River stage
Hershey, Swatara Creek
- River level
- 3.05 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +1.31 ft
- Recent high
- 5.16 ft
- Recent low
- 1.51 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS HERP1
- 30-day change
- +1.31 ft
- Average
- 1.82 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 26.80 ft
In brief
The Swatara Creek at Hershey, PA read 3.05 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 2.95 ft below action stage. That is 1.31 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge HERP1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26.80 ft | 2011-09-08 |
| 2 | 17.08 ft | 2018-07-26 |
| 3 | 16.12 ft | 2006-06-29 |
| 4 | 15.36 ft | 1975-09-27 |
| 5 | 14.43 ft | 1979-01-25 |
| 6 | 14.30 ft | 1996-01-20 |
| 7 | 14.27 ft | 2004-09-19 |
| 8 | 14.01 ft | 2021-09-03 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 7.00 ft
The right, or north bank begins to overflow. Several roadways upstream of the gage are affected by high water.
- 8.00 ft
The right, or north bank overflows. Several roads are affected.
- 10.00 ft
A few homes adjacent to the creek upstream of the Route 39 bridge flood.
- 12.00 ft
High water affects several homes upstream of the Route 39 bridge. FEMA 10% Annual Chance Flood Level (10-year flood).
- 14.00 ft
Numerous homes adjacent to the creek are affected by high water.
- 16.00 ft
Numerous homes adjacent to the creek are affected by high water.
- 18.00 ft
Flood waters begin to reach the Route 39 Bridge (Hershey Road) northwest of Hershey. FEMA 2% Annual Chance Flood Level (50-year flood).
- 20.00 ft
FEMA 1% Annual Chance Flood Level (100-year flood).
- 26.80 ft
Flood of record from the flooding in September, 2011. Maximum recordable gage height (stage sensor operational limit). Water levels above this stage will not be reported in real time.
- 27.00 ft
FEMA 0.2% Annual Chance Flood Level (500-year flood).
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Swatara Creek flooding at Hershey?
No. The Swatara Creek at Hershey is at 3.05 ft, 2.95 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Hershey?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 6 ft, minor flooding 7 ft, moderate flooding 10 ft and major flooding 14 ft.
What is the highest the Swatara Creek has been at Hershey?
The highest crest on record is 26.8 ft, on 2011-09-08.
Is the Swatara Creek high or low right now at Hershey?
At 3.05 ft it is higher than 97% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge HERP1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 01573560). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.