River stage
Cornish, Saco River
- River level
- 2.31 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.41 ft
- Recent high
- 5.92 ft
- Recent low
- 1.44 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS CNHM1
- 30-day change
- +0.66 ft
- Average
- 2.68 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 21.90 ft
In brief
The Saco River at Cornish, ME read 2.31 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.69 ft below action stage. That is 0.66 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge CNHM1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21.90 ft | 1936-03-21 |
| 2 | 20.51 ft | 1953-03-29 |
| 3 | 16.54 ft | 1987-04-03 |
| 4 | 15.11 ft | 1998-06-18 |
| 5 | 14.72 ft | 1923-05-02 |
| 6 | 14.58 ft | 1986-01-30 |
| 7 | 14.39 ft | 1969-04-23 |
| 8 | 14.17 ft | 1956-01-13 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 10.00 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.
- 11.00 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.
- 13.50 ft
Minor flooding occurs along River Road in Cornish and downstream in Limington. Some permanent buildings on the campgrounds become isolated.
- 15.00 ft
Moderate flooding occurs downstream in Limington. Access roads of Island Drive and River Road become impassable.
- 16.00 ft
Severe flooding occurs from Cornish to Bonny Eagle. This is a dangerous situation.
- 16.50 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.
- 20.00 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.
- 22.00 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.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Saco River flooding at Cornish?
No. The Saco River at Cornish is at 2.31 ft, 7.69 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Cornish?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 10 ft, minor flooding 13.5 ft, moderate flooding 15 ft and major flooding 16 ft.
What is the highest the Saco River has been at Cornish?
The highest crest on record is 21.9 ft, on 1936-03-21.
Is the Saco River high or low right now at Cornish?
At 2.31 ft it is higher than 57% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge CNHM1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01066000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.