APR 2U 1364

Historical Floods 

in New England

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1779-M
Historical Floods 

in New England

By M. T. THOMSON, W. B. CANNON, M. P. THOMAS, G. S. HAYES, and others 

CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1779-M

UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1964
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

STEWART L. UDALL, Secretary

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Thomas B. Nolan, Director

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office 

Washington, D.G. 20402
CONTENTS

	Page 

Abstract__ _ ___-_-___---_--_________-___._-_.______-___-________ Ml

Introduction._____________________________________________________ 1

Flood chronology.___________________________________________________ 7

Floods prior to 1620---___-_-_________________-___-----____ 7

Floods after 1620__-_._.__.....___-________...______ 8

1635._________________________________________________ &

1639.______________________________________...._-_.._._ 8

-_--------_--_--___-----_---__------ -___-----_-_- 8

__.___ --_______ __________-_-__ _ _- - __ 8

_-_______________________________________________ 8

-_--________________________-----______________ 8

1729_________________.___________________________________ 9

1740____________________________________________________. 9

1757.__-_-___-__-_-_._..._-__________--____-___,_-_--__._ 9

-_-----_-___-__.___________________________________ 9

____-______________________________________________ 9

1771_____________________________________________________ 10

1772._.._________________________________________________ 10

1775__------.----_-__________--__._______-___-._---_._.__ 10

1784__..__...--_____._.____.__._._._-______.__..-.._. .__ 11

1785___-_____-_____-___________-_____ __________________ 11

1789 _ ______ _ ______________ __ _ _ __________ _ _______ 13

1797_____________________________________________________ 13

1801.____________________________________________________ 13

1804____.._....__.._.___-._.._..___.____._._.__._________ 14

1807_____________________________________________________ 14

1811__-______-_ _______ _ ____________ _ __ _ ______ _ __ 15

1814.---_--_---_--___..____...._______-_________-.-___.__ 16

1818_____________________________________________________ 16

1820 ________________ __________________________________ 17

1823.------_-_-----_--.____._____-_______--__-__--._-__-_ 17

1824._.__.__._..._._ ..___..__.____..___.._____.__._..___ 17

1826__._.____..--_.____.__..___._...____..____.____.__.__ 18

1827__-_--.___..____._________..._._________._.___._._.._ 19

1828. __ __ _----____-____________-_ ______-_______ 20

1880__ ______ _ __________________________ _ _ _ ______ 21

___-_. .___._.__.._...___.___...__..___._..___._____ 22

----.____-______._.___..__.__..-______-___-_-___.._ 22

1839.____________________________________________________ 22

1841_____________________________________________________ 23

1843____._--_.____ -_..._-.____._______.._-_______._..___ 24

1846---..__.-_--__-____...-_________._.__________________ 24

1850.--_-_--__-_--______________.-__________________.____ 25

1852.._____._________.__.____.______.._____..____....____ 25

.-__-_________.____________________________________ 27

m
IV CONTENTS

Flood chronology Continued

Floods after 1620 Continued Pag*

1854_______---_____-___________________________ M29

1855_______________________________________________ 31

1857__________________________________________________ 32

1859__________________________________________________ 32

1861____________________________________________.__ 33

1862_______________________________________________ 33

1865_________.___________________________________________ 34

1866___________________________________________________ 34

1867___________________________________________________ 35

1868___________________________________________________ 36

1869______-___-.-___.____________________________________ 36

1870___________________________________________________ 45

1874___________________________________________________ 46

1875____________-_____-_____-___-________________________ 47

1876__________________________________________________ 47

1877.___-___-_______-___-_______-_-_--_-__-___.________ 49

1878_____________________________________________________ 49

1882______._._.__.____._...._______..__.__.__..____ 51

1886___________________________________________________ 52

1887___________________________________________________ 55

1891________________________-___-_____-_-________________ 55

1895__________ ______________________________________ 56

1896________________________________________________ __ 58

1897_____________________________________________________ 61

1900___________________________________________________ 62

1901______________________________________ 63

1905__________________________________________________ 64

1909___________________________________________________ 64

1913__________________________.___________ 64

1923_________________________________________ 65

1924______________________-________-_-.________ 66

1927_________________________________________________ 67

1928___________________,_________________________________ 74

1933_______________________________________________ 74

1936___________________________________________________ 75

1938___________________________________________________ 86

1953_____________________________________________________ 91

1955_______________________________________________ 91

Dates of floods, by streams_____________-__-._-_________ 98

References_______________________________________ 102
CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND

By M. T. THOMSON, W. B. GANNON, M. P. THOMAS, G. S. HAYES,

and others

ABSTRACT

One or more of the great recent New England floods of 1927, 1936, 1938, and 

1955 exceeded the greatest known historical floods on most of the major rivers. 

Locally, on tributary streams, the great floods of recent years probably exceeded 

historical floods, but the certainty diminishes for the floods that occurred prior to 

the observance of living witnesses.

This report presents, by year, a condensation of the data on unusual historical 

floods (floods that occurred before establishment of gaging stations) and the 

sources of this evidence. This information will be helpful in the determination of 

the frequency of the highest flood or floods of record. Such determinations are 

necessary for studies of flood frequencies and magnitudes, which in turn are 

necessary for studies of relative costs and benefits of flood-control measures and 

of bridges, and for the evaluation of flood-plain insurance and zoning measures.

INTRODUCTION

Information on historical floods (those that occurred before establishment of gaging stations) differs from that on more recent floods in 

that the earlier information does not include explicit physical dimensions which gaging-station records supply for the recorded floods. 

The gaging-station record provides, at the specific site, the date and 

time of the flood, the height of the flood, its maximum discharge, the 

volume of water, the speed with which the flood waters collect and 

move downstream, and the rates of rise and fall of the water level. It 

also shows the effects of the channel configuration both natural and 

manmade influences such as ice jams, log jams, dams, levees, and 

detention reservoirs.

Of these many physical dimensions of a flood, only two can be expected to be available for historical floods the date of occurrence 

and height of the water surface. The approximate date of the historical flood can usually be determined. Less often, the height of the 

flood may have been described. Only at a few localities are the heights 

of historical floods referred to fixed landmarks, such as the crest of a 

dam or to a gage. When this does occur, it is possible to compare 

these heights with the heights of other floods.

Ml
M2 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

The comparison of the magnitudes of historical floods with those 

of recorded floods depends mostly on two assumptions, both of which 

are akin to circumstantial evidence: First, that information concerning a given locality has comparative transfer value to another locality; 

and second, that witnesses of local floods made reliable observations 

of the relative magnitudes of the floods.

The first assumption rests on the dimensional information at dams, 

gages, and other permanent landmarks. If the landmark is permanent and the channel conditions are unchanged, the heights of historical floods may be compared to the heights of recorded floods, at that 

site. Flood heights alone, however, have limited transfer value when 

used to determine relative flood heights at other localities. If the 

flood height can be converted to flood discharge by means of flow 

determinations over dams or from current-meter measurements during 

the recent floods, the information has some transfer value.

Flood flow information can be transferred to other sites on the main 

stem of a major river by a number of acceptable techniques. The 

reliability of such transfers diminishes as the distance increases or as 

the disparity on size of the drainage area increases. Such transfers 

are fairly reliable for major floods but are less reliable for smaller 

floods.

The conversion of transferred discharge information to water levels 

at other sites requires the definition of stage-discharge relationships 

at the other sites. These relationships can rarely be established for 

historical floods because of the uncertainty about channel conditions. 

For example, historical-flood heights in New England were frequently 

affected by ice jams or log jams, or were notable because bridges and 

dams were swept away. All these conditions may affect stage-discharge relations locally and temporarily. A relatively minor floodflow may cause unusual flood heights locally if the water is backed up 

by ice, logs, or debris. Frequently such jams cause severe changes in 

the channel itself.

The first assumption for comparing historical floods with recorded 

floods obviously has severe limitations.

The second assumption that witnesses of local floods made accurate observations of relative flood magnitudes also has severe 

limitations for it depends on the reliability of witnesses to flood 

events, and of the historians who record or interpret the observations 

of those witnesses. Historical-flood literature abounds in adjectives 

"awful," "great," "unusual/' "calamitous," "devastating," "worst 

ever" which have only vague dimensional status. The original 

witnesses varied in their reactions to floods. Some diarists and newspaper reporters mentioned floods frequently; others apparently 

mentioned them but rarely. Some witnesses became excited over
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M3

floods; others reported them calmly. The variety of accounts of 

floods in the early town histories reflects the interests of the historians 

and original reporters as well as the significance of the flood events 

themselves.

Even when a witness reported a bridge swept away by a flood, he 

rarely gave a usable dimension of the flood itself. The bridge might 

have failed during a minor flood owing to undermining of its piers, 

or during a major flood that continued to rise long after the structure 

was overtopped.

The second assumption is just as obviously even more tenuous than 

the first one.

What then may be gained by a study of historical floods? Certainly, little information about the physical dimensions can be 

obtained. However, such a study does provide valuable knowledge 

about the frequency dimensions, which is subject to appraisal in 

terms of statistical probabilities.

The number of years for which flood dimensions are known is 

highly significant. Because confidence in the prediction for the future 

depends very much on the length of the actual experience of the past, 

a very long record of flood events, even though partly qualitative, is 

much more desirable than a short record of accurate flood data.

Keeping of systematic flood records for the major New England 

rivers, began about 1904. Yet, it is fairly certain that the recent 

floods exceeded all historical floods back to the date of white settlement some 200 to 300 years ago. Even though the magnitudes of 

the early floods cannot now be determined, the fact that there is no 

historical evidence that they were as high as the great recent floods 

is valuable. The historical-flood study shows, in effect, that the 

maximum flood of record is the maximum flood since the date of 

settlement, on the grounds that no evidence to the contrary has been 

found by a thorough search. The student of flood frequencies has 

much more to work with if he knows that a flood is the highest in 200 

to 300 years than if his knowledge is limited to data covering only 

55 years or so.

The historical flood information would have little merit if it rested 

merely on the casual statement of a local historian, on the unsupported 

belief of one hydraulic engineer, or on isolated and scattered bits of 

evidence. However, when hydrologic specialists have made a 

thorough search of historical literature concerning most of New 

England, interviewed hundreds of eyewitnesses at hundreds of 

localities, and compiled and studied this mass of evidence, a high 

degree of confidence in the conclusions becomes warranted.

The investigation of historical floods was a preliminary step in the 

study of flood frequencies and magnitudes in New England. It had
M4 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE TTNITE'D STATES

been generally believed that one or more of the great floods of 1927r 

1936, 1938, and 1955 exceeded all floods prior to those dates in much 

of New England, but no intensive investigation of historical floods, 

for the entire area had been made to confirm that belief.

Consequently the investigation was organized, in 1957, to collect 

documentary evidence of the magnitude of historical floods. A historical flood was defined as one that occurred prior to the establishment of gaging stations. Local authorities were interviewed concerning the relative magnitude of the historical floods with respect tothe more recent great floods for which gaging-station records areavailable.

The search for historical-flood information began in July 1957. 

The localities to be included were selected if they had experienced at 

least one great flood within the period of gaging-station record and 

if there were no known manmade changes that would seriously impair 

comparisons of historical floods with the floods of known magnitude. 

Fieldwork was intensive until the end of October 1957, and some 

work continued intermittently into the autumn of 1958. Investigation in the western part of Vermont that drains into the St. Lawrence 

River basin was limited because of the widespread evidence akeady 

at hand which showed conclusively that the flood of 1927 greatly 

exceeded any historical flood in that area.

The search for historical-flood information began with a review of 

the gaging-station files of the U.S. Geological Survey and of the 

published flood reports by the Geological Survey and others. Historical-flood data and reference to sources were abstracted. A general 

library search was then conducted.

In the library search the larger State and city libraries, historical 

and genealogical society collections, and the files of the older newspapers were examined to record the date of every notable flood eventAfter a list of known flood events had been compiled, the engineers 

conducted field interviews in the selected localities. The field interviews generally led to elderly people who had vivid and quite accurate 

memories of events in their childhood. Their observations frequently 

established the fact that recent floods were the highest since about 

1875. However, the engineers were interested in still earlier events,, 

for which there were no longer eyewitnesses. The inquiries were 

then directed to finding landmarks which pertained to historical 

floods and which were mentioned in historical documents.

The investigators found disappointingly few landmarks which 

might have represented definite levels reached by historical floods. 

Except at localities like Hartford on the Connecticut River and 

Pawtucket Dam on the Merrimack River, where flood levels continue 

to cause concern, few comparative floodmarks for the early historical
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M5

floods were found. Three factors explain this lack of historical 

floodmarks. First, floods in the spring breakups hi New England 

were so common that people generally took them for granted and no 

one thought enough of them to set marks to preserve a record of their 

height. Second, the terrific flood events of recent times caused so 

much damage that whole areas were ravished by the flood waters, 

and landmarks close to the streams either were destroyed or the 

channel and flood-plain conditions were so changed that the old 

marks became meaningless. Third, many of the small mills, which

 depended on the rivers for then- power, failed hi the disastrous 1930's 

because of flood damage or the severe economic depression. The

 old firms, when they sold out, removed their records to places unknown 

to the new proprietors or to places too far removed for the investigators to attempt to find them.

The accumulation of historical-flood information from written 

sources and local interviews led in most cases to the conviction that

 one or several of the great floods since 1927 were indeed the highest 

that had occurred since white men first came to the area. In some 

instances the period of positive conclusions had to be limited to the 

lifetime of living witnesses, in others, the period could be extended 

back to the known date of a general great flood, the local magnitude

 of which could not be identified; in still others, it was appropriate to 

limit positive conclusions to a certain date, and extend qualified

 conclusions back to the date of settlement.

The investigation yielded a wide variety of information. In 

sparsely settled regions, such as some parts of northern Maine, relatively little information was found. In densely settled regions, 

particularly where the flood plains are occupied by mills and residences, an abundance of information was found. Likewise, the 

information available varied with the social and economic effects of 

floods. In areas where floods cause little damage, little or no information was available; but where flood damage is great, there was a 

surfeit of information. In general, the information was more explicit 

And more plentiful for areas near the mouths and along the main 

stems of the larger rivers. The information diminishes as the streams 

become smaller.

One critical element in the investigation was the determination 

Toy the engineer of the relative stability of channel conditions. ObTiously, flood heights would have little significance if major changes 

.had taken place in the channel or in the river basin. For example, 

the engineer took considerable pains to learn if dams existed during 

the historical flood events or if they had been built or enlarged between 

floods. Reliable observations of historical and recent flood heights
M6 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

at the same locality occasionally were useless for comparative purposes 

because dams had been built or washed out.

Encroachments on the river channels or flood plains by bridges, 

buildings, or levees had the same general effect as dams, and were 

taken into account in reaching conclusions.

Another consideration was the presence of large detention reservoirs in the drainage basins. The recent construction of floodcontrol reservoirs has altered the regimen of floods in the valleys downstream. The areas seriously affected were not investigated.

Another river-basin condition that the engineers had to evaluate 

was the effect of dam failures during floods. The local reports often 

attributed much of the flood to dam failures. Many such failures, 

however, had little effect downstream because the amount of extra 

flood water released was a small part of the natural flood water. 

Considerable doubt sometimes exists as to the part played by the dam 

failures; however, the dam failures occasionally were dominant 

factors in the severity of the flood downstream.

Upon the completion of the library and field search, each engineer 

summarized the information for the gaging stations and river basins, 

assigned to him and reported his conclusions to the Research Section, 

Surface Water Branch, of the Geological Survey. The Research 

Section then used the individual-station data for studies of flood 

frequencies and magnitudes.

The information collected during the investigation has been condensed in this report into a chronological arrangement of flood information and an index by stream names giving the flood years. 

The listing of information for each event in the chronological accountsfollows in general the downstream order used by the Geological 

Survey in its surface-water reports.

In order to condense the great volume of information collected toworkable proportions, the authors have omitted references to obviously minor flood events. They have merely reported the time, 

place, and source of information for floods which may have been large 

enough to be considered in frequency-magnitude studies but for which, 

no real evidence of magnitude was found. They have reported only 

the parts of the descriptions of major floods that give some evidence 

of the magnitude of the flood. In general, they have selected the 

most objective source of information when several sources are available 

and have not given duplicate sources unless the several sourcescontain supplemental information.

The library and field investigations were under the general supervision of M. T. Thomson; he was assisted by personnel of the three 

surface-water districts of the Geological Survey in New England. 

Thomson made the investigation of the Merrimack River basin.
HISTOEICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M7

W. B. Gannon, under the direction of C. E. Knox, district engineer 

of the Boston district, made the investigation of the coastal river 

basins of Massachusetts and Rhode Island and the Connecticut River 

basin above Connecticut. M. P. Thomas, under the direction of 

B. L. Bigwood, district engineer of the Hartford district, made the 

investigation of the lower Connecticut River basin and of the coastal 

river basins of Connecticut. Mr. Thomas was assisted by E. L. 

Burke and M. B. Stackpole. G. S. Hayes, district engineer of the 

Augusta district, made the investigation of the river basins in Maine, 

assisted by R. A. Morrill. General direction of the investigation was 

by Tate Dalrymple, chief of the Floods Section, and R. W. Carter, 

chief of the Research Section of the U.S. Geological Survey.

Flood data for gaging stations in the area have been summarized 

in Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1301, "Compilation of 

Records of Surface Waters of the United States through September 

1950." Subsequent flood data appear in part 1A of the annual 

Surface Water-Supply Papers. In general, these data are not reproduced in this report unless it is felt that inclusion of records of stage 

or discharge at a specific site permits determination of the relative 

stage or discharge of a historical flood.

Those reports describe the methods by which flood data are obtained and acknowledge the cooperation of others who have assisted 

in the collection of the data.

FLOOD CHRONOLOGY

FLOODS PRIOR TO 1620

Only one reference was found concerning floods prior to the coming 

of the English to New England in 1620. This reference appears in 

John Josselyn's "An Account of Two Voyages to New England," 

first published in 1674 and quoted by the Federal Writers Project 

1938, p. 28:

Ask them [the Indians] whither they go when they dye, they will tell you pointing 

with their finger to Heaven beyond the white mountains, and do hint at Noah's 

Floud, as may be conceived by a story they have received from Father to Son, 

time out of mind, that a great while agon their Countrey was drowned, and all 

the People and other Creatures in it, only one Powaw and his Webb foreseeing the 

Floud fled to the white mountains carrying a hare along with them and so escaped; 

after a while the Powaw sent the Hare away, who not returning emboldned thereby 

they decended, and lived many years after, and had many Children, from whom 

the Countrie was filled again with Indians.

The account is so purely legendary that it has no value in extending the knowledge of historical floods back beyond the dates of English 

settlement.
M8 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

FLOODS AFTER 1620 

1685

NEW ENGLAND COAST (AUGUST 15)

A great storm "desolated the coast" (Burrage, 1914, p. 250- 

254).

The tide rose to "a height unknown before." At Boston it 

measured 20 feet. "Governor Bradford, who was a witness to the 

tempest, said that none then living, either English or Indian, 

ever saw a storm to equal it" (Perley, 1891, p. 3-10).

LOWER CONNECTICUT BIVEB VALLEY (AUGUST)

"* * * flood and hurricane denuded the river valley. * * * 

the terrible flood washed away and buried the corn crops" 

(Hard, 1947, p. 265).

1639

CONNECTICUT EIVER AT WINDSOR, CONN. (MARCH 17, 18)

"* * * the great flood * * *. It indamaged houses and 

break down many trees, so that by the cause of which rain all the 

17th and 18th days the water rose very high, more than had ever 

before been known by the Indians" (quoted from Mathew Grant 

in Kinnison and others, 1938, p. 2-3).

1683

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT HARTFORD, CONN. (JULY OR AUGUST)

A flood reached a stage of what would be 26.0 feet on the 

present (1957) gage (Kinnison and others, 1938, p. 16).

1691

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"Great Flood, so called. * * * the river left its banks and 

covered the meadows, rising to a height never before known, 

before or since. * * * Great damage was done to the river 

lands * * *. Discouraged, many forsook the place in dispair" 

(Bronson, 1858, p. 111).

1692

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT HARTFORD, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85, this paper. Floods 

drowned livestock in the meadows, carried away bridges, mills, 

houses, and "ye very land with ye English graine sown on it" 

(Hammond, 1892).

WESTFIELD RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (DATE UNKNOWN)

"A great flood which formed the town island" (Maschin, 1955).

1695

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN LONGMEADOW, MASS. (DECEMBER)

A "mighty" flood covered the lowlands, invaded the floors of 

houses, and "still it rose." Inhabitants fled to hillsides and to 

Springfield (Johnson, Clifton, 1936, p. 884).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M9

1729

QUINEBAUQ KIVBB AT CANTERBURY, CONN. (FEBRUARY 28)

"* * * a good cart-bridge twenty seven feet high from the 

bottom of said river which is four feet higher than any flood 

known these thirty years * * * built in 1728, was soon swept 

away by a freshet" (Bayles, 1889, p. 441, 497).

SHETUCKET RIVER AT NORWICH, CONN. (FEBRUARY 28)

n* * * extraordinary flood * * *. The ware houses at the 

Landing were much injured" (Norwich Bulletin, Feb. 14,1886).

1740

MERRIMACK RIVER AT MANCHESTER, N.H. (DECEMBER)

"The river rose to a fearful height and overflowed the banks 

below the falls" (Browne, 1915, p. 173).

MERRIMACK RIVER NEAR MOUTH IN MASSACHUSETTS (DECEMBER)

"The snow melted, and a freshet occurred in the Merrimack 

river, nothing like it having been experienced there for seventy 

years. At Haverhill, the stream rose fifteen feet, and many 

houses were floated off" (Perley, 1891, p. 49-51).

1757

QUINEBAUQ RIVER AT PUTNAM, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"In the severe freshet of 1757, Jabez Fitch's bridge was partially 

destroyed" (Bayles, 1889, p. 497).

SHETUCKET RIVER AT NORWICH, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"In 1757, a severe flood worked havoc with bridges and buildings" (Norwich Bulletin, Feb. 14, 1886).

1767

PISCATAQUOG RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (DATE UNKNOWN)

A bridge built in 1766 was carried away (Hadley, 1922, p. 217).

QUINEBAUG RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (DATE UNKNOWN)

Bridge again swept away by freshet (Bayles, 1889, p. 443).

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT HARTFORD, CONN. (JANUARY)

"Great and sudden flood * * * much damage along the Connecticut Valley. Streams rose to prodigious heights, carrying 

bridges, mills, dams, and damaging buildings and dwellings" 

(notes by Mr. W. W. Neifert concerning floods on the Connecticut River at Hartford, Conn.; in the U.S. Weather Bureau 

office in Hartford, Conn.

1770

KENNEBEC AND ANDROSCOOGIN RIVERS IN MAINE (JANUARY)

"* * * loss of many mills and dams * * * owing particularly 

to heavy ice going out" (Kinnison, 1929, p. 85).

"* * * in the Androscoggin River, the freshet was most 

destructive. At the Brunswick Falls, all of the mills * * * were 

entirely destroyed, the monstrous dam at the falls also being 

partly carried away. * * * ice along its banks below the falls 

sixty feet high" (Perley, 1891, p. 81).
M10 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

PISCATAQUA AND PISCATAQUOG RIVERS IN MAINE AND NEW HAMPSHIRE (JANUARY)

"* * * remarkable inundation carried away mills and bridges" 

(Belknap, 1792, p. 52, 67).

MERRIMACK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (JANUARY)

"Severe rainstorms * * * caused great floods * * *" (Browne, 

1915, p. 173).

PAWTUXET AND OTHER RIVERS IN RHODE ISLAND (JANUARY)

«* * * a great fl00(j * * * many Mills, Bridges, etc., carried 

away. * * * Rivers higher than they have been known these 30 

years, some say 50. The quantity of rain was great, being 3 

inches and %o" (Providence Gazette, Jan. 13, 1770).

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT BRATTLEBORO, VT. (DATE UNKNOWN)

"* * * island opposite this village was under water in 1770

* * *" (Cabot, 1922, p. 822).

CONNECTICUT AND PARMINGTON RIVERS IN CONNECTICUT (JANUARY)

"For fifteen years the Connecticut river had not risen so high.

* * * Farmington river * * * at Simsbury, the biddings at the 

iron works of Richard Smith * * * was entirely destroyed" 

(Perley, 1891, p. 78-82).

1771

NATCHAUG, WIDLIMANT1C, SHETUCKET RIVERS IN CONNECTICUT (SPRING)

"An extraordinary flood and great accumulation of ice in 1771 

demolished and carried away nearly every bridge in the whole 

county * * *" (Bayles, 1889, p. 276).

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN COOS AND GRAFTON COUNTIES, NEW HAMPSHIRE (AUTUMN)

Great freshet buried some fields "2 or 3 feet with sand" said 

to be "the greatest, perhaps, on the Connecticut River" (Benton, 

1886, p. 113; Waite, 1895, p. 382).

1772

FARMINGTON AND SHETUCKET RIVERS IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY 21)

"* * * bridges swept away by the late flood at Windsor, 

Poquonnock, Simsbury, and Farmington, greatest Freshet at 

Norwich Landing that has been known for 30 Years past, on the 

Shetucket River" (Connecticut Courant, Mar. 3, 1772).

1775

SACO RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (OCTOBER)

"* * * the great flood * * * when a large stream called New 

River, broke out of the White Mountains and bore down everything in its way. The Saco River, being swelled enormously by 

the accession to its waters, swept away mills, bridges, domestic 

animals, and great quantities of lumber" (Williamson, 1839, p. 

29).

CONTOOCOOK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (DATE UNKNOWN)

One of the five highest "freshets" on the Contoocook River 

(Lord, 1890, p. 282).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND Mil

1784

PAWCATUCK RIVER AT WESTERLY, B.I. (JANUARY)

"The 1784 flood was 1 foot lower than the flood in 1886 at 

Westerly" (Westerly Sun, Mar. 17, 1953).

SHETUCKET RIVER BASIN IN CONNECTICUT (JANUARY)

"The greatest flood in the Little river * * * that has been 

known this 64 years, and but few people now living ever saw a 

greater flood in the river Shetucket that now runs there" (Connecticut Courant, Jan. 13, 1784).

"On Jan. 8, 1784 a greater freshet affected both the Yantic. 

and Shetucket, but as the Thames was open, Norwich was not 

inundated" (Norwich Bulletin, Feb. 14, 1886).

PISCATAQUOQ RIVER AT PISCATAQUOG, N.H. (DECEMBER 5)

"Great freshet. Bridge at Piscataquog carried away" (Hadley, 

1922, p. 554).

MEEBIMACK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (DATE UNKNOWN)

"* * * A tradition, somewhat vague, speaks of a very high 

freshet in 1784" (Walker, 1896, p. 14).

1785

"A considerable amount of rain fell in the month of September, 

1785, and from time to tune during October it continued to fall in 

unusual quantities until Thursday, the twentieth. [From the twentieth to the twenty-second] the rain steadily fell in extraordinary 

quantities. * * * nine inches of water [fell] during the three days. 

It fell principally on southeastern New Hampshire and the adjoining 

country * * *" (Perley, 1891, p. 117-120).

SANDY RIVER AT FARMINGTON PALLS, MAINE (OCTOBER)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 75, this paper.

ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER AT BETHEL, MAINE (OCTOBER 22)

"* * * the highest stage ever known, 25 feet above the normal. 

Investigations during 1936 indicate * * * 1.5 feet higher than 

that of March, 1936. Log jams may have affected the stage of 

the flood in 1785" (Grover, 1937, p. 445).

SACO RIVER IN MAINE (OCTOBER)

"The Saco River probably rose higher than the other streams 

in that region. * * * never been known to rise so high before 

* * *" (Perley, 1891, p. 117-120).

"Both spans of the bridge between Saco and Biddeford, Maine, 

were carried away, also many bridges, houses, and mills in the 

upper reaches" (Grover, 1937, p. 447).

KENNEBUNK AND MOUSAM RIVERS IN MAINE (OCTOBER)

" 'Calamity' at Kennebunk * * * mills, the bridge, and nearly 

every other structure swept away * * *" (Perley, 1891, p. 117- 

120).
M12 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

PISCATAQUA RIVER IN MAINE (OCTOBER)

"On the Salmon Falls branch * * * the banks were overflowed 

and the houses of Squire Lord and a Mr. Marshall were filled 

with water to a depth of 4 or 5 feet. Every bridge on the river 

was carried away * * *" (Perley, 1891, p. 117-120). 

COCHECO RIVEB IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (OCTOBER)

"No other freshet in that river has been known to equal this" 

Perley, 1891, p. 117-120). "Below the great fall, the water 

rose 14 feet above the high water mark" (Belknap, 1792, p. 52).

BAKER BIVER NEAB WENTWORTH, N.H. (OCTOBER)

"The first bridge across Baker's Kiver was carried away by 

high water in 1785" (Plummer, 1930, p. 314).

PEMIQEWASSET RIVEB BELOW BAKER RIVER (OCTOBER 23)

"A record made by the Town Clerk at Newchester said that the 

water was about 30 feet above the bed of the river" (Musgrove, 

1904, p. 472).

CONTOOCOOK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (OCTOBER)

Greater than the floods of 1775; August, 1826; April, 1852; 

and April, 1870 (Concord Monitor, June 18, 1883).

MERRIMACK RIVEB NEAB CONCOBD, N.H. (OCTOBER)

"* * * Henry Gerrish, the son of Col. Henry Gerrish who was 

the first settler on what is now the Merrimack County Farm 

* * * mentioned the great freshet, and said there had never 

been anything like it since. * * * I asked Mr. Gerrish how 

much higher this freshet was compared with others. He said 

fully 12 feet, and that it covered all the land on the opposite 

side of the river several feet deep, and the high ridges of land 

east of the [Boscowen] depot were all under water. The whole 

valley of the Merrimack was a flood of water (Concord Monitor, 

June 18, 1885).

MERRIMACK BIVER BELOW MANCHESTER, N.H. (OCTOBER 24)

"The river at the height about 10 of the clock, the highest 

even known" (Patten, 1903).

"The greatest freshet in Merrimack Kiver of which there is 

any record or tradition was in October, 1785" (Francis, 1885).

MERRIMACK RIVEB AT TYNGSBORO, MASS. (OCTOBEB 24)

"* * * higher than it was ever known before," from the memorandum book of John Parkham (Francis, 1885).

