  8. 8.00 ftFlooding is expected in low lying sections along the Connecticut River from Wethersfield and Glastonbury downstream through Cromwell, Middletown and Portland. Boating interests should prepare for a period of swift river flows.
  9. 7.00 ftFlooding is likely in the vicinity of Meadow Road, Route 17A, in the Gildersleeve section of Portland. A portion of this roadway will likely be closed. This includes the Exchange Club of Portland Fairgrounds. Boating interests should prepare for a period of swift river flows during this period.

Crest history

28 crests on NOAA’s list since 2011.

#DateStage
1December 21, 202311.20 ft
2July 13, 202310.41 ft
3March 10, 20249.98 ft
4April 15, 20249.94 ft
5April 17, 20149.39 ft
6May 12, 20258.95 ft
7February 28, 20168.85 ft
8December 28, 20208.48 ft
9March 20, 20258.36 ft
10March 14, 20118.33 ft
11January 13, 20248.22 ft
12May 2, 20118.15 ft
13March 22, 20118.07 ft
14November 6, 20188.05 ft
15April 9, 20177.92 ft
16May 7, 20257.78 ft
17April 17, 20157.70 ft
18May 4, 20237.53 ft
19November 1, 20177.51 ft
20March 14, 20247.44 ft
21July 20, 20217.41 ft
22April 16, 20207.36 ft
23April 2, 20147.33 ft
24April 15, 20177.33 ft
25May 20, 20117.21 ft

Most recent crests

  • May 12, 2025: 8.95 ft
  • May 7, 2025: 7.78 ft
  • March 20, 2025: 8.36 ft
  • April 15, 2024: 9.94 ft
  • April 4, 2024: 7.18 ft
  • March 14, 2024: 7.44 ft
  • March 10, 2024: 9.98 ft
  • January 13, 2024: 8.22 ft
  • December 21, 2023: 11.20 ft
  • December 18, 2023: 7.15 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the Northeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Gauge reading affected by ocean tides. Gauge reading may be affected by ice. Forecast flows are unadjusted for ice.

Sources

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.