Rivers in Pennsylvania
Conestoga River at Lancaster
Below flood stage
4.65ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 4:15 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 11.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 5.80 ftTue, Sep 22, 8:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 27.90 ft1972
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 15.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 13.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 11.00 ft |
| Action | 9.00 ft |
- 34.60 ftApproximate level of the FEMA 0.2% Annual Chance Flood level (500-year flood).
- 27.90 ftFlood of record from Hurricane Agnes in 1972.
- 27.00 ftFlood waters begin to reach the South Duke Street Bridge.
- 26.10 ftApproximate level of the FEMA 1% Annual Chance Flood level (100-year flood).
- 22.60 ftFlood waters begin to reach the New Holland Pike Bridge, and the Eden Road Bridge. Approximate level of the FEMA 2% Annual Chance Flood level (50-year flood).
- 20.00 ftFlood waters begin to reach the East King Street Bridge, the East Strawberry Street Bridge and the bridge at the water treatment facility.
- 17.00 ftFlood waters begin to reach the Hunsecker's Mill Covered Bridge.
- 15.60 ftApproximate level of the FEMA 10% Annual Chance Flood level (10-year flood).
- 15.00 ftMany homes near the river are affected by high water.
- 14.00 ftThe footbridge near the confluence of Stauffer Run begins to flood.
- 13.00 ftSeveral homes are affected by high water.
- 11.00 ftGrofftown Road will flood.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 29% |
| Moderate flooding | 26% |
| Major flooding | 18% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
42 crests on NOAA’s list since 1933.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 23, 1972 | 27.90 ft |
| 2 | September 8, 2011 | 21.30 ft |
| 3 | September 2, 2021 | 18.49 ft |
| 4 | January 25, 1978 | 18.14 ft |
| 5 | October 9, 2005 | 17.80 ft |
| 6 | August 24, 1933 | 17.52 ft |
| 7 | September 9, 1987 | 16.70 ft |
| 8 | September 17, 1999 | 16.39 ft |
| 9 | May 6, 1989 | 15.30 ft |
| 10 | June 28, 2006 | 14.70 ft |
| 11 | August 4, 2018 | 14.28 ft |
| 12 | October 30, 2012 | 14.27 ft |
| 13 | June 17, 1982 | 14.20 ft |
| 14 | September 30, 1934 | 14.04 ft |
| 15 | January 25, 1979 | 13.96 ft |
| 16 | February 26, 1979 | 13.87 ft |
| 17 | August 22, 2018 | 13.86 ft |
| 18 | August 22, 2018 | 13.86 ft |
| 19 | December 5, 1993 | 13.78 ft |
| 20 | December 18, 2023 | 13.25 ft |
| 21 | September 7, 1984 | 12.85 ft |
| 22 | January 27, 1976 | 12.84 ft |
| 23 | July 8, 1934 | 12.80 ft |
| 24 | June 2, 1946 | 12.69 ft |
| 25 | April 16, 1983 | 12.48 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 2, 2025: 12.47 ft
- January 10, 2024: 11.90 ft
- December 18, 2023: 13.25 ft
- September 2, 2021: 18.49 ft
- August 22, 2018: 13.86 ft
- August 22, 2018: 13.86 ft
- August 4, 2018: 14.28 ft
- May 1, 2014: 11.63 ft
- October 12, 2013: 11.20 ft
- October 30, 2012: 14.27 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Middle Atlantic 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.