MERRIMACK RIVEB AT PAWTUCKET FALLS, LOWELL, MASS. (OCTOBER 24)

"I think it certain, however, that the quantity of water flowing 

in the river was somewhat greater in 1785, as the height at 

Nashua was about 2 feet higher in 1785 than in 1852 as I ascertained by inquiry in 1852. The extra height in the latter year 

at Lowell, if any, can be fully accounted for by the obstruction
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M13

[masonry bridge below dam] which did not exist in 1785" 

(Francis, 1885).

An undated and unsigned tabulation of maximum discharges of 

the Merrimack River at Lowell, Mass., prepared for the American Society of Civil Engineers shows the following data (discharge in cubic feet per second):

Year Discharge

1852 _____________ 86,000

1896_____________ 85,300

1895.________________ 77,300

1870_________._____._ 75,600

1901 ___________ 69,500

1878_____________ 69,100

Year Discharge 

1869____________ 64,500 

1859_____________ 60,800 

1902.____________ 60,600 

1877 .__________ 60,000 

1850.____________ 58,500

To this list had been added "October 24, 1785, plus or minus, 

90,000 * * * based on levels of 1836 on high water marks 

pointed out by various people who had observed this freshet. 

This 1785 freshet was the highest that had occurred within the 

memory of people then living or since, about 1735." (Flood files 

of the Proprietors of the Locks and Canals on the Merrimack 

River, Lowell, Mass.)

1789

SHETITCKET AND TANTIC RIVERS IN CONNECTICUT (JUNE)

"* * * that Shetucket River was, at Windham, three, and at 

Norwich Landing, four feet higher than it has been for 80 years 

past" (Connecticut Courant, June 22, 1789).

For comparative flood stages, see page 48, this paper.

1797

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR NORTH WALPOLE, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

"While the canal was in progress of construction at Bellows 

Falls, in 1797 a flood occurred the effects of which are beneficial 

in that it changed the land considerably where the mills have 

since been located 'under the hill' east of the canal * * *" 

(Hayes, 1907, p. 393).

For comparative flood heights, see page 17.

1801

SHETUCKET, QUINEBAUG, AND WILLIMANTIC RIVERS IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

"The new bridge built last summer over the Shetucket * * * 

and which was supposed to be proof against floods and ice, 

yielded to the impetuosity of this freshet * * *. A small 

bridge over the Willimantic in Coventry * * * was also carried 

off. The Quinebaug, we understand, was likewise very high 

* * *" (Connecticut Courant, March 30, 1801).

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (MARCH 20)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

710-949 64 2
M14 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

"In this town, there is no mark of so high a flood in Connecticut River, since the year 1692" (Connecticut Corn-ant, 

March 23, 1801).

FABMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

"The damage above on this river * * * is much more than all 

before this from the first settlement of this country" (Connecticut Courant, March 23, 1801).

"* * * the Jefferson flood * * * far surpassed anything of 

the kind within the memory of any of the Fathers, and most of 

the high water marks yet remain unsurpassed for the last fifty-five 

years" (Brown, Abiel, 1856, p. 147).

"The principal bridges at Farmington are gone, their oldest 

people acknowledge that the water rose four feet higher than at 

any time within their memory" (Litchfield Monitor, March 25, 

1801).

For comparative flood heights at Simsbury, Conn., see page 30.

NAUGATUCK RIVER AT WATERBURY, CONN. (MARCH)

"* * * the flood was greater than has been known for 40 years" 

(Litchfield Monitor, March 25, 1801). 

For comparative flood information, see page 28.

HOUSATONIC RIVER NEAR BRIDGEPORT, CONN. (MARCH)

"The rivers and brooks were raised to a height hardly ever 

known before, and the damage * * * is incalculable" (Connecticut Courant, March 30, 1801).

1804 

PARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (DATE UNKNOWN)

The forge on the east bank of the Farmington River that was 

damaged in the flood of 1801 "was swept off by the great flood of 

1804" which probably came as a result of the melting of deep snow, 

though details are lacking (Brown, Abiel, 1856, p. 79, 147).

1807

PENOBSCOT RIVER IN MAINE (FEBRUARY 17)

"An ice jam formed below Bangor Village raising the water 

10 to 12 feet higher than was known before" (Williamson, 1839, 

p. 70).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LAWRENCE, MASS. (FEBRUARY)

"A winter flood, reaching every river in New England, occurred 

in February, 1807 when a great bridge over the Merrimack River 

at Lawrence, Mass., was washed away" (Browne, 1915, p. 174).

CHARLES RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (FEBRUARY)

"* * * There was a great freshet in the river following a 

thirty-six hour rain. Many mill dams and bridges were carried 

away, among them the Boies dam at Waltham. * * * The 

Boies Dam was built built in 1788" (Sanderson, 1936).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M15

NBPONSET RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (DATE UNKNOWN)

"The waters rose until they ran a foot deep over the Stetson 

dam and threatened to destroy it" (DeLue, 1925, p. 274).

SHETUCKET RIVER AT NORWICH, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"* * * a scene never before witnessed by the oldest inhabitants * * *. The Shetucket rose 30 feet 6 or 8 feet higher 

than the freshet of June 1789" (Evening Courier, Feb. 18, 1807).

"* * * The Shetucket River rose from eighteen to twenty 

feet, and at Norwich the stream could not contain the water 

that came down. * * * The water rose in the houses until it 

reached the first stories, and compelled the inmates to go into 

their chambers to escape the flood * * *. The water [rose] 

* * * until it was within a few inches of the chamber floors * * *. 

The flood extended from East Main to Franklin streets, and from 

hill to hill * * *" (Perley, 1891, p. 176).

For comparative flood heights, see page 48.

QUINEBAUG BIVBR IN CONNECTICUT (DATE UNKNOWN)

"The great flood of 1807 damaged Butts Bridge" (Bayles, 

1889, p. 497).

SCANTIC RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (DATE UNKNOWN)

"The Scan tic River took out nearly all the mills on the river" 

(American Mercury, Feb. 12, 1807).

QUINNIPIAC RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"New Haven, Feb. 3. On Saturday and Sunday evening last, a 

remarkable quantity of rain fell in this quarter of the State. As 

the earth was frozen firm by the late severe frost, none of it was 

absorbed * * *." Many bridges and mills destroyed (American 

Mercury, Feb. 12, 1807).

"Feb. 17, 1807. Another Flood On Friday evening last, the 

13th, commenced a second storm or rain. * * * the bridge over 

the Little River which withstood the former shock was destroyed 

and so also is what was left of Dragon bridge. Within the city 

the damage done is very considerable and much greater than 

was ever occasioned by any former flood" (Connecticut Herald, 

New Haven, Conn.).

HOUSATONIC RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"* * * Entire destruction of the fine bridge over the 

Housatonic, called Washington bridge * * *.

"Bridges at Derby gone. Indeed, such havoc was never known 

before in this part of the country" (American Mercury, Feb. 12, 

1807).

1811

OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER AT WOODSTOCK, VT. (JULY 22)

"But by far the most memorable of all floods in this vicinity 

took place on the 22nd of July, 1811. The storm that attended
M16 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OP THE UNITED STATES

it exceeded in violence anything of the kind ever known in these 

parts * * *.

"Capt. Phinehas Williams, who in 1811 had been living on the 

Quechee 37 years, remarked of the flood then occurring that he 

had never known the river so high but once before. He gave 

no date, but reasoning from facts we may place the flood he 

alluded to in 1790 or 1791" (from a notebook of newspaper 

clippings in the Woodstock library).

SANDY BIVBB IN MAINE (MAT)

"* * * the 1814 flood carried away a portion of the bridge at 

Falls Village which had been built in 1808" (Butler, 1885, p. 260).

ANDROSCOGGIN BIVBB IN MAINE (MAT)

"* * * much damage was caused by this flood * * * at 

Brunswick, where there was a rise of 28 feet in the stage of the 

Androscoggin Kiver" (Grover, 1937, p. 445).

SACO BIVBB IN MAINE (MAT)

"This flood was called the greatest in thirty years." Many 

bridges and mills destroyed (Grover, 1937, p. 447).

"In 1691, Capt. George Turfey, built the Lower Mill so-called. 

This was repaired and kept running until 1814, when it was 

carried away in the great freshet" (Kidlon, 1894, p. 197).

For relative flood stages at West Buxton, Maine, refer to 

page 77.

1818 

MBBBIMACK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (SPRING)

"In the spring of 1818 occurred one of the most remarkable 

freshets recorded in the history of the Merrimack towns. The 

river was raised 21 feet above common high water mark" 

(Webster, 1913, p. 391).

CONTOOCOOK RIVER AT HENNIKBR, N.H. (SPBING)

"A bridge repaired in 1811 was swept away by a freshet in the 

spring of 1818" (Cogswell, 1880, p. 82).

CHABLES BIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (DATE UNKNOWN)

"* * * the north end of the bridge at Watertown being swept 

away in that year" (Nelson, 1879, p. 128).

QUINEBAUG RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (DATE UNKNOWN)

"A Pomfret Woolen Manufacturing Company was incorporated 

in 1817, and erected buildings on the Mashamoquet, but it 

suffered severely from the great flood the following year" (Bayles, 

1889, p. 527).

SOUTH BRANCH ASHUELOT RIVER AT MARLBORO, N.H. (MARCH)

"March 1 and 2, 1818, remarkable rainy days that caused a 

great freshet" (Bemis, 1881).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M17

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT NORTH WALPOLE, N.H. (MAT)

"During Monday night, May 4,1818, the water in the Connecticut river rose to a pitch which was said at that time *not to have 

been exceeded within the memory of the oldest person in this 

vicinity' * * *.

"* * * The water at this time was probably higher than in 

1797, but the added protection of the guard gate saved a much 

greater misfortune.

"During the height of the flood, the water in the channel of 

the river was so high immediately under the toll bridge that it 

dashed in large quantities over the railing of the bridge, and at 

this point it was said to have been about sixty feet above the low 

water mark * * *" (Hayes, 1907, p. 393).

1820 

SANDY RIVER AT FARMINGTON FALLS, MAINE (OCTOBER.18)

"A portion of the second bridge at the falls village was carried 

away by the freshet in!814* * *in the great freshet of October 

16, 1820 it was completely swept away" (Butler, 1885, p. 85).

For relative flood stages, refer to page 75.

ANDROSCOGOIN RIVER IN MAINE (OCTOBER)

"On October 16 and 17 heavy rains produced a freshet, * * * 

much damage was caused to the lower dam and to the highway 

bridge at Brunswick" (Grover, 1937, p. 445).

BACO RIVER AT CONWAT N.H. (OCTOBER)

"From diary kept by Lt. James Walker, an early inhabitant of 

Fryeburg, we make some abstracts related to freshets on the 

Saco * * *. About the middle of October, 1820, he writes of the 

greatest freshet 'I have known since I lived in Fryeburg* " (Bidlon 

1894, p. 155).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT CONCORD, N.H. (OCTOBER 29)

From Mr. Benjamin Kimball's diary: "The highest freshet for 

36 years" (Boutin, 1856, p. 771).

1823

PAWTUXET RIVER IN RHODE ISLAND (MARCH 5)

"A 24-hour rain on deep snow caused a disastrous freshet in 

Rhode Island and Connecticut * * *. At Pawtuxet, the river [rose] 

* * * as high as the bridge * * *" (Perley, 1891, p. 229-231).

YANTIC AND SHETUCKET RIVERS IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH 6)

"* * * a freshet which carried away six bridges * * * 

mills * * *. The Methodist Chapel which stood on the bridge 

floated off * * *" (Norwich Bulletin, Feb. 14, 1886).

1824 

BAKER AND PEMIGEWASSET RIVERS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (FEBRUARY IS)

"* * * a flood, the most appalling and tremendous ever known 

in this part of the country" (Musgrove, 1904, p. 473).
M18 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

CONTOOCOOK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (FEBRUARY 16)

"Four bridges on the Contoocook River in New Hampshire 

were taken out in a flood on Feb. 16, 1824" (Musgrove, 1904, 

p. 105).

"A bridge at Penacook on the Contoocook River went out in 

the flood of 1824" (Brown, 1902, p. 15).

MERKIMACK BIVBR NEAR CONCORD N.H. (FEBRUARY 12)

Mr. Benjamin Kimball's diary states: "East Concord bridge 

was carried off on the fifth day of April, 1819, again on the 12th of 

February, 1824" (Walker, 1896, p. 14).

PISCATAQUOG RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (FEBRUARY)

A diary of Stephen Collins reports: "February 12. The greatest freshet ever known in this quarter. It took off many bridges 

and injured many mills" (Hadley, 1922, p. 218).

OTTAQUECHEE RIVER AT NORTH HARTLAND, VT. (FEBRUARY)

"Unusually high water in the Quechee carrying off bridges and 

mill-dams. Not as bad here as elsewhere along the Connecticut 

Valley" (from a notebook of newspaper clippings in the Woodstock, Vt. library).

1826

"Rain fell in torrents on March 24 causing a freshet that had been 

unparalleled in New England for more than thirty-five years. It 

extended not only through the northern New England states but 

into Canada and New York" (Perley, 1891, p. 232-235).

KENNEBEC RIVER BELOW AUGUSTA, MAINE (MARCH 26)

For relative flood stages at Hallowell, Maine, refer to page 76; 

for comparative flood information, see page 24.

PBMIGEWASSET RIVER AT PLYMOUTH, N.H. (MARCH 24)

"Mr. Samuel Currier, born in 1790 * * * drilled a hole in the 

rock ledge on the right bank of the Pemigewasset River and placed 

in it a 1X 14-inch iron bolt to mark the peak stage. This bolt is 

still in place about 1.7 miles downstream from the Geological 

Survey river measurement station at Plymouth, and has been 

found to have an altitude of 477.90 feet above mean sea level" 

(Grover, 1937, p. 449).

MERRIMACK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MARCH)

"This year was remarkable for its two freshets and drought. 

On the 24th of March, rain fell in torrents and raised the water in 

rivers to an unusual height. The rivers were at that time locked 

in ice two feet thich, when this was broken up the highest water 

since the freshet of 1785, was the result" (Musgrove, 1904, p. 

474).

MERRIMACE RIVER AT AMOSEEAG DAM NEAR MANCHESTER, N.H. (MARCH 24)

"A spring freshet * * * transferred the river into a swollen 

torrent * * *" (Browne, 1915, p. 174).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M19

SAXTONS AND WILLIAMS BIVEBS IN VEBMONT (MARCH 25)

"A freshet, disastrous along the courses of the Saxtons and 

Williams Rivers and their tributaries * * *" (Hayes, 1907, p. 

396).

"On Saxtons River we learn that seven bridges have been 

swept away * * * one paper mill, one grist-mill, and one dye 

house" (Bellows Falls Intelligencer, Apr. 3, 1826).

SACO RIVEB AT FRYEBURG, MAINE (AUGUST)

"Torrential rains in the White Mountain area caused the Saco 

River at Conway, N.H., to rise 24 feet in 7 hours by exact measurement * * *. The reference mark of the flood of 1826 on a 

brass tablet placed in 1926 on a six-foot elm at Fryeburg, Maine, 

indicates a stage of the Saco River at Fryeburg 9.6 feet higher in 

August 1826 than that of March 1936. No records were found 

of an unusual flood in the lower reaches of the Saco River in 

1826" (Grover, 1937, p. 447).

PEMIGEWASSET RIVEB AT BRISTOL, N.H. (AUGUST)

"The Pemigewasset rose to a great height. Immense damage 

was done * * *" (Musgrove, 1904, p. 474).

CONTOOCOOK BIVEB IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (AUGUST 28)

"The flood of August, 1826, was one of the five highest freshets 

on the Contoocook River" (Lord, 1890, p. 282).

BLACKWATEB BIVER NEAR WEBSTEB, N.H. (AUGUST)

For comparative flood information, see oral communication 

by Mr. E. C. Gerrish, page 78.

MERBIMACK RIVER AT CONCORD, N.H. (AUGUST 30)

"* * * the river rose 20 feet above low water mark * * *" 

(Walker, 1896, p. 61).

SOUTH BRANCH ASHUELOT RIVER NEAR MARLBORO, N.H. (AUGUST 28)

"A great freshet * * *" (Bemis, 1881).

ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER IN MAINE (SEPTEMBER)

"* * * heavy rains caused a freshet which swept away many 

bridges mostly in the upper reaches" (Grover, 1937, p. 445).

1827

RIVERS IN MAINE (APRIL)

"On April 24, 1827, a severe gale and heavy rains occurred in 

Maine and New Hampshire. * * * The bridge at Kennebunk 

on the Kennebunk River was severely damaged, and two small 

bridges below it were carried away. On the Saco River the water 

was above the first story windows on the island above Spring's 

Bridge. At Biddeford a bridge was carried away. The Presumpscot river was also greatly flooded, and mills and bridges on it 

were destroyed. * * *
M20 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

"On the Androscoggin river a great amount of property was 

destroyed * * *" (Perley, 1891, p. 247-248).

SANDY EIVEB IN MAINE (APRIL)

"A bridge at the Falls Village was carried away by a freshet 

in April 1827" (Butler, 1885, p. 85, 314).

SACO BIVEB IN NEW HAMPSHIBE AND MAINE (APBIL)

Lt. James Walker, an early inhabitant of Fryeburg, wrote in 

his diary on April 4, 1827 that 5 inches of rain had fallen and two 

bridges had been carried away on the Saco River near Conway, 

N.H. (Ridlon, 1894, p. 155).

On the Saco River at Cornish, Maine, on May 1827, Saco lost 

one bridge, Buxton one bridge, Carr Mills one bridge plus several 

mills (office files of the U.S. Geological Survey in August, Maine).

1828

QUINEBAUQ BIVEB IN MASSACHUSETTS (MARCH)

"In the spring freshet of 1828 the big dam at the Globe gave 

way carrying destruction in the path of the flood" (Quinebaug 

Historical Society leaflets, v. 1, No. 1, p. 35).

AMMONOOSUC RIVER AT BATH, N.H, (AUGUST)

"* * * a tremendous shower which carried off part of the mills 

at Bath * * *" (Bess, 1883, p. 39).

MASCOMA BIVEB NEAB LEBANON, N.H. (AUGUST OB SEPTEMBER)

"The records of 1828 indicate that sometime in August or early 

in September there was a great freshet, doing much damage 

* * *" (Downs, 1908, p. 248).

SLEEPERS RIVEB NEAB ST. JOHNSBURY, VT. (SEPTEMBER 5)

"* * * heavy rains swelled the west branch of Sleepers River 

and washed away five bridges and several mills on the streams, 

including the works of the Fan-banks Brothers, the violence of 

the waters was so great at this tune that a clothier's screwpress 

weighing 400 pounds, was swept down the stream and lodged on 

the meadow nearby half a mile below" (Fairbanks, 1912, p. 518).

WELLS BIVEB AT WELLS RIVER, VT. (SEPTEMBER)

"* * * a great flood, and the village of Wells River, was inundated and flooded. * * * At this tune the saw mill at the north 

end of the dam, before spoken of, was torn down sufficiently to 

relieve the great body of water that came down Wells River, 

from further flooding the village, the water being 4 to 6 feet deep 

in the upper end of Mam street" (Wells, 1902, p. 169).

OTTAUQUECHEE BIVEB IN VERMONT (SEPTEMBER)

"* * * the great flood on the Quechee River and the brooks 

along the valley hereabout which occurred September 4, 1828" 

(Dana, 1889, p. 186).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M21

"September 4, 1828. Similar to 1824 freshet; damage more 

extensive on Quechee River than in 1824 however" (from a notebook of newspaper clippings in the Woodstock library).

CONNECTICUT RIVERS AT BELLOWS FALLS, VT. (DATE UNKNOWN)

"Referring to the high water (of 1895) Mr. Moses Miller remembers nearly every flood from the time of Noah to the present 

day. He was about seven years old at the time of the flood of 

1828 when the water was about the same height as during the 

past week but did not run through the tunnel because there was 

no tunnel there at that time" (Bellows Falls Times, April 18, 

1895).

For comparative flood information, see statement referring to 

flood of 1828 on pages 23 and 34.

SALMON BROOK NEAR GRANBY, CONN. (SEPTEMBER 4)

"On September 4, 1828 there was a freshet which did much 

damage all along the line, particularly at Granby, where for a 

second time the great Salmon Brook arch bridge was carried 

away" (Harte, 1938, p. 20).

1830

PEMIGEWASSET RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (JULY)

"There was a great freshet in the Pemigewasset Valley. At the 

Moore house, just above the Pemigewasset bridge the water was 

two feet deep on the floor" (Musgrove, 1904, p. 474).

WHITE RIVER NEAR BETHEL, VT. (JULY)

"Probably the most terrible calamity to the town was the 

freshet in July, 1830. The flood took bridges, crops, mills and 

all in its way. * * * In the narrowest parts of the valley of the 

branch, the water was 20 feet deep" (Bess, 1883, p. 39).

OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER IN VERMONT (JULY 27)

"A great freshet due entirely to rainfall. Damage along 

Ottauquechee limited" (from a notebook of newspaper clippings 

in the Woodstock library).

PISCATAQUOG RIVER AT GOFFSTOWN, N.H. (AUGUST 6)

"A great freshet is mentioned in a list of notable events" 

(Hadley, 1922, p. 554).

SOUHEGAN RIVER AT MILFORD, N.H. (AUGUST 6)

"The water of the Souhegan * * * reached the cellars of the 

Moore house, still standing, and then just completed.

"It was claimed by some who saw both the 1830 and that of 

'69 that hi 1830, the water would have come close to the top of 

the railings of the stone bridge (not built until 1846 or 7) and have 

run over the wooden railway trestle built just above the county 

bridge hi Pine Valley in the 1850's. The dam having been built 

in 1846 indicates relatively greater rise in 1830" (oral communi-
M22 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

cation by Mr. Andrew E. Rothovius, U.S. Weather Bureau 

cooperative observer at Milford, N.H., 1957).

1832

PISCATAQtttS EIVEB IN MAINE (DATE UNKNOWN)

"The low bridge [in Gilford] was hardly completed before a 

very high freshet in 1832 swept it away" (Loring, 1880, p. 104).

SANDY RiVEE IN FARMiNGTON FALLS, MAJNE (MAT)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 75.

XENNEBEC RiVER iN MAJNE (MAT 22)

For relative flood stages at Winslow, Maine, refer to page 76.

"On the Kennebec River in Maine a Mr. Fame, employed in 

1890 to make a report on old floods 'was sure the flood of 1832 

was the worst experienced between 1761 and 1890'" (Marriner, 

1954, p. 150, 151).

1837

<3U1NEBAUG RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (DATE UNKNOWN)

The Southbridge Journal, Feb. 5, 1867, referred to the flood of 

1837 in an account of the flood of 1867, which was said to be the 

largest freshet in the mill stream since 1837.

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT CORNWALL, CONN. (DATE UNKNOWN)

Hart's Bridge was carried off in 1837 by a flood (Stair, 1936).

POQUONOCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH 23)

"Great flood. Poquonock River burst its dams one after 

another. * * * Great damage in various parts" (from the 

journal of William Wheeler in Lathrop, 1930).

1839

SANDY RIVER NEAR FARMINGTON, MAINE (JANUART 26)

"* * * a great freshet damaging bridges up and down the 

river" (Butler, 1885, p. 86).

KENNEBEC RIVER IN MAINE (JANUARY)

"Very high water occurred and some of the streets in Hallowell 

and Gardiner were flooded" (Grover, 1937, p. 443).

ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER AT NORTH TURNER, MAINE (JANUARY 27)

The bridge at North Turner was carried away "by the greatest 

freshet" (French, 1887, p. 97).

LITTLE ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER IN MAINE (JANUARY 26)

"A severe freshet. The saw-mill owned by Simeon Cummings 

was carried away by the ice" (Lapham and Maxim, 1884, p. 168).

PEMIGEWASSET RIVER NEAR BRISTOL, N.H. (JANUARY)

"There was a very heavy rain and an ice freshet was the result." 

(Musgrove, 1904, p. 474).

MERRIMACK RIVER NEAR SANBORNTON, N. H. (JANUARY 27)

"Another ice freshet similar to that of 1824" (Runnels, 1882).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M23

MERRIMACK RIVEB NEAR CONCORD, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

"It [a bridge at the junction of the Contoocook and Merrimack 

Rivers] was swept away by the great ice freshet which destroyed 

many bridges on the Merrimack" (Concord Monitor, March 2, 

1896).

MERBIMACK RIVER AT AMOSKEAG FALLS NEAR MANCHESTER, N.H. (SPRING)

"The spring of 1839 witnessed the most disastrous freshet that 

had been known at Amoskeag to this date. This river rose so 

high that the water flowed over the island, and people living 

there had to take refuge in the upper story of the boarding house 

which stood on the highest point of land" (Browne, 1915, p. 174, 

180).

WESTFIELD RIVEB AT WESTFIELD, MASS. (JANUARY 26)

" 'Such a flood I never saw * * * four feet above high water 

mark * * * the high banks are all overflowed * * * about 10 

o'clock my cellar filled.' That comment was made by Miss 

Aurelia Taylor who built the house at 131 Main Street where 

Mr. Gagne lives now [1957]" (Maschin, 1955).

For comparative flood heights, see page 94.

FABMINGTON RIVEB IN CONNECTICUT (JANUARY 26)

"* * * there came a flood in the river when the ice hi the 

river was two feet thick, and then the water rose 14^ inches 

higher than now" (Hartford Courant, Jan. 10, 1874).

1841

MEBRIMACK RIVEB AT CONCORD, N.H. (JANUARY 8)

Benjamin Kimball recorded hi his diary for Januray 8, 1841, 

"A great freshet * * * the water in the river rose 15 feet above 

the ice, and carried off Federal bridge and Free bridge * * *" 

(Boutin, 1856, p. 771).

CONNECTICUT RIVEB NEAR NOBTH WALPOLE, N.H. (JANUARY 8)

"A sudden thaw and rain in the Connecticut valley in the 

winter of 1841, caused a freshet * * *.

«* * * At its highest point, the water at this time was one 

foot above the point reached in the great freshet of September, 

1828, the mark of which was still discernible, made with red 

paint, on the stone work of the abutment of the old bridge on 

Bridge Street. The rise of water in the eddy below the falls is 

recorded as being twenty-two and one-half feet * * *" (Hayes, 

1907, p. 393).

CONNECTICUT BIVEB AT HABTFORD, CONN. (JANUARY 8)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (DATE UNKNOWN)

For comparative flood information, see page 29.
M24 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

1843

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT HARTFORD, CONN. (MABCH 29)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

RIVERS IN MAINE (APRIL)

On the Kennebec River very high water occurred in April, and 

some of the streets in Hallowell and Gardiner were flooded, 

The storm on the Androscoggin River was similar (Grover, 1937, 

p. 443).

8ACO RIVER IN MAINE (MAT)

For relative flood stages at West Buxton, refer to page 77 and 

for comparative flood information at Saco, Maine, see page 45.

NBWFOTJND LAKE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (JUNE 1?)

"There were very heavy rains this season, and the lake rose to 

a great height. The water covered the road just north of the 

bridge over the river at the outlet of the lake, and a flat stone 

was set in the ground to mark the high water point" (Musgrove, 

1904, p. 474).

1846

MACHIAS RIVER IN MAINE (DATE UNKOWN)

"The Machias flow was the greatest since 1779" (office files of 

Geological Survey, Augusta, Maine).

KENDUSKEAG RIVER IN MAINE (DATE UNKNOWN)

"* * * The water was several feet deep in front of the old 

Hatch tavern and nearly up to the windows in the Exchange* * * " (Perley, 1891, p. 292-294).

PENOBSCOT RIVER IN MAINE (MARCH 29)

"The flood resulting from the storm of March 25-28 was very 

destructive on the Penobscot River, owing to the breaking up 

of ice of great thickness and to the formation of ice jams. The 

ice jam at Bangor was called the greatest in 100 years" (Grover, 

1937, p. 440).

ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER IN MAINE (MARCH)

"During this flood much damage was caused by an ice jam on 

the Androscoggin River below Livermore Falls, Maine, which 

raised the water 24 feet in about 24 minutes * * *. The greatest 

damage occurred at Livermore Falls" (Grover, 1937, p. 445).

KENNEBEC RIVER IN MAINE (APRIL)

"At Gardiner the river reached a height about 2 feet above 

that of 1826" (Grover, 1937, p. 443).

NEMNSCOT RIVER AT TURNER CENTER, MAINE (DATE UNKNOWN)

"All these mills [built from 1795 on] were in operation until 

carried away by the great freshet about 1845 [possibly 1846]" 

(French, 1887, p. 85).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M25

SALMON FALLS RIVER NEAR SOMBRSWORTH, M.B. (DATS UNKNOWN)

"The dam on the Salmon Falls River * * * was washed away" 

(Perley, 1891, p. 292-294).

NAUGATUCK RIVEB AT WATERBURT, CONN. (SPRING)

"Mr. Richerson claims to be the first man who ever rode in a 

row boat in Bank Street. I [Wm. W. Webster, Sr.] am an old resident of Waterbury and I think Mr. Richerson must be mistaken, 

for in the spring of the year 1846 I saw 4 or 5 row boats on Bank 

Street. At the same time the water came up to the Earl house 

basement" (Waterbury American, Feb. 7, 1896).

I860

NAUGATUCK BIVEB IN CONNECTICUT (FEBBUABT 10)

"The rise in the Naugatuck at this point was within a few 

inches of the 1840 mark * * *") Waterbury American, Feb. 15, 

1850).

HOUSATONIC RIVER NEAB DEBBT, CONN. (FEBBUABT)

"A result of the storm yesterday has been the breaking up of 

the ice in the river, and considerable of a freshet * * *" (Derby 

Journal, Feb. 9, 1850).

MEBBIMACK BITER NEAB CONCORD, N.H. (APRIL)

"The April freshet of 1850 submerged the whole intervale."

"May 1 and 6, Federal bridge injured and embankments of

B. C. & M. Railroad washed away" (Lyford, 1896, p. 14, 16).

CONNECTICUT BIVEB NEAB WELLS BIVEB, VT. (APBIL)

"On the 28th of April, 1850, a rain set in, and the river rose 

higher than before since 1807" (Wells, 1902, p. 169).

NASHUA BIVEB IN MASSACHUSETTS (MAT 6)

"The flood of May 6, 1850 took out twelve bridges * * * and 

was caused, in part at least, by the breaking of the dam of Ashburnham Reservoir" (Fitchburg Sentinel, April 17, 1853).

