Rivers in Pennsylvania
Susquehanna River at Sunbury
Below flood stage
8.60ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 12:45 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 24.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 8.90 ftThu, Sep 24, 8:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 35.80 ft1972
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 34.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 26.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 24.00 ft |
| Action | 20.00 ft |
- 35.00 ftWidespread catastrophic flooding occurs in areas outside the flood wall and levee system. This is the design height of the flood protection works anround Sunbury.
- 34.00 ftMost areas adjacent to the river, which are not protected by the flood wall and levee system, are affected by high water. Catasrophic flooding occurs in some of these areas.
- 32.00 ftWidespread flooding occurs in areas not protected by the flood wall and levee system. Many homes and businesses are affected.
- 30.00 ftWidespread flooding occurs in areas not protected by the flood wall and levee system. Many homes and businesses are affected.
- 28.00 ftWidespread flooding occurs in areas not protected by the flood wall and levee system. Many homes and businesses are affected.
- 26.00 ftHigh water affects a number of homes and businesses in areas not protected by the flood wall and levee system.
- 24.00 ftBoth banks overflow. Areas not protected by the flood wall and levee system are affected.
- 22.00 ftRiver interests are encouraged to monitor conditions for further rises.
- 20.00 ftRiver interests are encouraged to monitor conditions for further rises. Shikellamy State Park closed due to high water.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 6% |
| Moderate flooding | 6% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
35 crests on NOAA’s list since 1865.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 24, 1972 | 35.80 ft |
| 2 | September 9, 2011 | 31.66 ft |
| 3 | September 27, 1975 | 30.62 ft |
| 4 | September 19, 2004 | 30.44 ft |
| 5 | January 20, 1996 | 30.32 ft |
| 6 | March 7, 1979 | 27.52 ft |
| 7 | January 1, 1943 | 27.30 ft |
| 8 | April 2, 1960 | 27.20 ft |
| 9 | April 2, 1993 | 27.03 ft |
| 10 | February 16, 1984 | 26.91 ft |
| 11 | June 28, 2006 | 26.89 ft |
| 12 | March 19, 1936 | 26.85 ft |
| 13 | November 27, 1950 | 26.40 ft |
| 14 | April 3, 2005 | 26.15 ft |
| 15 | March 12, 2011 | 26.03 ft |
| 16 | March 14, 1920 | 25.90 ft |
| 17 | February 27, 1961 | 25.80 ft |
| 18 | April 29, 2011 | 25.58 ft |
| 19 | March 9, 1956 | 25.00 ft |
| 20 | March 7, 1964 | 25.00 ft |
| 21 | March 16, 1986 | 24.90 ft |
| 22 | December 15, 1983 | 24.49 ft |
| 23 | March 26, 1983 | 23.83 ft |
| 24 | March 26, 1994 | 23.83 ft |
| 25 | May 29, 1946 | 22.98 ft |
Most recent crests
- September 12, 2018: 21.17 ft
- August 15, 2018: 21.73 ft
- July 26, 2018: 22.16 ft
- September 9, 2011: 31.66 ft
- April 29, 2011: 25.58 ft
- March 12, 2011: 26.03 ft
- June 28, 2006: 26.89 ft
- April 3, 2005: 26.15 ft
- September 19, 2004: 30.44 ft
- January 20, 1996: 30.32 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamSusquehanna River at Danville
- DownstreamSusquehanna River at Harrisburg
- Susquehanna River
- West Branch Susquehanna River at Lewisburg
- Chillisquaque Creek at Potts Grove
- Penns Creek at Penns Creek
- West Branch Susquehanna River at West Milton
- East Mahantango Creek at Dalmatia
- Chillisquaque Creek at Washingtonville
What this means
Forecasts by the Middle Atlantic River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. 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.