Major Flood
16 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
15 ft
Minor Flood
13.5 ft
Action Stage
10 ft
What Floods at Each Level
22 ft
Disastrous flooding occurs along the Saco River. Record Flooding exceeding the March 21, 1936 flood, and almost 6 feet higher than the flood of 1987. Inundation is around the FEMA 0.2 percent flood level. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
20 ft
Extremely severe flooding occurs along the Saco River from Cornish to Bonny Eagle. This will approach the March 29, 1953 flood, which reached 20.5 feet. Inundation is around the FEMA 1 percent flood level. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
16.5 ft
Very severe flooding occurs from Cornish to Bonny Eagle, comparable to the flood of 1987. Numerous structures become flooded with buildings on campgrounds flooded by several feet. This is a very dangerous and life threatening situation.
16 ft
Severe flooding occurs from Cornish to Bonny Eagle. This is a dangerous situation.
15 ft
Moderate flooding occurs downstream in Limington. Access roads of Island Drive and River Road become impassable.
13.5 ft
Minor flooding occurs along River Road in Cornish and downstream in Limington. Some permanent buildings on the campgrounds become isolated.
11 ft
River is out of banks and into Bonny Eagle Recreational fields and farmland off Sokokis Ave in Limington. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for recreational paddling.
10 ft
Recreational floating the river is too hazardous due to strong turbulence and high flows. Faster flows along the river are expected but no flooding occurs. Campers near the river should move to higher ground.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 20, 1936 | 21.9 ft | 46,600 cfs |
| Mar 28, 1953 | 20.51 ft | 42,400 cfs |
| Apr 2, 1987 | 16.54 ft | 31,300 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Saco 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 Saco River at Cornish?
The Saco River at Cornish gauge is maintained by USGS (site 01066000) 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 Saco River at Cornish?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Saco River at Cornish is 13.5 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 15 feet, and major flooding at 16 feet.
How do I get alerts when Saco River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Saco River at Cornish to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Saco River at Cornish gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cumberland County, Maine at coordinates 43.8081°N, 70.7817°W. USGS site number: 01066000. 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