River stage
Reading, Schuylkill River
- River level
- 4.65 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +1.59 ft
- Recent high
- 5.41 ft
- Recent low
- 2.85 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS RDRP1
- 30-day change
- +1.60 ft
- Average
- 3.18 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 31.30 ft
In brief
The Schuylkill River at Reading, PA read 4.65 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 9.85 ft below action stage. That is 1.60 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge RDRP1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31.30 ft | 1972-06-22 |
| 2 | 23.75 ft | 2006-06-28 |
| 3 | 20.40 ft | 2011-09-08 |
| 4 | 17.50 ft | 1983-04-16 |
| 5 | 17.36 ft | 1979-01-25 |
| 6 | 16.95 ft | 2021-09-02 |
| 7 | 16.24 ft | 2004-09-18 |
| 8 | 16.09 ft | 1983-12-14 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 15.50 ft
Flooding begins in Reading. Portions of Water and Canal Streets are flooded.
- 16.00 ft
Flooding occurs along portions of Franklin, Grape and Chestnut Streets in Reading.
- 18.00 ft
Additional streets in Reading are closed. West Reading begins to experience street flooding. The Reading Conrail tracks are also flooded.
- 22.00 ft
Flooding spreads in Reading with more roads flooded, including the east and west bound lanes of US 222/422 (West Shore Bypass). The Conrail tracks in West Reading are inundated.
- 26.00 ft
The Penn Street ramps in West Reading are flooded.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Schuylkill River flooding at Reading?
No. The Schuylkill River at Reading is at 4.65 ft, 9.85 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Reading?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 14.5 ft, minor flooding 15.5 ft, moderate flooding 18 ft and major flooding 22 ft.
What is the highest the Schuylkill River has been at Reading?
The highest crest on record is 31.3 ft, on 1972-06-22.
Is the Schuylkill River high or low right now at Reading?
At 4.65 ft it is higher than 98% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge RDRP1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01471510). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.