River Conditions
Illustrated map of Allegheny Reservoir

River stage

Middletown, Swatara Creek

River level
4.49 ft
Status
Below flood stage
7-day change
+2.47 ft
Recent high
6.92 ft
Recent low
1.58 ft

Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS MTLP1

30-day change
+2.14 ft
Average
2.53 ft
Readings
122
Data span
122 days
Record crest
23.29 ft

In brief

The Swatara Creek at Middletown, PA read 4.49 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.51 ft below action stage. That is 2.14 ft higher than 30 days earlier.

Source: National Weather Service gauge MTLP1

River level timeline

1.22.53.85.16.4SEP 13SEP 18SEP 23SEP 28OCT 03OCT 08OCT 13HIGH 5.84LOW 1.764.76 ftLAST READING

Stage threshold profile

Action stage 10.00 ftMinor flooding 11.00 ftModerate flooding 15.00 ftMajor flooding 18.00 ft CURRENT 4.49 ft

Highest crests on record

RankCrestDate
1 23.29 ft 2011-09-09
2 16.36 ft 2011-03-12
3 16.19 ft 2018-07-26
4 13.68 ft 2020-12-26
5 13.46 ft 2021-09-03
6 13.37 ft 2022-02-05
7 12.67 ft 2011-03-08
8 12.63 ft 2011-04-18

Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.

What happens at each level

  1. 11.00 ft

    Minor overbank flooding begins near the Vine Street Bridge downstream to the Susquehanna River.

  2. 12.00 ft

    Both banks overflow upstream of the Vine Street Bridge and several basements are affected.

  3. 15.00 ft

    Flooding begins in the vicinity of Few Avenue and near the community swimming pool.

  4. 18.00 ft

    Widespread flooding occurs. Numerous homes are affected by high water. Route 230 is affected. Flooding begins in the vicinity of Hoffer Park.

  5. 20.00 ft

    Widespread flooding of structures...including the trailer park at Harborton Place and Caravan Court.

  6. 23.29 ft

    Flood of Record. Level of flooding associated with the remnants of Tropical Storm Lee on September 9 2011.

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Swatara Creek flooding at Middletown?

No. The Swatara Creek at Middletown is at 4.49 ft, 5.51 ft below action stage.

What is the flood stage at Middletown?

The National Weather Service sets action stage 10 ft, minor flooding 11 ft, moderate flooding 15 ft and major flooding 18 ft.

What is the highest the Swatara Creek has been at Middletown?

The highest crest on record is 23.29 ft, on 2011-09-09.

Is the Swatara Creek high or low right now at Middletown?

At 4.49 ft it is higher than 95% of readings over the last 122 days.

Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge MTLP1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01573600). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.