NAUGATUCK BIVEB IN CONNECTICUT (SEPTEMBER)

"* * * torrents of rain Monday night and Tuesday morning 

elevating the streams to an unusual height * * *" (Waterbury 

American, Sept. 6, 1850).

1852

RIVERS IN MAINE (APBIL)

"April 18 to 20, a heavy rain fell on snow creating a severe 

freshet. * * * The Kennebec river was extremely high, the 

water being eight feet deep on the wharves at Hallowell * * *. 

The Saco river also overflowed its banks at its mouth" (Perley, 

1891, p. 317-320.

PEMIGEWASSET BIVEB IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (APBIL)

"The Pemigewasset rose to a great height and nearly all the 

mills on the stream were compelled to suspend work on account 

of high water" (Musgrove, 1904, p. 474).
M26 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

WINNIPESATTKEE RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (APRIL)

"As it was the Winnipesaukee branch of the Merrimack rose 

suddenly to a great height * * *" (Browne, 1915, p. 177-178).

CONTOOCOOK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (APRIL)

"A memorable freshet one of the five highest freshets on the 

Contoocook River" (Lord, 1890, p. 282).

"The stone bridge at Henniker was built about 1835 and was 

not damaged until the severe freshet in the early spring of 1852, 

when the water forced its way around the north end of it, doing 

some damage" (Cosgwell, 1880, p. 252).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT PENACOOK, N.H. (APRIL 21-23)

"The freshet was the most destructive to property in the 

village, of any that had ever occurred" (Brown, D. A., 1902, 

p. 275).

MERRIMACK RIVER ABOVE CONCORD, N.H. (APRIL 23)

"Mr. Samuel B. Kidder, who was gate-keeper at the time, 

says, 'April 23, 1852, at four a.m. the river was the highest I've 

ever known it. The middle lock at the foundry completely 

covered by water. The balance levers only in sight. The 

water on the top of the gage 21 inches. This is the highest 

freshet we have had on the Merrimack for some 70 years' " 

Browne, 1915, p. 177-178).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT NASHUA, N.H. (APRIL 23)

"At Nashua the flood of 1785 was about two feet higher than 

that of 1852" (Francis, 1885).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LOWELL, MASS. (APRIL 23)

For relative flood discharges, refer to page 13, and for relative 

flood heights over Pawtucket Dam to page 80.

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LAWRENCE, MASS. (APRIL 23)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 81.

The flood of 1852 on the Merrimack at Lawrence, Mass., waa 

said to be the greatest flood in the lower valley of the Merrimack 

since 1785, in a report by the Corps of Engineers. (House Document 649, 71st Congress, 3rd Session, p. 20).

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT WELLS RIVER, VT. (APRIL 24)

"The flood of April 24, 1852 was the greatest flood ever known 

there. The oldest inhabitant remembers floods in 1828, 1821 and 

even 1806 but he remembers nothing approximating so nearly ta 

the great deluge as we now witness. Caused by heavy rains and 

sudden melting of snow" (from files of Geological Survey,. 

Hartford, Conn.).

MILLERS RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (APRIL 22)

"A great flood in Millers Eiver. * * * This was the greatest 

and most destructive flood within the memory of the most aged, 

inhabitants" (Marvin, 1868, p. 396).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M27

1853

PENOBSCOT B1VEB NEAK WEST ENFIELD, MAINE (NOVEMBEB 13)

"The Penobscot Kiver was the highest for 20 years. 

Kenduskeag Village Dam carried away with one life lost" 

(Grover, 1937, p. 440).

FABMINGTON AND STILL RIVERS IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

"Winsted. The destruction [by the Still River] of property in 

our town has been very slight beyond that to roads and bridges" 

(Mountain County Herald, Nov. 19, 1853).

"The late storm has been productive of considerable damage in 

Farmington occasioned by the sudden rise of the Farmington 

River, causing a greater freshet than we have known for many 

years" (Hartford Courant, Nov. 17, 1853).

"Hitchcockville. The water commenced rising in this place, 

both in the Farmington and Still Rivers, * * * and continued to 

rise very rapidly until the Farmington overflowed its bands * * *. 

Still River had become swollen to its utmost capacity. * * * 

The north abutment of the dam, and its banks as well as that of 

the bridge were also swept away * * *" (Mountain County 

Herald, Nov. 19, 1853).

BLACKBERRY RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

"In Norfolk we learn that besides very great injuries done to 

the roads, the dam of the Welaka Company was considerable 

washed * * *.

"At South Norfolk near the tannery of Mr. Roy's the river 

now occupies the place of a former road" (Mountain County 

Herald, Nov. 19, 1853).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT GAYLORDSVILLE, CONN. (NOVEMBER)

"The water is said to be some 6 feet higher than at any point 

ever previously known by the oldest inhabitant" (Bridgeport 

Standard, May 1, 1854). Inasmuch as this statement must refer 

to the flood of Nov. 13, 1853, the stage of the November flood on 

the present gage would have been about 20 feet. This stage 

corresponds to a discharge of approximately 60,000 cfs or 60 

cubic feet per second per square mile.

STILL RIVER (TRIBUTARY TO HOUSATONIC RIVER) IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

"Tremendous Freshet! Great Loss of Property The most 

destructive freshet ever experienced in this place * * *. Generally the accumulation of water was so sudden as to baffle every 

attempt at rescue * * *. All the bridges on the Railroad but 

one, were swept off and tracks badly washed" (Danbury Times, 

Nov. 16, 1853).

SHEPAUG RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

"One hundred and two years ago Albert L. Hodge of Roxbury 

wrote in his diary the following entries: 'November 13, 1853 
M28 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

Greatest flood ever known. * * * Oldest inhabitant never saw 

the like. Done much damage' " (New Milford Times, Sept. 1, 

1955).

A freshet on November 13, 1853 destroyed roads and bridges. 

It was said that a torrent of water fell for several hours raising 

the rivers and brooks to a point 3 feet higher than had ever been 

known (from files of the Geological Survey, Hartford, Conn.).

POMPEEAUG EIVEE AT SOTJTHBtTBY, CONN. (NOVEMBEE)

On October 2, 1957, Mr. M. P. Thomas of the Geological 

Survey learned from Mr. Clarence Stiles of Southbury, Conn., of 

the existence of a marked stone representing the height of the 

flood of November 1853 or April 1854. Thomas stated: "This 

stone was marked by Mr. Jonathan Stiles, a great-uncle of Mr. 

Clarence Stiles, but several years later, the date of 1850 was cut 

into the rock by Mr. Clarence Stiles. It seems probable that the 

date is in error for there is no indication of any major flood in 

1850. The stone is located on the south side of Poverty Eoad 

about 2 feet from the wheel track and 554 feet from the face of 

the east abutment of the White Oak Flood Bridge. Levels 

today to satisfactory floodmarks for the August 1955 flood 

indicate that the August 1955 flood was 4 feet higher than the 

flood of 1853 or '54 at this point."

NONEWATTG KIVEE IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

"Immense damage was done to the mills, factories, dams and 

bridges on the Nonewaug River and farmers on the flats lost 

great quantities of hay in the stack, fences, and etc." (Bridgeport 

Standard, Nov. 16, 1853).

HOUSATONIC BIVEK IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBEE)

Also in the Bridgeport Standard for Friday, January 9, 1874, 

the statement was made that the flood of 1874 was the highest in 

Derby for 20 years and comparative stages were indicated for a 

number of floods between 1853 and 1874. The stage for 1853 is 

given as 17 feet and 7 inches, which was exceeded in 1857 and 

1874. For comparative flood heights, see page 31.

NAUGATUCK EIVEE IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBEE)

"South Norfolk, November 14 We have just been visited 

with one of the most destructive freshets ever known in this 

vicinity. * * * A greater loss was never sustained by flood in 

the State" (Waterbury American, Nov. 25, 1853).

"Several of our oldest citizens * * * agree that it exceeded the 

flood of 1801, the greatest on record, from a foot and a half to 

two feet * * * the flood of 1841 stood out next as a prominent 

point of reference and was nearly equal to its predecessor of 1801" 

(Waterbury American, Nov. 25, 1853).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M29

Thomaston: "An old gentleman of Plymouth, informs us that 

his father and himself have marked on a rock on the bank of the 

Naugatuck, the height of each freshet for a hundred years past, 

and that the Indians did the same before them. He finds the 

present to be 4 feet higher than it was ever known before" (D anbury 

Times, Nov. 23, 1853).

Naugatuck: "Great damage. Water was 25 inches over the 

floor of the Manufacturers Bank" (Bridgeport Standard, Nov. 

16, 1853).

"A terrific flood raised the water at Seymour to 18 feet 11 

inches and swept away bridges * * *" (Ansonia Sentinel, Sept. 

8, 1955).

"November 13, 1853, the water rose in the Naugatuck 17 feet 

7 inches * * * and was one foot higher than in the great freshet 

of 1841" (Grover, 1937, p. 460).

1854

SHETUCKET RIVEK NEAK NORWICH, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"At 3 o'clock this morning the water was higher in the Shetucket 

than it has been at any time before within the last 15 years so we 

are told. It rose to the height of eighteen inches to two feet above 

the lower track of the Norwich and Worcester Railroad, at the 

Freight depot" (Hartford Courant, Feb. 13, 1854).

HOUSATONIC RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"Gaylord's Bridge was carried away about 5 o'clock Sunday 

evening." Many other bridges also destroyed. "Had it not been 

for the ice little damage would have been done" (Mountain 

County Herald, Feb. 13, 1854).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"Wednesday was marked in this locality with the third disastrous flood that has occurred in the Naugatuck Valley this season

* * * and in which the Railroad, more particularly, has suffered 

interruption and damage to an extent hitherto unprecedented

* * *" (Waterbury American, Feb. 10, 1854).

HOUSATONIC RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

"The Housatonic as far up as New Milford is said to be three 

feet higher than has been known for many years. The water at 

that point was up over the railroad bridge, a circumstance that 

has never before occurred" (Litchfield Enquirer, Mar. 4, 1854).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

"For the fourth time this winter, the Naugatuck Valley has 

been visited with a sudden and destructive flood" (Mountain 

County Herald, Mar. 4, 1854).

710-949 64 3
M30 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

FISH BIVEB NEAK FOET KENT, MAINE (SPUING)

"The river cut around the east end of the mill and washed out 

three acres of land" (Wiggin, 1922, p. 172).

P1SCATAQUIS HIVEB AT FOXCBOFT, MAINE (APRIL)

"A high spring freshet in April 1854 swept the Scot Mill in 

Foxcroft away taking the Foxcroft Bridge with it. The mill had 

been built in 1834 or 1835" (Lowell, 1935, p. 132).

ANDHOSCOGGIN BIVEB IN MAINE (MAY)

"Although* there was little damage, this was said to be the 

greatest freshet since 1814 * * * at Brunswick" (Grover, 1937, 

p. 445).

STILL RIVEB IN WINSTED, CONN. (MAY)

"In this town the streams were not so high as in the freshet in 

November" (Mountain County Herald, May 6, 1854).

LITTLE BIVEB AT HANOVEB, CONN. (MAY)

"In Hanover, considerable damage done * * *" (Connecticut 

Whig, May 4, 1854).

FABMINGTON BIVEB IN CONNECTICUT (MAY)

"Windsor Bridge, over Farmington River is gone. * * * At 

Simsbury, the Farmington River rose very rapidly at its greatest 

height on Sunday evening was about one foot higher than in the 

flood of 1801" (Hartford Courant, May 2, 1854).

CONNECTICUT BIVEB IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (MAY 1)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

QUINNIPIAC BIVEB NEAB WALLINGFOBD, CONN. (MAY)

"In the spring of 1854, a section of our dam was washed away 

carrying with it a large portion of our factory, machinery, tools 

and stock" (Atwater, p. 113).

EAST BRANCH HOUSATONIC BIVEB AT COLTSVILLE, MASS. (MAY)

"At Van Deusenville, about sixty feet of the Housatonic 

Railroad was washed away" (Hartford Times, May 5, .1854).

HOUSATONIC BIVEB AT PITTSFIELD, MASS. (MAY)

"Heavy Rains and Flood. * * * the Housatonic River rose 

to a height as great as ever known before. At the cotton mills 

in this village the water was one inch higher than it has been since 

the erection of that establishment" (Pittsfield Sun, May 4, 1854).

HOUSATONIC BIVEB AT GREAT BARRINGTON, MASS. (APRIL 39)

"In this village, the Housatonic River rose to a very great 

height^ overflowing the basements of buildings situated on its 

banks" (Berkshire Courier, May 4, 1854).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT GAYLORDSVILLE, CONN. (MAY 1)

"Gaylordsville, May 1, 1854. Highest water mark known. 

Height of water between piers 21 feet 3 inches. Got the measure
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M31

Apr. 16, 1902" (G. H. Monroe, Geological Survey observer's 

notebook for 1901-02).

"Spring of 1854 * * *. The record says that the water rose 23 

feet above normal (Evans, June 1946).

On the basis of the above observation, a stage of 26 feet on the 

present gage is possible for the flood of May 1, 1854; this stage 

corresponds to a discharge of approximately 100,000 cfs or 100 

cubic feet per second per square mile.

STILL KIVER NEAR DANBURY, CONN. (MAT)

"The Great Flood. We hardly get our bridges on their feet, 

before they are 'off' again. The loss of property by the freshet 

of Saturday night and Sunday morning will probably exceed, in 

our own vicinity, that of the freshet of February [1854] and 

November [1853]. Many dams destroyed and all bridges but 

one. Streams swollen beyond all precedent" (Danbury Times, 

May 4, 1854).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT STEVENSON, CONN. (APRIL 30)

The Birmingham River stage was 19 feet 8% inches. (Grover, 

1937, p. 459). "The greatest freshet known * * * 26" higher 

than in November last * * *." (Derby Journal, May 4, 1954).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (APRIL 39)

"On the thirtieth of April 1854, there was another great flood, 

the water rising in Waterbury within eighteen inches as high as 

in the previous November. At Derby, owing to a greater freshet 

in the Housatonic, the water was highest in April" (Bronson, 

1858, p. 111).

"Ansonia, Apr. 30,1854. In height and volume and consequent 

destruction of property, the present freshet far exceeds that of 

any former period. Nothing but destruction meets the eye in 

every direction. At this place the water rose about 10 feet, a 

foot higher than ever known before" (Hartford Times, May 1, 

1854).

1855

ABERJONA RIVER AT WINCHESTER, MASS. (FEBRUARY 16)

"Those who have known this place for fifty years, have never 

seen the water so high as on February 16, 1855. It may be 

proper to add that the causes of this unprecedented flood were 

heavy rains combined with melting snow and ice on the surface 

of Wedge Pond, producing an unusual overflow, together with 

obstructions of ice in the culverts under the railroad, which 

prevented the regular discharge of the water" (Youngman, 1855, 

p. 184).

SANDY RIVER AT PARMINGTON PALLS, MAINE (OCTOBER 13)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 75.
M32 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

v KENNEBEC BIVER AT NORRIDGEWOCK, MAINE (OCTOBER 14)

\ For relative flood stages, refer to page 75.

LITTLE ANDROSCOGGL^ RIVER IN MAINE (OCTOBER)

"The Androscoggin rose seven feet and all the low lands along 

its course were flooded. Considerable damage was done to 

roads and bridges" (Lapham and Maxim, 1884, p. 180).

1857

SHETUCKET RIVER NEAR NORWICH, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"Old inhabitant called it the severest freshet for at least more 

than thirty years. (2" higher than 30 years ago)" (Evening 

Courier, Feb. 10, 1857).

"Altogether, it is the highest flood ever known in this city 

excepting always one which occurred near the beginning of the 

present century * * *" (Evening Courier, Feb. 12, 1857).

For comparative heights, see p. 48.

FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"Its course is still marked with speaking evidence of the 

February flood. There are stout trees barked and broken high 

in the air, banks caved in and new channels dug * * *. At 

Pleasant Valley on the East side of the river it is scarcely possible 

to get about on account of the wilderness of ice thrown in upon 

the village" (Mountain County Herald, March 13, 1857).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"The Great Flood of 1857 The thaw and rainstorm which 

reached its ultimatum on Sunday night of the present week has 

probably exceeded in extent and magnitude any other event of 

that nature that has occurred for years.

"The causes which produced these destructive results was not 

that the waters in the rivers were higher than heretofore that 

was not the case by a number of feet but is to be attributed to 

the unusual firmness and thickness of the ice on the Housatonic.

"On the east (Derby) side of the river the floor of the Depot 

of th« Naugatuck Railroad Co. was covered to a depth of four 

feet * * * twenty three inches higher in the depot than it was 

ever known before" (Waterbury American, Feb. 13, 1857).

1859 

MERRIMACK RIVER AT AMOSKEAG FALLS, MANCHESTER, N.H. (MARCH 18)

"The worst ice freshet the oldest inhabitant could recall" 

(Browne, 1915, p. 178).

MERRIMACK RIVER NEAR CONCORD, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

"A few miles upstream at Concord, the stage of the 1859 flood 

was recorded at 17.98 feet on the Concord city datum" (Lyford, 

1896, p. 14).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M33

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LOWELL, MASS. (MARCH 20)

This flood was reported to have a head of 10 feet and 3 inches 

at Pawtucket Dam, the highest flood recorded since 1834 with 

with the single exception of the 1852 flood (Francis, 1885).

For relative flood discharges, refer to page 13.

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (MABCH 20)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER NEAR WOODSTOCK, VT. (JULY 25)

"Definitely one of the memorable floods for the Ottauquechee. 

Water probably higher than at any time since 1811" (from a 

notebook of newspaper clippings in the Woodstock, Vt., library).

1861

FARMINGTON RIVER NEAR RIVERTON, CONN. (NOVEMBER)

"Hartland During the storm of last Saturday night six considerable bridges were carried off four of them upon the Hollow 

stream the east Branch of the Farmington and one each in the 

east and west society. By the best data the East Branch has 

not been so high for a period of forty years (Winsted Herald, 

Nov. 8, 1861).

1862

CONTOOCOOK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (APRIL)

A freshet of April 1862 is listed as one of the five highest up to 

1890 (Lord, 1890, p. 282).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT CONCORD, N.H. (APRIL)

The river was very high, but not as high by 2 or 3 feet as 

it was in April 1852 (Webster, 1913, p. 396).

The flood of April 22, 1862, at Concord was 19.4 feet above 

the city datum (Lyford, 1896, p. 14).

PISCATAQUOG RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (APRIL 20)

High water reported (Hadley, 1922, p. 554).

MERRIMACK RIVER NEAR MANCHESTER, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

High water at Amoskeag Falls reported in the diary of Mr. 

S. B. Kidder, the gate keeper (Browne, 1915, p. 180).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LOWELL, MASS. (APRIL 20)

A stage of 10 feet 5 inches was recorded on April 20, 1862, on 

Pawtucket Dam (Francis, 1885).

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR NORTH WALPOLE, N.H. (APRIL 20)

"The highest water ever reached in the Connecticut at Bellows 

Falls was that of Saturday, April 19, 1862. It was said at the 

time that all the high water marks were submerged in the early 

part of Saturday and the river must have risen at least six feet 

higher than was ever known before. There was no ice in the 

river, it having gone out earlier, and there was no rain at this 

time.
M34 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

"Early in the day, Saturday, Superintendent Sloat saw the 

necessity, for the first time since the tunnel and railroad were 

constructed in 1850, of building a dam across the upper end 

of the tunnel * * * . At dark the water in the tunnel dam 

stood about two feet above the rails, and it continued to rise 

nearly all night. Old inhabitants estimate that at its highest 

point it stood six feet above the rails. [Add 18 inches to this 

to compare it with the 1927 and 1936 floods]. * * * The water 

was two feet deep on Canal Street just above the bridge.

"At this time there was a high water mark on the abutments 

of the bridge across the canal on Bridge Street, made with red 

paint, in 1828 and at this time the water rose 5% feet higher than 

this mark" (Hayes, 1907, p. 393).

CONNECTICUT KIVEB IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (APRIL)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

STILL BIVEK AT BUBRVILLE, CONN. (JUNE 7)

"At Burrville at 7 p.m., the reservoir of Capt. Milo Burr, a sheet 

of water covering some 75 to 100 acres, burst through its dam. 

* * * All the bridges between Burrville and Winsted are swept 

away, both upon the railroad and highway" (Waterbury American, June 13, 1862).

1865

CONTOOCOOK BIVER NEAR PENACOOK, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

The bridge at Horse Mill, and that at SewelFs Falls were 

both swept away, or injured so seriously that they had to be 

replaced (Brown, D. A., 1902, p. 275).

MERRIMACK BIVEB NEAB CONCOBD N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

Damage was caused by a freshet at SewelTs Falls and at Free, 

Federal, and Concord bridges (Lyford, 1896, p. 16).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LOWELL, MASS. (MARCH 19)

A stage of 10 feet and 6 inches was recorded at Pawtucket 

Dam (Francis, 1885).

1866

FRENCH RIVER AT WEBSTER, MASS. (FEBRUARY 17)

"The thaw and rise of the week past raised the streams in this 

vicinity above high-water mark" (Webster Times, Feb. 17, 

1866).

MUDDY BROOK NEAR WOODSTOCK, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"Serious Disaster in South Woodstock. The large reservoir 

at South Woodstock, Conn., for supplying water to some dozen 

mills in that place broke * * * the large body of water and 

ice * * * carrying away everything in its course * * * . We 

hear of no damage of consequence done at places below" (Webster 

Times, Feb. 17, 1866).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M35

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT BIRMINGHAM, CONN. (FEBRUARY 21)

A stage of 13 feet \% inches and possible ice effect was recorded 

(Grover, 1937, p. 459).

PENOBSCOT RIVER AT TREAT'S PALLS, MAINE (SPRING)

"During the 'heavy freshet' in the spring of this year Mr. 

Hiram F. Mills, a well-known hydraulic engineer, reported the 

flow * * * as 96,000 second-feet" (Grover, 1937, p. 440).

PASSUMPSIC RIVER AT PASSUMPSIC, VT. (APRIL 25)

"The high water of April 25, flooded the streets and swept off 

the lower bridge across the Passumpsic at Center Village, two 

Moose River bridges and one on Sleeper's River (west branch)" 

(Fairbanks, 1912, p. 518).

WAITS RIVER IN VERMONT (APRIL)

"In the latter part of the winter of 1866, occurred a remarkable 

freshet in Waits River, which tore up and swept away the thick 

ice in a frightful manner * * * " (McELeen, 1875, p. 50).

1867 

RIVERS IN RHODE ISLAND AND CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"* * * terrible and disastrous floods * * * . The names 

of the rivers upon which the heaviest damage fell are the Woonasquatucket, Pawtuxet, Blackstone, Mornassuc, Ten Mile River 

and Yantic. The damage sustained in the Shetucket, Quinebaug 

and Yantic, which affect Eastern Connecticut, is estimated at 

$200,000. So great and disastrous a flood has not occurred 

there for over thirty years" (Tolland County Journal, Feb. 21, 

1867).

BLACKSTONE RIVER NEAR NORTHBRIDGE, MASS. (DATE UNKNOWN)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 81.

FRENCH RIVER AT WEBSTER, MASS. (FEBRUARY)

"Many freshets were caused, which resulted in a great deal 

of damage to bridges, buildings, railroads, etc" (Webster Times, 

Feb. 16, 1867).

QUINEBAUG RIVER AT JEWETT CITY, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"The dams at Danielson and Plainfield have gone by the 

board * * * . The largest freshet * * * since 1837" (Southbridge Journal, Feb. 15, 1867).

WHITE RIVER AT WEST HARTFORD, VT. (FEBRUARY 10)

"The greatest and most disastrous freshet ever known * * * 

during which the village of West Hartford was inundated * * * 

the whole body of ice suddenly checked, thereby forming a dam 

which caused the water to set back to such an extent that in 

less than 20 minutes thereafter 16 houses in this village were 

submerged above the first floor * * *.
M36 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

"On the 14th of Feb. and before any material efforts had 

been made to restore order, the water rose higher than ever 

before * * *" (Tucker, 1889, p. 25).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT BIRMINGHAM, CONN. (FEBRUARY 10)

A stage of 14 feet % inches was recorded (possibly affected by 

ice) (Grover, 1937, p. 459).

NAUGATUCK RIVER NEAR DERBY, CONN. (MARCH 15)

(i* * * rose rapidly until at the mouth of the river it was 

fourteen feet and five inches above low water mark" (Sharpe, 

1879).

1868 

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT WINDSOR, VT. (FEBRUARY 25)

A stage of 30 feet, which was 2% feet higher than ever known 

before, was reported (notes *by Mr. W. W. Neifert concerning 

floods on the Connecticut River at Hartford, Conn.; in the U.S. 

Weather Bureau Office in Hartford, Conn.).

1869

STILL RIVER AT DANBURY, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"About 7 o'clock last Sunday evening the upper Kohanza dam 

gave way, letting down the water with such force as to carry 

away the lower dam. The water of the two dams carried all 

before it" (Winsted Herald, Feb. 5, 1869).

MERRIMACK RIVER NEAR CONCORD, N.H. (APRIL 22)

"The river * * * rose rapidly, the water * * * in the engine 

room of the Concord Shops * * * within two feet of high water 

mark in 1862, the highest point indicated by any fixed mark" 

(Concord Monitor, April 22).

A stage of 18.22 feet above the city's datum was recorded at 

Concord (Lyford, 1896, p. 14).

MEHEIMACK RIVER NEAR MANCHESTER, N.H. (APRIL 23)

At Amoskeag Manufacturing Co., the river reached a stage of 

79.375 feet (Browne, 1915, p. 181).

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR NORTH WALPOLE, N.H. (APRIL 2&)

"The second time in the experience of the Vermont Valley 

railroad when it became necessary to dam the upper end of the 

tunnel at Bellows Falls was Wednesday, April 23, 1869. The 

height of the water at the tunnel was greatest at 9 a.m., and was 

within eighteen inches of the record of 1862" (Hayes, p. 393).

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (APRIL 22)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

STILL AND MAD RIVERS NEAR WINSTED, CONN. (JUNE)

"The water in Mad river had risen about eight feet, carrying 

away [two dams]. Water to a depth of three feet ran through 

Main and Elm streets for some distance. Six feet of water was
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M37

on the Clarke house floor and all the cellars in the vicinity were 

nearly full" (Waterbury American, July 1, 1869).

FARMINGTON RIVBE IN CONNECTICUT (JUNE 28)

"Twenty-five bridges, great and small, were carried off" 

(Litchfield Enquirer, July 8, 1869).

BLACKBERRY RIVER NEAR NORFOLK, CONN. (JUNE 28)

"Shepard's dam was carried away and his tannery flooded to 

the depth of 3 feet * * *" (Winsted Herald, July 9, 1869).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT GAYLORDSVILLE, CONN. (JUNE)

"Considerable damage to the Housatonic Railroad. * * * 

West Cornwall is in ruins * * *" (Waterbury American, June 30, 

1869).

"Terrific Storm and Freshet: * * * The stream that empties 

into the Housatonic at West Cornwall * * * At Cole's saw mill 

the water was 18 inches above the highest mark ever made on 

it * * *" (Litchfield Enquirer, July 1, 1869).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (JUNE)

"Every bridge between Wolcottville and Winsted is carried 

away. The protection dam at Plymouth is also gone" (Waterbury 

American, June 30, 1869).

"At Litchfield Station the river rose fifteen feet, flooding the 

depot floor one foot deep * * *" (Waterbury American, July 1, 

1869).

"Much damage was done in Cotton Hollow, the bridge and 

several buildings were washed off. * * * the rise in the water 

in the river was about fifteen feet" (Litchfield Enquirer, July 1, 

1869).

"The water at Litchfield was 14" higher than in the great 

freshet of Nov. 1853" (Waterbury American, July 2, 1869).

"Thomaston On Monday evening [June 28] the water in 

the Naugatuck rose in one hour to 12 feet above low water 

mark * * *" (Litchfield Enquirer, July 8, 1869).

The flood of October 3-4, 1869 "* * * Covered most of 

New England and extended as far south as Virginia. Lasted 36 

hours and resulted in one of the greatest freshets that has ever 

occurred in New England. Rainfall 6 to 12 inches with a maximum recorded of 12.35 inches at Canton, Conn." (Kinnison, 

1929, p. 84).

PENOBSCOT RIVER AT OLD TOWN, MAINE (OCTOBER)

"* * * River rose 9 feet * * *" (Grover, 1937, p. 440).

SANDY RIVER IN MAINE (OCTOBER)

"Much damage occurred along the Sandy River, and many 

bridges were lost" (Grover, 1937, p. 441).
M38 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

KENNEBEC EIVEK IN MAINE (OCTOBEE)

For relative flood stages at Norridgewock, Maine, and at 

Winslow, Maine, refer to pages 75, 76.

ANDEOSCOGGIN EIVEE AT GOEHAM, N.H. (OCTOBEE)

"A freshet, the likes of which have not been known since 

1826" (Concord Monitor, Oct. 8, 1869).

ANDEOSCOGGIN KIVEE IN MAINE (OCTOBEE)

"* * * known as the pumpkin freshet, was called the worst 

since 1826 * * *. At the Columbia Mill, in Lewiston, Maine, 

the stage of the river was 3 feet below that which occurred in 

1896" (Grover, 1937, p. 445).

SWIFT BIVEE NEAE EOXBUEY, MAINE (OCTOBEE)

The river rose 30 feet in 12 hours (Geological Survey district 

office files at Augusta, Maine).

LITTLE ANDEOSCOGGIN EIVEE IN MAINE (OCTOBEE 3)

"A terrible freshet * * *" (Lapham and Maxim, 1884, 

p. 192).

SACO EIVEE IN MAINE (OCTOBEE 3, 4)

"The rainfall ranged from 3 inches in the lower Saco River 

Basin to 6 inches and more in the upper portions of the basin. 

* * * The dam recently constructed at Union Falls went out" 

(Grover, 1937, p. 448).

PEMIGEWASSET EIVEE NEAE WOODSTOCK, N.H. (OCTOBEE)

"* * * a flood in the fall of 1869 was a major affair in Woodstock, it came up over the roadway at Woodstock between the 

bridge and the base of the hill near the railroad track * * *" 

(D. B. Baston, written communication, 1957).

On the Pemigewasset River near Plymouth, N. H., a railroad 

spike in a butter-nut tree had an elevation at the highest stage 

of the 1869 flood of 480.3 feet. This height was exceeded in 

1895, 1927, and 1936 (Grover, 1937, p. 449).

