Merrimack River at Lawrence
River flow & level · USGS gauge 01100500 · Massachusetts · drains 4,672 sq mi
Latest reading Oct 26, 6:30 PM · gage height
The Merrimack River at Lawrence is at 9.08 ft gage height, 14.9 ft below flood stage.
Gage height & flood stages
ft above gauge datumAction (22.0 ft) is 12.9 ft above the latest reading, off this chartMinor (24.0 ft) is 14.9 ft above the latest reading, off this chartModerate (29.0 ft) is 19.9 ft above the latest reading, off this chartMajor (34.0 ft) is 24.9 ft above the latest reading, off this chart
Action (22.0 ft) is 12.9 ft above the latest reading, off this chartMinor (24.0 ft) is 14.9 ft above the latest reading, off this chartModerate (29.0 ft) is 19.9 ft above the latest reading, off this chartMajor (34.0 ft) is 24.9 ft above the latest reading, off this chart
Moderate (29.0 ft) is 19.7 ft above the latest reading, off this chartMajor (34.0 ft) is 24.7 ft above the latest reading, off this chart
ReadingNormal range for the date (25th–75th pct.)Median for the date
Merrimack River at Lawrence fishing report & conditions
updated Oct 26, 6:49 PM ETRiver falling, light W wind — good fall fishing day (6/10), best window 7:19 AM–8:19 AM (moonset near sunrise).
River falling, light NNW wind — fair fall fishing day (5/10), best window 5:50 PM–6:50 PM (moonrise near sunset).
- Water temp—no water-temperature sensor on this water yet
- Air temphigh 53°F / low 37°FSunny
- WindLight W5–7 mph 6 AM–6 PM, gusts to 12
- Level9.08 ftRiver falling 0.44 ft in 24 h
Official Massachusetts fishing info: MassWildlife — Trout stocking report & Go Fish MA
Best fishing times today
Today is a good fishing day (solunar + local conditions)
6/10
Full moon · 99% lit · New moon Mon, Nov 9 · Sunrise 7:11 AM · Sunset 5:45 PM
Major fishing times
- Moon underfoot11:50 AM–1:50 PM
Minor fishing times
- Moonset7:19 AM–8:19 AMSunrise
- Moonrise5:11 PM–6:11 PMSunset
Fishing times for the next 7 days
| TodayOct 26 | 6/10Good | Major 11:50 AM–1:50 PM Minor 7:19 AM–8:19 AM · 5:11 PM–6:11 PM Light wind 5–7 mph |
|---|---|---|
| TueOct 27 | 5/10Fair | Major 12:18 AM–2:18 AM · 12:48 PM–2:48 PM Minor 8:39 AM–9:39 AM · 5:50 PM–6:50 PM Light wind 4–6 mph |
| WedOct 28 | 3/10Poor | Major 1:19 AM–3:19 AM · 1:50 PM–3:50 PM Minor 9:58 AM–10:58 AM · 6:39 PM–7:39 PM Calm wind 1–4 mph |
| ThuOct 29 | 5/10Fair | Major 2:23 AM–4:23 AM · 2:55 PM–4:55 PM Minor 11:09 AM–12:09 PM · 7:41 PM–8:41 PM Light wind 4–8 mph |
| FriOct 30 | 4/10Fair | Major 3:27 AM–5:27 AM · 3:59 PM–5:59 PM Minor 12:09 PM–1:09 PM · 8:53 PM–9:53 PM Light wind 6–9 mph |
| SatOct 31 | 4/10Fair | Major 4:29 AM–6:29 AM · 4:59 PM–6:59 PM Minor 12:55 PM–1:55 PM · 10:10 PM–11:10 PM Calm wind 2–5 mph |
| SunNov 1 | 4/10Fair | Major 4:27 AM–6:27 AM · 4:54 PM–6:54 PM Minor 12:31 PM–1:31 PM · 10:27 PM–11:27 PM Calm wind 1–5 mph |
How this rating works
Solunar theory says fish feed more when the moon is overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 hours) and around moonrise and moonset (minor periods, about 1 hour). On a lake or river there is no tide, so instead of tide changes we score the local conditions anglers watch: the barometric pressure trend, the wind, whether the lake level is steady, and the water temperature where it is measured.
