Rivers in Massachusetts
Shawsheen River at Wilmington
Below flood stage
1.94ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 5:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 7.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 2.00 ftTue, Sep 22, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 10.54 ft2010
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 10.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 8.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 7.00 ft |
| Action | 5.00 ft |
- 11.00 ftFlooding will affect areas along the river from Wilmington to Lawrence. Some roads will become impassable including Route 114 near the I-495 interchange. Follow the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so. Do not drive into areas where water covers the Road. Basement flooding in low lying areas is likely and valuables should be moved to higher ground.
- 9.00 ftFlooding will affect areas along the river from Wilmington to Lawrence. Some roads will become impassable including Route 114 near the I-495 interchange. Follow the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so. Do not drive into areas where water covers the Road. Basement flooding in low lying areas is likely and valuables should be moved to higher ground.
- 8.00 ftFlooding will affect low lying neighborhoods from Wilmington through Tewksbury to Lawrence. This includes a portion of Route 114 in lawrence. Areas subject to basement flooding should move valuables to higher ground.
- 7.50 ftFlood waters will inundate a portion of Route 114 in Lawrence, and also affect low lying areas from Wilmington through Lawrence.
- 7.00 ftFlooding will affect low lying areas along the river from Wilmington through Lawrence.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 14, 2026.
Crest history
58 crests on NOAA’s list since 1964.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 16, 2010 | 10.54 ft |
| 2 | October 22, 1996 | 10.49 ft |
| 3 | March 23, 2001 | 9.87 ft |
| 4 | January 26, 1979 | 9.85 ft |
| 5 | March 31, 2010 | 9.42 ft |
| 6 | June 15, 1998 | 9.03 ft |
| 7 | May 15, 2006 | 8.94 ft |
| 8 | April 6, 1987 | 8.91 ft |
| 9 | April 2, 2004 | 8.65 ft |
| 10 | March 19, 1968 | 8.60 ft |
| 11 | February 26, 2010 | 8.15 ft |
| 12 | January 28, 1976 | 8.08 ft |
| 13 | June 1, 1984 | 7.93 ft |
| 14 | June 6, 1982 | 7.87 ft |
| 15 | January 11, 2024 | 7.85 ft |
| 16 | April 18, 2018 | 7.79 ft |
| 17 | April 17, 2007 | 7.75 ft |
| 18 | March 26, 1969 | 7.70 ft |
| 19 | March 4, 1972 | 7.70 ft |
| 20 | February 4, 1970 | 7.69 ft |
| 21 | January 22, 1979 | 7.55 ft |
| 22 | March 30, 1993 | 7.53 ft |
| 23 | December 19, 2023 | 7.51 ft |
| 24 | December 13, 2008 | 7.43 ft |
| 25 | January 5, 1982 | 7.42 ft |
Most recent crests
- January 11, 2024: 7.85 ft
- December 19, 2023: 7.51 ft
- September 3, 2021: 7.31 ft
- January 26, 2019: 7.17 ft
- April 18, 2018: 7.79 ft
- December 11, 2014: 7.25 ft
- March 31, 2014: 7.26 ft
- March 8, 2011: 7.00 ft
- March 31, 2010: 9.42 ft
- March 16, 2010: 10.54 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.