Rivers in Pennsylvania
Lehigh River at Bethlehem
Below flood stage
1.67ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 6:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 16.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.80 ftWed, Sep 23, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 25.90 ft1942
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 22.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 20.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 16.00 ft |
| Action | 12.00 ft |
- 25.00 ftLevees in the Bethleham area are topped. Major flooding begins.
- 16.00 ftWilson Avenue takes on water.
- 15.50 ftSand Island Recreational Area in Bethlehem is flooded.
- 15.00 ftThe islands in the Allentown area begin to flood.
- 14.00 ftFlooding begins upstream in Allentown. Backwater begins to effect the Little Lehigh and Jordan creeks.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 11% |
| Moderate flooding | 7% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
20 crests on NOAA’s list since 1902.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 23, 1942 | 25.90 ft |
| 2 | February 28, 1902 | 24.90 ft |
| 3 | August 19, 1955 | 23.38 ft |
| 4 | June 23, 1972 | 20.02 ft |
| 5 | September 18, 2004 | 19.70 ft |
| 6 | September 2, 2021 | 19.53 ft |
| 7 | August 24, 1933 | 18.70 ft |
| 8 | July 10, 1935 | 18.53 ft |
| 9 | June 28, 2006 | 17.74 ft |
| 10 | March 11, 2011 | 17.17 ft |
| 11 | January 25, 1979 | 17.12 ft |
| 12 | March 12, 1936 | 17.04 ft |
| 13 | January 20, 1996 | 16.68 ft |
| 14 | April 3, 2005 | 16.06 ft |
| 15 | January 28, 1996 | 15.57 ft |
| 16 | December 5, 1950 | 15.31 ft |
| 17 | November 22, 1952 | 13.75 ft |
| 18 | December 2, 1996 | 12.72 ft |
| 19 | August 28, 2011 | 11.91 ft |
| 20 | September 9, 2011 | 11.45 ft |
Most recent crests
- September 2, 2021: 19.53 ft
- September 9, 2011: 11.45 ft
- August 28, 2011: 11.91 ft
- March 11, 2011: 17.17 ft
- June 28, 2006: 17.74 ft
- April 3, 2005: 16.06 ft
- September 18, 2004: 19.70 ft
- December 2, 1996: 12.72 ft
- January 28, 1996: 15.57 ft
- January 20, 1996: 16.68 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
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.