Penobscot River at West Enfield

1. 25.00 ftComparable to the FEMA 0.2 percent flood level. Record flooding similar to the Flood of 1923.
2. 24.00 ftTransportation across the area will be severely impacted. Several portions of US Route 2 flooded and impassable between West Enfield and Milford. State Route 116 has extensive flooding between the Stillwater River and Howland.
3. 23.00 ftComparable to the FEMA 1 percent flood level with similar impacts to the 1987 floods. Significant flooding of US Route 2 from Sunkhaze Stream to Greenbush Station with several homes inundated. Significant flooding of State Route 116 in areas from the Stillwater River north to Lagoon Lane in Howland.
4. 21.00 ftClosure of Route 2 likely between Greenbush and Milford. Flooding on US Route 2 can occur along the confluences with the Sunkhaze Stream or Costigan Brook in Milford, and the Boonridge or Stevens Brook in Greenbush due to backwater effects.
5. 20.00 ftExtensive flooding along US Route 2 and State Route 116 between Howland and West Enfield to Old Town and Milford. Extensive backwater issues on several streams and creeks will cause minor flooding of US Route 2 and State Route 116. Homes and structures near the Penobscot River and tributaries will be threatened by flood waters.
6. 18.00 ftRiver is out of banks with extensive flooding along low-lying areas of US Route 2 and State Route 116. Extensive backwater flooding on Costigan Brook, Sunkhaze Stream, Olamon Stream, Lancaster Brook and Passadumkeag River will encroach on structures between Milford and West Enfield similar to December 2023 flooding. Greenfield Road floods and impassable between St. Regis Road to near Lindey Lane.
7. 17.00 ftLow-lying flooding of properties close to the river between West Enfield and Milford. Backwater issues will cause low-lying flooding on the Sunkhaze and Olamon Stream, Costigan and Boombridge Brook and Passadumkeag River.
8. 16.00 ftRiver approaches bankfull, basement flooding is possible and dangerous flows pose a threat to life for river activities.

Chance of flooding, October to December

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 28, 2026.

Most recent crests

• December 20, 2023: 18.60 ft
• December 2, 2020: 16.09 ft
• April 15, 2020: 16.44 ft
• April 22, 2019: 17.11 ft
• April 27, 2018: 16.62 ft
• April 18, 2017: 16.20 ft
• October 1, 2015: 15.05 ft
• April 16, 2014: 18.82 ft
• December 15, 2010: 18.47 ft
• April 1, 2010: 15.17 ft

• UpstreamPenobscot River at Grindstone
• DownstreamPenobscot River at Eddington
• Piscataquis River at Medford
• Sebec River at Sebec
• Mattawamkeag River at Mattawamkeag
• Weldon Dam Discharge
• Kenduskeag Stream at Bangor
• Dolby Dam Discharge
• Black Stream at Dover-Foxcroft

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

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.