BAKER EIVEE AT WENTWOETH, N.H. (OCTOBEE)

"The flood of October was said to be the greatest freshet 

known to the last generation. As a result of four days and nights 

of heavy rain all streams reached probably the highest point 

ever recorded up to that time" (Plummer, 1930, p. 314).

PEMIGEWASSET EIVEE AT BEISTOL, N.H. (OCTOBEE 4)

"The most severe rainstorm and freshet since 1826" (Musgrove, 1904, p. 474).

CONTOOCOOK EIVEE IN NEW HAMPSHIEE (OCTOBEE)

This flood was reported as one of the five highest known (Lord 

1890, p. 282).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M39

MERRIMACK RIVER NEAR CONCORD, N.H. (OCTOBER 5)

A stage of 20.18 feet on the city datum was reached. This was 

the highest stage recorded at that point since 1851, when records 

were first kept, but was exceeded after that date in 1895 and 1896 

(Lyford, 1896, p. 14).

"The water reached a point seven inches higher than the highest 

water mark ever reached since the shops [Concord Shops] were 

built, and higher than any living person in this city remembers to 

have seen it" (Concord Monitor, October 6, 1869).

PISCATAQUOG RIVER NEAR GOFFSTOWN, N.H. (OCTOBER 3, 4)

«* * * Most of the roads were so badly washed as to be impassable. Many of the bridges carried away including the one 

at the village" (Hadley, 1922, p. 280).

MERRIMACK RIVER NEAR MANCHESTER, N.H. (OCTOBER 4)

At Amoskeag Manufacturing Co., a stage of 80.9 feet was 

recorded (Browne, 1915, p. 181).

SOUHEGAN EIVER AT MILFORD, N.H. (OCTOBER)

"Mr. Emerson, born 1870, stated he was told that the water in 

1869 reached practically to the rear of the present Methodist 

church, then the Baptist church, and swirled very close to the top 

of the knoll on which the postoffice now stands" (A. E. Rothovius, 

U.S. Weather Bureau cooperative observer, Milford, N.H. 

written communication, 1957).

For comparative flood heights pertaining to the flood of 1936, 

see page 80.

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LOWELL, MASS. (OCTOBER 3, 4)

"The effect of this rain storm at Lowell was to raise the water 

in the Merrimack 10 feet above the Pawtucket Dam" (Francis, 

1885).

For relative flood discharges, refer to page 13.

WILLIMANTIC RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (OCTOBER)

"The water at Willimantic and at other points was then far 

above the highest point it is known to have before attained during 

the memory of any persons now living there" (Providence 

Journal, Oct. 6, 1869).

HOP RIVER NEAR COLUMBIA, CONN. (OCTOBER 4)

"In the town of Union, the dam at Walker's mill was carried 

off. In North Coventry the Skunkamug * * * was * * * a 

wide and mighty torrent; as also was the gentle purring Ash 

Brook * * *" (Cole, 1888, p. 83).

NATCHAUG RIVER AT WILLIMANTIC, CONN. (OCTOBER 4)

At least 12 bridges in Union were swept away, as was the dam 

at Orvin Walker's sawmill (Southbridge Journal, Oct. 22, 1869).
M40 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

<JUINEBAUG BIVEB NEAE WESTVILLE, MASS. (OCTOBER 4)

"The oldest inhabitant of Southbridge had never seen anything 

like the extent of the flood of October 4" (Southbridge Journal, 

Oct. 8, 1869).

PASSUMPSIC BJVEE IN VERMONT (OCTOBER)

"Passumpsic River at the Center Village was two and one-half 

feet higher than any former record; streets and houses were 

flooded * * *" (Fairbanks, 1912, p. 518).

SLEEPERS RIVER NEAR ST. JOHNSBtTRY, VT. (OCTOBER)

"* * * in the new brick engine house, the engine was submerged; east of this was the Scale Packing Shop, originally the 

grist mill built by Joseph Fairbanks in 1815, and the only survivor 

of early times; under the force of the flood it tottered and fell 

with a terrific crash and was carried off" (Fairbanks, 1912, 

p. 518).

AMMONOOSUC RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (OCTOBER)

"The waters of the Ammonoosuc River rose with great rapidity 

on Monday carrying with them every dam or bulkhead on its 

whole course.

"Lisbon in early times had many floods, year after year, and 

several times sweeping every bridge on the Ammonoosuc downstream, but the most disastrous flood Lisbon ever experienced 

was in 1869" (from a notebook of newspaper clippings in the 

Woodstock, Vt., library).

WELLS RIVER IN VERMONT (OCTOBER)

For comparative flood heights pertaining to the flood of 1927, 

see page 70, oral communication by Mr. H. Brown of S. Ryegate, 

Vt., 1957.

OMPOMPANOOSUC RIVER AT UNION VILLAGE, VT. (OCTOBER)

Mr. R. B. Gould of Union Village, Vt., stated that some of 

the "old timers" in that vicinity had told him about a flood in 

the 1860's, which must have been the flood of October 1869, that 

was much higher than the 1927 flood. Mr. Gould remembers 

their telling how the water surrounded his house. This fact 

would indicate that the 1869 flood was about 2 feet higher than 

the 1927 flood. The 1869 flood destroyed the covered bridge in 

Union Village which, after being replaced, survived the 1927 

flood. There is no evidence to indicate whether the bridge was 

replaced at the same elevation (oral communication, 1957).

WHITE RIVER IN VERMONT (OCTOBER)

"Since 1830 no similar event has occurred more notable, probably, than that of September, 1869, when highways and bridges 

sustained the most serious damage of anything in Braintree" 

(Bess, 1883, p. 39).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M41

For comparative flood heights pertaining to the flood of 1927 

in South Royalton, Vt., see oral communication by Mr. G. Ainsworth, page 70.

"The rise of water was entirely unprecedented in Sharom. 

It surrounded the dwelling of Mr. Joseah Walker, floating his 

ground floor to the depth of six inches * * *.

"White River at Royalton was higher than ever before known 

since the settlement of the country * * *" (from a notebook of 

newspaper clippings in the Woodstock library).

MASCOMA KIVEB AT WEST CANAAN, N.H. (OCTOBER)

"In the first Lebanon directory of 1882 the mention is made of 

the great flood of 1869 when the water stood 4.5 feet above the 

crest of the dams" (a statement by Mr. S. H. Stevens in a surveyor's fieldbook entitled "Highways, Number 15," in the town 

hall of Lebanon, N.H.).

For comparative flood information, see page 82.

OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER AT NORTH HARTLAND, VT. (OCTdBER)

"How does this flood compare in height with other remarkable 

floods known to have occurred on the Quechee? It rose thirtyeight inches above the flood that took place in July, 1859, according to careful observations made in each instance. It was at 

least two feet higher than the great flood of September, 1828. 

This conclusion has been come to after fixing as carefully as possible the height of that flood from well ascertained facts. But in 

comparing the last with the two earlier floods it must be borne 

in mind that the bed of the river all along through this village is 

today fully three feet lower than it was twenty and forty years 

ago. The recent flood, therefore, was that much deeper at the 

same level than the former ones.

"Considerable effort has been made to ascertain the height of 

this flood in the Quechee. The most satisfactory testimony is 

that of Mr. George W. Samson, who reckons that the water rose 

as high in the river in front of his house during the freshet of last 

Monday as it did in 1811. But the channel of the river at that 

point is now broader and deeper than it was in 1811, and would 

require, therefore, a greater volume of water to fill it equally as 

high. Conclusions can be drawn accordingly" (from a notebook 

of newspaper clippings in the Woodstock, Vt., library).

BLACK RIVER IN VERMONT (OCTOBER)

"The great freshet, in the autumn of 1869 * * *. Mr. Mike 

Tully's house [the first frame house built in the village in 1791] 

went off * * *" (Hubbard and Dartt, 1895, p. 37, 135, 160).
M42 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

WILLIAMS RIVER IN VERMONT (OCTOBER 4)

"The little village of Bartonsville was entirely ruined during 

this freshet by the change in the course of the river whereby the 

two valuable paper mills, then being operated there, were left 

over a quarter of a mile from the new location of the river. * * * 

Where the present bed of the river is, formerly stood four dwellings 

and the railroad depot" (Hayes, 1907, p. 405).

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR NORTH WALPOLE, N.H. (OCTOBER)

"The Connecticut rose rapidly, but its tributary streams easily 

rose beyond all previously known high water marks. The highest 

point reached by the Connecticut was three feet below that of 

the previous April and five feet below that of 1862. In Bellows 

Falls, the damage was comparatively light" (Hayes, 1907, p. 405).

SAXTONS RIVER IN VERMONT (OCTOBER)

Mr. A. H. Thompson of Saxtons River, Vt., and his brother 

made a mark for the 1938 flood in a mill in Saxtons River, Vt. 

Mr. Thompson reports that the 1938 mark was just below a mark 

for the 1869 flood, and both were three or four feet higher than 

the flood mark for 1927 and 1893 (oral communication, 1957). 

Mr. W. B. Gannon of the Geological Survey noted that there had 

been a dam at the location which was probably there during the 

flood of 1869 and was washed out during the 1938 flood. There 

was no information as to the height of the dam during the two 

great floods.

WEST RIVER IN VERMONT (OCTOBER)

"* * * a great flood that did much damage to the highways 

and bridges" (Booker, 1940).

Mr. Charles Taft, whose ancestors were among the original 

settlers of Dummerston, Vt., stated that his father had shown 

him the point to which the 1869 flood came around a culvert 

under Route 30. Mr. Taft does not believe that the water has 

ever come that high since. Mr. Taft said that he believed that 

the October 1869 flood was higher than either the 1927 or 1938 

floods (oral communication, 1957).

NORTH RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (OCTOBER)

Shortly after the 1938 flood an elderly man, who had lived by 

the Kendall Mills all his life, mentioned that debris had to be 

removed from the first floor of the mill after the 1869 flood. 

The 1938 high water mark did not reach the first floor of the 

mill, which was built in 1860 (William Canon, oral communication, 1957). Controling features below the mill had not changed 

between the two floods. The mill dam is about one-half mile 

upstream from the mill. However, it is impossible to determine 

if the debris that came into the mill during the 1869 flood came
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M43

from the overflow of the mill race which ran by the front of the 

mill or from the river which runs by the back of the mill.

Miss B. Kead, who is librarian at Colrane, Mass., and who 

lives in Griswoldville, reported that her father, who built the 

house in which she grew up and which is on the bank of the river, 

told her that in 1869 he could have reached out the kitchen 

window and scooped up a cup of water from the river. Miss 

Kead was quite certain that during the 1938 flood it would have 

been impossible to do this (oral communication, 1957).

WESTFIELD HIVEH AT WESTFIELD, MASS. (OCTOBER)

"In 1869 and again in 1878, Westfield was visited by disastrous 

floods. After the first one, which caused property damage of 

over $100,000, the dykes built after the flood of 1819 were raised 

higher than before. Yet the second [flood] was even more destructive and many houses and business blocks had to be rebuilt when 

the water subsided" (Johnson, Clifton, 1936, p. 752).

CONNECTICUT KIVEH IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (OCTOBER)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

SCANTIC HIVEB AT SOMERSVILLE, CONN. (OCTOBER)

"* * * higher than was ever known before. * * * At Broad 

Brook the sudden breaking away of a dam near Ellington sent a 

terrible flood which swept off the dam at that place" (Cole, 1888, 

p. 83).

PAHMINGTON EIVEH IN CONNECTICUT (OCTOBER)

"The flood in Collinsville was the most extensive and destructive known for many years. At 4 o'clock p.m., Monday the 

water had reached a higher point than at any time since the great 

ice flood of 1857" (Hartford Times, Oct. 5, 1869).

For relative flood stages at Collinsville, refer to page 84, this paper.

PEQUABUCK RIVER AT PORESTVILLE, CONN. (OCTOBER)

"The flood of October was said to be two feet higher than at 

any time since 1854" (Hartford Times, Oct. 5. 1869).

QUINNIPIAC RIVER NEAR MERIDEN, CONN. (OCTOBER 4)

"Within the memory of the oldest inhabitant Meriden has 

never witnessed such a flood as visited this city today. * * * 

Baldwin's new dam, east of Prattsville, gave way, and the water 

came rushing through the village, raising the stream from 5 to 

6 ft * * *.

"The water was two foot higher than was ever known before" 

(Meriden Kecord, Oct. 6, 1869).

HOUSATONIC RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (OCTOBER)

"In Dalton, the dam at the paper mill of Crane & Co., was 

carried away. It was built in 1809, and stood intact for 60 years" 

(Berkshire County Eagle, Oct. 7, 1869).
M44 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

"In this town [Pittsfield] no very great damage was done, but 

in North and South Adams, Williamstown, Cheshire, and other 

towns, the loss * * * is very great" (Pittsfield Sun, Oct. 14, 

1869).

Great Barrington: "The water hi the streets ran like rivers * * *. 

Stores on Main street had cellars flooded. * * * at Van Deusenville * * * the water rose to a foot in depth on the floor of the 

Wawbeck mill" (Berkshire Courier, Oct. 6, 1869).

BLACKBERRY RIVER AT CANAAN, CONN. (OCTOBER)

"North Canaan The storm has done great damage * * *. 

At East Canaan the channel of the river has changed and is 

running in the highway for a quarter of a mile" (Winsted Herald, 

Oct. 8, 1869).

STILL RIVER NEAR DANBURY, CONN. (OCTOBER)

"A flood such as has not occurred hi fifteen or twenty years. 

In this immediate vicinity there was no great damage done" 

(Danbury Jeffersonian, Oct. 9, 1869).

FURNACE BROOK NEAR CORNWALL, CONN. (OCTOBER)

"* * * rose higher on Monday than ever before, the Furnace 

Dam was carried away, * * * West Cornwall is again torn to 

pieces" (Mountain County Herald, Oct. 8, 1869).

SHEPAUG RIVER NEAR ROXBURY, CONN. (OCTOBER)

"The fall of water is estimated at eight inches. In this county 

the results of the storm have been by no means as disastrous as 

those of the June [28] freshet * * *" (Litchfield Enquirer, Oct.

7. 1869).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT STEVENSON, CONN. (OCTOBER 4)

The river rose to a stage of 16 feet at the Birmingham river 

gage, when 160 feet of the great dam of the Housatonic Water 

Power Co., was swept away. The water was 6 inches higher 

than it had been during the past 3 years of construction even 

after the center of the dam washed out (Grover, 1937, p. 459).

For relative flood stages at Derby, Conn., refer to page 85.

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (OCTOBER)

"Wolcottville. We have escaped [the flood] almost entirely. 

The water was not as high into about three feet as on June 28 

when it took everything before it" (Waterbury American, Oct.

8. 1869).

At Seymour the flood reached a height of 15 feet, 9 inches 

(Grover, 1937, p. 459).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M45

1870

PENOBSCOT R1VEB BASIN IN MAINE (FEBBUABY)

The Kenduskeag River was reported to be 8 feet over the 

highway near Six Mile Falls. No serious damage occurred along 

the Penobscot River itself (Grover, 1937, p. 440).

KENNEBEC BIVEB IN HALLOWELL, MAINE (FEBBUABY 20)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 76. 

"* * * The Kennebec River at Gardiner rose two feet higher 

than in 1869" (Grover, 1937, p. 443).

LITTLE ANDBOSOOGGIN BIVEB AT SOUTH PABIS, MAINE (FEBBUABY 17)

The flood brought water 3 to 4 feet deep over the Bacon Falls 

bridge floor (Lapham and Maxim, 1884, p. 199).

SACO BIVEB IN MAINE (APBIL 11-22)

For relative flood stages at West Buxton, Maine, refer to page 77.

"The river stage at Saco, Maine, was 8.3 feet above the crest 

of the Bradbury Dam" (Grover, 1937, p. 448).

The Saco River was reported by the Concord [N.H.] Monitor 

of April 21, 1870, to be higher than at any time since 1827.

"We had the greatest freshet here [Saco, Maine] since 1843 and 

the river is probably higher now than then" (Concord [N.H.] 

Monitor, April 20, 1870). 

CONTOOCOOK BIVEB IN NEW HAMPSHIBE (APBIL)

The flood of April 1870 is mentioned hi the Concord Monitor 

of June 18, 1883, as being one of four floods that were exceeded by 

the flood of 1869.

MEBBIMACK BIVEB IN NEW HAMPSHIBE (APBIL)

The flood of April 20, 1870, at Concord, reached a stage of 

19.9 feet on the city datum (Lyford, 1896, p. 14).

"The flood. It attained a height of two and one-half inches 

above the high water mark of April 20, 1862, which is the highest 

spring freshet recorded in the shops [Concord Shops] since their 

erection, and the great depth of water at that time was occasioned 

in part by the Garvins Falls Dam which has since been opened at 

least part of the way. The water did not quite reach the October, 

1869 mark, lacking three and one-half inches of it within the 

shop" (Concord Monitor, April 20, 1870).

At Manchester: "The water reached its highest point at midnight Wednesday the 20th. At this time Mr. S. B. Kidder had 

to revise his diary by saying the water was two and one-half 

inches higher than he had ever before known.

"* * * The water dyed in use by the Amoskeag Manufacturing 

Company showed a stage on April 4, 1870 of 77.55 feet, and on 

April 20, 1870 of 81.4 feet, the latter height being the highest

710-949 64 4
M46 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

recorded since the records began in 1867" (Browne, 1915, p. 180, 

181).

For relative flood heights at the Amoskeag Mills, refer to 

page 79.

MERRIMACK RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (APRIL 21)

At Lowell: For relative flood discharges, refer to page 13, and 

for relative flood heights over Pawtucket Dam, refer to page 80. 

At Lawrence: For relative flood stages, refer to page 81.

1874

STILL RIVER HEAR WINSTED, CONN. (JANUARY 9)

"The deluge * * * although its utmost height was 15 inches 

less than that of June 1869, was nevertheless a deluge that 

'trifled former knowings' " (Winsted Herald, Jan. 9, 1874).

FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (JANUARY)

"Our Collinsville correspondent writes * * * a great flood in 

the Farmington river one of the greatest in fifty years [Jan. 26, 

1839]. The works of the Collins Co. were of course stopped, as 

the water was 6 feet deep and more in some shops" (Hartford 

Courant, Jan. 10, 1874). 

STILL DRIVER NEAR LANESVILLE, CONN. (JANUARY)

"Bethel, Jan. 8th. Severely damaging storm and freshet. * * * 

the dam which has stood firm for perhaps a hundred years gave 

way and was swept down to the large factory" (Bridgeport 

Standard, Jan. 9, 1874).

"Since the fall flood of 1853 and the spring freshet of 1954 we 

have had, according to the testimony of judicious observers, 

nothing approaching that which on Wednesday and Thursday, 

the 7th and 8th, visited this town" (Danbury News, Jan. 14, 

1874).

HOUSATONTC RIVER AT STEVENSON, CONN. (JANUARY 7)

"The Housatonic Dam The water rolls over it eight feet and 

four inches deep.

"This freshet is the highest experienced in Derby for twenty 

years" (Bridgeport Standard, Jan. 9, 1874).

For relative flood stages at Derby, refer to page 85.

The river rose to a stage of 17 feet 4% inches at Birmingham 

river gage (Grover, 1937, p. 459).

NAUGATUCK RIVER NEAR NAUGATUCK, CONN. (JANUARY)

"The Naugatuck river rose rapidly * * * The water came up 

almost even with the depot platform * * *" (Waterbury American, Jan. 8, 1874).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M47

1875 

PEQUABUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (AUGUST)

"Bridges are carried away, streets are gullied, portions of the 

town have quite a ruined appearance" (Waterbury American, 

Aug. 20, 1875).

STILL RIVER NEAR DANBURY, CONN. (AUGUST)

"Since the great flood of 1854, our 'oldest inhabitant' has been 

in the habit of comparing subsequent floods with that one. But 

now the old standard has been swept away, and he abandons the 

memory of 1854, and gauges by the great rain of 1875.

"* * * the highest flood from natural causes we have had 

since the above mentioned date.

"In and about Danbury the waters were very high. Loss to 

the town by bridges and roads being washed away is considerable" 

(Danbury News, Aug. 25, 1875).

POMPERAUG RIVER NEAR WOODBUBT, CONN. (AUGUST)

"Five of the principal bridges in Woodbury were carried off 

* * *" (Waterbury American, Aug. 19, 1875).

HOUSATONIC RIVEK AT DERBY, CONN. (AUGUST 19)

A stage of 11 feet 6 inches was recorded (Grover, 1937, p. 

459).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (AUGUST)

"In and around Waterville the damage is immense" (Waterbury American, Aug. 19, 1875).

1876

BRANCH RIVER AT PORESTDALE, R.I. (MARCH)

The flood of March 1876 was said to be the greatest flood ever 

to be recorded in this vicinity until 1886. (From files of Geological 

Survey, Boston, Mass.)

BLACKSTONE RIVER AT WOONSOCKET, R.I. (MARCH)

"* * * has rarely if ever, attained such a height. It was four 

or five inches higher in the Haircloth Mill than in 1867 where it is 

now 19^ inches on the floor" (Providence Journal, March 23, 27, 

1876).

WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER AT CENTERDALE, R.I. (MARCH)

"The damage by water in this vicinity was considerable. The 

highest water since 1867 * * *" (Providence Journal, March 23, 

27, 1876).

NATCHAUG RIVER AT WILLIMANTIC, CONN. (MARCH)

The Southbridge Journal of March 30 stated that the flood of 

March 30 was the highest in years.

SHETUCKET RIVER NEAR WILLIMANTIC, CONN. (MARCH)

"The flood of Saturday [Mar. 25] has done large damage in 

Willimantic and vicinity. At 6 o'clock a.m. the biggest freshet 

ever known here began" (Hartford Times, Mar. 27, 1876).
M48 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

«* * * Sunday March 26, 1876, occurred the memorable 

freshet, which an old resident said, was 13" higher than that of 

1857 and 5" higher than that of 1807" (Norwich Bulletin, 

Feb. 15, 1886).

"In that flood [1876] the head on the dam on the Shetucket 

River at Greenville, Conn., was reported as 12 to 14 feet. The 

census report states that the spillway of this dam was 326 feet 

long and that in 1881 work was started on a new dam (presumably 

the present one) about 1,200 feet below the old one, with the same 

crest elevation and a length of 400 feet.

"The crest length of the present dam was measured in 1936 as 

401 feet. The head on this dam was 11.1 feet on March 12, 1936, 

and prpbably resulted from the normal runoff from the drainage 

basin being augmented by the failure of dams upstream. It is 

probable that the maximum head on the dam at the time of 

the maximum normal runoff from the drainage basin on March 19, 

1936, was about 10.5 feet. From this information it appears that 

the discharge at Greenville in March 1876 was as much or more 

than that of March, 1936" (Grover, 1937, p. 451).

"On March 26, 1876, it is said that there was 10 feet of water 

over the Taftville Dam * * *."

"The maximum discharge on the Shetucket River above its 

junction with the Quinebaug River of which any record has been 

found, occurred in the vicinity of Baltic during the 1876 storm 

and is variously estimated at 65 to 100 cfsm [cubic feet per second 

per square mile]. At Norwich, below the mouth of the Quinebaug 

River, the same flood is estimated at 35 to 45 cfsm, which indicates that the flood runoff per square mile on the Quinebaug was 

much less than the Shetucket" (House Document 644, 71st 

Congress, 3rd Session, p. 12).

QUINEBAUG RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (MARCH)

"The Hamilton Woolen Company's teams and men were 

watching and working all day. Never before was the river known 

to be so high, and it was a grand sight to see the five feet of fall 

over the 100-ft rollway at the big pond" (Southbridge Journal, 

Mar. 30, 1876).

FRENCH RIVER AT WEBSTER, MASS. (MARCH)

"* * * Water at the Power building on last Tuesday was four 

feet above high water mark" (Webster Times, Mar. 25, 1876).

"The Flood. * * * The lower part of the town, which is on 

the banks of the French river was inundated, and the river had 

swollen in dimensions, having risen several feet" (Webster Times, 

Apr. 1, 1876).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M49

YANTIC B1VEB AT YANTIC, CONN. (MARCH)

"* * * the dam and bridge at Fitchville are gone and the mill 

is said to be undermined and in danger" (Meriden Republican, 

Mar. 27, 1876).

CONNECTICUT RIVE'R ABOVE DALTON, N.H. (SPRING)

"We come now to what probably was the greatest rise of water 

ever known in this section. * * * as soon as the water had 

passed the mark of its previous highest altitude, the great river 

seemed to feel satisfied, and slowly the waters receded * * *" 

(Benton, 1886, p. 113).

WELLS RIVER AT WELLS RIVER, VT. (DATE UNKNOWN)

A flood in 1876 was said to have equaled a flood mark set in the 

flood of 1807 (Wells, 1902).

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR NEWBURT, VT. (DATE UNKNOWN)

For comparative flood heights, see oral communication by 

Judge Brock, page 70.

"* * * a flood in which the river rose about 8 inches above the 

highest mark ever reached. The water was six inches deep on 

the kitchen floor of the house in which Mr. Charles C. Scales now 

lives, on the upper meadow" (Wells, 1902, p. 259).

1877 

SHETUCKET RIVER AT NORWICH, CONN. (MARCH 27)

"On Mar. 27, 1877, a storage reservoir 5 miles above Stafford 

Springs on a branch of the Willimantic River gave way carrying 

with it all eight dams on the branch below as well as the bridges 

* * *" (Report of the Chief of Engineers on Thames River, 

Conn., House Document 644, 71st Congress, 3rd Session).

1878 

BAKER RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (DECEMBER)

"Another well-remembered serious freshet was in December, 

1878. The river rose rapidly unto a great height nearly as high 

as in 1869" (Plummer, 1930, p. 314).

PEMIGEWASSET RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (DECEMBER)

Mr. Harry Johnson of Plymouth, N.H., described the flood of 

1878 as told to him by his father, the flood having occurred when 

Mr. Johnson was about 1 year old. Mr. Johnson's father told 

him about riding a boat across the intervale at Plymouth from 

his blacksmith shop at the east side of the intervale, and rowing 

into the old covered bridge (oral communication, 1957).

"The great body of snow on the ground, combined with the 

rain to raise the water nearly as high as the great freshet of 1869" 

(Concord Monitor, Dec. 12, 1878).

Bristol: "* * * the streams were at flood height. The 

Pemigewasset was within three feet of the top of the wall at the
M50 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

depot, and the river was filled with debris and driftwood. At the 

foot of Newfound Lake a stone set to mark the height of the 

water in 1843 was covered to a depth of ten inches" (Musgrove, 

1904, p. 474).

CONTOOCOOK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (DECEMBER)

"The Contoocook River is swollen to height not reached since 

the great freshet of October, 1869" (Concord Monitor, Dec. 12,

1878).

MERHIMACK RIVER NEAR CONCORD, N.H. (DECEMBER)

"The water reached its highest point early this morning 

[Wednesday], the gage at the Concord Shop showing that the 

water reached within one inch of the height it attained in the 

month of October, 1869 * * *" (Concord Monitor, Dec. 12, 

1878).

At Concord a stage of 20.09 feet on the city datum was reached 

(Lyford, 1896, p. 14).

SOUHEGAN RIVER AT MILFORD, N.H. (DECEMBER 10)

"The water * * * has reached the highest point attained in 

the freshet of 1869, doing considerable damage" (Pittsfield Sun, 

Dec. 11, 1878).

NASHUA RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (DECEMBER)

"The heavy rain of yesterday flooded everything. Monoosnock 

Brook overflowed its banks in several places. * * * It is reported that the water in Monoosnock Brook has never been 

known to be so high, before by fifteen inches" (Leominster 

Enterprise, Dec. 11, 1878).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LOWELL, MASS. (DECEMBER 12)

The height of the water at Pawtucket Dam on December 12, 

1878, was 10 feet 8% inches (Francis, 1885).

For relative flood discharges at Pawtucket Falls, refer to 

page 13.

MIDDLE BRANCH WESTFIELD RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (DECEMBER)

For comparative flood information see oral communication by 

Mr. E. Eastman, page 90.

WESTPIELD RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (DECEMBER)

The 1878 peak flow at West Springfield, Mass., was estimated 

to be 46,000 cfs; in 1927 the flow was estimated to be 38,000 cfs. 

The peak flow of the 1869 flood was between the two (Boston 

Soc. Civil Engineers, 1930).

"A special committee appointed by the town [Westfield, Mass.] 

engaged Mr. Hiram F. Mills as consulting engineer. * * * 

Mr. Mills estimated a maximum flow of 53,000 cubic feet per 

second at Woronoco, or about 150 second feet per square mile. 

At the Agawam Dam at Mittinesque the flow was 46,000 cubic
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M51

feet per second or 90 second feet per square mile * * * in the 

1878 flood the rise on Mr. H. E. Stanton's 260-foot dam on the 

east branch at Huntington was between 12 and 13 feet." (Note 

made in margin of book: "Call it 12.5 ft., 225 sq. mi., drainage 

area, Q=38,000± which equals 170 cfsm") (Massachusetts 

Comm. on Waterways and Public Lands, 1918, p. 124).

"In 1869 and again in 1878, Westfield was visited by disastrous 

floods. After the first one, which caused property damage of over 

$100,000, the dykes built after the flood of 1819 were raised higher 

than before. Yet the second one was even more destructive and 

many homes and business blocks had to be rebuilt when the 

water subsided" (Johnson, Clifton, 1936).

FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (DECEMBER)

"Pleasant Valley. Never before have we witnessed such high 

water as occurred here last Tuesday. * * * Serious damage was 

done to the Episcopal Chapel [built around 1846], also on the 

island; the water marks on the seats, organ and stove, found to 

be 14 inches above the floor.

"New Hartford. In more than forty years there has not been 

such a torrent of water pouring down the Farmington River as 

upon Tuesday night. * * * The water in Greenwood's Pond 

* * * where it makes its leap over the dam, the tops of the abutments were almost reached" (Winsted Herald, Dec. 13, 1878).

For relative flood stages at Collinsville, refer to page 84.

STILL RIVER NEAR LANESVILLE, CONN. (DECEMBER)

"* * * raising them [the streams] to a height unknown since 

the Wooster Monument flood in April, 1854. * * * The water 

at the Hull and Belden Co.'s shops never came so high before" 

(Danbury News, Dec. 11, 1878).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (DECEMBER)

The flood of December 10 was described as the most severe for 

a number of years at Seymour, its peak flow coming to within 6 

inches of the flood of January 8, 1874, and having a stage at 

Seymour of 17 feet and 1 inch (Wolcottville Register, Dec. 14,

1878).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT DERBY, CONN. (DECEMBER)

A stage of 15 feet and 9 inches was recorded (Grover, 1937, 

p. 459).

