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Pawtuxet River at Cranston, RI (CRAR1)


Data Type




Inundation Levels
NAVD88 Stage

29.2*22.0*
28.2*21.0*
Record Crest: 20.79 ft
27.220.0
26.219.0
25.218.0
24.217.0
23.216.0
22.215.0
21.214.0

Major Flooding Begins

20.213.0
19.212.0

Moderate Flooding Begins

18.211.0
17.210.0

Minor Flooding Begins

16.29.0

Near Flooding Begins

15.28.0

Below Flooding Begins

* = Extended rating
Weather Forecast Office Boston / Norton, MA Northeast River Forecast Center
Hydrograph River at a Glance Download Inundation
Mapping
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Click on mapped inundation to see water depth values for that location, or hold shift and drag to zoom to area.

Current Stage:
4.7 ft at 04/30/2024 22:45:00 UTC
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Inundation Legend
Depth in feet
USGS Gauge Location Gauge Location
What is UTC time? Map Help

Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Gauge Information Collapse

Map Overlays

Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 13
Moderate Flood Stage: 11
Flood Stage: 9
Action Stage: 8
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 20.79 ft on 03/31/2010
(2) 15.11 ft on 12/19/2023
(3) 14.98 ft on 03/15/2010
(4) 14.50 ft on 06/07/1982
(5) 14.13 ft on 01/11/2024
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 9.72 ft on 03/29/2024
(2) 10.61 ft on 03/24/2024
(3) 11.03 ft on 03/10/2024
(4) 9.69 ft on 03/07/2024
(5) 14.13 ft on 01/11/2024
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.

Site-specific information:
These maps were provided to the NWS courtesy of the USGS.  The technical details for these maps can be found in this USGS Report.  The maps were prepared in cooperation with the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers.  Map files were adapted by the NWS to be viewable in AHPS.

Extended rating:
The Rating Curve Extension is calculated by using either a linear, logarithmic, or hydraulic technique to extend the rating curve above the currently established relationship between stage and flow.

Flood Impacts Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
22 This is a serious and potentially life threatening flood situation, nearing or exceeding flood levels seen during the historic March 2010 Floods. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate. Do not go sightseeing and stay away from river banks, which can suddenly give way due to erosion and fast moving water. Swiftly moving water can pose an imminent threat to life. Evacuations are likely in Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Homes and businesses will be impacted.
20 This is a serious and potentially life threatening flood situation, approaching flood levels seen during the historic March 2010 Floods. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate. Do not go sightseeing and stay away from river banks, which can suddenly give way due to erosion and fast moving water. Swiftly moving water can pose an imminent threat to life. Evacuations are likely in Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Homes and businesses will be impacted.
18 This is a serious and potentially life threatening flood situation. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate. Do not go sightseeing and stay away from river banks, which can suddenly give way due to erosion and fast moving water. Swiftly moving water can pose an imminent threat to life. Evacuations are likely in Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Homes and businesses will be impacted.
16.5 This is a serious and potentially life threatening flood situation. Follow the directions of local officials if you are asked to evacuate. Do not go sightseeing and stay away from river banks, which can suddenly give way due to erosion and fast moving water. Swiftly moving water can pose an imminent threat to life. Evacuations are likely in Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Homes and businesses will be impacted.
14.5 Evacuations are likely near the Pawtuxet river in Warwick and Cranston. Both homes and businesses will be impacted from this flood event. Businesses and homes will be impacted on streets including but not limited to the following, in Warwick, Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street, Venturi Avenue and River Street. In Cranston, Wellington Avenue and Avery Road. In West Warwick, Daisy Street, the lower ends of Canna, Begonia and Aster Streets, and portions of Providence Street to Route 2.
12 Evacuations are likely near the Pawtuxet River in Warwick and Cranston. Both homes and businesses will be impacted from this flood event. Businesses and homes will be impacted on streets including but not limited to the following, in Warwick, Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street, Venturi Avenue, and River Street. In Cranston, Wellington Avenue and Avery Road. In West Warwick, Daisy Street, the lower ends of Canna, Begonia and Aster Streets, and portions of Providence Street to Route 2.
11.5 Homes and businesses are impacted in low lying sections of Warwick, West Warwick and Cranston. Affected roads in Cranston include Avery Road and Wellington Avenue. Affected roads in Warwick include Pioneer Avenue, River Street, Bellows Street and Venturi Avenue. In West Warwick, affected areas include Daisy Street and the lower ends of Canna, Begonia and Aster Streets.
11 Structures and homes are impacted in low lying sections of Warwick. Affected areas include homes and businesses on Wellington Avenue and Avery Road in Cranston, as well as Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street, Venturi Avenue and a portion of River Street in Warwick.
10 Flooding will occur along Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street and Venturi Avenue in Warwick. Some homes are impacted on Avery Road and Wellington Avenue in Cranston.
9.5 Parking lots and roads are flooded in low lying areas of Warwick and Cranston near the Pawtuxet River. Impacted roads include River Street, Pioneer Avenue, Bellows Street and Venturi Avenue in Warwick.
9 Minor lowland flooding will occur along the river as it flows through Warwick and Cranston.
Other Data Sources Collapse
Additional Information Collapse
US Geological Survey inundation mapping is available in this location.
Visit http://wimcloud.usgs.gov/apps/FIM/FloodInundationMapper.html and click on the "Pawtuxet River at Cranston" circle.
The complete report is available at https://pubs.er.usgs.gov/publication/sir20185043

For an explanation of Potential River Levels, see this Fact Sheet.

Potential River Levels - Used to
Potential River Levels
Used to Estimate the Chance of Flooding and the Range of Possible River Levels
10 Day (HEFS) 7 Day (NAEFS) 7 Day (GEFS)
HEFS Ensemble NAEFS Ensemble GEFS Ensemble

Note: Use the official hydrograph at the top of this web page for river levels within the next 72 hours.

Click individual graphics to enlarge.

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The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:34 PM
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Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.