Rivers in New Hampshire
Contoocook River at Peterborough
Below flood stage
1.30ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 5:30 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 5.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.30 ftTue, Sep 22, 8:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 15.00 ft1938
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 9.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 7.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 5.50 ft |
| Action | 4.00 ft |
- 17.50 ftThis is the maximum reportable stage of the river gage.
- 9.50 ftThis is a major...life threatening flood in the Peterborough area. floodwaters affect low lying businesses off of Grove Street and Wilton Road including Peterborough Plaza...and parking lots and low lying residences off of Pheasant Road including the Riverview Apartments. Significant flooding occurs along roads and low lying properties adjacent to the river including the following...Route 136...Concord Street...Jaffrey Road...Summer Street...Sharon Road...Bogle Road...and Hunt Road.
- 7.50 ftMajor flooding occurs in the Peterborough area. Route 136 floods near Bogle Road. Floodwaters affect low lying businesses off of Grove Street and Wilton Road including Peterborough Plaza...and parking lots and low lying residences off of Pheasant Road including the Riverview Apartments. Significant flooding occurs along roads and low lying properties adjacent to the river including the following...Concord Street...Jaffrey Road...Summer Street...Sharon Road...Bogle Road...and Hunt Road.
- 6.50 ftSignificant flooding occurs in Peterborough. Floodwaters inundate portions of the Peterborough Plaza parking area. Floodwaters affect low lying businesses off of Grove street and Wilton road. Flooding occurs at low lying properties along and/or stretches of the following roads...Concord Street...Summer Street...Sharon Road...Bogle Road...and Hunt Road. Inundation may occur along the parking lots off of Pheasant Road including the Riverview Apartments.
- 5.50 ftFloodwaters approach low lying roads and properties in the Peterborough area...especially along Concord Street.
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
51 crests on NOAA’s list since 1938.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 21, 1938 | 15.00 ft |
| 2 | April 16, 2007 | 7.21 ft |
| 3 | March 7, 2011 | 6.92 ft |
| 4 | January 29, 1976 | 6.82 ft |
| 5 | April 6, 1987 | 6.62 ft |
| 6 | November 26, 1950 | 6.35 ft |
| 7 | October 30, 2017 | 6.10 ft |
| 8 | March 15, 2010 | 6.03 ft |
| 9 | September 12, 1960 | 5.93 ft |
| 10 | August 19, 1991 | 5.86 ft |
| 11 | May 31, 1984 | 5.85 ft |
| 12 | April 16, 1996 | 5.85 ft |
| 13 | October 21, 1997 | 5.83 ft |
| 14 | December 21, 1973 | 5.81 ft |
| 15 | March 31, 2010 | 5.76 ft |
| 16 | October 15, 2005 | 5.73 ft |
| 17 | April 3, 2005 | 5.67 ft |
| 18 | January 10, 1956 | 5.66 ft |
| 19 | April 5, 1960 | 5.47 ft |
| 20 | April 29, 1956 | 5.39 ft |
| 21 | September 11, 1954 | 5.32 ft |
| 22 | March 14, 1977 | 5.30 ft |
| 23 | January 23, 1957 | 5.25 ft |
| 24 | March 22, 1948 | 5.22 ft |
| 25 | October 15, 1955 | 5.20 ft |
Most recent crests
- December 18, 2023: 4.79 ft
- December 23, 2022: 4.98 ft
- December 14, 2019: 4.44 ft
- January 24, 2019: 5.05 ft
- October 30, 2017: 6.10 ft
- March 31, 2012: 4.54 ft
- December 8, 2011: 4.68 ft
- March 7, 2011: 6.92 ft
- March 31, 2010: 5.76 ft
- March 15, 2010: 6.03 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.
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.