Penobscot River at Bangor
Maine — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Penobscot County, Maine on the Penobscot River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 01037050, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
Flood Stages
Major Flood
15 ft
Moderate Flood
13 ft
Minor Flood
11.6 ft
Action Stage
11 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
21.5 ft
Comparable to the FEMA 0.2 percent flood level. State Road in Bangor flooded north of the hospital. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation. Transportation, communications, water and power severely affected.
17.89 ft
Record flooding similar to Groundhogs Day 1976.
17 ft
Floodwaters enter riverside businesses West of South Main Street in Brewer.
16 ft
Significant flooding in Kenduskeag Plaza in Downeast Bangor. Impacts expanding into multiple commercial buildings in Kenduskeag Plaza with water several feet deep. Front Street near the Bangor Waterfront flooded. Lower industrial sections of Hampden and Brewer flooded with some inundation of storage buildings.
15 ft
Widespread flooding throughout the Kenduskeag Plaza, from above State Street to the Washington Street bridge. Bangor and Brewer riverside parks inundated. Basement flooding possible in Kenduskeag Plaza businesses.
14 ft
High water levels in the Kenduskeag Plaza channel. Catch basins and stormwater systems begin backing up into Kenduskeag Plaza parking areas and lowest levels of parking garages.
12 ft
Bangor Waterfront begins to flood in portions of the riverwalk. Flood control systems and barriers in Kenduskeag Plaza may become stressed.
11 ft
High water in low areas surrounding the Kenduskeag Plaza and Bangor Waterfront.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 1976 | 17.9 ft | — |
| Feb 1, 1976 | 17.9 ft | — |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 13.11 ft | — |
| Jan 9, 2024 | 13.11 ft | — |
| Apr 10, 2020 | 12.1 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
BPRM1
River
Penobscot River
County
Penobscot, ME
Coordinates
44.7964°N, 68.7678°W
Get Flood Alerts for Penobscot 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 Penobscot River at Bangor?
The Penobscot River at Bangor gauge is maintained by USGS (site 01037050) 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 Penobscot River at Bangor?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Penobscot River at Bangor is 11.6 feet. Action stage begins at 11 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 13 feet, and major flooding at 15 feet.
How do I get alerts when Penobscot River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Penobscot River at Bangor 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 Penobscot River at Bangor gauge located?
The gauge is located in Penobscot County, Maine at coordinates 44.7964°N, 68.7678°W. USGS site number: 01037050. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Penobscot River
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: USGS/City of Bangor, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Gauge reading affected by tides.