Susquehanna River at Wilkes Barre
Pennsylvania — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania on the Susquehanna River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 01536500, 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
30 ft
181,700 cfs
Moderate Flood
28 ft
165,000 cfs
Minor Flood
22 ft
115,278 cfs
Action Stage
10 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
48.1 ft
Height of the instrument shelf. Inundation at this point will stop gauge from operating.
42.66 ft
Record flood stage of September 9, 2011. Remnants of Tropical Storm Lee.
41 ft
Maximum effective design of levee protection for the city of Wilkes-Barre. Levee height above this level may not provide protection.
40.9 ft
Flood stage from Hurricane Agnes, June 24, 1972.
36 ft
Nescopeck borough begins to flood.
35 ft
Dundee area in Hanover Township begins to flood. US Route 11 in Edwardsville floods.
33 ft
Mocanaqua begins to flood.
32 ft
Main Street in Shickshinny floods.
31 ft
Hollenback Park in Wilkes-Barre, Duryea and West Pittston are affected. The Brookside area begins to flood.
30 ft
Major flooding begins. US Route 11 in Avondale is covered by flood water. Main Street in Shickshinny begins to flood. Flooding begins to affect areas of Wilkes-Barre upstream of North Street bridge, including the Court House.
29 ft
US Route 11 in Shickshinny is closed. River Road in Port Blanchard and West Pittston begin to flood. PP&L Riverlands facilities begin to flood.
28 ft
Moderate flooding begins. US Route 11 in West Nanticoke is closed. Canal Street in West Nanticoke begins to flood.
27 ft
US Route 11 in West Nanticoke and River Road in Plainsville begin to flood.
24 ft
Canal Street in Shickshinny and lowlands in Pittston begin to flood.
22 ft
Minor flooding begins. Lowlands in Plainsville, Plymouth Flats, West Nanticoke and Shickshinny flood. Maximum effective design of levee protection in the City of Wilkes-Barre is 41 feet.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 9, 2011 | 42.66 ft | 310,000 cfs |
| Sep 9, 2011 | 42.66 ft | 310,000 cfs |
| Jun 23, 1972 | 40.91 ft | 345,000 cfs |
| Jun 23, 1972 | 40.91 ft | 345,000 cfs |
| Sep 26, 1975 | 35.06 ft | 228,000 cfs |
Flood Inundation Map
NOAA has mapped what areas flood at different water levels for this gauge. View the interactive flood inundation map →
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
WBRP1
River
Susquehanna River
County
Luzerne, PA
Coordinates
41.2528°N, 75.8792°W
Get Flood Alerts for Susquehanna 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 Susquehanna River at Wilkes Barre?
The Susquehanna River at Wilkes Barre gauge is maintained by USGS (site 01536500) 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 Susquehanna River at Wilkes Barre?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Susquehanna River at Wilkes Barre is 22 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 28 feet, and major flooding at 30 feet.
How do I get alerts when Susquehanna River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Susquehanna River at Wilkes Barre 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 Susquehanna River at Wilkes Barre gauge located?
The gauge is located in Luzerne County, Pennsylvania at coordinates 41.2528°N, 75.8792°W. USGS site number: 01536500. 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
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice. Forecast flows are unadjusted for ice.