| Base | every day starts at 1 | 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise / sunset | a period overlaps sunrise or sunset ±1 h: major +2, minor +1 (max 3) (Moonset × sunrise +1; Moonrise × sunset +1) | 2 |
| Moon phase | within 2 days of a new or full moon +2, within 4 days +1 (today: 0.5 days) | 2 |
| Local conditions | pressure 6 AM→6 PM: falling +2, steady or slowly rising +1, rising fast 0 · daytime wind 4–15 mph +1, over 20 mph (or gusts over 30) −1 · level within ±0.25 ft in 24 h +1 · water 55–75°F +1, below 45°F or above 85°F −1 (0 to 4 in total)
| 1 |
| Today | 6, rounded | 6/10 |
1–3 poor · 4–5 fair · 6–7 good · 8–10 excellent. Pressure and wind are the NOAA National Weather Service hourly forecast for this spot; the level/flow trend is the latest 24 hours of readings on this page. Days 2–7 score sun, moon, forecast pressure and forecast wind only (level and water temperature aren’t forecast). Solunar times are a rule of thumb, not a guarantee.
Solunar periods calculated for 42.70, -71.15 (moon times from astronomical equations, Merrimack River at Lawrence local time).
Best fishing times today
Today is a fair fishing day (solunar + local conditions)
5/10
Waning gibbous · 97% lit · New moon Mon, Nov 9 · Sunrise 7:12 AM · Sunset 5:43 PM
Major fishing times
- Moon overhead12:18 AM–2:18 AM
- Moon underfoot12:48 PM–2:48 PM
Minor fishing times
- Moonset8:39 AM–9:39 AM
- Moonrise5:50 PM–6:50 PMSunset
Fishing times for the next 7 days
| TodayOct 27 | 5/10Fair | Major 12:18 AM–2:18 AM · 12:48 PM–2:48 PM Minor 8:39 AM–9:39 AM · 5:50 PM–6:50 PM Light wind 4–6 mph |
|---|---|---|
| WedOct 28 | 3/10Poor | Major 1:19 AM–3:19 AM · 1:50 PM–3:50 PM Minor 9:58 AM–10:58 AM · 6:39 PM–7:39 PM Calm wind 1–4 mph |
| ThuOct 29 | 5/10Fair | Major 2:23 AM–4:23 AM · 2:55 PM–4:55 PM Minor 11:09 AM–12:09 PM · 7:41 PM–8:41 PM Light wind 4–8 mph |
| FriOct 30 | 4/10Fair | Major 3:27 AM–5:27 AM · 3:59 PM–5:59 PM Minor 12:09 PM–1:09 PM · 8:53 PM–9:53 PM Light wind 6–9 mph |
| SatOct 31 | 4/10Fair | Major 4:29 AM–6:29 AM · 4:59 PM–6:59 PM Minor 12:55 PM–1:55 PM · 10:10 PM–11:10 PM Calm wind 2–5 mph |
| SunNov 1 | 4/10Fair | Major 4:27 AM–6:27 AM · 4:54 PM–6:54 PM Minor 12:31 PM–1:31 PM · 10:27 PM–11:27 PM Calm wind 1–5 mph |
| MonNov 2 | 4/10Fair | Major 5:20 AM–7:20 AM · 5:45 PM–7:45 PM Minor 12:59 PM–1:59 PM · 11:41 PM–12:41 AM Light wind 4–6 mph |
How this rating works
Solunar theory says fish feed more when the moon is overhead or underfoot (major periods, about 2 hours) and around moonrise and moonset (minor periods, about 1 hour). On a lake or river there is no tide, so instead of tide changes we score the local conditions anglers watch: the barometric pressure trend, the wind, whether the lake level is steady, and the water temperature where it is measured.
| Base | every day starts at 1 | 1 |
|---|---|---|
| Sunrise / sunset | a period overlaps sunrise or sunset ±1 h: major +2, minor +1 (max 3) (Moonrise × sunset +1) | 1 |
| Moon phase | within 2 days of a new or full moon +2, within 4 days +1 (today: 1.5 days) | 2 |
| Local conditions | pressure 6 AM→6 PM: falling +2, steady or slowly rising +1, rising fast 0 · daytime wind 4–15 mph +1, over 20 mph (or gusts over 30) −1 · level within ±0.25 ft in 24 h +1 · water 55–75°F +1, below 45°F or above 85°F −1 (0 to 4 in total)
| 1 |
| Today | 5, rounded | 5/10 |
1–3 poor · 4–5 fair · 6–7 good · 8–10 excellent. Pressure and wind are the NOAA National Weather Service hourly forecast for this spot; the level/flow trend is the latest 24 hours of readings on this page. Days 2–7 score sun, moon, forecast pressure and forecast wind only (level and water temperature aren’t forecast). Solunar times are a rule of thumb, not a guarantee.
