Rivers in Maine
Penobscot River at Bangor
Below flood stage
-0.58ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 30, 11:06 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 11.60 ft
- Forecast crest
- 8.50 ftWed, Sep 30, 2:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 17.90 ft1976
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 15.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 13.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 11.60 ft |
| Action | 11.00 ft |
- 21.50 ftComparable to the FEMA 0.2 percent flood level. State Road in Bangor flooded north of the hospital. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation. Transportation, communications, water and power severely affected.
- 17.89 ftRecord flooding similar to Groundhogs Day 1976.
- 17.00 ftFloodwaters enter riverside businesses West of South Main Street in Brewer.
- 16.00 ftSignificant flooding in Kenduskeag Plaza in Downeast Bangor. Impacts expanding into multiple commercial buildings in Kenduskeag Plaza with water several feet deep. Front Street near the Bangor Waterfront flooded. Lower industrial sections of Hampden and Brewer flooded with some inundation of storage buildings.
- 15.00 ftWidespread flooding throughout the Kenduskeag Plaza, from above State Street to the Washington Street bridge. Bangor and Brewer riverside parks inundated. Basement flooding possible in Kenduskeag Plaza businesses.
- 14.00 ftHigh water levels in the Kenduskeag Plaza channel. Catch basins and stormwater systems begin backing up into Kenduskeag Plaza parking areas and lowest levels of parking garages.
- 12.00 ftBangor Waterfront begins to flood in portions of the riverwalk. Flood control systems and barriers in Kenduskeag Plaza may become stressed.
- 11.00 ftHigh water in low areas surrounding the Kenduskeag Plaza and Bangor Waterfront.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| 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 28, 2026.
Crest history
21 crests on NOAA’s list since 1976.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 2, 1976 | 17.90 ft |
| 2 | January 10, 2024 | 13.11 ft |
| 3 | April 10, 2020 | 12.10 ft |
| 4 | January 13, 2024 | 11.96 ft |
| 5 | January 3, 2014 | 11.61 ft |
| 6 | February 9, 2016 | 11.59 ft |
| 7 | February 19, 2011 | 11.45 ft |
| 8 | January 3, 2018 | 11.42 ft |
| 9 | January 3, 2022 | 11.32 ft |
| 10 | January 2, 2010 | 10.96 ft |
| 11 | March 3, 2022 | 10.89 ft |
| 12 | November 27, 2023 | 10.89 ft |
| 13 | December 18, 2023 | 10.84 ft |
| 14 | January 12, 2013 | 10.71 ft |
| 15 | April 23, 2019 | 10.64 ft |
| 16 | February 20, 2023 | 10.62 ft |
| 17 | December 14, 2020 | 10.55 ft |
| 18 | January 26, 2013 | 10.55 ft |
| 19 | April 1, 2010 | 10.50 ft |
| 20 | February 28, 2010 | 10.50 ft |
| 21 | April 27, 2010 | 10.35 ft |
Most recent crests
- January 13, 2024: 11.96 ft
- January 10, 2024: 13.11 ft
- December 18, 2023: 10.84 ft
- November 27, 2023: 10.89 ft
- February 20, 2023: 10.62 ft
- March 3, 2022: 10.89 ft
- January 3, 2022: 11.32 ft
- December 14, 2020: 10.55 ft
- April 10, 2020: 12.10 ft
- April 23, 2019: 10.64 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. Gauge reading affected by tides.
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.