1882 

QUINNIPIAC RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"The Quinnipiac River is flooded to a greater extent than at 

any time for the past ten years in Southington.

"Wallingford. Last evening the Quinnipiac River was higher 

than before in many years and the water was rushing over the
M52 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

Community dam four feet in depth" (Meriden Republican, 

Feb. 13, 1882).

ASHTTELOT RIVER NEAR KEENE, N.H. (SEPTEMBER 24)

"A freshet, highest for fifteen years [since the flood of October, 

1869] * * *" (Griffin, 1904, p. 686).

FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (SEPTEMBER)

"Collinsville. The severe rains of last week raised the Farmington Kiver to the greatest flood since 1878" (New Hartford 

Tribune, Sept. 29, 1882).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT DERBY, CONN. (SEPTEMBER)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 86.

1886

The storm of February 11 to 14, 1886 is one of the 12 great storms 

in New England. "February 11 to 14, 1886, in southeastern New 

England, lasting abour 48 hours. Rainfall 5 to 8 inches, but owing to 

deep snow, which melted, about 2 inches more of water was released" 

(Kinnison, 1929, p. 84).

IPSWICH RIVER NEAR IPSWICH, MASS. (FEBRUARY)

"The boarding house of Roswell Ford, was completely surrounded 

by water, something which never before happened" (Ipswich 

Chronicle, Feb. 20, 1886).

Mr. Bowen of 3 Summer Street, Ipswich, 84 years old, who 

wrote a brief, folksy history of Ipswich reports that the water 

during the 1886 flood was up to the sidewalk on the river side of 

Market Street, but it did not get over the street. Mr. Bowen did 

not think that the flood of 1936 compared with that of 1886 

(oral communication, 1957).

For comparative flood information, see page 81.

ABERJONA RIVER NEAR WINCHESTER, MASS. (FEBRUARY)

"The amount of rainfall * * * as measured by Mr. Luther R. 

Symnes, was 5.5 inches; which, added to the melted snow, rendered the amount to be discharged by the Aberjona equivalent, 

in his judgment, to be about 8.5 inches.

"This amount from a watershed of 17,760 acres can be estimated 

by the curious, * * * that 'the yield of the Mystic watershed 

[from the 12th to the 17th], was 2,060,000,000 gallons, * * * at 

the Mystic Dam * * * six hundred and fifty million gallons 

were wasted in the overflow of February 13.'

"* * * yet the water in the streets at the center of Winchester 

was not so high as in the flood of February 16, 1855.

"It may seem difficult of comprehension that a rainfall of a 

single night * * * as that of February 15, 1955, with only six 

inches of snow upon the surface of the ice * * * should have 

produced a higher flood than the conditions named above affect-
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M53

ing the recent one; but the fact of the ice dam named, and 

additional facts relating to the position of the Pleasant Street 

bridge, and the changes in railway embankments, and the absence of that canal aquaduct sufficiently account for it" 

(Winchester Record, v. 2, p. 387, 532).

CHARLES RIVEK IN MASSACHUSETTS (FEBRUARY)

Natick. "The water in the river rose quite rapidly, and the 

backwater rose much faster, as in former freshets, but this time 

far exceeded all previous records, as it is believed to have been 

fourteen inches higher than the crest of the dams, and only about 

sixteen inches lower than the surface of the mill pond, while the 

volume of water passing over the dam was calculated to thirty 

inches in depth. * * * The great point of interest was on the 

cape, where the rising water reached the windows. As a flood 

had never before come upon that site since the houses had been 

erected there, no thought of being driven from then* homes had 

occurred to them; therefore, nothing had been removed from the 

houses until after boats had become a necessary means of conveyance" (Natick Citizen, Feb. 17, 1886).

Miss Mable A. Parmenter, who has lived all her life on the 

"cape" referred to above and is custodian of the South Natick 

Historical Society, reported that in the celler of her home are 

marks of recent floods and that the flood of 1886 was at least 2 

feet higher than any mark made for recent floods (oral communication, 1957).

"The flood at Andrew Morris' mill was the greatest ever 

known. * * * The water reached the highest point known 

in forty years experience at the mills" (Natick Bulletin, Feb. 19, 

1886).

Dr. Arthur M. Worthington of Dedham, head of the Dedham 

Historical Society, was 16 years old at the time of the 1886 

flood and was able to describe it vividly. He states that he is 

quite certain that the waters of the 1886 flood were higher than 

the arches of several bridges in town, but that the 1955 flood 

did not reach the top of these same arches (oral communication, 

1957).

"At Newton pumping station the water invaded the lower 

engine room while the river swept along at a height of five feet 

and a half above the filtering basin.

"*' * * and the maximum flow of the stream during the highest 

known freshet, namely, that of February 1886, was about 4.900 

cubic feet per second at the dam of the Boston Manufacturing 

Company at Waltham, and by estimation 5,200 cubic feet per
M54 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

second at the Watertown Dam" (Massachusetts Comm. Waterways and Public Lands, 1918, p. 239).

BLACKSTONE RIVEK AT WOONSOCKET, K.I. (FEBRUARY 13)

"The water rose to a greater height in the river Saturday 

morning than ever before in the memory of man now living. 

The great flood on March 1876 has always been alluded to as 

the greatest on the river, but yesterday the water was two feet 

and four inches higher than at that time. There are four feet 

four inches of water in the Haircloth Mill floor. Maximum 

discharge was 21,000 cubic feet per second. There was eleven 

inches of rainfall. Flood height at Valley Falls Dam was 60.07 

and at King Philip Finishing Co. building 19 it was 60.50" 

(Williams, 1955).

WOONASQUATUCKET RIVER AT CENTERDALE, R.I. (FEBRUARY 13)

At Brayton Bridge the water was higher than has been recorded 

at this point at any time within the last 40 years. The dam 

at Dyerville gave way (from files of the Geological Survey, 

Boston, Mass.).

PAWCATUCK RIVER AT WESTERLY, R.I. (FEBRUARY)

The flood was 2^ feet higher than any time since 1836. The 

highest water previous to 1886 was in 1784, at which time the 

water was one foot lower than 1886 (Westerly Sun, March 17, 

1953).

WOOD RIVER AT HOPE VALLEY, R.I. (FEBRUARY)

This flood reached a gage height of at least 12.4 feet. It 

exceeded the great flood of 1843, but was not as disastrous 

(from files of the Geological Survey, Boston, Mass.).

WILLIMANTIC AND NATCHAUG RIVERS NEAR WILLIMANTIC, R.I. (FEBRUARY)

"The heavy rain Friday caused a rise of several feet in the 

Willimantic and Natchaug Rivers, only less by 6 inches than the 

great flood of March 26, 1876" (Grover, 1937).

"The water did not rise as high as it did during the great 

storm of Oct. 4, 1869 * * *" (Willimantic Chronicle, Feb. 17, 

1886).

SHETUCKET RIVER NEAR WILLIMANTIC, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"The volume of water exceeded that of 1876 from reports 

from the surrounding country. * * * Seven feet of water over 

Baltic dam fa log dam built in 1876]. It has a rollway of 515 

feet" (Norwich Bulletin, Feb. 15, 1886).

LITTLE RIVER NEAR HANOVER, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"The water did not rise as high [in Willimantic] as it did during 

the great storm of Oct. 4, 1869 [or other] former occasions, but 

in New London County the rise was unprecedented" (Willimantic Chronicle, Feb. 17, 1886).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M55

QUINEBAUG RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"At West Dudley * * * at noon Saturday close watch was 

begun at the dam as the river was within a few inches of the 

height reached during the freshet of ten years ago and was 

rapidly increasing while the ice threatened to break up at any 

time" (Southbridge Journal, Feb. 19, 1886).

"Pomfret Landing. We have the testimony of the oldest 

inhabitants that the flood or freshet in the valley of the Quinebaug River and other streams occurring on the 13th and 14th 

instant was the greatest ever known by them" (Willimantic 

Chronicle, Feb. 24, 1886).

"No floods from that of Feb. 11-13, 1886 to 1933 were as big 

as the 1886 flood on the Quinebaug River" (Norwich Bulletin, 

Feb. 14, 1933).

SHETUCKET AND YANTIC RIVERS IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"Norwich, Feb. 13, the flood prevailing here exceeds the 

memorable freshet of 1876" (Providence Journal, Feb. 13, 1886).

"The She tucket and Yantic flooded Norwich Saturday, rising 

nearly 30 feet in 24 hours and reached the highest point ever 

known" (New Haven Register, Feb. 15, 1886).

1887 

ST. JOHN RIVER NEAR FORT KENT, MAINE (MAY)

"The St. John at Woodstock, higher than has been known since 

1854" (Aroostook Times, May 12, 1887).

Mr. Joe Kelley, age 84, life-long resident of Dickey, Maine, 

which is about 40 miles upstream from Fort Kent, reports that 

the highest flow ever recalled by residents in the area occurred 

in June, 1887 [perhaps May 12 flood], and that the flood of 1896, 

which was caused by ice jams, was the next highest flood on the 

St. John River (oral communication, 1957).

PENOBSCOT RIVER IN MAINE (MAY)

"Where the track of the M.C.R.R. runs between Bangor and 

Vanceboro the water has covered the rails to a depth of several 

feet" (Aroostook Times, May 5, 1887).

"It is said there has not been such a freshet as we have experienced this spring since 1854" (Aroostook Times, May 12, 

1887).

KENNEBEC RIVER AT WINSLOW, MAINE (APRIL 30)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 76.

1891

PABK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (JANUARY)

"The big storm and thaw made the Park river rise at an unprecedented rate. At 10 o'clock it had reached a higher point
M56 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

than it is remembered to have attained before" (Waterbury 

American, Jan. 23, 1891).

QTJINNIPIAC RIVER NEAR WALLINGFORD, CONN. (JANUARY)

"The highest stage ever known occurred at Plantsville, 16 feet 

at the Main Street bridge" (Waterbury American, Jan. 23, 1891).

STILL RIVER NEAR LANESVILLE, CONN. (JANUARY)

"At corner of West and Montgomery streets the water reached 

to the second-story windows. * * * All the houses on South 

William Street are flooded to a depth of over five feet" (Waterbury American, Jan. 23, 1891).

HOUSATONIC RIVER NEAR STEVENSON, CONN. (JANUARY)

"The Housatonic Dam was badly damaged by an ice jam. 

The water was twelve feet over the crest of the dam, probably 

obstructed by ice. The greatest flood Derby and Shelton ever 

did, or ever will, witness" (Derby Sentinel, May 12, 1951).

1895 

PISCATAQUIS RIVER IN MAINE (APRIL)

Stage was 8 feet above normal. There was no serious damage 

(Grover, 1937, p. 440).

KENNEBEC RIVER AT WATERVILLE, MAINE (APRIL 15)

For relative flood discharges, refer to page 63.

ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER IN RUMFORD, MAINE (APRIL 15)

For relative flood discharges, refer to page 76.

LITTLE ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER NEAR SOUTH PARIS, MAINE (APRIL)

The flood of April at Norway was said to be the highest since 

1869 (from files of the Geological Survey in Augusta, Maine).

SACO RIVER IN MAINE (APRIL 17)

For relative flood stages at West Buxton, Maine, refer to 

page 77.

A stage of 10.5 feet above the crest of the dam at Union Falls 

was reached. Damages in the Saco River basin were not serious. 

At North Conway, N.H., it was called the worst flood since 1869 

(Grover, 1937, p. 447, 448).

The April flood was the highest ever know at Hiram. It was 

above the 1870 mark in Saco on the 16th (from files of the Geological Survey in Augusta, Maine).

PEMIGEWASSET RIVER AT PLYMOUTH, N.H. (APRIL)

A mark designating the height of the 1895 flood was 6 inches 

higher than a railroad spike marking the flood of Oct. 4, 1869. 

However, the flood of 1895 was exceeded by the floods of 1927 

and 1936 at that point (Grover, 1937, p. 449).

PEMIGEWASSET RIVER AT BRISTOL, N.H. (APRIL)

"The Pemigewasset was a roaring torrent at the depot within 

two feet of the top of the wall. In some places this freshet 

registered higher than that of 1869" (Musgrove, 1904, p. 487).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M57

CONTOOCOOK RIVEE IN CONTOOCOOK, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

For comparative flood heights, see oral communication by 

Mr. A. Huntoon, page 77.

MEKKIMACK RIVEK NEAK CONCORD, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

"This morning the water was nearly a foot deep in the basement of the Concord and Montreal Railroad Shops * * *. The 

last time the water rose to a height sufficient to inundate the 

shop, was in 1884. The freshet of that year brought the water 

to a height five inches greater than that of yesterday and today. 

On October 5, 1869 the highest point ever touched on the railroad water mark was reached. * * * The river was higher by 

fouf and one-half feet than it was at the highest point last night" 

(Concord Monitor).

MERRIMACK RIVER NEAR MANCHESTER, N.H. (APRIL 15)

For relative flood stages refer to page 79.

"* * * the water was flowing ten feet and six inches over the 

dam [Amoskeag Dam]. This exceeded the height of the water 

during the famous freshet of 1878 when it rose nine feet and four 

inches" (Browne, 1915, p. 181).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LOWELL, MASS. (DATE UNKNOWN)

For relative flood discharges, refer to page 13, and for relative 

flood heights over Pawtucket Dam, to page 80.

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR NORTH WALPOLE, VT. (APRIL)

"The gauge at the dam showed that 18.9 feet were going over 

for about an hour between 5 and 6 o'clock Saturday morning 

[Apr. 3, 1913] and the record of 1895 showed a mark of 19.4 feet.

"It is generally believed that the flood of 1862 was the greatest 

in history and the flood of 1895 is ranked second. The printed 

accounts however, do not indicate that there was much difference 

between the flood of 1895 and 1869, at both times the tunnel was 

banked and the railroad tracks were covered with water" (Bellows 

Falls Times, Apr. 4, 1913).

For comparative flood information, see statement referring to 

flood of 1895 on page 21.

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT VERNON, VT. (APRIL)

"* * * the water in the Connecticut River here Monday was 

undoubtedly several inches higher than in 1869 and from one 

foot to two feet lower than in 1862. At the latter time the water 

swept through the buildings at the Fort Dummer Farm, badly 

damaging the contents of the house. This time the water only 

reached the buildings" (Vermont Phoenix, Apr. 19, 1895).

ASHUELOT RIVER NEAR GILSUM, N.H. (APRIL)

"April 9, the water in the Fairfield reservoir escaped, doing 

considerable damage. Water rose to an unusual height in the 

Ashuelot and Beaver brook valleys, old residents agreeing that
M58 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

there had not been such a flood for twenty-four years, and by 

the night of the 14th, Beaver brook was higher than ever remembered before by almost a foot, and the Ashuelot reached the 

high water mark" (Griffin, 1904, p. 697).

CONNECTICUT KIVBK IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (APRIL)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

1896

HOUSATONIC RIVER NEAR GAYLORDSVILLE, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"New Milford. The worst storm and deluge by water since 

1854. The roads are badly washed and bridges by the score 

carried away or moved from their foundations" (Newtown Bee, 

Feb. 14, 1896). »

STILL RIVER NEAR LANESVILLE, CONN. (FEBRUARY)

"The shop is flooded 18 niches. The third tune it was flooded 

in 30 years. Bridges were washed away" (Newtown Bee, Mar. 

6, 1896).

SHEPAUG RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"Koxbury. The severe rainstorm of Thursday caused much 

damage" (New Milford Gazette, Feb. 14, 1896).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT STEVENSON, CONN. (FEBRUARY 7)

At the Housatonic Dam it was 6 feet 4 inches over the crest, 

the greatest stage ever reached between 1869 and 1900 (from files 

of the Geological Sunfey, Hartford, Conn.).

NAUGATUCK RIVER AT NAUGATUCK, CONN. (FEBRUARY 7)

"The stage at Seymour was 16 feet and 5 inches" (Waterbury American, Feb. 7, 1896).

"From a reliable record kept at the store of James O. May, the 

flood last night was 18 inches higher than the freshet in January 

1891 and that flood was higher than any for eight years previous" 

(Waterbury American, Feb. 7, 1896).

KENNEBEC RIVER IN MAINE (MARCH 2)

For relative flood discharges at Waterville, refer to page 

63, and for relative flood stages at Hallo well, to page 76.

ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER IN MAINE (MARCH 2)

For relative flood discharges at Kumford, refer to page 76.

"The most destructive * * * previous to that of March 1936 

* * * . The flow * * * at Lewiston was estimated at 65,000 

second-feet, the highest since the beginning of the records in 

1850" (Grover, 1937, p. 446).

SAGO RIVER IN MAINE (MARCH 2)

For relative flood stages at West Buxton, refer to page 77. 

"The flood of Mar. 2, 1896 was two feet higher than the previous high water at Brownfield, and four feet above the floor in the
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M59

Garland Building in Saco" (from files of the Geological Survey, 

Augusta, Maine).

"The discharge of the Saco River at Biddeford was approximately 40,000 second-feet * * *. This was the second largest 

flood on record at Biddeford. The Saco River reached a stage of 

9.75 feet above the crest of Bradbury Dam in Saco" (Grover, 

1937, p. 448).

COCHBCO RIVER NEAR DOVER, N.H. (MARCH)

"The city of Dover is being visited by one of the most destructive floods * * * in its history. * * * The water at the dam is 

108 inches above the dam and the highest point ever reached 

previously was 59 inches" (Concord Monitor, Mar. 2, 1896).

PEMIGEWASSET RIVER AT BRISTOL, N.H. (MARCH)

"The Pemigewasset did not reach the height of the freshet of 

1895 by a foot, but south of there the records exceeded that" 

(Musgrove, 1904, p. 488).

CONTOOCOOK RIVER AT PETERBORO, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

The flood of 1896 was described as the worst in history (Smith, 

1896, p. 15).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT CONCORD, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

Relative flood heights of the 1896 and 1895 floods, referenced 

to the city datum of Concord, were 21.53 feet and 21.65 feet, 

respectively (Lyford, 1896, p. 14).

SUNCOOK RIVER AT SUNCOOK, N.H. (MARCH)

"At nine this morning the river was two feet higher than one 

year ago" (Concord Monitor, Mar. 2, 1896).

PISCATAQUOG RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MARCH)

"The Piscataquog River rose to unprecedented volume and the 

water at Kelly's Falls rose to 8% feet which was nearly 3 feet 

higher than in 1895" (Browne, 1915, p. 184,^185).

MERRIMACK RIVER NEAR MANCHESTER, N.H. (MARCH)

For relative flood stages at Manchester, refer to page 79.

SOUHEGAN RIVER AT MILFORD, N.H.

A great freshet reached the highest point since 1869 (Concord 

Monitor, Mar. 2, 1896).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT NASHUA, N.H. (MARCH)

"On March 2, 1896 the Merrimack was higher at this point 

than it has been since 1852 * * * " (Webster, 1913, p. 396).

MERRIMACK RI\ER IN MASSACHUSETTS (MARCH 3)

For relative flood discharges at Lowell, refer to page 13, and 

for relative flood heights over Pawtucket Dam, to page 80. 

The altitude of the flood of Mar. 3, 1896, at Lowell was 94.83
M60 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

feet (flood files in the office of the Proprietors of the Locks and 

Canals on the Merrimack River. 

For relative flood stages at Lawrence, refer to page 81.

PASSUMPSIC AND MOOSE RIVERS IN VERMONT (MARCH)

"On the first day of March this year was the biggest ice pack 

ever known in the town" (Fairbanks, 1912, p. 518).

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT SOUTH NEWBURY, VT. (DATE UNKNOWN)

For comparative flood heights, see oral communication by 

Judge Brock, page 70.

OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER IN VERMONT (MARCH)

A flood of Mar. 1-3, 1896, was described as having the same 

peak flow as the 1895 flood, which in turn was described as having 

a somewhat lower peak than one or two previous floods, (newspaper files of historic floods on the Ottauquechee River in the 

Woodstock library).

STILL AND MAD RIVERS NEAR ROBERTSVILLE, CONN. (MARCH)

"There was much water in Winsted. Mad River overflowed 

its banks in the center of town and Main St. was flooded in some 

places to a depth of four feet" (Torrington Register, Mar. 6, 

1896).

FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

For relative flood stages at Collinsville, refer to page 84.

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

QUINNIPIAC RIVER AT WALLINGFORD, CONN. (MARCH l)

" * * * four feet over the community dam at Wallingford 

* * * " (Meriden Journal, Nov. 2, 1896).

HOUSATONIC RIVER NEAR DALTON, MASS. (MARCH)

"Dalton. High water line on Sunday when the water reached 

four feet above the level of Weston's dam" (Pittsfield Sun, Mar. 

5, 1806).

HOUSATONIC RIVER NEAR QAYLORDSVILLE, CONN. (MARCH)

"Kent. * * * the waters in all the streams higher than it has 

been for a good many years" (Newtown Bee, Mar. 6, 1896).

STILL RIVER NEAR LANESVILLB, CONN. (MARCH)

"On Feb. 29,1896 two bridges were carried off" (Newtown Bee, 

Mar. 6,1896).

SHEPAUQ RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

"Woodville. The rain * * * doing more damage than before in 

years, taking the bridge near Charles Beemans that, with great 

cakes of ice, came rushing down, tearing away all the stone work 

of the mill dam" (New Milford Gazette, Mar. 6, 1896).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M61

"Washington. The flood of Saturday did considerable damage 

in this vicinity [more than on Feb. 13]" (Newtown Bee, Mar. 6, 

1896).

NAUGATUCK KIVBB IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

"Torrington, Mar. 2. * * * it being about 30 years since the 

waters have stood at the height reached on that day. * * * The 

water reached its highest point * * * when it touched the mark 

reached by the big storm of June 1867" (Waterbury American, 

Mar. 2, 1896).

"Thomaston, Mar. 2. The river was several inches higher than 

at the other flood, and it is said that it was higher than ever known 

here before" (Waterbury American, Mar. 2, 1896).

"In Waterbury * * * the New England station at the height of 

the flood was under water to a depth of 14 inches, and the freight 

yard was covered to a corresponding depth" (Torrington 

Register, Mar. 6, 1896).

"Nau'gatuek had the highest flood since 1854 * * * " (Torrington 

Register, Mar. 6, 1896).

"Naugatuck. * * * The record kept at the drug store of Mr. 

James O. May showed that at 5 a.m. the water was a full 10 

inches higher than on February 6 last, so that this flood is the 

highest since Apr. 30, 1854" (Waterbury American, Mar. 2,

1896).

1897

NEWFOUND LAKE IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (DATE UNKNOWN)

"A stone in the highway to mark the high water of 1843, was 

covered 2 to 3 inches deep" (Musgrove, 1904, p. 488).

ASHUELOT RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MAT 14)

"The dam at Wilson Pond, West Keene, went out, freeing 30 

acres of water, bridge and abutments washed away * * *" 

(Griffin, 1904 p. 699).

NASHUA RIVER NEAE FITCHBURG, MASS. (JULY)

"Water damage at Fitchburg. Water in the pond back of the 

Gushing Grain Mill on Laurel Street was unusually high, being 

about a foot above water mark" (Leominster Enterprise, July 9,

1897).

SLEEPERS RIVER NEAR ST. JOHNSBURY, VT. (JULY 24)

" * * * the foundry bridge was swept off and water ran four feet 

deep through the blacksmith and machine shops and the foundries 

depositing generous layers of mud. Four bridges went off on the 

Sleepers River * * *" (Fairbanks, 1912, p. 518).

710-949 64 5
M62 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

190O

NORTH NASHUA RIVER NEAR LEOMINSTER, MASS. (FEBRUARY AND MARCH)

"Monoosnock Brook and Nashua River are raging torrents 

which threaten to do serious damage. * * * Monoosnock Brook 

is several feet above high water mark. William Hackett, who 

has been employed as an engineer at Rockwell's Mill for a long 

period of time, says that the Brook was never at such a high 

mark. All records have been broken in that respect" (Leominster 

Enterprise, Feb. 13, 1900).

"Another dose of high water makes trouble. At the Rockwell 

property, the water was nearly as high as before" (Leominster 

Enterprise, Mar. 2, 1900).

ASHUELOT RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (FEBRUARY 13)

"Feb. 13, water ten and one-half inches higher than known since 

1869 * * *" (Griffin, 1904, p. 704).

"Faulkner & Colony reported higher water at their mill than 

known by them since the famous October freshet of 1869. The 

water came in on the basement floor of the mill to a depth of two 

or three inches" (Keene Sentinel, Feb. 14, 1900).

WARE RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (DATE UNKNOWN)

"Owing to the heavy rains during the latter part of the winter 

of 1900 * * * [we] had the misfortune to lose three of our bridges 

* * *" (Town Report, 1900, Ware, Mass.).

FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

For relative flood elevations at Collinsville, refer to page 84.

STILL AND MAD RIVERS NEAR WINSTED, CONN. (FEBRUARY AND MARCH)

"The river beat all records except the great flood of March four 

years since, and the water came within seven inches of that record 

breaker" (Waterbury American, Feb. 14, 1900).

"Winsted, Mar. 1. Today's rain developed another freshet 

surpassing that of a week ago, but attendant with less damage t 

however" (Meriden Record, Mar. 2, 1900).

BLACKBERRY RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY AND MARCH)

"Norfolk. 'The Island' was submerged for nearly two hours 

during which time the waters wrought havoc in some of the 

cellars" (Winsted Herald, Feb. 21, 1900).

"Norfolk. Yesterday's freshet was a record breaker, eclipsing 

all its predecessors for years back as far as the oldest inhabitants 

can remember. * * * never known higher in the history of the 

stream" (Winsted Herald, Feb. 21, 1900).

BHEPAUG RIVER NEAR ROXBURY, CONN. (MARCH)

"The flood of Mar. 1 was the largest of the three that has visited 

us in the past few weeks" (Newtown Bee, Mar. 6, 1900).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M63

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT DERBY, CONN. (MARCH)

"One o'clock this morning, it reached the high water mark, 16 

feet 10 inches, the highest flood since Jan. 8, 1874 * * *.

"The measurements at the dam, which were marked on ait 

automatic gauge showed that 6 feet 3 inches was the greatest 

depth reached. The greatest depth of water ever reached on th& 

new dam was during the flood of Feb. 6,1896, when 6 feet 4 inches 

were shown.

"Although the water in 1896 passing over the dam was one inch 

deeper than last night, yet the water below the dam did not rise so 

high, so that the present flood is the biggest Derby has had since 

1874" (Derby Sentinel, Mar. 2, 1900).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (FEBRUARY)

"Thomaston. The water in the Naugatuck river here is higher 

than at any time for many years * * * " (Waterbury Republican, 

Feb. 14, 1900).

1901

PENOBSCOT RIVER IN MAINE (APRIL 10)

"This flood was the greatest on record * * * up to this time, 

with a maximum discharge at Bangor of 115,000 second-feet" 

(Grover, 1937, p. 440).

ANDKOSCOGGIN RIVER AT RUMFORD, MAINE (APRIL 22)

For relative flood discharges, refer to page 76.

WEST BRANCH WESTFIELD RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (APRIL)

For comparative flood information, refer to oral communication 

by Mr. C. F. Pease, page 73.

WESTFIELD RIVER AT WESTFIELD, MASS. (APRIL)

"If the town ever had reason to appreciate the town dike it 

was on Sunday when the river at its height because of the Middlefield disaster. The water was not as high as in 1896 but it came 

with a rush and therefore more to be feared" (Times Newsletter, 

April 24, 1901).

KENNEBEC RIVER IN MAINE (DECEMBER 16)

"Continuous and systematic records of discharge of the Kennebec River at Waterville, Maine, were commenced by the Hollingsworth & Whitney Co. in 1892. Since that time the discharge of 

the Kennebec River at Waterville has exceeded 100,000 secondfeet five times on the dates shown in the following list.

1895. Apr. 15___________________ 103,000

1896. Mar. 2____._...___._.____ 113,000

1901, Dec. 16__.__._.________.__ 157,000

1923, May !.____________________________ 135, 000

1936, Mar. 19.__._______________ 154,000"

(Grover, 1937, p. 441).
M64 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

For relative flood stages at Winslow, refer to page 75, and for 

relative flood stages at Norridgewock refer to page 75.

SANDY RIVER AT FARMINGTON FALLS, MAINE (DECEMBER)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 75.

19O5

TPEQUONNOCK RIVER AT BRIDGEPORT, CONN. (JULY 29-30)

"On July 29-30, 11.32 inches of rain fell in 17 hours at Bridgeport, Conn. The resulting flood on the Pequonnock River 

[a Connecticut coastal stream], known as the 'Bridgeport flood', 

* * * Four mill dams failed, each failure increasing the magnitude 

of the flood, which fortunately discharged into Long Island Sound 

at ebb tide" (Hoyt and Langbein, 1955, p. 353).

1909

RIVERS IN MAINE (SEPTEMBER)

"* * * the rain began last Wednesday when an unusual 

downpour for several days previous caused the Penobscot, St. 

Croix, Passadumkeag, and Pleasant Rivers to overflow their 

banks and rapidly rise to freshet pitch. The City of Calais bore 

the brunt of the trouble" (Bangor Daily, Oct. 1, 1909).

MACHIAS RIVER AT WHITNEYVILLE, MAINE (SEPTEMBER)

"An aged man in a neighboring town remarked that he never 

saw no such water in the river.

"The damage reported from up river is the going out of Canaan 

dam on Oldstream * * *" (Machias Union, Oct. 1, 1909).

1913

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT SOUTH NEWBURY, VT. (DATE UNKNOWN)

For comparative flood stages see oral communication by Judge 

Brock, page 70.

OTTAUQUECHEE RIVER IN VERMONT (MARCH 28)

A file in the Woodstock, Vt., library marked, "About Historic 

Floods of the Ottauquechee River, 1927," stated: "March 28, 

1913 * * * Highest since '69 [1869]."

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR NORTH WALPOLE, N.H. (MARCH)

"* * * The highest peak of water in the river was at 6 o'clock 

Saturday morning when the gauge at the dam stood at 18.9. 

The last recorded high water before this was in 1895, when the 

same gauge indicated 19.4 at the peak" (Hayes, 1927).

"The water rose at a good rate and a little after 3 o'clock it 

was decided that the railroad tunnel should be blocked. * * * 

the water did come up until it was about eight inches above the 

level of the track, at the mouth of the tunnnel" (Bellows Falls 

Times, Apr. 4, 1913).

