River stage
Mercer, Sandy River
- River level
- 2.60 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.02 ft
- Recent high
- 6.70 ft
- Recent low
- 2.42 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS MERM1
- 30-day change
- +0.06 ft
- Average
- 3.03 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 19.25 ft
In brief
The Sandy River at Mercer, ME read 2.60 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.40 ft below action stage. That is 0.06 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge MERM1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19.25 ft | 1987-04-01 |
| 2 | 17.35 ft | 2023-12-19 |
| 3 | 16.75 ft | 1936-03-19 |
| 4 | 16.34 ft | 1953-03-28 |
| 5 | 15.85 ft | 1936-03-13 |
| 6 | 14.65 ft | 1969-12-28 |
| 7 | 14.62 ft | 2023-05-02 |
| 8 | 14.52 ft | 1973-03-18 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 8.00 ft
The river is at bankfull in low lying areas, some erosion may occur.
- 10.00 ft
Minor flooding occurs on George Thomas Road in New Sharon. Floodwaters can encroach on low lying portion of West and East Sandy River Road in Mercer due to culverts backing up under certain conditions. Locals are advised to find alternate routes.
- 12.00 ft
Flooding of Prescott Field and Hippach Field in Farmington, and low land pasture flooding downstream.
- 13.00 ft
Flood waters encroach on properties along Front Street and Main Street in Farmington. Extensive flooding of recreational fields occurs. The flood extent along East Sandy River Road in Mercer cuts off access to multiple homes.
- 14.00 ft
Moderate flooding occurs. Businesses inundated along Main Street in Farmington south of the University. Floodwaters encroach on homes along East Sandy River Road in Mercer.
- 15.00 ft
Starks Road in New Sharon flooded. Water enters businesses on Main Street in Farmington.
- 16.00 ft
Major flooding occurs. Flooding impacts homes and businesses from Farmington Falls to Norridgewock. Main Street in Farmington flooded up to to 4 feet depth.
- 17.00 ft
Level comparable with December 2023. Dozens of properties between Farmington and New Sharon flooded. Access in and out of the region limited due to flooded bridges. Floodwaters several feet deep in Farmington along Main Street and Front Street.
- 18.00 ft
Route 2 bridge in New Sharon flooded. Starks Road to Glen Harris Road flooded in New Sharon.
- 19.00 ft
Approaching levels seen during the historical 1987 flood. Significant property damage between Farmington and New Sharon. Hundreds of acres of farmland flooded in Mercer and Starks.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Sandy River flooding at Mercer?
No. The Sandy River at Mercer is at 2.6 ft, 5.4 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Mercer?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 8 ft, minor flooding 10 ft, moderate flooding 14 ft and major flooding 16 ft.
What is the highest the Sandy River has been at Mercer?
The highest crest on record is 19.25 ft, on 1987-04-01.
Is the Sandy River high or low right now at Mercer?
At 2.6 ft it is higher than 31% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge MERM1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01048000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.