Rivers in Pennsylvania
Schuylkill River at Reading
Below flood stage
3.72ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 21, 4:15 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 15.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 3.60 ftMon, Sep 21, 8:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 31.30 ft1972
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 22.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 18.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 15.50 ft |
| Action | 14.50 ft |
- 26.00 ftThe Penn Street ramps in West Reading are flooded.
- 22.00 ftFlooding spreads in Reading with more roads flooded, including the east and west bound lanes of US 222/422 (West Shore Bypass). The Conrail tracks in West Reading are inundated.
- 18.00 ftAdditional streets in Reading are closed. West Reading begins to experience street flooding. The Reading Conrail tracks are also flooded.
- 16.00 ftFlooding occurs along portions of Franklin, Grape and Chestnut Streets in Reading.
- 15.50 ftFlooding begins in Reading. Portions of Water and Canal Streets are flooded.
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 August 28, 2026.
Crest history
19 crests on NOAA’s list since 1972.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 22, 1972 | 31.30 ft |
| 2 | June 28, 2006 | 23.75 ft |
| 3 | September 8, 2011 | 20.40 ft |
| 4 | April 16, 1983 | 17.50 ft |
| 5 | January 25, 1979 | 17.36 ft |
| 6 | September 2, 2021 | 16.95 ft |
| 7 | September 18, 2004 | 16.24 ft |
| 8 | December 14, 1983 | 16.09 ft |
| 9 | January 20, 1996 | 15.85 ft |
| 10 | October 20, 1996 | 15.83 ft |
| 11 | January 28, 1996 | 15.02 ft |
| 12 | March 11, 2011 | 15.01 ft |
| 13 | September 17, 1999 | 14.95 ft |
| 14 | December 2, 1996 | 13.70 ft |
| 15 | April 3, 2005 | 12.84 ft |
| 16 | December 17, 2000 | 12.44 ft |
| 17 | August 13, 2004 | 12.18 ft |
| 18 | May 1, 2014 | 11.57 ft |
| 19 | August 29, 2011 | 10.05 ft |
Most recent crests
- September 2, 2021: 16.95 ft
- May 1, 2014: 11.57 ft
- September 8, 2011: 20.40 ft
- August 29, 2011: 10.05 ft
- March 11, 2011: 15.01 ft
- June 28, 2006: 23.75 ft
- April 3, 2005: 12.84 ft
- September 18, 2004: 16.24 ft
- August 13, 2004: 12.18 ft
- December 17, 2000: 12.44 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.
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.