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (MARCH 29)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M65

1923

AROOSTOOK RIVEE IN MAINE (MAY 2)

Mrs. H. H. Lamereau, age 66, who has always lived along the 

banks of the Aroostook, said that the flood of May 2, 1923, was 

definitely the highest that occurred between 1918 and 1942. The 

water came to within 5 inches of the top of railroad fence posts 

along highway. There was no ice.

MEDUXNEKEAG RIVER NEAR HOULTON, MAINE (MAY)

"* * * All occupants of houses along the river front were 

obligated to move on Sunday, the water reaching over the first 

floor windows. Residents who have lived there for over 50 years, 

say that never has the water been so high" (Aroostook Pioneer, 

May 5, 1923).

ST. CROIX RIVER IN MAINE (MAY)

Mr. Windsor Deurah, superintendent of former Milltown, N.B., 

Cotton Mill, said that the mill was built in 1881-82. The flood of 

1923 wrecked the old dam. Never since the mill was built in 

1881 has there been higher water than that of May 1923 (oral 

communication, 1957).

MACHIAS RIVER IN MAINE (MAY)

"The storage dam at the foot of Machias First Lake had given 

away during the night * * *. At the Machias bridge the water 

had reached a point higher than ever before reached" (Union 

Republican, May 3, 1923).

Mr. Stephen Tuell, age 57, Mr. Henry Durgan, age about 70, 

and Mrs. James Mattatill, age 87, all of East Machias, Maine, 

report that the flood of 1923 was the only flood that did any 

damage in East Machias during then- lifetime (oral communications, 1957).

WEST BRANCH UNION RIVER AT AMHERST, MAINE (MAY 2)

"* * * Worst disaster in Ellsworth history. Freshet of 

unprecedented height during Monday and Tuesday. The 

Wednesday afternoon break in new storage dam of the Bar 

Harbor and Union River Power Company at Brimmer's bridge" 

(Ellsworth American, May 2, 1923).

PISCATAQUIS RIVER AT MEDFORD, MAINE (MAY)

"Gage height of May 1, 1923 was 20.8 feet at site and datum 

then in use from highwater mark on Ferryman's house. Highest 

mark by local people" (from files of Geological Survey, Augusta, 

Maine).

PENOBSCOT RIVER IN MAINE (MAY 1)

"1923, May 1. This flood the largest of record in the Penobscot 

River Basin * * *" (Grover, 1937, p. 441).
M66 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

KENNEBEC RIVER IN MAINE (MAY 1)

-~ For relative flood stages at Norridgewock, refer to page 75, 

and for relative flood stages and relative flood discharges at 

Waterville, to pages 76, 63.

SANDY RIVER AT FARMINGTON PALLS, MAINE (APRIL)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 75.

ANDROSCOGGIN RIVER AT RUMPORD, MAINE (APRIL 22)

For relative flood discharges, refer to page 76.

1924

WILLIMANTIC RIVER AT WILLIMANTIC, CONN. (APRIL 7)

«* * * gjx dams along the Willimantic river overflowed five 

feet, the highest record in 18 years" (Meriden Record, Apr. 8, 

1924).

PARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (APRIL)

"At Unionville * * * the highest mark in 25 years" (Torrington Register, Apr. 7, 1924).

For relative flood stages at Collinsville, refer to page 84.

STILL RIVER NEAR WINSTED, CONN. (APRIL)

"Highland Lake, the largest body of water in the state, reached 

a new high water mark tonight when eleven and one half inches 

above high water was registered" (Waterbury Republican, 

Apr. *8, 1924).

PEQUABUCK RIVER NEAR BRISTOL, CONN. (APRIL)

"The south section of the city was flooded this morning. 

School street was completely under water" (Waterbury American, 

Apr. 7, 1924).

STILL RIVER IN DANBURY, CONN. (APRIL)

"* * * streams have overflowed their curbs" (Waterbury 

American, Apr. 7, 1924).

POMPERAUG RIVER NEAR WOODBURY, CONN. (APRIL)

"The river badly flooded the flats making the river roads 

extremely dangerous to drive over" (Waterbury American, Apr. 

8, 1924).

NAtJGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (APRIL)

"The only conditions equalling that which prevailed today, 

according to old residents of the city [Torrington] was that which 

followed the flood of June 27, 1869" (Torrington Register, Apr. 7, 

1924).

Naugatuck: "Mr. A. J. Campbell of C. L. & P. Co., stated, 

'The water in the Naugatuck river at the power plant in the 

West End was higher than at any previous time since they had 

started keeping records. The highest record the power company 

has is that of Jan. 22, 1910 when the water was 126.13 while this 

morning's depth read 127.92. The mean depth at this place 

is 118.' "
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M67

"Ansonia. * * * the Naugatuck river at its highest level 

since 1914 * * *" (Waterbury American, Apr. 7, 1924).

1927

"On November 3-4 a tropical storm * * * swept northward 

across western New England. * * * caused torrential rainfall 

and severe floods over extensive areas in virtually all of Northern 

New England and in the upper Hudson basin in New York. 

* * * Extreme flooding was most severe in the White and 

Winooski valleys of Vermont" (Hoyt and Langbein, 1955, p. 372).

ANDBOSCOGGIN BIVEB AT BTJMFOBD, MAINE (NOVEMBEB)

For relative flood discharges, refer to page 76.

3PEMIGEWASSET BIVEB NEAB WOODSTOCK, N H. (NOVEMBEB)

Mr. E. D. Westover, superintendent of the Beebee River 

Bobbin Plant of the Draper Corp., said that a Mr. Wallace, who 

was about 80 years old in 1924 when the Beebee River plant was 

built, had stated that the highest flood before 1924 was 16 to 

18 inches over the railroad tracks at the office. On Nov. 4, 

1927, the water reached a mark 5 feet 9 inches above the floor in 

the office of the Beebee River plant. The 1936 flood mark was 

-just above the windowsills in the office, or 2 feet 6 inches above 

the floor. The floor is 3 feet 9 inches above the top of the rail, 

or 2 feet 3 inches above the highest flood that occurred before 

1924. Thus, the 1927 flood was the highest flood known since 

about 1844 (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. F. Brown, the gage reader at the Woodstock gaging station, 

and his father, who is 90 years old, said that the 1927 flood was 

undoubtedly the largest flood that had occurred within their 

memory, or the memory of Mr. Brown's grandfather, which 

extends their knowledge back to about 100 years ago (oral 

communication, 1957).

BAKER RIVER AT WABREN, N.H. (NOVEMBEB)

This flood was 3 feet 6 inches above the 1936 flood, according 

to marks in the basement of Henry Buskey's shop at the bridge 

on N.H. Highway 25.

At the state fish hatchery, just downstream from Warren, the 

November 1927 flood was the worst ever, according to Mr. R. S. 

Evans, the superintendent. He had a 1927 floodmark hi the 

office of the fish hatchery 6 feet above the floor. The 1936,1938, 

and 1942 floods were all roughly 1 foot deep in the office. The 

hatchery had been built in 1915 (oral communication, 1957).

PEMIGEWASSET BIVER AT PLYMOUTH, N.H. (NOVEMBEB)

While making the historical flood investigation in the vicinity 

of Plymouth, N.H., it was established beyond any doubt that the 

1927 flood was higher than that of 1936 on the Pemigewasset
M68 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

River above the effect of the Baker River, and on the Baker 

River above the effect of the Pemigewasset River. Nevertheless,, 

there is clear evidence at Plymouth and for a short distance 

above the confluence of the two streams, that the 1936 flood was 

higher than that of 1927. There is also evidence, from the 

comments of the people in the vicinity, that the peaks did not 

coincide.

MEimiMACK RIVER AT CONCORD, N.H. (NOVEMBER)

"The water at Concord is two feet higher than at any time in 

its history. SewelPs Falls Dam 12.2 feet. At the Bristol Dam 

the water was 10K feet above the dam" (Concord Monitor, Nov. 5r 

1927).

MEHRIMACK RIVER AT MANCHESTER, N.H. (NOVEMBER)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 79.

MEHniMACK RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (NOVEMBER)

For relative flood heights over Pawtucket Dam at Lowellr 

Mass., refer to page 80. 

For relative flood stages at Lawrence, Mass., refer to page 81.

QUINEBAUG RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

"Quinebaug river highest since 1888. Three and one half feet 

over Dyer Dam" (Norwich Bulletin, Nov. 5, 1927).

"* * * The Moosup River * * * produced at the dam at 

Sterling, Conn., an estimate runoff of 3,000 second feet, or about 

66 cfsm" (House Document 644, 71st Congress, 3rd Session, p. 

, 13).

EAST BRANCH PASSUMPSIC RIVER IN VERMONT (NOVEMBER)

Mr. Gray, manager of the Lyndonville, Vt., Municipal Electric 

Co., said that the 1927 flood was the greatest to ever hit the town. 

Mrs. M. G. Humphry, said that she believed the 1927 flood was, 

the highest since 1856, when her family settled in the vicinity. 

Mr. Bowman, who runs the grain store in East Burke, Vt., said 

that the 1927 flood is the highest since at least 1902. Mr. Gaskell,. 

90-year old resident of East Burke, Vt., said that the 1927 flood 

was the only outstanding high water he could remember (oral 

communications, 1957).

MOOSE RIVER IN VERMONT (NOVEMBER)

In Concord, Vt., Mr. F. A. Lewis said (oral communicationr 

1957) that his ancestors were among the first settlers in Concord 

and that from his personal experience the only outstanding high 

water since at least 1881 was in 1927. That was the only time the 

river ever got up into his barn.

In Victory, Vt., Mr. Stanley, whose family have lived for 117 

years on the same farm on the banks of the Moose River, said 

(oral communication, 1957) that he knew of no outstanding high
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN'NEW ENGLAND M69

water, except maybe during November 1927. He believed that 

at that tune the small streams flowing from the west into the 

Moose River caused more trouble than the river itself.

PASSUMPSIC RIVER IN VERMONT (NOVEMBER)

"The Main street at St. Johnsbury Center is about 15 feet 

under water. The water is 10 feet high on the walls of the Green 

Mountain Grange building.

"The record of 58 years had been broken by the flood according 

to oldest inhabitants. Mr. J. M. Rowe said that the worst 

previous flood was on October 2d 1869" (Caledonian Record, 

Nov. 4, 1927).

"Mr. P. J. Lachance, who has lived on the river bank on upper 

Railroad street in St. Johnsbury all his life, found by measurements taken at his wrecked home that this flood was four feet 

higher than that of 1869" (Walter, 1928, p. 13).

Mr. Skinner of Passumpsic, Vt., could remember the unusual 

high waters of 1896, 1913, and 1936, and stated (oral communication, 1957) that they were not in the same class with the 1927 

flood. He had heard stories of the October 1869 flood from his 

father-in-law. It did not compare with the 1927 flood, but he 

thought that it was greater than the flood of 1936.

AMMONOOSUC RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (NOVEMBER)

In Littleton, N.H., Mr. Holmes, powerplant superintendent 

of the Littleton Municipal Power Co., said that the 1927 flood 

was the greatest since at least 1875 when his family settled in 

Littleton (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. Straw, plant operator for the Bethlehem Power Co., 

Bethlehem, N.H., said (oral communication, 1957) that the 1927 

flood was the highest since at least 1905, and that the 1936 flood 

was next highest. This flood was followed in magnitude by the 

flood of 1938.

In Lisbon, N.H., Mr. N. Fox, town clerk, believed that the 

1927 flood was the greatest flood since the town was settled, in 

about 1780. He did not consider any other flood since 1900 

outstanding. The only other outstanding flood that he had ever 

heard of was in 1869 (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. Robar of Lisbon, former power-station operator, said 

(oral communication, 1957) that the 1927 flood was 1% feet 

higher at the dam than any other flood since at least 1909. Mr. 

C. N. Carriweton, of the same town, who can remember back to 

1892, said (oral communication, 1957) that the 1927 flood was the 

highest ever known. He had heard of the 1869 flood.
M70 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

WELLS EIVEK IN VERMONT (NOVEMBER)

Mr. Clark, who owns a store in Wells River, Vt., said (oral 

communication, 1957) that his family settled in Wells River in 

the early 1800's, and that the only time he had heard of the water 

flowing down Main Street was in November, 1927. He is certain 

that was the highest flood since at least 1900.

Miss Tucker, postmistress of Boltonville, said (oral communication, 1957) that her father owned a grist mill which was washed 

away in the 1927 flood. She had heard stories of the 1869 flood 

from her father; however, it did not compare with the 1927 flood.

Mr. H. Brown of South Ryegate, Vt., said that he bought a 

farm along the Wells River when he was a young man. The 

farmer from whom he bought the place pointed out the highwater mark for the 1869 flood. Mr. Brown owned the farm 

during the 1927 flood, and the water was at least 2 feet over the 

1869 flood mark #t that tune. He knew of no other outstanding 

floods since 1890 (oral communication, 1957).

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR NEWBURY, VT. (NOVEMBER)

Judge Brock, who lives in Newbury, Vt., said that his family 

settled in Newberry before the Revolution. His father put a 

spike in a tree on the banks of the Connecticut River to mark the 

high water of 1876. In 1896, Mr Brock put a spike in the same 

tree 18 inches higher than the 1876 spike. He also put a spike 

in the tree in 1913, but he cannot remember just where it fell in 

relation to the other two spikes. After the November 1927 

flood Mr. Brock's son put a spike in the tree marking the high 

water. It was at least 2 feet higher than the highest spike in the 

tree (oral communication, 1957).

OMPOMPANOOSUC RIVER IN VERMONT (NOVEMBER)

Mr. H. E. Heaton of Post Mills, Vt., said that the 1927 flood 

was the highest since 1869. His family settled on their farm in 

1819. His father told him of the 1869 flood, but from what little 

he had to go on, he felt that the 1927 flood was greater than the 

1869 flood (oral communication, 1957).

WHITE RIVER IN VERMONT (NOVEMBER)

Mr. and Mrs. Spaulding who live in the town of Royalton, said 

that the 1927 flood was the greatest since at least 1896; and that 

the 1938, 1936, and 1913 floods follow in that order of magnitude. 

Their families have lived in Royalton for three generations, and 

they have never heard of any other floods (oral communications, 

1957).

Mr. G. Ainsworth of South Royalton said that in 1867 his 

father acquired the farm which he now operates, and that soon 

after 1867 a great flood occurred which removed the pumpkins
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M71

from the field. From landmarks described by his father, Mr. 

Ainsworth believes that this flood was higher than the 1938 

flood, but not as high as the 1927 flood (oral communication, 

1957).

"The White River valley suffered severely from the great 

November flood of 1927. Swollen by the tremendous downpour 

of rain, the main river and the Third Branch particularly passed 

all known flood stages. The First and Second Branches, while 

they reached very high levels, were not so destructive" (Johnson, 

L. B., 1928, p. 7).

CONNECTICUT BIVEB AT WHITE BIVEE JUNCTION, VT. (NOVEMBEK)

Mr. E. Colby, who owns a farm on the banks of the Connecticut 

River, said that the 1927 flood was the highest since at least 1850. 

If the water had come any higher it would have been over the 

first floor of his house, and if such a thing had happened previously, he would have heard of it from his father who settled 

there in 1850. Mr. Colby was 72 years old (oral communication 

1957).

Mr. W. B. True, who owns a farm located along the Connecticut 

River in West Lebanon, N.H., stated that his family has lived on 

the farm since 1838 and the only time that the Connecticut River 

rose high enough to reach his cellar was in 1927. The next 

highest flood occurred in 1936, and he thought that it was about 3 

feet lower than the 1927 highwater. The only other two high 

waters which he could recall as being outstanding since 1890 

were those of 1896 and 1913, which were of about equal magnitude 

(oral communication, 1957).

OTTAUQUECHEE BIVEB IN VEBMONT (NOVEMBEB)

Mr. Davis, who was manager of the Quechee Mills until his 

retirement in 1945, said that as far as he knows the 1927 flood was 

the greatest flood to hit the mills since they were built in the 

1830's. He cut notches in a door frame to show the heights of 

the 1927 and 1936 floods. The 1936 flood was 4 inches lower 

than the 1927 flood, but the 1936 flood was caused by ice jams. 

A Mr. Lindsey, who was the mill manager before Mr. Davis, 

told of a flood in 1869 which was the greatest until 1927. The 

1869 flood destroyed one of the brick buildings of the mill (oral 

communication, 1957).

BLACK BIVEB IN VEBMONT (NOVEMBEB)

Near Springfield, Vt., Mr. M. White, retired official of Vermont 

Foundry, pointed out some bronze flood markers that were placed 

around the foundry after the Nov. 4, 1927, flood on the Black 

River. Mr. White also said that the 1936 and 1938 floods were
M72 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

at least 5 feet lower than the 1927 flood at the foundry (oral 

communication 1957).

Mr. Balch, assistant general foreman of maintenance of Fellows 

Gear Shaper Co., said that the 1927 flood was the highest since 

1893, and that the 1936 and 1938 floods were about equal in 

height at the plant. They have high-water markers for the 

1927 flood scattered throughout the buildings (oral communication, 1957).

WILLIAMS BIVEB IN VERMONT (NOVEMBER)

For comparative flood heights at Chester, Vt., refer to oral communications by Mrs. Davis, Mr. Hawkes, and Mr. Crocker, 

page 87.

Mr. Ellison said that the 1927 flood was higher in the town of 

Bartonsville than the flood of 1938. He had heard of no other 

floods of any outstanding magnitude (oral communication, 

1957).

In Brockway Mills, Vt., Mrs Parkhearst, owner of the farm by 

the gaging station, could remember back to at least 1900. Her 

father had owned the mill just downstream from the bridge. 

Mrs. Parkhearst said that the 1927 flood was the highest flood in 

that vicinity since at least 1869. She believed that the water 

was almost 2 feet higher than in 1938, because it was over the 

abutments of the bridge in 1927, but wasn't in 1938. She was 

quite sure that this great height in 1927 was caused by the mill 

dam which was just downstream from the bridge. She said that 

the dam went out during the 1927 flood and caused a rapid recession in the stage in the vicinity of the gauge. She was quite 

certain that the discharge was greater during the 1938 flood, 

even though the stage was not as high. She also remembered 

hearing her father tell of a flood in 1869 which she believed was 

not as great as the 1927 flood. The mill dam was there during 

the 1869 flood (oral communication, 1957).

SAXTONS RIVER IN VERMONT (NOVEMBER)

For comparative flood information, see oral communication 

by Mr. A. H. Thompson, page 42.

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR NORTH WALPOLE, N.H. (NOVEMBER)

"Bellows Falls and Vicinity * * * The water level rose above 

all previous marks, reaching a height of 25 feet and 8 inches above 

the level of the old dam.

"* * * All available help was put at work to prevent the water 

from the canal passing through the railroad tunnel under the 

main part of the business section of the village. * * * The 

effort was successful and little water passed through. When 

the peak of high water was reached * * * it stood at 7.46 feet
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M73

above the rails. During the last year the rails in the tunnel have 

been lowered 18 inches, so in comparison with former years that 

amount should be deducted" (Hayes, 1927).

WEST RIVER IN VERMONT (NOVEMBER)

For comparative flood information, see oral communication 

by Mr. Charles Taft, page 42.

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT VERNON, VT. (NOVEMBER)

"At 2 o'clock this afternoon the water stood 14.9 feet deep on 

the crest of the Vernon Power Plant Dam [built in 1907].

"The highest previous mark was 12K feet in 1913" (Brattleboro Reformer, Nov. 4, 1927).

WEST BRANCH OF WESTFIELD RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (NOVEMBER)

Mr. C. F. Pease, owner of the dry goods store on the bank of 

the river by one of the bridges in Chester, Mass., said that the 

1927 flood was highest owing to the dam break in Becket and that 

the 1901 flood was next. This flood was caused by a dam break 

in Middlefield, Mass. The floods of 1938 and 1955 were next 

in height after the 1901 flood, in that order (oral communication, 

1957).

Mr. Donnelly of the Hamilton Emery and Carborundum Co., 

pointed out flood marks in the basement of one of their buildings. 

The mark for the flood of 1927 was about 12 inches higher than 

that for the 1938 flood, which was about 12 inches higher than 

that for the 1955 flood.

WESTFIELD RIVER AT WEST SPRINGFIELD, MASS. (NOVEMBER)

For comparative flood discharges, refer to page 50.

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

STILL RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

"Winsted. Highland lake reached the highest level ever 

recorded here in last night's storm. The waters of the lake were 

a foot above any mark they had ever previously reached. The 

nearest to the flood level of last night was reached more than 

25 years ago" (Waterbury American, Nov. 4, 1927).

FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

For relative flood stages at Collinsville, refer to page 84.

EAST BRANCH HOUSATONIC RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (NOVEMBER)

"Worst flood in the history of North Berkshire. Not in 

memory of oldest inhabitants of the city has such a catastrophe 

visited the city" (Berkshire Eagle, Nov. 4, 1927).

HOUSATONIC RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (NOVEMBER)

"Saturday morning a high-water mark was reached that has 

never before been recorded. The flood waters reached the highest
M74 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

point on the 4 A. S. fairgrounds, in the memory of the oldest 

inhabitants at this point, the inside fence on the racetrack at 

the southwest corner was covered with water, a depth of over 

five feet. The cattle barns were flooded to a depth of five feet" 

(Berkshire Courier, Nov. 10, 1927).

BLACKBERRY RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

"Litchfield county was swept by the worst flood in its history 

last night" (Hartford Courant, Nov. 4, 1927).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (NOVEMBER)

"The central streets of Torrington were inundated by the 

Naugatuck Kiver" (Hartford Courant, Nov. 4, 1927).

"Thomaston. Flood waters have reached an unheard of 

level * * *" (Winsted Citizen, Nov. 4, 1927).

"Waterbury: The maximum height of the flood recorded by the 

transit men from the city engineer's office, was a foot higher than 

the flood of three years ago" (Waterbury American, Nov. 5,

1927).

"Seymour. The water of the Naugatuck River was the highest 

ever seen * * * without the aid of ice" (Naugatuck Sentinel, 

Nov. 4, 1927).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT DERBY, CONN. (NOVEMBER)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.

1928

CONNECTICUT RIVER NEAR DALTON, N.H. (APRIL)

"Guildhall, Vt. The Connecticut River rose to the highest 

point ever known * * *" (Coos County Democrat, Apr. 11,

1928).

Mr. Mansfield, chief electrician at the Gilman Paper Co., said 

that the 1928 flood was the highest since at least 1912. He did 

not think that the 1936 flood was as bad as that of 1928, but that 

was probably due to the fact that a good part of their dam was 

taken out by the ice during the 1928 flood (oral communication, 

1957).

For comparative flood information see oral communication 

by Mr. Bell, page 82.

1933

ST. JOHN RIVER IN MAINE (MAY 5)

Mr. Irenee Cy, age 83 years, who moved to Fort Kent, Maine, 

in 1896, said that the highest water he could remember was that 

in 1933, when water was just up to new concrete road in front of 

Daigle's Hardware Store. He spoke of a picture taken during
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M75

this flood in front of the old hotel where men were waist high 

in water (oral communication, 1957).

Several other people in Fort Kent recalled only one real flood, 

that of 1933.

1936

"* * * From March 9 through 22 there occurred in close succession over the northeastern United States * * * two extraordinarily 

heavy rainstorms. * * * At the time of the rain there were accumulations of snow on the ground over much of the area * * *. The 

floods resulting from this combination of events were unusually 

devasting. Records of river stages extending on some of the streams 

back or nearly back to the time of settlement by white men were 

broken, many of them by a wide margin" (Hoytf and Langbein, 

1955, p. 382, 383).

SANDY RIVER AT FARMINGTON PALLS, MAINE (MARCH 19)

"A study of relative flood elevations of Sandy River at Farmington Falls as determined in 1936 by C. H. Hardison of the 

Geological Survey at site indicates that the March 19, 1936, 

flood was the greatest since 1776 when the area was settled:

Relative 

elevation 

Date (feet)

Relative 

elevation 

Date (feet)

1832_____________ *94

1820_____.-.--__.__ *96

1785 ___________ *97"

March 19, 1936-__ 100.0 

April, 1923. _____ 94.36 

December, 1901__ 96. 76 

October, 1855___ 99. 0

* Elevations estimated from data supplied Mr. Hardison by A. A. Gordon, mill owner and 

historical material owned by Mrs. Morrow.

(from files of Geological Survey at Augusta, Maine).

KENNEBEC RIVER IN MAINE (MARCH 19)

"The altitudes, in feet above mean sea level, reached during 

various floods on the Kennebec River at the gristmill at Norridgewock, Maine, as determined from marks on a foundation 

post under the mill, are given below:

Altitude 

1901, Dec. 15 _______ 170.0

1917, June 18_________ 162. 9

1923, Apr. 30 _______ 168.0

1936, Mar. 19. _-_____ 171.7

Altitude

1855, Oct. 14_____ 168. 6 

1863, Nov. 16.__---_ 163.4 

1869, Oct..______ 169.1 

1882, May 21_____ 169. 7

"These stages were affected by the dam at Skowhegan. When 

the new dam was built, in 1920, the ledge was blasted out, and 

two 30-foot Taintor gates were installed with their sills 2 feet 

lower than the sills in the old dam. When these gates are 

opened the new dam has more discharge capacity than the old 

one" (Grover, 1937, p. 441).

For relative flood discharges at Waterville, refer to page 63.
M76 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

"The approximate altitudes reached during previous floods on 

The Kennebec River at the 'freshet oak' in Winslow and at the 

Lockwood power house in Waterville:

Date

1832, May 22.. __ . _ __ ._...

1854, Oct. ________ . __ ...

1869, Oct. _ _ _____ _ _.

1887, Apr. 30 .-___.._.._..._.

1901, Dec. 16__ _______ _ _ .

1923, May !____ ______ __ .

1936, Mar. 19_. _.-.... _.......

Winslow Altitude above 

Hollingsworth 

& Whitney Co. 

datum

.._.____ 1048

...._-__ 102.8

._.._._. 102.7

_______ 102.2

_______ 105.1

WatermUe 

Attitude above 

mean sea level

56.2

53.3

57. 3"

(Grover, 1937, p. 442).

"The altitudes, in feet above mean sea level, reached duringprevious floods on the Kennebec River at Hallowell, as determined 

from marks on the corner of the building at 136 Water Street:

Altitude

1826, Mar. 26_____________________ 22. 2 

1870, Feb. 20___ ______.___________ 24. 1 

1896, Mar. 2______________________ 26. 0 

1936, Mar. 14___.___.______________________ 29.6"

(Grover, 1937, p. 442).

ANDHOSCOGGIN KIVEE IN MAINE (MARCH)

"In * * * 1936 the peak flow of the Androscoggin River from 

Rumford, Maine, downstream exceeded all past records. * * * 

the maximum flows for the major floods on the Androscoggin 

River at Rumford since the beginning of systematic records in 

1892:

Average 

discharge for 

Date maximum day Peak discharge

1893, May 18....____.__.__._._._.___. 38,100 _-__.__-_-

1895. Apr. 15_____.__________ 55,200 .-____

1896. Mar. 2 _ __________________ 39,000 _______-

1901, Apr. 22__________________ 32,700 ___....

1917, June 18__._________.______ 30,300 ________

1923, Apr. 30__________________ 33,800 _--._....

1927, Nov. 5_____________________ 39,100 46,700

1936, Mar. 19___.____________ 68,300 74,000""

(Grover, 1937, p. 444). 

For comparative flood stages, see page 11.

SAGO BIVER IN MAINE (MARCH)

For comparative flood stages at Fryeburg,Maine, see page 19.

"According to information obtained from old residents and 

from such records as are available, the flood of March 19-22, 1936,. 

was the greatest flood ever known in the lower Saco River in 

Maine, both in stage of the river and in volume of flow. Th& 

following list shows altitudes, in feet above mean sea level, of
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M77

highwater marks of floods on the Saco River as kept in Sand's 

blacksmith shop in West Buxton, Maine:

Attitude 

1814, May.__--.__-.____._..._____--_.---- *165. 3

1843, May.____.___________ ______ _____ 162. 8

1870, Apr...._...___._..___.-__..__.___._.. 162. 8

1895. Apr. 17--_..__....._. . .__. . 162. 8

1896. Mar. 2. _ _...._. .._._. 166. 2 

1936, Mar_.____._._.._ .._.___.__.._.. 168. 2"

*From note stating that the 1814 flood was 2.5 feet higher than the flood of 1843 (from 

flies of Geological Survey at Augusta, Maine).

(Grover, 1937, p. 447).

PEMIQEWASSET RIVER AT WOODSTOCK, N.H. (MARCH)

For comparative flood heights, see oral communication by 

Mr. E. D. Westover, page 67.

BAKBR RIVER AT WARREN, N.H. (MARCH)

For comparative flood heights, see oral communication by 

Mr. R. S. Evans, page 67.

PEMIQEWASSBT RIVER AT PLYMOUTH, N.H. (MARCH)

The home of Mr. George Clark in Plymouth, which is said to 

be 175 years old, had water get into its basement only one time 

during the entire period; that was during the great flood of 1936 

(oral communication, 1957).

SMITH RIVER NEAR BRISTOL, N.H. (DATE UNKNOWN)

Mr. Carl Gordon who lives about 2 miles above the Smith 

River gaging station has been observing the river since 1885. 

He said that without a doubt, the 1936 flood was the highest 

that has occurred since he was able to pay attention in 1885 (oral 

communication, 1957). 

CONTOOCOOK RIVER AT CONTOOCOOK, N.H. (MARCH)

In Contoocook, N.H., Mr. Arthur Huntoon, who was born in 

1888 and was town clerk for many years, said that the 1936 and 

1938 floods were the largest known. Mr. Huntoon's mother 

was the postmistress in the 1860's, and he remembers her saying 

that the floods of 1895 and 1896 did get into Water Street but 

not into the square. Mr. Huntoon said that the floods of 1936 

and 1938 got to about the level of the soda fountain in the drugstore in town (oral communication, 1957).

The fact that the 1936 and 1938 floods were about the same 

was confirmed by a number of people in Contoocook in 1957.