Solunar periods calculated for 42.70, -71.15 (moon times from astronomical equations, Merrimack River at Lawrence local time).
Weather & wind at Merrimack River at Lawrence
air temperature, not water3-day forecast
- Tonight37°Mostly ClearWind NW 7 mphRain 3%
- Tuesday53° / 28°SunnyWind N 6 mphRain 0%
- Wednesday57° / 39°SunnyWind W 3 mphRain 0%
NOAA National Weather Service forecast for 42.705, -71.153 (grid BOX), issued Oct 26, 3:01 PM local time. High / low are air temperatures; water temperature is in the fishing section above. The “Air temp & weather” tile at the top refreshes live.
Flood stages
NOAA NWS gauge LAWM3- Action stage22 ft+12.9 ft from now
- Minor stage24 ft+14.9 ft from now
- Moderate stage29 ft+19.9 ft from now
- Major stage34 ft+24.9 ft from now
- Record crest25.37 ft2023
October 26 in history
13 years of level records- Today9.08 ft
- Same date last year9.63 ft2025
- Median9.96 ft
- Normal range9.09 ft – 12.25 ft25th–75th percentile
- Highest since 201315.90 ft2015
- Lowest since 20137.69 ft2025
Last 10 days
| Date | Gage height (ft) | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Mon Oct 26 (today) | 9.31 | −0.20 |
| Sun Oct 25 | 9.51 | +0.16 |
| Sat Oct 24 | 9.35 | −0.31 |
| Fri Oct 23 | 9.66 | −0.25 |
| Thu Oct 22 | 9.91 | +0.15 |
| Wed Oct 21 | 9.76 | −0.65 |
| Tue Oct 20 | 10.41 | −0.21 |
| Mon Oct 19 | 10.62 | −0.07 |
| Sun Oct 18 | 10.69 | −0.21 |
| Sat Oct 17 | 10.90 | −0.35 |
Daily mean of all readings that day; today is the average so far.
Nearby lakes & rivers
- Merrimack River below Concord River at Lowell8 mi · River2,070 cfs56% of normal
- Upper Mystic Lake, Gate House19 mi · Lake · Winchester114.24 ft24h −0.01 ft
- Fresh Pond in Gate House22 mi · Lake · Cambridge15.95 ft24h −0.02 ft
- Kingsbury Pond42 mi · Lake · Norfolk126.20 ft24h ±0.00 ft
- Long Pond62 mi · Lake · Parkhurst Drive near Lakeville53.34 ft24h −0.02 ft
- Connecticut River near Northfield67 mi · River-2,980.00 cfsstage 12.23 ft
Tidal water nearby
This gauge is 7 mi from NOAA tide station Riverside, MA. Where the river is tidal, its level rises and falls twice a day with the tide as well as with the flow shown here — see Riverside, MA tide times on TideCharts USA.
About this data
- Gauge
- USGS 01100500 — Merrimack River At Lawrence, Ma
- Location
- 42.7048, -71.1531 · Massachusetts
- Drainage area
- 4,672 sq mi
- Measures
- Gage height (stage) above the gauge datum
- Daily statistics
- 2013–2026 (approved daily values)
- Latest reading
- Oct 26, 6:30 PM local time (provisional)
- Page built
- Oct 26, 2026 6:49 PM ET
- Flood stages
- NWS gauge LAWM3 — National Water Prediction Service
Source: U.S. Geological Survey Water Data for the Nation (USGS monitoring location page). Readings every 15–60 minutes; the newest values are provisional. Percentiles compare today’s reading with every past year’s daily mean for the same calendar date. Weather: NOAA National Weather Service.