Delaware Bay at Lewes (IN MLLW)
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 6:24 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 6.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 7.50 ftThu, Sep 24, 8:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 9.26 ft2016
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 8.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 7.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 6.00 ft |
- 9.26 ft(Mean Lower Low Water (MLLW)) The level reached on January 23, 2016.
- 9.22 ft(MLLW) The level reached on March 6, 1962.
- 8.75 ft(MLLW) The level reached on January 4, 1992.
- 8.69 ft(MLLW) The level reached on October 29, 2012 during Post Tropical Cyclone Sandy.
- 8.62 ft(MLLW) The level reached on January 28, 1998.
- 8.49 ft(MLLW) The level reached on February 5, 1998.
- 8.03 ft(MLLW) The level reached on September 27, 1985 during Hurricane Gloria.
- 8.00 ft(MLLW) MAJOR FLOODING. At this level, flooding starts to become severe enough to begin causing structural damage along with widespread flooding of roadways in the coastal communities of Sussex County. Vulnerable homes and businesses may be severely damaged or destroyed as water levels rise further above this threshold. Numerous roads become impassable and some neighborhoods may be isolated. The flood waters become a danger to anyone who attempts to cross on foot or in a vehicle.
- 7.00 ft(MLLW) MODERATE FLOODING. At this level, widespread flooding of roadways begins due to high water and/or wave action with many roads becoming impassable in the coastal communities of Sussex County. Lives may be at risk when people put themselves in harm's way. Some damage to vulnerable structures may begin to occur. COASTAL FLOOD WARNING LEVEL.
- 6.80 ft(MLLW) Flooding begins in Milford along the Mispillion River. Flooding begins in Broadkill Beach, including DE Route 16. Flooding begins in Rehoboth Beach along Surf Avenue and along the boardwalk.
- 6.60 ft(MLLW) Flooding begins in Milton along the Broadkill River.
- 6.40 ft(MLLW) Flooding begins around the Mispillion Light and in Slaughter Beach. Flooding begins in Primehook Beach and along Primehook Road. Flooding begins along Bay Avenue, Cedar Street and Pilottown Road in Lewes. Flooding begins along Savannah Road (Business US Route 9) in Lewes in the vicinity of the Lewes and Rehoboth Canal.
- 6.30 ft(MLLW) COASTAL FLOOD ADVISORY LEVEL.
- 6.20 ft(MLLW) Flooding begins along sections of DE Route 1 between Dewey Beach and Bethany Beach, including the Delaware Seashore State Park. Flooding begins in Dewey Beach.
- 6.00 ft(MLLW) MINOR FLOODING.
Crest history
64 crests on NOAA’s list since 1936.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 23, 2016 | 9.26 ft |
| 2 | March 6, 1962 | 9.22 ft |
| 3 | January 4, 1992 | 8.75 ft |
| 4 | October 29, 2012 | 8.69 ft |
| 5 | January 28, 1998 | 8.62 ft |
| 6 | February 5, 1998 | 8.49 ft |
| 7 | September 27, 1985 | 8.03 ft |
| 8 | March 3, 1994 | 7.98 ft |
| 9 | August 27, 2011 | 7.98 ft |
| 10 | October 25, 1980 | 7.94 ft |
| 11 | March 29, 1984 | 7.90 ft |
| 12 | September 9, 2018 | 7.88 ft |
| 13 | January 7, 1996 | 7.84 ft |
| 14 | December 12, 1992 | 7.81 ft |
| 15 | November 13, 2009 | 7.75 ft |
| 16 | October 12, 2025 | 7.73 ft |
| 17 | October 22, 1961 | 7.72 ft |
| 18 | May 12, 2008 | 7.71 ft |
| 19 | August 21, 2025 | 7.70 ft |
| 20 | October 29, 2011 | 7.68 ft |
| 21 | October 14, 1977 | 7.62 ft |
| 22 | February 17, 2003 | 7.56 ft |
| 23 | October 2, 2015 | 7.54 ft |
| 24 | October 31, 1991 | 7.54 ft |
| 25 | October 27, 2018 | 7.52 ft |
Most recent crests
- October 12, 2025: 7.73 ft
- August 21, 2025: 7.70 ft
- November 15, 2024: 7.02 ft
- February 13, 2024: 7.06 ft
- September 26, 2023: 7.20 ft
- June 3, 2023: 7.24 ft
- October 3, 2022: 7.43 ft
- April 18, 2022: 7.34 ft
- January 3, 2022: 7.51 ft
- October 29, 2021: 7.08 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- Rehoboth Bay at Dewey Beach (IN MLLW)
- Indian River at Indian River Inlet (IN MLLW)
- Indian River at Rosedale Beach (IN MLLW)
- Delaware Bay at Cape May (IN MLLW)
- Cape May Harbor at Cape May Harbor (IN MLLW)
- Jefferson Creek at South Bethany Beach (IN MLLW)
- Little Assawoman Bay at Fenwick Island (IN MLLW)
- Nanticoke River at Bridgeville
What this means
Forecasts by the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. <head> <meta charset="utf-8"> <style type="text/css"> .style1 {background-color: #FFFF00;} </style> </head> Please refer to our <a href="http://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=PHI&product=CFW&format=CI&version=1&glossary=0"> <span class="style1">Coastal Hazard Message</span></a> for specific information regarding Coastal Flood Watches, Warnings and Advisories. Flood impacts are based on long-term averages. Actual impacts from any tidal flooding event may vary due to factors such as rainfall, wave action, and the number of tide cycles during which there is an onshore flow. During tropical cyclones, please refer <span class="style1"> <a href="https://forecast.weather.gov/product.php?site=NWS&issuedby=PHI&product=TCV&format=CI&version=1&glossary=1">here</a></span> for additional storm surge information. <style type="text/css">.style1 { background-color: #FFFF00;}</style> During a Tropical Storm or Hurricane Watch or Warning, inundation mapping provided by the <a href="http://www.nhc.noaa.gov/"><span class="style1">National Hurricane Center</span> </a>reflects a reasonable worst case scenario. The experimental forecast above is the total water forecast that is expected to occur.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service.