WARNER RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MARCH)

Mr. N. H. Reuben Moore of Bradford, N.H., who has lived in 

Bradford for 63 years and has made a serious study of the history 

of Bradford, said that no floods were known prior to 1936 for at 

least two generations (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. G. W. Rogers at Melvin's Mills, several miles below 

Bradford, who had lived at the mills for 88 years, said that the

710-949 64 6
M78 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

mills were built long before 1869 and that his father bought the 

mill in 1845. He knew of no damage to the mill from freshets 

until 1936 when the waterwheels and much of the other machinery 

were carried away. He believed that the 1936 flood was the 

highest that ever occurred during the history of the mill. He 

did not know whether the 1938 flood was as high as the 1936 

flood (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. Davis, whose family settled in Davisville in about 1812 or 

1818 and had the town named after them, knew of no flood like 

those of 1936 and 1938 (oral communication, 1957).

BLACKWATER RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MABCH)

Mr. E. C. Gerrish, 90 years old, who worked in the office of 

the Proprietors of the Locks and Canal on the Merrimack River 

at Lowell, recalled no other flood as big as that of March 1936. 

He did not recall any serious high water on either the Blackwater 

or the Contoocook River in 1895 or 1896, though he was in Lowell 

at the time and does recall the very serious flood in Lowell in 

1896. He remembered distinctly a nail set in a pine tree by his 

grandfather at the height of an August freshet that occurred 

many years ago. This is very probably the 1826 flood, which 

has been referred to several times as an outstanding flood in the 

valley of the Contoocook, and which occurred in August. The 

tree in which the nail was driven had long since disappeared, but 

he is of the opinion that, in the immediate vicinity, the 1936 

flood was at least 5 feet higher than the nail in the tree, as he 

remembered it (oral communication, 1957).

CONTOOCOOK KIVER NEAR PENACOOK, N.H. (MARCH)

Mr. Ralph Sherburn, who was postmaster in Penacook and 

whose father was postmaster before him, knew of all outstanding 

floods that had occurred since 1885. He said that the 1936 flood 

was at least 10 feet higher than that of 1896. The 1936 flood 

was up to the bridge in Penacook but the 1896 flood was just 

barely up to a wall which is a considerable distance under the 

bridge (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. R. E. Boutwell, living at Tyler's Bridge on the right 

bank, knew of a house belonging to Admiral Burrege, about 

one-half mile below Tyler's Bridge, in which there were two 

flood marks about 3 or 4 inches apart, one of the 1895 and one 

of the 1896 flood, but he did not remember which was the higher. 

The flood of 1936 was about 5 feet higher than those flood marks, 

or 18 inches deep on the floor of the barn. The house belonging 

to Admiral Burrege was about 100 years old (oral communication, 

1957).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M79

-SUNCOOK RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MARCH)

Mr. Harry Silver of Epsom, N.H., who was born in 1882 and 

has lived in the vicinity all of his life, remembered the flood of 

1896 which ripped out some bridges and railroad embankment 

and delayed the trains for several days. He also remembered 

the 1936 flood and believed that the 1896 flood may have been 

nearly as big as that of 1936 (oral communication, 1957).

Mrs. M. B. Emerson of Pittsfield, N.H., had a diary that her 

father, L. D. Muchmore, kept from 1872 to 1939. In 1936, Mr. 

Muchmore made the following entries: March 18, "A flood. 

White's Dam gone. Water over Barnsted Road." March 19, 

"No trains. Soucook Bridge gone in Chichester. Hartwell 

Dam and part of mill gone. Worst flood in New Hampshire 

ever known."

3IERRIMACK RIVER AT MANCHESTER, N.H. (MARCH)

"The following record of flood heights, in feet, of the Merrimack River has been obtained from flood marks in one of the 

mills of the Amoskeag Co. at Manchester, N.H.:

Flood 

height

1895. April._._-__.__.-.-_-__--____-_-_--- 37. 5

1896. March..__-_-._-___-___-___--_-__-_ 38.8 

1927, November.-.____________________ 36. 0

1936, March..____________-_.____ 52.3"

(Grover, 1937, p. 449).

According to records kept at the Amoskeag Co. mill, the 

highest floods since 1785 are:

Flood 

height

1870, April 4. ___________. ___.___ 77. 55 

1870, April 20______..._..__.__._._____ 81. 4

1896, March,.____________________ 80.95 

1936, March..____________________ 87.1

(Browne, 1915, p. 184, 185).

SOUTH BRANCH PISCATAQUOG RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MARCH)

Mrs. Saltmarsh, whose husband used to work for the owner 

of the small dam and mill in New Boston, said that the 1936 

flood was higher than that of 1938 (oral communication 1957).

All the persons queried in New Boston stated that the 1936 

flood was higher than that of 1938 and that no other flood has 

been known to get in the Common as did those two.

SOUHEGAN RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MARCH)

"On October 3 and 4, 1869, 7% inches of rain fell. The Souhegan was the highest ever known. The water was a foot deep 

in Wilton Road at the Tucker place, and filled the arch of the 

stone bridge to within 1}_ feet of the top of the arch. The bridge 

had been built in 1846" (Ramsdell, 1902).
M80 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

Mrs. Haywarst who, during the 1936 flood, lived in a house 

on what used to be the Tucker place said that during the 1936 

flood they had a boat handy to take them out if the river rose 

any higher than the first floor. Only trucks were able to get 

through on the highway (the Wilton Road referred to by Ramsdell), so evidently the water was somewhat higher at that place 

than it was in 1869 (oral communication, 1957).

At Milford, N.H., Mr. Goldwin, who owns a mill just downstream from the arch bridge referred to by Ramsdell, said that 

the bridge was rebuilt in 1931, the arches being left almost as 

they had been. In the 1936 flood the arches were full. A crib 

dam a short distance below the bridge was said to be in good 

condition in 1936 and presumably also in good condition in 

1869. In 1957 it was in ruins. Mr. Goldwin also stated that 

in 1938 the arch lacked about 6 feet of being full and that the 

1927 flood was only what he called "high water" (oral communication, 1957).

NORTH NASHUA RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (MARCH)

Mr. C. E. Pethybridge, the assistant city engineer of Fitchburg, said that the 1936 flood was the biggest flood of record 

and that the flood of 1900 was not so bad (oral communication, 

1957). Mr. Pethybridge wrote an excellent report on the 1936 

flood in the Annual Report of the Department of Public Works 

of the city of Fitchburg. His statements include many landmark 

data, such as depths of water over streets and head on dams and 

rather complete detail about the damages, but he made no 

reference to any prior floods. His 1936 report stated that it 

was the highest flood ever recorded in Fitchburg.

Mr. F. Wyman at the Falulah Paper Co., the lowest of the 

mills in Fitchburg, said that the 1936 flood was the worst in 40 

years (oral communication, 1957).

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LOWELL, MASS. (MARCH 20)

"Records of stages of the Merrimack River at Lowell, Mass., 

kept by the water-power companies since 1846 show that the 

city of Lowell has experienced a considerable number of large 

floods, the six largest floods of record * * *. The following 

table shows heads on the Pawtucket Dam * * *.

Feet

1852, Apr. 23_.__._ 13. 6

1870, Apr. 21________ 12.7

. 1895, Apr. 16 _________ 11.5

(Grover, 1937, p. 450).

Feet

1896, Mar. 3-________ 12.8 

1927, Nov. 6,-___---__._ 10.6 

1936, Mar. 20-___-.___ 20. 0"

MERRIMACK RIVER AT LAWRENCE, MASS. (MARCH 20)

"The Essex Co. has kept records of stage above the dams at 

Lawrence, Mass, since 1846. The following table shows the date,
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M81

gage height, in feet, and head on the dam, in feet, for the major 

floods since that date:

Gayc height Head on dam

1852, Apr. 23_-- 44.12 10.00

1870, Apr. 21-------------- -----------.--- 43.48 9.36

1896, Mar. 3___. _ _ _________________ 43.90 9.78

1927, Nov. 6__-_-_---_____________________ 43.46 9.34

1936, Mar. 14_.._..._._______________ 43.00 8.88

1936, Mar. 20-21.___._________________ 48.00 13.88

"In using these records for comparisons it should be kept in 

mind that the crest of the dam may not always be swept entirely 

clear of flashboards during the major floods" (Grover, 1937. 

p. 451).

PARKER KIVEK IN MASSACHUSETTS (MARCH)

Mr. Pearson, owner of the Byfield Snuff Mills, which has been 

in his family since the 1700rs, reports that the 1936 high water was 

the highest since at least 1900. Mr. Brown who has lived in 

Byfield since 1900 verifies Mr. Pearson's statement (oral communication, 1957).

IPSWICH RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (MARCH)

Mrs. Haywood, who owned the land on which the gage house 

was located in South Middleton, said that the 1936 flood was the 

highest in the 50 years that she had lived there (oral communication, 1957).

"Many of the citizens of the town say that 50 years ago the 

Ipswich River was much higher than it has been during the 

past week, but the majority of the townspeople have never seen 

so much rushing water as there has been down the river the 

past several days" (Ipswich Chronicle, March 20, 1936).

For a statement of relative flood heights, see oral communication by Mr. Bowen, page 52.

BLACKSTONE KIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (MAKCH)

"March 13, 1936. The gage shows that the flood of yesterday 

established a new high water record for the Blackstone River, 

with the mark showing at 4 inches higher than at any time since 

1867. At that time, 59 years ago, the record mark was 60 inches 

above normal (from a scrapbook of newspaper clippings in the 

Uxbridge, Mass., library).

WILLIMANTIC RIVER AT STAFFORD SPRINGS, CONN. (MARCH 12)

"Worst flood on Willimantic River since March 1877" 

(Hartford Courant, Mar. 14, 1936). 

NATCHAUG RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MAKCH 12)

"In the worst freshet that has visited this locality in the last 

forty years" (Willimantic Chronicle, Mar. 12, 1936).
M82 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES 

QUINEBAUG RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

"Quinebaug beat 1886 high at Putnam" (Norwich Bulletin, 

Mar. 13, 1936).

"Putnam. Worst flood in history. For an all time record within 

the memory of living man, nine feet of water was pouring over 

the Dyer Dam at one o'clock this afternoon" (Norwich Bulletin, 

Mar. 20, 1936).

"Aspinook Dam was under far greater pressure in its history 

since 1894. Quinebaug poured 8 feet over the 600-foot spillway. 

At Jewett City the flood reached nearly the same height as in 

1886" (Norwich Bulletin, Mar. 21, 1936).

CONNECTICUT RIVER ABOVE DALTON, N.H. (MARCH)

"Lancaster had its highest water in its history.

"E. M. Monahan's farm at South Lancaster was another flood 

victim. Here the water passed all previous records. The farm 

was formerly owned by the late Jacob Benton who had placed 

on the barn a mark to indicate what point water reached in the 

flood of 1870 [possibly 1876]. During the flood of 1927 the water 

came within six inches of the 1870 level, and last Thursday it 

was two feet higher" (Coos County Democrat, Mar. 25, 1936).

Mr. Bell, who owns a store on the banks of the Connecticut 

River in the town of Oilman, said that his family has owned a 

farm along the Connecticut River since at least 1800. Based on 

landmarks pointed out to him by his father and grandfather, Mr, 

Bell believed that the 1936 flood was the greatest ever and that 

the 1928 flood was the next highest (oral communication, 1957),

MASCOMA RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MARCH 19)

Mr. S. H. Stevens, the town civil engineer in Lebanon for many 

years, stated in "Highways, No. 15," a surveyor's field notebook 

now in the Lebanon, N.H., town hall: "Water surface at Emerson's Gardens, No. 23 Spencer Street, 578.30 feet above mean sea 

level. Highest ever known in Lebanon.

"Crest of dam 568.29 showing height of water flowing over 

dam to be 5.5 feet. Estimated volume 6,000 second feet.

"In the first Lebanon Directory (1882) mention is made of the 

'Great Flood of 1869 when the water stood 4.5 feet above the 

crests of the dams.' The crest of the Everett Norfolk Dam has 

never changed."

Mr. Stevens said that, on the basis of his own personal experience, the 1936 flood was the greatest since at least 1890 and, 

on the basis of his reading of histories and old records, also the 

greatest since the vicinity was settled, about 1750 (oral communication, 1957).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M83

SUGAR RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MARCH)

Mr. LaCross, patrolman in Newport, said that he had lived 

through four floods. He graded the floods in the order of their 

magnitude: the 1936 flood being the highest, followed by the 1938 

flood, the 1934 flood, and then by the 1927 flood. He had heard 

of no other floods affecting the town; he can remember back to 

1900 (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. G. L. Edes, real estate agent in Newport, said that he 

could remember the 1936 flood as the highest since about 1900. 

He also remembered the 1938, 1934, and 1927 floods in that 

order as to their relative magnitude (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. Bosworth, plant engineer of Claremont Paper Mills, 

pointed out some high-water marks in the wheelhouse of their 

power plant. They had a mark labeled "3-18-36"; 35 inches 

below that they had a mark for the "9-21-38" flood; and 20 inches 

below the 1938 mark, they had a mark for the Nov. 4, 1927, flood.

ASHUELOT RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (MARCH)

Mr. J. Faulkner, who lived in Swanzey, was the last owner of 

the Faulkner and Colony Mills in Keene. At one time he wrote 

a report on the relative heights of the various floods at the Faulkner and Colony Mills. He said that the 1936 flood was the highest (possibly due to an ice jam) and that the 1938 flood was only 

a little lower than that of 1936. He thought the 1869 flood was 

third in the order of descending magnitude, followed by the 1900 

and 1927 floods, which were just about equal. The relative magnitude of the floods is based on the depth of water on West Street 

outside the mills and depth of the water in the basement of the 

mills (oral communication, 1957).

Flood marks, chiseled into the granite foundation of the Federated Church on the corner of Main and Parker Streets in Winchester, N.H., were located on the back corner of the Parker 

Street side of the church. The 1936 flood was clearly marked 

about 4/z l feet above ground level. A mark, about 14 inches below 

the 1936 floodmark and dated 1869, was not as clear because it 

was weathered. Another mark about 18 inches below the 1869 

mark was quite difficult to make out but it appeared to be "1859."

Reports of local residents indicate that these marks represent 

all the floods since 1859 except for the flood of 1938. All seemed 

to agree that the 1938 flood was either higher or equal to the 

1936 flood.

Mr. L. Gratton, president of G. E. Roberson and Co., said 

that he could not remember anything in 1920 that compared 

with the high water of 1938. "Of course," he said, "the outstanding high water was that of 1936" (oral communication, 1957).
M84 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

MILLERS RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (MARCH)

Mr. Deering, who worked in the office of the New England 

Wooden Ware Corp., located along the Millers River in the 

vicinity of Winchendon, Mass., said that during the flood of 1936 

he talked with a lifelong resident, who was 80 years of age at 

that time, who mentioned that the 1936 flood was the highest 

flood he had ever witnessed (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. Sullivan of Bondsville, Mass., who operates a clothing 

store next to the post office, could remember back 80 years (to 

1877), and he could not recall any flood as bad as the 1936 flood. 

In fact the only other flood of any magnitude that he could recall 

was the 1938 flood (oral communication, 1957).

NORTH RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (MARCH)

For comparative flood heights, see oral communications by 

Mr. Nickles and Mr. Call, page 89.

FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

Date

1896, March........... .__.._.____._. ...___..___...__...

1900, February........ __ .......... ______ .......

1913, October..... ................................

1921, March.......................... _ ...............

1924, April....... -.-._.-. .....................

1927, November ______ _______ __ ____

1936, March............................................

New Boston, 

Mass, 

(discharge, in 

second-feet) 

per square 

mile)

34.8

27.4 

37.5 

85.9 

39.2

98.7

Collinsville, Conn.

Upper dam 

(depth over 

dam hi feet)

10

7.4 

9.0 

5.2 

9.0

Boiler house 

(altitude, in 

feet, above 

mean sea 

level)

283.80 

283.21 

282.36

282.07 

283.01

282.91

"The records at New Boston, Mass., were obtained at the 

river-measurement station of the Geological Survey. The 

drainage area at that place is 92.0 square miles.

"The upper dam at Collinsville, Conn., is reported to have 

remained practically unchanged from prior to 1869 until 1935, 

when the length of the spillway was increased from 329.6 feet to 

342.5 feet. There were no flashboards on the dam during any 

of the floods recorded. * * *

"The altitudes in the fourth column were determined * * * 

from the high-water marks and dates 01 the floods as engraved on 

a plank on an interior wall of the Collins Company's boiler house, 

about a quarter of a mile downstream from the upper dam at 

Collinsville. It is stated that during the floods of December 1878, 

March 1896, and February 1900 the stage may have been affected 

by ice jams" (Grover, 1937, p. 457).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M85

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

Year 1

1683.... ... 

1692 

1801. 

1841

1843. .................

1854. .....- ..- .

1859 

1862 

1869 

1869. 

1QTI1

1913 

1927 

1933.. 

1936 

1938. 

1955-. 

Holyoke, Mass.

Date

Mayl.. 

Xpr.20 .. 

Apr. 22....... .

Oct. 5 

Mar. 29.......

Nov. 5 __ ...

Apr. 20 . .

Mar. 19-20..-.

Sept. 22. 

Stage 

(feet)

10.5

12.5 

11.2 

12.7 

11.4 

12.0 

14.8 

12.4 

16.8 

14.9

Springfield, Mass.

Date

Mar. 20. ......

Mayl. .......

Mar. 20.... ...

Apr.20 . 

Apr. 21..... 

Oct. 4.. _ ....

Mar. 29. 

Nov. 6. .

Apr. 20 

Mar. 20. ___

Sept. 22- 

Stage 

(feet)

21.7

22.3 

20.5 

22.2 

21.0 

21.5 

19.8 

20.2 

22.4 

19.9 

28.6 

25.8

Hartford, Conn.

Date

July-Aug. _ . 

Feb.-Mar _ ..

Mar. 20... .

Mar. 29. 

Mayl..... ...

Mar. 20. 

Apr. 21........

Apr. 23 

Oct. 6 .....

Mar. 29.......

Nov. 6.. ...

Apr. 21.. 

Mar. 21.. _ ..

Sept. 23...... .

Aug. 20 

Stage 

(feet)

26.0 

26.2 

27.5 

26.3 

27.2 

29.8 

26.4 

28.7 

26.7 

26.3 

26.4 

26.3 

29.0 

26.0 

37.6 

35.4 

30.6

i Data for 1683-1936, Qrover (1937, p. 453-455); 1938, Bernard (1941, p. 24, 25); 1955, Reichelderfer 

(1955, p. 27).

QUINNIPIAC RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

"Hanover Lake Albert Hall who has lived in the village over 

50 years, said that flood conditions are the worst he had ever 

witnessed" (Meriden Record, Mar. 13, 1936).

HOUSATONIC RIVER IN GREAT BARRINGTON, MASS. (MARCH)

"At the Great Bridge, the water is within "2% feet of reaching 

the bridge flooring. North of the structure all previous highwater marks have been exceeded" (Berkshire Courier, Mar. 19, 

1936).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT GAYLORDSVIL,L,E,CONN. (MARCH)

"Cornwall Bridge. Considerable damage late hours of last 

Wednesday (Mar. 11) and the early hours of Thursday morning 

when the ice in the Housatonic River broke up causing the worst 

flood ever known here" (Newtown Bee, Mar. 20, 1936).

SHEPAUG RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (MARCH)

"Ice jam just below village Mar. 12 caused inundation. Water 

not so high Mar. 9, 1896" (New Milford Times, Mar. 19, 1936).

HOUSATONIC RIVER AT DERBY, CONN. (MARCH)

"The following are miscellaneous records of the depth of water 

over the dam on the Housatonic River at Derby, Conn:

Depth over 

dam, in feet

1869, October._______________________ 13

1874----_---___-_-_____---_______-__--_.__ 7. 8

1882, September--.-.-----.-______________ 6. 6

1927, November--___-_.__-._---________ 5. 4

1932, November-...______________-___-_-. 3. 6

1936, March.______________________________ 8.4"

(Grover, 1937, p. 458).
M86 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

NATTQATtTCK KIVEK IN CONNECTICUT (MAKCH)

"The river here [Ansonia] rose 17 feet during the flood. The 

rise was the highest in at least 25 years, according to merchants 

with stores over the tail race and who have kept records of the 

water marks in their cellars" (Ansonia Sentinel, Mar. 13, 1936).

1938

"A hurricane, an ocean storm wave, and floods combined their 

forces of violence in September to produce destruction of life and 

property probably exceeding any previous single natural disaster in 

the history of the nation. A tropical hurricane * * * crossed Long 

Island and the coast of Connecticut and Rhode Island, where the gales 

and inundations caused almost unimaginable damage. * * * The 

hurricane continued northward through Connecticut and Massachusetts with almost unabated force * * *" (Hoyt and Langbein, 1955, 

p. 390, 391).

CONTOOCOOK KIVEK IN NEW HAMPSHIKE (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. G. H. Duncan, age about 80, and former town clerk of 

Jaffery, N.H., was very interested in the town history which he 

had helped to prepare. He said that the 1938 flood was undoubtedly the biggest one that has occurred in Jaffery (oral 

communication, 1957).

Mr. Martin Keenan, postmaster at Peterboro, said that there 

was much more water in 1938 at the Peterboro Post Office than 

during the 1936 flood. In 1938, near the post office, the flood 

overtopped a wall which had been built after the 1936 flood 

(oral communication, 1957).

Mr. C. H. Tucker, the town clerk of Henniker, N.H., said that 

the 1936 flood nearly filled the arches of the stone bridge, but the 

1938 flood took it out (oral communication, 1957). This stone 

bridge was built in 1835 (Cogswell, L. W., 1880, p. 252).

PISCATAQTTOQ RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (SEPTEMBER)

"April 14, 1895. Great rain. Almost unprecedented. High 

water in Piscataquog and Merrimack Rivers. * * * Family 

living near the old shoeshop was compelled to vacate. House 

completely surrounded by water" (Hadley, 1922).

The location of the old shoeshop was pointed out by the town 

clerk on August 16, 1957. He stated that a whole row of houses 

in that vicinity were under water in 1938.

Mrs. Arthur Blood, who lives on the downstream side of the 

bridge just below the gaging station on the left bank, said that 

the 1938 flood was at least 4 feet higher than the 1936 flood and 

was the biggest in the 50 years that she knows about. The 1938 

flood was caused in part by the failure of the Weare Dam (oral 

communication, 1957).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M87

WILLIMANTIC RIVKB NEAR WILLINGTON, CONN. (SEPTEMBER)

"Wednesday morning the bridge at West Wellington was 

washed away * * * " (Willimantic Chronicle, Sept. 26, 1938).

SHETUCKET RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (SEPTEMBER)

"In the outstanding flood of March 1876 in the Thames River 

basin, a dam 326 feet long on the Shetucket River at Greenville, 

Conn., was reported to have had 12 to 14 feet of water passing 

over it. A dam 401 feet long about 1200 feet downstream had 

water passing over it to a maximum depth of 11.1 feet on March 

12, 1936, and of 14.5 feet on Sept. 21, 1938." Unless the dam in 

1876 had an extraordinarily high discharge coefficient, on the basis 

of these figures it appears that the peak flow of September, 1938 

was the greater" (Paulsen and others, 1940, p. 553).

LITTLE RIVER NEAR HANOVER, CONN. (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. Smith, who runs the post office and store in Hanover and 

is one of the oldest residents, said they had never had what he'd 

call a bad flood on Little River. He agreed that the 1938 flood 

was probably the highest one and that 1936 also was real high 

water. He stated that the 1938 flood was about 4 feet above the 

old stone spillway of Hanover Dam and that the 1936 flood was 

about 3.5 feet above the old stone spillway (oral communication, 

1957).

WILLIAMS RIVER IN VERMONT (SEPTEMBER)

For comparative flood heights at Brockway Mills, refer to 

oral communication by Mrs. Parkhearst, page 72.

In Chester, Vt., Mrs. Davis, town librarian, said that the water 

from the 1938 flood was higher in her cellar than it was during the 

1927 flood (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. Hawkes, town manager, whose family have lived in Chester 

since about 1850, said (oral communication, 1957) that the 1938 

flood was higher than the 1927 flood. Mr. L. V. Crocker, president of the National Survey, said (oral communication, 1957) 

that the water was 18 inches over Grafton St., during the 1927 

flood; but that during the 1938 flood, the water was about 3 feet 

over Grafton St. These measurements were taken in front of 

his home.

SAXTONS RIVER AT SAXTONS RIVER, VT. (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. W. W. Hall, who has lived on the farm just across the 

river from the gaging station, said that the 1938 flood was the 

highest in 40 years and that the 1927 flood was next to the highest 

(oral communication, 1957).

For comparative flood information, see oral communication 

by Mr. A. H. Thompson, page 42.
M88 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

Mr. Joseph Rug, 86-year-old resident of Saxtons River, said 

that the 1869 flood was higher than the 1938 flood, which has 

been the highest during his life-time (oral communication, 1957).

COLD RIVER AT DREWSVILLE, N.H. (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. C. S. Newell, who owns the Alstead, Cheshire Co., a former 

gristmill built in 1834, said that the 1938 high water was the 

highest since at least 1902 and that the 1927 high water was 

second in magnitude (oral communication, 1957).

WEST RIVER NEAR DUMMERSTON, VT. (SEPTEMBER)

For comparative flood information, see oral communication by 

Charles Taft, page 42.

ASHUELOT RIVEB IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. Leon Davis said that the 1938 flood was the highest in the 

vicinity of Gilsum since at least 1900. His family, who settled 

there in 1873, never spoke of any other floods (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. C. F. Sumher, whose family has lived at 45 Buttler Court, 

Keene, since 1870, said that the only times they had water in 

their cellar since 1870 were during the 1936 and 1938 floods (oral 

communication, 1957). Mr. Sumner is 76 years of age.

The 1938 flood was the highest flood at the Ellis Brothers and 

Co. greenhouses in Keene since the greenhouses were built in 

1860.

For comparative flood stages at Winchester, N.H., see page 83.

Mr. Garfield, one-time official of many different mills in Hinsdale and Ashuelot, remembered the 1927, 1936, and 1938 floods, 

but no flood in 1920. He felt that the 1938 flood was the highest, 

based on his experience at an Ashuelot mill which he believed to 

be above any possible effects from backwater from the Connecticut River (oral communication, 1957).

OTTER BROOK AT EAST SULLIVAN, N.H. (SEPTEMBER)

Mrs. Goodnow and her brother, 80 and 77 years of age, respectively, knew of no floods other than that of 1938. Their 

family have lived in East Sullivan since 1842 (oral communication, 1957).

SOUTH BRANCH ASHUELOT RIVER IN NEW HAMPSHIRE (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. R. Ripley, president of Troy Blanket Mills, Troy, N.H., 

said that the 1938 flood was the highest since at least 1869. He 

had two dams built in 1920, both of which were destroyed during 

the 1938 flood because their spillways were too small. Other 

dams built in the 1800's and belonging to the mill were not 

bothered by the 1938 flood. Mr. Ripley believed that whoever 

built the old dams designed their spillways to handle the dis-
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M89

charge from previous floods which had been forgotten by the time 

the dams were built in 1920 (oral communication, 1958).

SIP POND BROOK NEAR WINCHENDON, MASS. (SEPTEMBER)

Clarence and Isaac Damon, owners of the Damon Mills located 

about a mile above the gaging station, said that their family had 

lived and worked on the brook since 1832. Their home and mill 

are the original buildings built by their grandfather. It was their 

opinion, based on family legend, that there was never a flood in 

that vicinity which even approached the 1938 flood. Their 

personal knowledge goes back to before 1880 (oral communication, 1958).

MILLERS RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. W. G. Lord, author of the "History of Athol," said that the 

1938 flood was the highest that he could remember (to about 

1880). On the basis of the research work he had done in relation 

to his many articles on Athol, he felt that the 1938 flood was the 

highest since the town was established in 1750 (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. Starrett, president of Starrett Tools, said that his family 

had lived in Athol since 1870. The plant dates back 75 years, and 

it was never damaged by flood water before 1936. He had never 

heard of a flood as great as the 1938 flood. Flood marks are 

painted on the side of the buildings for the 1936 and 1938 floods 

(oral communication, 1957).

Mr. H. Sargent of South Royalston, Mass., had done much 

research on the town history of Royalston. He had read of a 

flood in the mid-1800's which forced a store owner to place his 

flour up off the floor of the store. This store was still standing 

when Mr. Sargent read this account. However, the flood of 

1938 carried away the store completely, and other structures 

which may have had a previous flood history. It was Mr. 

Sargent's opinion that the 1938 flood was higher than any other 

the town ever experienced (oral communication, 1957).

NORTH RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. Gray Nickles, yard foreman of Kendall Mills, in Lyonsville, had a photograph of the outside of the old wheel pit that 

shows high-water marks for the 1936 and 1938 floods. The 1938 

mark was about 2 feet higher than the mark for 1936 (oral communication, 1957).

For comparative flood heights, refer to oral communication by 

Miss B. Read, page 43.

Mr. Call, who owns Call's Garage in Colrain, Mass., said that 

the 1938 flood came up to the window sills on the house in which 

he now lives. (He bought it after the 1938 flood for $500.) The
M90 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES1936 flood came in just over the floors of the house about 2 feet 

below the 1938 flood. His ancestors moved into Colrain about 

1700. His father had told him that the flood of 1869 came up 

into the house in which Mr. Call now lives. Mr. Call believed 

that the floods of 1869 and 1938 were approximately of equal 

magnitude (oral communication, 1957).

WABE RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. A. Tolman, the postmaster in Gilbertville, Mass., was 

certain that nothing as high as the 1938 flood had hit Gilbertville 

since 1896 (oral communication, 1957).

The 1938 Ware Town Report (the Annual Report, Water 

Dept. p. 8) stated: "During the flood the pumping station was 

flooded to a depth of 9 feet 3 inches above the main pump room 

floor * * *. The flood of 1938 exceeds all records on the Ware 

River and its tributaries." (Water Commissioners reports date 

back to 1886 when the board was first established.)

SWIFT BIVEK IN MASSACHUSETTS (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. George Chuey, who is employed at Tampax, Inc., in Three 

Rivers, Mass., felt that he could say from talking with his parents 

and grandparents, who had lived in that part of the State all their 

lives, that the 1938 and 1955 floods were greater than any since at 

least 1872 (oral communication, 1957).

CHICOPEE RIVER AT INDIAN ORCHARD, MASS. (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. Walter Spaulding had a complete history of the Indian 

Orchard Mills. The dam, which is located right at the mill, was 

built in 1847. No mention was found that the river stage had 

ever been above the abutment of the dam before 1938. During 

the 1938 flood, sandbags had to be piled on top of the abutments, 

for the river rose 3 feet above them and would have washed out 

around them if the sandbags had not been used. After the 1938 

flood, concrete wing walls were built on top of the abutments 

where the sandbags had been piled. During the 1955 flood, the 

stage came up to about the same height as the 1938 flood, but the 

wing walls proved to be adequate protection (oral communication, 1957).

