Rivers in Massachusetts
Westfield River at Westfield
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
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 20.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 16.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 13.00 ft |
| Action | 12.00 ft |
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 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.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 19, 1955 | 34.20 ft |
| 2 | March 18, 1936 | 27.20 ft |
| 3 | November 4, 1928 | 25.41 ft |
| 4 | June 16, 1933 | 22.66 ft |
| 5 | April 7, 1924 | 22.13 ft |
| 6 | December 31, 1948 | 22.00 ft |
| 7 | October 16, 1955 | 21.79 ft |
| 8 | March 22, 1980 | 19.95 ft |
| 9 | August 28, 2011 | 19.92 ft |
| 10 | April 16, 2007 | 18.78 ft |
| 11 | February 25, 1915 | 18.26 ft |
| 12 | April 5, 1987 | 17.91 ft |
| 13 | September 22, 1938 | 17.90 ft |
| 14 | April 13, 1920 | 17.00 ft |
| 15 | October 9, 2005 | 16.63 ft |
| 16 | April 12, 1934 | 16.54 ft |
| 17 | November 26, 1951 | 16.51 ft |
| 18 | January 10, 1935 | 15.45 ft |
| 19 | December 18, 2023 | 15.39 ft |
| 20 | February 20, 1981 | 14.30 ft |
| 21 | March 7, 2011 | 14.25 ft |
| 22 | July 19, 2021 | 13.88 ft |
| 23 | September 2, 2021 | 13.72 ft |
| 24 | January 13, 2018 | 13.59 ft |
| 25 | March 22, 1999 | 13.25 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.