Merrimack River near Haverhill

1. 27.00 ftCatastrophic, life threatening flooding will occur from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury and Newburyport. The Seawall in downtown Haverhill will be overtopped. Widespread evacuations along the river are likely. Docks and boats, if not removed from the water, will likely be destroyed. Marinas will be severely impacted. Follow the directions of local officials, and stay away from these floodwaters.
2. 25.00 ftCatastrophic, life threatening flooding will occur from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury and Newburyport. The Seawall in downtown Haverhill will be overtopped. Widespread evacuations along the river are likely. Docks and boats, if not removed from the water, will likely be destroyed. Marinas will be severely impacted. Follow the directions of local officials, and stay away from these floodwaters.
3. 22.00 ftDisastrous, life threatening flooding is expected. The river has not flooded to this level since 1936. Major flooding occurs along the river from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury. Numerous evfacuations will occur. Flooding is also expected along Newburyport and Salisbury communities closest to the river. The Haverhill seawall begins to overtop, resulting in the onset of flooding in downtown Haverhill. Follow the directions of local officials. Docks and boats in the water will likely be destroyed.
4. 21.00 ftMajor flooding occurs from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury. Newburyport and Salisbury will experience flooding along roadways closest to the Merrimack River. In Haverhill numerous evacuations are likely, especially along stretches of Coffin Avenue, Old Ferry Road, Western Avenue, Orchard Avenue and River Street. Follow the directions of local officials. Boats, docks and marinas will be severely impacted.
5. 18.50 ftMajor flooding will occur from Haverhill and Merrimac to Amesbury. Newburyport and Salisbury will experience flooding along roadways closest to the river. In Haverhill numerous evacuations are likely, especially along Coffin Avenue, Western Avenue, Orchard Avenue, Old Ferry Road and River Street. Follow the directions of local officials. Boats, docks and marinas will be severely impacted.
6. 17.00 ftMajor flooding is expected from Haverhill to Amesbury. The lowest lying roads in Salisbury and Newburyport will also be affected. In Haverhill, floodwaters will innundate portions of Old Ferry Road, Western Avenue, Coffin Avenue, Orchard Avenue, and River Street. Marinas along the river will likely experience considerable flooding. While floodwsaters are expected to remain on the river side of the sea wall, innundation may occur on the lowest levels of businesses adjacent to the river.
7. 16.00 ftMajor flooding is expected from Haverhill to Amesbury. The lowest lying roads in Salisbury and Newburyport will also be affected. In Haverhill, floodwaters will innundate portions of Old Ferry Road, Western Avenue, Coffin Avenue, Orchard Avenue, and River Street. Marinas along the river will likely experience considerable flooding. While floodwsaters are expected to remain on the river side of the sea wall, innundation may occur on the lowest levels of businesses adjacent to the river.
8. 15.00 ftFloodwaters reach into low lying businesses and residences along River Street, Western Avenue, Coffin Avenue and Orchard Avenue. Backwater flooding occurs near old Ferry Road and Slavit Riverside Airport. Marinas, docks and boats will be impacted. Should evacuations be necessary, act quickly and follow the directions of emergency management officals. Know your alternate routes of travel so you can avoid flooded areas.
9. 14.00 ftFlooding is likely in parts of Haverhill, particularly in the vicinity of Coffin Avenue. Floodwaters may surround homes in this area. Should evacuations become necessary, act quickly and follow the directions of emergency management officials. Marinas, boats and docks will be impacted.
10. 13.50 ftFlooding is likely in low lying sections of Haverhill, including portions of Coffin Avenue. Should evacuations be necessary, act quickly and follow the directions of emergency management officals. Know your alternate routes of travel so you can avoid flooded areas. Marinas, boats and docks will be impacted.
11. 12.00 ftFlooding is expected in low lying sections around Haverhill. Marinas near and downstream of Haverhill should take action to protect boats and docks due to the increased flows.
12. 11.00 ftFlooding is expected in low lying sections around Haverhill. Marinas near and downstream of Haverhill should take action to protect boats and docks due to the increased flows.

Most recent crests

• April 1, 2010: 12.46 ft
• March 16, 2010: 12.04 ft
• April 19, 2007: 15.64 ft
• April 18, 2007: 13.39 ft
• May 15, 2006: 17.05 ft
• June 18, 1998: 11.55 ft
• October 23, 1996: 11.87 ft
• April 18, 1996: 10.75 ft
• April 7, 1987: 15.11 ft
• June 2, 1984: 10.95 ft

• UpstreamMerrimack River at Lawrence
• Parker River
• Shawsheen River at Andover
• Spicket River at Methuen
• Ipswich River at Ipswich
• Spicket River
• Ipswich River
• Atlantic Coast at Hampton (IN MLLW)

Forecasts by the Northeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Gauge readings are temporarily unavailable. Stage may be affected by ice. Crest data is taken from a discontinued USGS site upstream of the current stream gauge, and is included for informational purposes only.

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.