WESTFIELD RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (SEPTEMBER)

Mr. E. Eastman, who lives in Littleville, Mass., on the Middle 

Branch Westfield River and whose father owned the saw mill in 

Littleville, said that his father pointed to a knoll on one of their 

hayfields as the only point in that particular field which was above 

water during the height of the 1878 flood. Mr. Eastman believed 

that there was at least a foot of water over this knoll during the 

1938 and 1955 floods (oral communication, 1957).
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M91

For comparative flood heights on the West Branch of the Westfield River in Chester, see page 73.

For comparative flood heights at Westfield, refer to oral communication by Mrs. Gagne, page 94.

STILL RIVER AT WINSTED, CONN. (SEPTEMBER)

"The worst calamity in the history of Winsted, barring none 

* * * water rose to an estimated depth of 6 feet in the display 

room of Winsted Motor Sales Co" (Winsted Citizen, Sept. 21, 

1938).

WEST BRANCH FARMINGTON AT NEW HARTFORD, CONN. (SEPTEMBER)

"More disastrous than the flood of 1936 at New Hartford. 

For the first time known, water ran over the head of Main Street 

in Pine Meadow. The water was about a foot higher than during 

the 1936 flood" (Winsted Citizen, Sept. 22, 1938).

CONNECTICUT RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS AND CONNECTICUT (SEPTEMBER)

For relative flood stages, refer to p. 85.

QUINNIPIAC RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (SEPTEMBER)

"Reports around Meriden indicate that this Sept. 1938 flood 

exceeded all previous floods through May 1854" (Meriden Record, Sept. 22, 1938).

BLACKBERRY RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (SEPTEMBER)

"Norfolk. The worst flood conditions in its history. * * * 

The biggest flood since 1874" (Winsted Citizen, Sept. 22, 1938).

1953

In the Androscoggin and Saco River basins in Maine, the March 

1953 flood was of major proportions.

In the Androscoggin River basin the flood of March 1953 is the 

greatest in respect to discharge on the Little Androscoggin River 

near South Paris and the Nezinscot River at Turner Center since at 

least 1896 and 1913, respectively, and probably since 1846 and 1820. 

The flood of 1953 is the second largest known on the Androscoggin 

River at Auburn since at least 1850 and probably since 1785.

In the Saco River basin the flood of March 1953 was the second 

largest known throughout the basin since possibly 1785. Very little 

damage occurred during this flood owing to the absences of severe 

ice jams; therefore, very little information was found pertaining to 

this flood.

1955

ASSABET RIVER AT MAYNARD, MASS. (AUGUST)

Mr. William Naylor, retired superintendent of the town water 

department, said that the 1955 flood was the highest that he 

could remember (oral communication, 1957). He was 80 years 

old.
M92 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

Mr. J. Bengle pointed out a flood mark on the back of his 

house at 22 Power Mill Koad for the 1955 flood and, relying on 

his memory, indicated points which he felt represented the 

heights of the 1927 and 1936 floods. For the 1927 flood he indicated a point 5 inches below the high-water mark of the 1955 

flood, and for the 1936 flood he indicated a point 11 inches below 

the crest of the 1955 flood (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. A. Luona of 30 Power Mill Koad felt that the 1955 flood 

was the highest since 1925 when he moved into Maynard and 

that the 1927 flood was the next to the highest (oral communication, 1957).

ABEKJONA RIVER AT WINCHESTER, MASS. (AUGUST)

The homes by the side of the river on Forest St. all had water 

in their basements during the 1955 flood, and the people who 

had lived there during the 1936 flood all agreed that it did not 

come as high as the 1955 flood.

Ruth Enstom said that she had not seen the river as high as 

the 1955 flood since at least 1906 when she came to live there 

(oral communication, 1957).

CHARLES HIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (AUGUST)

Mr. A. F. Howard, president of Bemis Associates, Inc., of 

Watertown, Mass., said he could remember no floods from 1900 

to the present except the 1936, 1938, and 1955 floods. These 

floods were not high enough to affect his mill (oral communication, 1957).

For comparative flood heights, see oral communication by Dr. 

A. M. Worthington of Dedham, page 53.

NEPONSET RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (AUGUST)

Mr. S. A. Merrill, who has lived in Walpole for 65 years, said 

the only historical flood that he could remember was in 1898. 

He did not think it was as great as the 1955 flood, but he did 

think it was higher than the 1936 flood (oral communication, 

1957).

Mr. J. J. Burke, general superintendent at Bird & Son Co., 

spoke of the 1898 flood. He said that the 1955 flood was the 

highest in recent years (oral communication, 1957).

TAUNTON HIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (AUGUST)

"Lessening of the damage could be seen all along the Taunton 

River as flood waters slowly receded after climbing to one of 

their highest points in history" (Taunton Gazette, Aug. 24, 

1955).

"Waters of Sabbatia Lake swelled to a record high after 

receiving flood waters from last week's storm, official figures of 

the Whittenton Manufacturing Co. revealed today. Highest
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M93

mark on the measuring rod used by the firm to check waters 

in the lake is 57 inches. At its highest point after the storm, the 

water level climbed over that mark.

"Previous high, records showed, was after Hurricane Carol 

last year when the water level reached the 48-inch mark on the 

measuring rod. The records date back to the beginning of the 

firm in 1849" (Taunton Gazette, Aug. 25, 1955).

WADING BIVEB IN MASSACHUSETTS (AUGUST)

Mr. Flahrety, plant superintendent of the Barrowsville Bleachery in Barrowsville, Mass., said that during August of 1955 the 

water over their dam was higher than at any time since 1916 

(oral communication, 1957).

BLACKSTONE BIVEB NEAR NOKTHBBIDGE, MASS. (AUGUST)

Mr. Jeffrey Rawson, superintendent of the water department 

in Uxbridge, Mass., has kept a record of all the outstanding high 

waters since the 1927 flood. He has installed a staff gage, on 

the grounds of the water department on Blackstone St., Uxbridge 

on which the relative heights of great floods since 1927 have been 

painted.

The 1927 flood is the lowest, and the mark for the 1936 flood 

is 8 inches above the mark for the 1927 flood. The mark for 

the 1938 flood is 10 inches above the mark for the 1927 flood, and 

the mark for the August 1955 flood is 4 feet above the mark for 

the 1927 flood.

Mr. Rawson believed that the 1955 flood was the greatest 

flood since at least 1900 (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. Robert Taft, plant superintendent of Stanley Woolen 

Co., in Uxbridge, said that the 1955 and 1936 floods were the 

highest since at least 1900 (oral communication, 1957).

MUMFOBD BIVEK IN MASSACHUSETTS (AUGUST)

Mr. L. Brock of Whitin Machine Co., in Whitinsville, Mass., 

said that all their records of river stages (back to 1840) were 

destroyed during the 1955 flood, but he was quite sure from 

having talked with men who were familiar with the records, 

that there has never been anything like the 1955 flood since the 

beginning of the company in 1832 (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. Smythe, vice president of Uxbridge Worsted Co, in Uxbridge, said that, in the basement of the mill, the August 1955 

flood was 5 feet higher than any other flood since at least 1900. 

He believed that the 1936 flood was the next highest (oral communication, 1957).

QUABOAG BIVEB IN MASSACHUSETTS (AUGUST)

Mr. E. Crossman, who lives on Route 67 on the west side of 

West Brimfield, Mass., and who owns a farm along the Quaboag

710-949 64 7
M94 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

River on which his father and grandfather operated a saw mill 

and machine shop using the waterpower, personally knew of no 

flood in the past 63 years and had never heard of one as high as 

the 1955 flood (oral communication, 1957r).

Mr. McMahon, Monson, Mass., was forced to leave his home 

during the 1955 flood. His mother, who was 90 years old at the 

time, was living with him. She had lived in Monson all her life 

and she could not remember anything as bad as the 1955 flood 

(oral communication, 1957).

MIDDLE BRANCH WESTFIELD RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (AUGUST)

For comparative flood heights in the vicinity of Littleville, 

Mass., see oral communication by Mr. E. Eastman, page 90.

WEST BRANCH WESTFIELD RIVER IN MASSACHUSETTS (AUGUST)

Mr. Thomas Rose of Chester was a selectman of the town for 

many years and he wrote a brief history of Chester, Mass. He 

said that he did not run across any mention of floods before 1900, 

while he was collecting data for his book. He believed that the 

1955 flood had the most water even though the town did not 

suffer as much damage as in 1938. He felt that the 1938 flood 

was second greatest and that this was followed in magnitude by 

the flood of 1927, which was caused by a dam breaking in Becket, 

Mass. He also felt that the high water of 1933 and 1936 were 

about equal and that the high water of 1948 was just a little 

lower. Mr. Rose is quite certain that there was nothing like the 

floods of 1955 and 1938 back to 1885 (oral communication, 

1957).

WESTFIELD RIVER IN WESTFIELD, MASS. (AUGUST)

Mrs. Gayne said that the water was 11 inches over the first 

floor of her house during the 1955 flood. The only other time 

when the water reached her home since 1920 was during the 1938 

flood when there were 2 to 3 feet of water in her cellar. She was 

not bothered by water during either the 1927 or 1936 floods 

(oral communication, 1957). This same house was noted as 

having a full cellar during the flood of 1839 (see p. 23).

BURLINGTON BROOK IN CONNECTICUT (AUGUST)

Mr. Merton Hodge of Unionville, Conn., who lived by the 

third bridge above the mouth of Burlington Brook on the corner 

of Connecticut Highway 116 since 1908, had never seen water 

up to the bridge until August 1955 when there was about a foot 

of water over planks of bridge floor, but the bridge did not wash 

out (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. L. V. Barnes on the Barnes Hill Road (second bridge 

above mouth) said that the 1955 flood took out the bridge for
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M95

the first time to his knowledge (about 60 years). His father 

was here since 1845 and had never mentioned any previous 

bridge being washed out. Since this was a road they used frequently, it probably would have been important enough to 

warrant mention (oral communication, 1957).

PEQUABUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (AUGUST)

"Community isolated by worst disaster in memory of residents 

* * * the city was under attack by what old-timers termed 

'the worst flood in memory'. * * * For the first time in its 

history as a daily newspaper (since 1916) the Bristol Press was 

forced to suspend a scheduled publication. The flood waters 

submerged all motors of the newspaper press, water reaching 

within inches of the Bristol Press which is 4 feet above the sidewalk" (Bristol Press, Souvenir Flood Edition, Sept. 24, 1955).

Mrs. Elizabeth Tarrant, librarian at the Forestville, Conn., 

Library, who lived in Forestville at the time of the 1896 flood 

said that the 1955 flood was undoubtedly higher than the 1896 

flood. In 1955, for the first time, considerable water got into the 

main part of Forestville and went down East Main St. at a 

high velocity (oral communication, 1957).

SALMON BROOK IN QRANBT, CONN. (AUGUST)

Judge Theodore Case, 80 years old, said that to his knowledge 

there has been no flood to equal the August 1955 flood on Salmon 

Brook during his lifetime (oral communication, 1957).

Mr. W. F. Messenger, the first selectman of Granby who 

lives in West Granby and is 73 years old, knew of no flood to 

equal the August 1955 flood. The March 1936 flood he remembers as being quite destructive of small wooden bridges, and the 

September 1938 flood as being next to the August 1955 flood in 

magnitude (oral communication, 1957).

HOP BROOK AT SIMSBURY, CONN. (AUGUST 2u)

"This was the worst flood in the 104 years that we have been 

located on Hop Brook" (Magazine of the Ensign-Bickford Co., 

Simsbury, Conn., p. 1).

FARMINGTON RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (AUGUST)

Mr. Rourke, owner of the old Winchell Smith grist mill in 

Farmington, Conn., said that a farmer of the town by the name 

of Dan Wall, now about 80 years old, who formerly worked in 

the mill for a number of years, told him that the height of the 

river had never approached the August 1955 level, which appears 

on the wall 5 feet above the second floor area, during his lifetime 

and that older workers when he was employed there never
M96 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

reported the river to have even approached the second floor. 

The mill was built around 1650 (oral communication, 1957).

Miss Alice Y. Pinney of Unionville, said the old mill presently 

occupied by Lawton-Miner Co., was built about 1800. Several 

houses were built in the vicinity by owners and workers about 

the same time. The only one left now is house of L. H. Lawton, 

present owner of Lawton-Miner Co. It was built in 1820 by 

Harvey Whittlesey. The other houses of the same period were 

floated away by the August 1955 flood and the Whittlesey house 

was badly damaged, having nearly 6 feet of water over the floor. 

Probably the 1955 flood was greatest since 1801 or so. There 

was no evidence of the severity of the 1801 flood at this point 

(oral communication, 1957).

Mr. C. F. Woodford of Woodford's Tobacco Farm, Avon, 

said his house was built in 1856 by his father, who had resided 

nearby for several years before this. Mr. Woodford has been 

observing the river for more than 75 years and has seen no flood 

to compare with the August 1955 flood, which was about 3 

feet over the living-room floor. He said that his father would 

not have built where he did had the 1854 flood been over the 

ground at the site. Apparently father and son can carry the 

record back prior to 1854 but not to the "Jefferson Flood" of 

1801 (oral communication, 1957).

Miss B. L. Tillotson and Mr. R. Merritt, who own the Tillotson 

House (known as "Old Farms") on Tillotson Road (Town Farm 

Road) on the Avon-Fannington town line, said that no recent 

floods had crossed the road in front of the house, but the August 

1955 flood nearly reached the downstairs ceiling 9 feet above the 

floor and 8 feet above the floor in the barn. Miss Tillotson said 

that, according to her father, about the year 1878 water came 

just up to the road in front of the house and she remembers that 

in 1896 it came up a little further to a point in the driveway on 

the south side of the house (oral communication, 1957).

The 150th Anniversary Pamphlet of Town of Canton states, 

concerning the E. Raymond Bristol house in the road fork near 

east end of Town Bridge: "This place was built about 1750 by 

Capt. Daniel Wilcox who resided there until the 1801 flood which 

swept away the forge in the bend in the river [across street from 

the house], he losing the property by being bound by the owners 

of the forge." The August 1955 flood was about 5 feet above the 

floor in the living room, and rear ell and the porch were badly 

damaged. No mention was made of any serious damage in 1801.

CONNECTICUT RIVER AT HARTFORD, CONN. (AUGUST 20)

For relative flood stages, refer to page 85.
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M97"

BLACKBERRY RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (AUGUST)

Mr. J. R. Carroll, who runs a hardware store in Norfolk, said 

that prior to the 1955 flood a wooden house, built in 1756, stood 

about 50 feet upstream from the old stone house, built about 

1824, at tne foot of the hill below Norfolk on the Canaan Road 

[Route 44]. The wooden house was occupied and in excellentcondition at the time of the August 1955 flood. The flood washed 

the house downstream and broke it up and also completely 

obliterated the cellar. The stone house is owned by Earle V. 

Smith, an antique dealer, and is not now occupied due to serious 

damage caused by the August 1955 flood. This flood is apparently 

the greatest since the wood house was built (1756) (oral communication, 1957).

Mrs. E. E. Burr, who is planning a History of Norfolk, said 

that there was a serious flood in Norfolk in 1873 or 1874 when 

Toby Pond dam washed out. An old house known as the Lufkin 

house, then occupied by her grandmother and located part way 

up the hill on the Canaan Road, almost washed away in 1874 

and went out completely in 1955. This house went through the 

1938 flood without damage (oral communication, 1957).

TENMILE RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (AUGUST)

Mr. Charles Townshend, 92 years old, lived in Webatuck, 100 

yards west of the iron bridge. He had lived near here all his 

life. He said very emphatically that the August 1955 flood was 

the highest he had ever seen, but some of the flood was the result 

of the breakirg of the dam at Amenia Pond. The next highest 

flood was the September 1938 hurricane flood, which washed out 

the old grist-mill stoneworks at Wingdale, known as the Sheldon 

Mill dam (oral communication, 1957).

BHEPAUG RIVER NEAR ROXBURY, CONN. (AUGUST)

Mr. Howard Bissell, first selectman for town of Litchfield, 

said that his father had told him of the big flood of the 1850's, 

when all mills, dams, and bridges at the outlet of Bantam Lake 

were destroyed. He thought that from the standpoint of damage 

done, this was not repeated again until the flood of August 1955 

(oral communication, 1957).

NAUGATUCK RIVER IN CONNECTICUT (AUGUST)

"One resident of Derby Avenue, Seymour, where houses were 

tossed about like toys, observed that he had, in over 70 years, 

never seen a drop of water in the cellar of his home.

"In spring freshet of Apr. 30, 1854, boats plied their way along 

Derby Avenue which was 'washed out to a depth of three feet' 

according to 'Seymour Past and Present* by Sharpe. The water
M98 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

on that day rose to a height of 19 feet and five inches at Seymour, 

which was a record until this year, when the crest was a good 25 

feet above the normal bed of the river, wrecking damage previously inconceivable.

"Judge IsbeJl's article also mentioned that in 1857 there occurred a freshet in which 'All lower Ansonia was flooded'. But 

not upper Ansonia, where [in 1955] upper Main Street became 

indistinguishable from the Naugatuck River" (Ansonia Sentinel, 

Sept. 8, 1955).

DATES OF FLOODS, BY STREAMS

Stream and States Dates of outstanding floods 

Aberjona River, Massachusetts__ February 1855; February 1886; March 1936;

August 1955. 

Ammonoosuc River, New Hamp- August 1828; October 1869; November 1927.

shire.

Androscoggin River, New Hamp- January 1770; October 1785; May 1814; 

shire, Maine. October 1820; September 1826; April

1827; January 1839; April 1843; March

1846; May 1854; October 1869; April

1895; March 1896; April 1901; April 1923;

November 1927; March 1936; March 1953. 

Aroostook River, Maine__________ May 1923.

Ashuelot River, New Hampshire.. September 1882; April 1895; May 1897;

February 1900; March 1936; September

1938.

Assabet River, Massachusetts..... November 1927; March 1936; August 1955. 

Baker River, New Hampshire..... October 1785; February 1824; October 1869;

December 1878; November 1927; March

1936.

Beaver Brook, New Hampshire. __ April 1895. 

Black River, Vermont_______ October 1869; November 1927. 

Blackberry River, Connecticut____ November 1853; June 1869; October 1869;

February 1900; March 1900; November

1927; September 1938; August 1955.

Blackstone River, Massachusetts, February 1867; March 1876; February 1886; 

Rhode Island. November 1927; March 1936; August

1955.

Blackwater River, New Hampshire. August 1826; March 1936. 

Branch River, Rhode Island._____ March 1876. 

Burlington Brook, Connecticut.... August 1955. 

Charles River, Massachusetts ___ February 1807, 1818, February 1886; March

1936; September 1938; August 1955.

Chicopee River, Massachusetts__ September 1938; August 1955. 

Cocheco River, New Hampshire... October 1785, March 1896. 

Cold River, New Hampshire...... September 1938.

Connecticut River, Massachusetts, August 1635; March 1639; July or August 

Connecticut. 1683; February 1692; December 1695;

January 1767; January 1770; March 1801;

January 1841; March 1843; May 1854;

March 1852; April 1862; April 1869;

October 1869; April 1895; March 1896;

March 1913; November 1927; March

1936; September 1938; August 1955.

Connecticut River, New Hamp- 1770; autumn 1771; 1797; May 1818; 1828; 

shire, Vermont. January 1841; April 1850; April 1852;

April 1862; February 1868; April 1869;

October 1869; spring 1876; April 1895;

1896; March 1913; November 1927; April

1928; March 1936.
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M99

Stream and States Dales of outstanding floods

Contoocook River, New Hamp- 1775; October 1785; spring 1818; February 

shire. 1824; August 1826; April 1852; April 1862;

1865; October 1869; April 1870; December

1878; 1895; 1896; March 1936; September

1938. 

East Branch Housatonic River, May 1854; November 1927.

Massachusetts. 

East Branch Passumpsic River, November 1927.

Vermont. 

Farmington River, Connecticut_. January 1770; February 1772; March 1801;

1804; January 1839; November 1853;

May 1854; February 1857; November

1861; June 1869; October 1869; January

1874; December 1878; September 1882;

March 1896; February 1900; April 1924;

November 1927; March 1936; September

1938; August 1955. 

Fish River, Maine____________ Spring 1854.

French River, Massachusetts___ February 1866; February 1867; March 1876. 

Furnace Brook, Connecticut ______ October 1869.

Hop Brook, Connecticut.________ August 1955.

Hop River, Connecticut__________ October 1869.

Housatonic River, Connecticut.,.. March 1801; February 1807; 1837; February

1850; November 1853; February 1854;

March 1854; May 1854; February 1866;

February 1867; June 1869; October 1869;

January 1874; August 1875; December

1878; September 1882; January 1891;

February 1896; March 1896; March 1900;

November 1927; March 1936. 

Housatonic River, Massachusetts May 1854; October 1869; March 1896;

November 1927; March 1936.

Ipswich River, Massachusetts..... February 1886; March 1936. 

Kenduskeag Stream, Maine__._. 1846; February 1870. 

Kennebec River, Maine_______ January 1770; March 1826; May 1832;

January 1839; April 1843; April 1846;

April 1852; October 1855; October 1869;

February 1870; April 1887; April 1895;

March 1896; December 1901; May 1923;

March 1936.

Kennebunk River, Maine______ October 1785; April 1827. 

Little Androscoggin River, Maine.. January 1839; October 1855; October 1869;

February 1870; April 1895; March 1953. 

Little River, Connecticut_____ January 1784; May 1854; February 1886;

September 1938.

Machias River, Maine_.______ 1846; September 1909; May 1923. 

Mad River, Connecticut______ June 1869; March 1896; February 1900;

March 1900.

Mascoma River, New Hampshire._ August 1828; October 1869; March 1936. 

Meduxnekeag River, Maine__... May 1923. 

Merrimack River, Massachusetts._ December 1740; October 1785; February

1807; 1850; April 1852; March 1859;

April 1862; March 1865; October 1869;

April 1870; 1877; December 1878; April

1895; March 1896; 1901; 1902; November

1927; March 1936. 

Merrimack River, New Hampshire. December 1740; January 1770; 1784; October

1785; February 1807; spring 1818; April

1819; October 1820; February 1824;

March 1826; August 1826; January 1839;

January 1841; April 1850; April 1852;

March 1859; April 1862; 1865; April 1869;

October 1869; April 1870; December

1878; April 1895; March 1896; November

1927; March 1936.
M100 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OF THE UNITED STATES

Stream and States Dates of outstanding floods 

Middle Branch Westfield River, December 1878; September 1938; August

Massachusetts. 1955. 

Millers River, Massachusetts. ____ April 1852; March 1936; September 1938.

Monoosnock Brook, Massachu- December 1878; February 1900; March 1900.

setts. 

Moose River, Vermont_________ April 1866; March 1896; November 1927.

Moosup River, Connecticut_______ November 1927.

Mornassuc River, Rhode Island. __ February 1867. 

Mousam River, Maine.__________ October 1785.

Muddy Brook, Connecticut. ______ February 1866.

Mumford River, Massachusetts_._ March 1936; August 1955.

Nashua River, Massachusetts.____ May 1850; December 1878; July 1897;

February 1900; March 1900. 

Natchaug River, Connecticut-____ Spring 1771; October 1869; March 1876;

February 1886; March 1936. 

Naugatuck River, Connecticut ___. February 1691; March 1801; 1841; spring

1846; February 1850; September 1850;

November 1853; March 1854; May 1854;

February 1857; March 1867; June 1869;

October 1869; January 1874; August 1875;

December 1878; February 1896; March

1896; February 1900; April 1924; November 1927; March 1936; August 1955.

Neponset River, Massachusetts__ 1807; March 1936; August 1955. 

New England coast._____________ August 1635.

Newfound Lake, New Hampshire.. June 1843; 1897. 

Nezinscot River, Maine_________ 1846; March 1953.

Nonewaug River, Connecticut-...- Novembe" 1853.

North Nashua River, Massachu- February 1900; March 1900; March 1936.

setts.

North River, Massachusetts. ___ October 1869; March 1936; September 1938. 

Ompompanoosuc River, Vermont.- October 1869; November 1927. 

Ottauquechee River, Vermont___ July 1811; February 1824; September 1828;

July 1830; July 1859; October 1869;

March 1896; March 1913; November 1927. 

Otter Brook, New Hampshire.____ September 1938.

Park River, Connecticut________ January 1891.

Parker River, Massachusetts____ March 1936. 

Passadumkeag River, Maine._____ September 1909.

Passumpsic River, Vermont____ April 1866; October 1869; March 1896;

November 1927.

Pawcatuck River, Rhode Island___ January 1784; February 1886. 

Pawtuxet River, Rhode Island. ___ January 1770; March 1823; February 1867. 

Pemigewasset River, New Hamp- October 1785; February 1824; March 1826; 

shire. August 1826; July 1830; January 1839;

April 1852; October 1869; December 1878;

April 1895; March 1896; November 1927;

March 1936. 

Penobscot River, Maine----.___ February 1807; March 1846; November

1853; spring 1866; October 1869; February

1870; May 1887; April 1901; September

1909; May 1923. 

Pequabuck River, Connecticut__ October 1869; August 1875; April 1924;

1896; August 1955.

Pequonnock River, Connecticut.__ July 1905. 

Piscataqua River, New Hamp- January 1770; October 1785.

shire, Maine.

Piscataquis River, Maine______ 1832; April 1854; April 1895; May 1923. 

Piscataquog River, New Hamp- 1767; January 1770; December 1784; Februshire. ary 1824; August 1830; April 1862;

October 1869; March 1896; September

1938. 

Pleasant River, Maine.________ September 1909.

Pomperaug River, Connecticut-___ November 1853; August 1875; April 1924. 

Poquonock River, Connecticut-... March 1837.
HISTORICAL FLOODS IN NEW ENGLAND M101

Stream and States

Presumpscot River, Maine_.____. 

Quaboag River, Massachusetts.__. 

Quinebaug River, Massachusetts, 

Connecticut.

Quinnipiac River, Connecticut-___

Saco River, New Hampshire, 

Maine.

St. Croix River, Maine_____ 

St. John River, Maine.____ 

Salmon Brook, ConnecticutSalmon Falls River, New Hampshire, Maine. 

Sandy River, Maine. __.____.

Saxtons River, Vermont.

Scantic River, Connecticut.. 

Shepaug River, Connecticut.

Shetucket River, ConnecticutSip Pond Brook, Massachusetts. _. 

Sleepers River, Vermont____.

Smith River, New Hampshire. __ 

Souhegan River, New Hampshire._

South Branch Ashuelot River,

New Hampshire. 

South Branch Piscataquog River,

New Hampshire. 

Still River (Connecticut River

basin), Connecticut.

Still River (Housatonic River 

basin), Connecticut.

Sugar River, New Hampshire. __ 

Suncook River, New Hampshire. 

Swift River, Maine.-__.____ 

Swift River, Massachusetts.__ 

Taunton River, Massachusetts __ 

Ten Mile River, Connecticut__

Thames River, Connecticut_ 

Wading River, Massachusetts. 

Waits River, Vermont_ .

Dates of outstanding floods 

April 1827. 

August 1955. 

February 1729; February 1757; 1767; March

1801; 1807; 1818; March 1828; 1837;

February 1867; October 1869; March

1876; February 1886; November 1927;

March 1936. 

February 1807; May 1854; October 1869;

February 1882; January 1891; March

1896; March 1936; September 1938. 

October 1775; October 1785; May 1814;

October 1820; August 1826; April 1827;

May 1843; April 1852; October 1869;

April 1870; April 1895; March 1896;

March 1936; March 1953. 

September 1909; May 1923. 

Spring 1854; May 1887; May 1933. 

September 1828; March 1936; September

1938; August 1955. 

October 1785; 1846.

October 1785; May 1814; October 1820;

April 1827; May 1832; January 1839;

October 1855; October 1869; December

1901; April 1923; March 1936. 

March 1826; October 1869; November 1927;

September 1938. 

1807; October 1869. 

November 1853; October 1869; February

1896; March 1896; March 1900; March

1936; August 1955. 

February 1729; February 1757; spring 1771;

February 1772; January 1784; June 1789;

March 1801; February 1807; March 1823;

February 1854; February 1857; February

1867; March 1876; March 1877; February

1886; September 1938. 

September 1938. 

September 1828; April 1866; October 1869;

July 1897. 

March 1936. 

August 1830; October 1869; December

1878; March 1896; March 1936. 

March 1818; August 1826; September 1938.

March 1936.

November 1853; May 1854; June 1862;

June 1869; January 1874; March 1896;

February 1900; March 1900; April 1924;

November 1927; September 1938. 

November 1853; May 1854; February 1869;

October 1869; January 1874; August 1875;

December 1878; January 1891; February

1896; March 1896; April 1924. 

March 1936.

March 1896; March 1936. 

October 1869; September 1938. 

September 1938; 1955. 

1954; August 1955. 

February 1867; September 1938; August

1955.

January 1784. 

August 1955. 

April 1866.
M102 CONTRIBUTIONS TO THE HYDROLOGY OP THE UNITED STATES

Stream and States Dates of outstanding floods 

Ware River, Massachusetts ______ 1900; September 1938.

Warner River, New Hampshire__ March 1936.

Wells River, Vermont________ September 1828; October 1869; 1876;

November 1927. 

West Branch Farmington River, March 1936; September 1938.

Connecticut.

West Branch Union River, Maine. May 1923. 

West Branch Westfield River, April 1901; November 1927; March 1936;

Massachusetts. September 1938; August 1955. 

West River, Vermont._________ October 1869; November 1927; September

1938. 

Westfield River, Massachusetts__ 1692; January 1839; October 1869; December

1878; April 1901; November 1927; September 1938; August 1955. 

White River, Vermont..______ July 1830; February 1867; October 1869;

November 1927. 

Williams River, Vermont..____ March 1826; October 1869; November 1927;

September 1938. 

Willimantic River, Connecticut__ Spring 1771; March 1801; October 1869;

March 1877; February 1886; April 1924;

March 1936; September 1938. 

Winnipesaukee River, New Hamp- April 1852.

shire. 

Wood River, Rhode Island_______ February 1886.

Woonasquatucket River, Rhode February 1867; March 1876; February 1886.

Island. 

Yantic River, Connecticut____ January 1784; June 1789; March 1823;

February 1867; March 1876; February

1886.

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