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Visit https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations for access to new EXPERIMENTAL products and services from the National Water Center: National Hydrologic Discussion, Area Hydrologic Discussion, Flood Hazard Outlook and the National Water Center Visualization Services, a suite of geospatial services depicting River Forecast Center and National Water Model information.

View the Enhanced Operating Capability Products and Services StoryMap here

Weather Forecast Office Boston / Norton, MA

Northeast River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (EDT)

Datum: NAVD88

Metadata

NOTE: The Merrimack River can produce substantial backwater flooding into the lower Shawsheen River in Lawrence, North Andover, and Andover. Please utilize the info from our Lawrence location in conjunction the Andover location for flood forecasts and warnings.

NOTE: Forecasts for the Shawsheen River at Andover are issued routinely year-round.

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Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	35
Moderate Flood Stage:	32
Flood Stage:	29
Action Stage:	28
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 37.45 ft on 05/15/2006
(2) 36.16 ft on 03/16/2010
(3) 34.15 ft on 04/18/2007
(4) 33.98 ft on 04/01/2010
(5) 30.56 ft on 04/01/2014
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 29.21 ft on 09/04/2021
(2) 25.85 ft on 12/17/2020
(3) 29.90 ft on 12/11/2014
(4) 30.56 ft on 04/01/2014
(5) 29.68 ft on 03/08/2011
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:15

	Gauge Location	Disclaimer
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.

Flood Impacts & Photos

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
38	Flood impacts are expected to be comparable to, or worse than, the May 2006 Floods. Impacts in North Andover will increase along Glenwood, Fernwood and Elmwood Streets, and both Mass Ave and Route 114 experience significant flooding at the Lawrence-North Andover Town line. Floodwaters impact large sections of Andover in the greater vicinity of North Main Street. Numerous residences, businesses and roadways are impacted.
36	In Andover, a stretch of North Main Street is impassable. Floodwaters inundate numerous residences and businesses in the greater vicinity of North Main. Impacted areas include but are not limited to Washington Park Condominiums, the Balmoral, Shawsheen Plaza, Powdermill Square, Ballardvale Falls, Gradall Lane and River Street. Flooding impacts Mass Ave underpass and businesses on Route 114 at the Lawrence/North Andover town line. In North Andover lower Glenwood, Elmwood and Fernwood Streets are impacted.
35	In North Andover floodwaters inundate lowest lying homes along Glenwood, Elmwood and Fernwood Streets. Floodwaters impact lowest lying businesses and parking lots along Route 114 and Mass Ave on the Lawrence-North Andover town line. In Andover, flood impacts spread to multiple locations along and off of North Main Street, including homes and businesses. Flood impact areas include but are not limited to Washington Park Condominiums, Shawsheen Plaza, Powdermill Square, Ballardvale Falls, and River Street.
34	In North Andover floodwaters approach or inundate lowest lying homes along Glenwood, Elmwood and Fernwood Streets. Floodwaters impact lowest lying businesses and parking lots on Route 114 closest to the Shawsheen River on the Lawrence North Andover Town line. In Andover floodwaters inundate some low lying structures along North Main Street. Within Andover, floodwaters approach lowest lying structures at Washington Park Condominiums, Shawsheen Plaza, Powdermill Square, Ballardvale Falls, and River Street.
32	Floodwaters impact lowest lying businesses and parking lots along Route 114 closest to the Shawsheen River on the Lawrence and North Andover town line. Floodwaters may reach the lowest lying homes along Glenwood Street in North Andover. In Andover, the very lowest lying homes and external structures along North Main Street are impacted. Floodwaters may affect River Street near Laconia Drive.
31	Floodwaters inundate the lowest lying parking lots along Route 114 adjacent to the Shawsheen River. This includes drainage fronting the North Andover Mall along Route 114. Floodwaters encroach on Route 114 hotel building in Lawrence, adjacent to the river. Floodwaters encroach on lowest lying properties along Glenwood Street in North Andover.
30	Floodwaters inundate very lowest lying business parking lots off Route 114 in Lawrence and North Andover that are adjacent to the Shawsheen River.
29	Floodwaters encroach on very lowest lying business parking lots off of Route 114 in Lawrence and North Andover that are adjacent to the Shawsheen River.
Photos (1) View of Shawsheen River looking upstream- gage located on left (2) River gage equipment for Andover gage (3) View of Shawsheen River downstream of gage

About This Location

Latitude: 42.671481° N, Longitude: 71.149224° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	29 ft	Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum	Elevation (gauge height = 0)	Elevation (gauge height = flood stage)	Elevation information source
NAVD88	34.20	63.20	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	Not Available	Not Available

Current/Historical Observations:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for Andover

Additional Information

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)

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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Hydrologic Resources

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Collaborative Agencies

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.

NWS Information

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Norton, MA 02766
(508) 622-3250
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:30 PM

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