With the recent heavy rains and snowmelt it's unfortunately the flood season. As meteorologist and hydrologist keep a tab on area rivers and streams, you may hear some unfamiliar terms. We say a river is flooding or "in flood" when water overflows the natural or artificial confines of a river or stream. . We measure a rivers depth and refer to this overflow point as the "flood stage". Each river's flood stage is different and is not the same all up and down the river. For example, the Merrimack River in Lowell has a flood stage of 52' , however in Lawrence it's only 21'. So don't pay attention to the flood stage number, only pay attention to the amount the river is above or below flood stage. We say a river "Crests" when the stream has reached it's highest point. It still may be flooding but when a river crests the water will go no higher. That's good news for those living near the water.

Mike Wankum
Meteorologist
WCVB-TV