River stage
Harper Tavern, Swatara Creek
- River level
- 2.80 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +2.27 ft
- Recent high
- 5.69 ft
- Recent low
- -0.00 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS HTVP1
- 30-day change
- +2.34 ft
- Average
- 0.64 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 25.60 ft
In brief
The Swatara Creek at Harper Tavern, PA read 2.80 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 4.20 ft below action stage. That is 2.34 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge HTVP1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25.60 ft | 1889-06-01 |
| 2 | 24.60 ft | 2011-09-08 |
| 3 | 23.72 ft | 1972-06-23 |
| 4 | 18.28 ft | 2006-06-29 |
| 5 | 18.01 ft | 2021-09-02 |
| 6 | 17.53 ft | 1933-08-24 |
| 7 | 17.36 ft | 2004-09-19 |
| 8 | 17.24 ft | 1975-09-27 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 9.00 ft
Several driveways and other minor roadways are affected. Water begins to enter some basements.
- 10.00 ft
High water isolates several houses.
- 12.00 ft
A number of secondary roads are closed, resulting in some evacuations. A few homes are flooded.
- 14.00 ft
A number of homes along the creek are affected. Some evacuations are necessary.
- 16.00 ft
Most homes adjacent to the creek are affected to some degree. Numerous evacuations are necessary.
- 18.00 ft
Widespread flooding occurs with many roads, homes and businesses affected.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Swatara Creek flooding at Harper Tavern?
No. The Swatara Creek at Harper Tavern is at 2.8 ft, 4.2 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Harper Tavern?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 7 ft, minor flooding 9 ft, moderate flooding 12 ft and major flooding 15 ft.
What is the highest the Swatara Creek has been at Harper Tavern?
The highest crest on record is 25.6 ft, on 1889-06-01.
Is the Swatara Creek high or low right now at Harper Tavern?
At 2.8 ft it is higher than 97% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge HTVP1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01573000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.