Rivers in Massachusetts
Taunton River near Bridgewater
Below flood stage
3.17ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 3:15 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 8.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 3.20 ftTue, Sep 22, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 14.97 ft2010
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 14.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 12.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 8.00 ft |
| Action | 7.50 ft |
- 15.00 ftThis is near the flood of record. Floodwaters force prolonged closures of Route 44 in Taunton. Floodwaters reach onto West Water and Ingell Streets in Taunton. Along the Bridgewater/Middleboro town line, lowest lying homes along Vernon and Green Streets are impacted. The river inundates Titicut, Plymouth and Summer Streets and Woloski Park, and floodwaters back up behind the railroad bridge. In Halifax, Cherry Street floods. Follow the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so.
- 14.00 ftSignificant flooding will affect interests along the river. Prolonged closures occur along Route 44 in Taunton. Floodwaters reach onto West Water and Ingell Streets in Taunton, and Cherry Street in Halifax. Along the Bridgewater/Middleboro town line, lowest lying homes are impacted along Vernon and Green Streets. Titicut, Plymouth and Summer Streets and Woloski Park are inundated. Floodwaters back up behind the railroad bridge. Follow the advice of local officials and evacuate if asked to do so.
- 13.00 ftFlooding is likely in low lying areas along the river in Bridgewater, Middleboro, Raynham and Taunton. Flooding occurs along Route 44 in Taunton. Floodwaters spread into lowest lying businesses on Route 44 near the Taunton and Raynham line. The river encroaches on lowest lying homes on Vernon and Green Streets at the Middleboro/Bridgewater town line, and Summer Street is inundated. Woloski Park is flooded for an extended period of time. Heed the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so.
- 12.00 ftFlooding affects low lying areas in Bridgewater, Middleboro, and Taunton. Floodwaters encroach on portions of Route 44 in Taunton. Backwater flooding occurs on low lying properties near the intersections of Dean and Arlington streets in Taunton. Woloski Park in Middleboro is isolated for a long period of time due to flooding. Heed the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so.
- 11.00 ftMinor lowland and backyard flooding is likely along reaches of the river along Bridgewater and Middleboro. Backwater flooding from the Taunton River will cause prolonged flooding of lower Purchade Brook in Middleboro. This will cause Woloski Park to become impassable by vehicles for days. Beware of the dangers of crossing flooded roadways- the water may be deeper than you think. Floodwaters have the ability to damage roadways. Heed the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so.
- 9.00 ftBackwater flooding from the Taunton River will cause flooding of lower Purchade Brook in Middleboro. This will cause Woloski Park to become impassable by most vehicles for an extended period of time. Beware of the dangers of crossing flooded roadways. The water may be deeper than you think. Floodwaters have the ability to damage roadways. Heed the advice of local officials, and evacuate if asked to do so.
- 8.00 ftBackwater flooding from the Taunton River will cause flooding of lower Purchade Brook in Middleboro. This will cause Woloski Park to become impassable by most vehicles. Beware of the dangers of crossing flooded roadways.
- 7.50 ftLower Purchade Brook in Middleboro often floods when the Taunton River at Bridgewater reaches this level. This can result in blockage or closure of the Woloski Park accessway.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 11% |
| 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
73 crests on NOAA’s list since 1931.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 1, 2010 | 14.97 ft |
| 2 | March 17, 2010 | 14.51 ft |
| 3 | March 20, 1968 | 14.48 ft |
| 4 | August 21, 1955 | 13.02 ft |
| 5 | April 8, 1987 | 12.54 ft |
| 6 | March 27, 1969 | 12.49 ft |
| 7 | October 17, 2005 | 12.40 ft |
| 8 | June 9, 2006 | 12.21 ft |
| 9 | October 23, 1996 | 12.02 ft |
| 10 | December 28, 1969 | 11.90 ft |
| 11 | December 8, 1945 | 11.57 ft |
| 12 | March 24, 2001 | 11.30 ft |
| 13 | March 4, 2018 | 11.20 ft |
| 14 | February 26, 1998 | 10.99 ft |
| 15 | December 19, 1973 | 10.80 ft |
| 16 | March 30, 2005 | 10.76 ft |
| 17 | April 14, 1935 | 10.72 ft |
| 18 | April 19, 2007 | 10.72 ft |
| 19 | March 14, 1936 | 10.64 ft |
| 20 | January 29, 1976 | 10.57 ft |
| 21 | April 20, 2007 | 10.51 ft |
| 22 | June 14, 1998 | 10.50 ft |
| 23 | April 15, 1933 | 10.50 ft |
| 24 | May 18, 1954 | 10.42 ft |
| 25 | June 15, 2013 | 10.17 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 24, 2025: 8.83 ft
- April 5, 2024: 9.44 ft
- March 30, 2024: 10.08 ft
- March 27, 2024: 8.00 ft
- March 25, 2024: 9.39 ft
- March 11, 2024: 9.03 ft
- March 9, 2024: 8.23 ft
- January 16, 2024: 8.03 ft
- January 12, 2024: 10.03 ft
- March 16, 2023: 8.73 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 may be affected by ice. Forecast flows are unadjusted for 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.