Merrimack River Flow Today
As of October 2, 2026 at 3:30 AM, the Merrimack River is flowing at 4,220 cfs at Lowell, MA — 237% of normal for the date and up 5% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 778 to 4,220 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Merrimack River map
See the Merrimack River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
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Merrimack River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Lowell, the Merrimack River is running 4,220 cfs — 237% of normal, up 5% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 3 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 117% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Goffs Falls (+17%); dropping at Franklin Junction (-13%).
Highest against normal: Lowell at 237%. Lowest: Franklin Junction at 78%.
Paddlers: 2 of 2 runs on the Merrimack River with a live range are in range.
How the Merrimack River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Franklin Junction269 ft 778 cfs78%
- Goffs Falls115 ft 2,250 cfs117%
- Lowell50 ft 4,220 cfs237%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Merrimack River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (117%).
Merrimack River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Merrimack River At Franklin Junction NH
Oct 2, 3:30 AM · USGS 01081500 |
778 cfs | 78% | -13% | 4.09 ft | 11.9 ft below | 269 ft |
|
Merrimack River Near Goffs Falls NH
Oct 2, 3:30 AM · USGS 01092000 |
2,250 cfs | 117% | +17% | 3.83 ft | 7.2 ft below | 115 ft |
|
Merrimack River Below Concord River At Lowell MA
Oct 2, 3:30 AM · USGS 01100000 |
4,220 cfs | 237% | +5% | 42.98 ft | 9.0 ft below | 50 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Paddle runs on the Merrimack River
2 of 2 runs are in range right now. Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Begins In Franklin To Sewall'S Island Gauge: Franklin Junction |
In range | 778 cfs | 400–20,000 cfs | II–IV |
| Sewall'S Island To Manchester Street Bridge Gauge: Franklin Junction |
In range | 778 cfs | 400–20,000 cfs | II–III |
Dams & reservoirs on the Merrimack River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Merrimack River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Merrimack River
The Merrimack River is a 117-mile long river that runs through New Hampshire and Massachusetts. It was named by the Native Americans and played a significant role in the growth and development of the region. The river has a watershed area of 4,700 square miles and is fed by several tributaries, including the Pemigewasset and Souhegan Rivers. The Merrimack River has been an important source of hydroelectric power, with several reservoirs and dams built along its length. The largest of these is the Franklin Falls Dam, which creates a 2,500-acre reservoir. The Merrimack River offers various recreational opportunities, including boating, fishing, and hiking, while also serving as a vital resource for agriculture and industry.
About the Merrimack River
How is the Merrimack River flowing right now?
As of October 2, 2026, the Merrimack River is flowing at 4,220 cfs at Lowell, MA, about 237% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 778 to 4,220 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Merrimack River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Merrimack River is at 117% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Merrimack River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Franklin Junction (16.0 ft), Goffs Falls (11.0 ft), Lowell (52.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Merrimack River runnable for paddling today?
2 of 2 paddle runs are in range right now. Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.