Boston High Water Mark
Right now you are standing at the location of one of four high water mark signs across Boston.
These signs show the flood water levels during the Storm of Record for Boston Harbor.
A storm of record is the storm that caused the highest recorded flood levels in a given area.
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Looking Ahead
Boston will experience more intense and frequent flooding due to sea level rise and climate change.
The City of Boston is planning for the impacts of climate change through its Climate Ready Boston program.
You can use this map to explore projected coastal flood risk in Boston around the 2070s. The map shows 1% and 10% annual flood event risk and high tide flood risk.
During a storm, winds can blow ocean water towards the land, creating a “storm surge” on top of the baseline sea level.
As sea levels rise, Boston will see more frequent floods even with less intense storms.
This map shows the locations of the four high water mark signs that have been or will soon be installed across Boston. Click on each location to learn more about the effects of the January 4th Bomb Cyclone and future flood risk at that site.
Ryan Playground, Charlestown
Ryan Playground, Charlestown. Click to expand.
Ryan Park is located on the banks of the Mystic River in Charlestown. The park features many athletic fields, a street hockey rink, and a playground.
Long Wharf
Long Wharf. Click to expand.
Long Wharf was built in the early 1700s and is now a National Historic Landmark. Today it is an active wharf with water taxi service and MBTA ferry service to the Navy Yard in Charlestown, Logan International Airport, Hull, and Quincy. Passenger ferries go to the Boston Harbor Islands, Salem, and Provincetown. Many cruises on Boston Harbor leave from Long Wharf. The New England Aquarium is on Long Wharf, and the area is serviced by the Aquarium stop on the Blue Line. There is also a hotel, several restaurants, and public open space along the waterfront.
Lewis Mall, East Boston
Lewis Mall, East Boston. Click to expand.
Lewis Mall Harbor Park is located at the south end of Maverick Square in East Boston. The park was identified as a priority location for increased ferry and water taxi service in East Boston. Construction on the new pier began in 2020.
McConnell Park, Dorchester
McConnell Park, Dorchester. Click to expand.
McConnell Park is located on Savin Hill Beach in Dorchester Bay. The park includes several baseball fields. The park experienced significant flooding in the fields and parking lot in 2018. Flood waters made their way across the park and into low-lying areas in neighboring backyards, flooding basements and properties.
McConnell Park, Dorchester
McConnell Park, Dorchester. Click to expand.
McConnell Park officially reopened on July 8, 2022 after a comprehensive park renovation. The renovations included upgrades to the play lot, fields, passive spaces, parking, utility improvements, and improved access.
Ryan Playground, Charlestown
Ryan Park is located on the banks of the Mystic River in Charlestown. The park features many athletic fields, a street hockey rink, and a playground.
During the January 4th Bomb Cyclone, flood levels at Ryan Playground reached 9.66 ft (NAVD88).
With projections of Sea Level Rise, a similar storm could cause flood waters to reach up to 14 ft (NAVD88)*, shown by the medallion on the High Water Mark Sign.
Long Wharf
Long Wharf was built in the early 1700s and is now a National Historic Landmark. Today it is an active wharf with water taxi service and MBTA ferry service to the Navy Yard in Charlestown, Logan International Airport, Hull, and Quincy. Passenger ferries go to the Boston Harbor Islands, Salem, and Provincetown. Many cruises on Boston Harbor leave from Long Wharf. The New England Aquarium is on Long Wharf, and the area is serviced by the Aquarium stop on the Blue Line. There is also a hotel, several restaurants, and public open space along the waterfront.
During the January 4th Bomb Cyclone, flood waters surged over Long Wharf and reached a level of 9.66 ft (NAVD88).
With projections of Sea Level Rise, a similar storm could cause flood waters to reach up to 14 ft (NAVD88)*, shown by the medallion on the High Water Mark Sign.
Lewis Mall, East Boston
Lewis Mall Harbor Park is located at the south end of Maverick Square in East Boston. The park was identified as a priority location for increased ferry and water taxi service in East Boston. Construction on the new pier began in 2020.
During the January 4th Bomb Cyclone, flood levels at Lewis Mall reached 9.66 ft (NAVD88).
With projections of Sea Level Rise, a similar storm could cause flood waters to reach up to 14 ft (NAVD88)*, shown by the medallion on the High Water Mark Sign.
McConnell Park, Dorchester
McConnell Park is located on Savin Hill Beach in Dorchester Bay. The park includes several baseball fields. The park experienced significant flooding in the fields and parking lot in 2018. Flood waters made their way across the park and into low-lying areas in neighboring backyards, flooding basements and properties.
During the January 4th Bomb Cyclone, flood levels at McConnell Playground reached 9.66 ft (NAVD88).
With projections of Sea Level Rise, a similar storm could cause flood waters to reach up to 14 ft (NAVD88)*, shown by the medallion on the High Water Mark Sign.
McConnell Park, Dorchester
McConnell Park officially reopened on July 8, 2022 after a comprehensive park renovation. The renovations included upgrades to the play lot, fields, passive spaces, parking, utility improvements, and improved access.
The park was intentionally designed to be able to flood. It includes flood-resistant materials which reduce impacts to the park from a flooding event. While it maintains access and connection to the water, it also includes raised portions of the site and is adaptable should climate change projections change.
Visit the linked pages to learn more about the City's initiatives.
Preparing for Climate Change - Learn what the City of Boston is doing to prepare for increased sea level rise, flooding, and heat.
Climate Ready Boston Map Explorer - Explore Climate Ready Boston's spatial data on future flooding and extreme heat.
Coastal Resilience Project Tracker - Learn about Climate Ready Boston's recommendations from the coastal resilience solutions plans for East Boston and Charlestown , South Boston , the North End and Downtown , and Dorchester .
*A range of sea level rise projections exists for Boston Harbor. For the high projection medallion on the High Water Mark sign we are using data from the Massachusetts Coast Flood Risk Model (MC-FRM). All Climate Ready Boston plans, including this plan, are consistent with projections from the MC-FRM and provide resilience solutions that can be altered or adapted to take into account changing risk over time. The City regularly assesses new information that may change these projections.
For information beyond the city of Boston, visit these links created by some of our state and federal partners!
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association (NOAA) Sea Level Rise Viewer - View nationwide sea-level rise projections and potential coastal flooding impact areas.
Coastal Inundation - Learn more about what resources are available for communities to increase their resilience from rising seas and more frequent and intense storms.
Natural Infrastructure - Explore resources that may be useful for communities considering nature-based solutions to enhance their flooding resilience.
Massachusetts Office of Coastal Zone Managenent Massachusetts Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Viewer
Boston Water and Sewer Commisison's City of Boston Innundation Model
*These are some resources from the federal government. If you are within the city of Boston please refer to the City's resources. If you are outside the city of Boston, these may be some helpful resources for planning purposes.
