Rivers in Massachusetts

Westfield River at Westfield

Hampden County, MassachusettsNWS WSFM3USGS 01183500Norton office

Below flood stage
3.47ftStage

Observed Wed, Sep 23, 9:15 AM EDT

Flood stage
13.00 ft
Forecast crest
3.20 ftWed, Sep 23, 2:00 PM EDT
Record crest
34.20 ft1955

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood20.00 ft
Moderate flood16.00 ft
Minor flood13.00 ft
Action12.00 ft
  1. 28.00 ftTop of river gage instrument shelf. Gage can not report higher than this level. This is a major life threatening flood. Heed the advice of local officials and evacuate if asked to do so.
  2. 24.00 ftThis is a major life threatening flood event from Montgomery and Russel through West Springfield and Agawam. Homes and businesses along the river will flood. Portions of Route 20 will be closed. Some residential areas and shopping centers will require evacuations. Backwater flooding on tributary streams is also anticipated. Follow the directions of emergency management officials and act quickly if you are told to evacuate.
  3. 22.00 ftThis is a major life threatening flood event from Montgomery and Russel through West Springfield and Agawam. Low lying homes and businesses along the river will flood. Portions of Route 20 will be closed. Some residential areas and shopping centers will require evacuations. Backwater flooding on tributary streams is also anticiapted. Follow the directions of emergency management officials and act quickly if you are told to evacuate.
  4. 20.00 ftThis is a major life threatening flood event. Significant flooding is likely along the Westfield River from Montgomery and Russel through West Springfield and Agawam. Portions of Route 20 will be closed. Shopping centers and some residential areas along the river will require evacuations. Follow the directions of your local police and fire officals to avoid flooded areas.
  5. 18.00 ftSignificant flooding is likely along the Westfield River and many of its small tributaries. Portions of Route 20 will be closed and several shopping centers along the river may require evacuations. Follow the directions of your local police and fire officals to avoid flooded areas.
  6. 17.00 ftInterests along the Westfield River and its smaller tributaries including Powdermill Brook and the Little River should take action to protect property. Some small scale evacuations may be required as flood waters inundate areas along Route 20 from West Springfield upstream through Tecowa country club.
  7. 16.00 ftInterests along the Westfield River and its smaller tributaries including Powdermill Brook and the Little River should take action to protect property. Some small scale evacuations may be required as flood waters inundate areas along Route 20.
  8. 15.00 ftInterests along the Westfield River and its smaller tributaries including Powdermill Brook and the Little River should take action to protect property. Road closures are expected including portions of Route 20 through Westfield.
  9. 14.50 ftRoad closures may be required along Route 20 and Union Avenue. Flooding is expected to spread into the Westgate Shopping Center parking area. Flooding will also develop where the Little River and Powdermill Brook join the Westfield. Other smaller tributaries will experience flooding.
  10. 14.00 ftFlooding of low lying sections along the river through Westfield is expected. The Westfield River will also backup the Little River and Powdermill Brook with flooding expected along these smaller tributaries. Road closures may be required along Route 20 and Union Avenue. Flooding is also expected in the Westgate Shopping Center parking area.
  11. 13.50 ftBusinesses in low lying sections along the river through Westfield should take action to protect materials that are in flood prone areas at stages around 13.50 feet. Localized flooding in the Frogs Hole area is expected.
  12. 13.00 ftFlooding of low lying sections along the river through Westfield is expected. Business interests should take action to protect materials that are in flood prone areas. Flooding is also expected across a portion of Union Avenue in the Frogs Hole area.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor floodingUnder 5%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.

Crest history

35 crests on NOAA’s list since 1915.

#DateStage
1August 19, 195534.20 ft
2March 18, 193627.20 ft
3November 4, 192825.41 ft
4June 16, 193322.66 ft
5April 7, 192422.13 ft
6December 31, 194822.00 ft
7October 16, 195521.79 ft
8March 22, 198019.95 ft
9August 28, 201119.92 ft
10April 16, 200718.78 ft
11February 25, 191518.26 ft
12April 5, 198717.91 ft
13September 22, 193817.90 ft
14April 13, 192017.00 ft
15October 9, 200516.63 ft
16April 12, 193416.54 ft
17November 26, 195116.51 ft
18January 10, 193515.45 ft
19December 18, 202315.39 ft
20February 20, 198114.30 ft
21March 7, 201114.25 ft
22July 19, 202113.88 ft
23September 2, 202113.72 ft
24January 13, 201813.59 ft
25March 22, 199913.25 ft

Most recent crests

  • December 18, 2023: 15.39 ft
  • September 2, 2021: 13.72 ft
  • July 19, 2021: 13.88 ft
  • November 3, 2018: 12.93 ft
  • January 13, 2018: 13.59 ft
  • August 28, 2011: 19.92 ft
  • March 7, 2011: 14.25 ft
  • April 16, 2007: 18.78 ft
  • October 15, 2005: 12.90 ft
  • October 9, 2005: 16.63 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. Stage may be affected by 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.