Kennebec River at North Sidney
Maine — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Kennebec County, Maine on the Kennebec River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 01049265, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
29 ft
Moderate Flood
25 ft
Minor Flood
20 ft
Action Stage
17 ft
48,309 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
39 ft
The river is nearing or exceeding flood levels seen during the historic 1987 flood. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate.
34 ft
Many homes and businesses are severely flooded or are totally isolated for an extended duration between Waterville and North Sidney. This is a very dangerous and life threatening situation. Roadways will remain unsafe during and after the storm and driving will be extremely hazardous.
31.5 ft
Extensive flooding with major damage to roads, bridges and structures from Fairfield to Sidney. Flood levels are comparable with the severe December 2023 flooding. Several main thruways flooded making travel very difficult. Don’t put first responders at risk, follow local officials’ instructions on evacuation and safety precautions.
29 ft
Major flooding occurs. Closure of Route 201 is possible near Davis Street in Fairfield and Halifax Street in Winslow. In Fairfield, impacts expand to multiple properties along Upper Main Street, Water Street, and Bunker Island. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate.
25 ft
Moderate flooding occurs. In Fairfield, water surrounds properties and inundates basements of low lying properties off Upper Main Street and Water Street. Impacts expand to buildings on Mill Road and Lithgow Street in Winslow. Impacts along Route 201 in Winslow are possible if concurrent with high flows along the Sebasticook River.
22.5 ft
In Fairfield, floodwaters expand from Water Street to Dyer Court cutting off access to properties. Floodwaters reach Lithgow Street in Winslow.
20 ft
Lowest portions of Winslow and Fairfield begin to flood. The most flood prone areas include Lithgow Street in Winslow and Water Street in Fairfield. Residents along the river in low lying areas should prepare for flooding if additional rises occur.
17 ft
The river is at bankfull in low lying areas, and high flows could cause some erosion.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 1987 | 39.31 ft | 232,000 cfs |
| Apr 1, 1987 | 39.31 ft | 232,000 cfs |
| Dec 19, 2023 | 32.32 ft | 167,025 cfs |
| Dec 19, 2023 | 32.32 ft | 167,025 cfs |
| May 31, 1984 | 26.6 ft | 113,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
SIDM1
River
Kennebec River
County
Kennebec, ME
Coordinates
44.4722°N, 69.6839°W
Get Flood Alerts for Kennebec River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Kennebec River at North Sidney?
The Kennebec River at North Sidney gauge is maintained by USGS (site 01049265) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Kennebec River at North Sidney?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Kennebec River at North Sidney is 20 feet. Action stage begins at 17 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 25 feet, and major flooding at 29 feet.
How do I get alerts when Kennebec River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Kennebec River at North Sidney to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Kennebec River at North Sidney gauge located?
The gauge is located in Kennebec County, Maine at coordinates 44.4722°N, 69.6839°W. USGS site number: 01049265. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- Flood stage changes coming December 11, 2024. Please visit <a href='https://www.weather.gov/media/gyx/PNS_2024FloodStageChanges.pdf' >HERE</a> for more information.