NOAA's official tide predictions for the Damariscotta River at Newcastle — today's highs and lows and the week ahead, for a town whose waterfront still runs on the tide.
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From Town Tools. For the current version, visit https://www.towntools.org/damariscotta-maine-us/tides
Damariscotta sits at the head of tide on a 12-mile estuary, and the working day still runs on the water: the oyster-farm boats, the town landing, the alewife ladder in season.
A ten-foot river
The tide here typically swings ten feet or more between low and high. A ramp or float that looks generous at high water can sit over mud at low — if you are launching or coming back on a falling tide, give yourself margin, and expect the oyster-tour and rental schedules to follow the tide rather than the clock.
Predictions, not a flood forecast
These are astronomical predictions, not a live water-level reading. Storm surge, a hard rain or a strong southerly can push the real water well above the table — that is when the waterfront lot and the low spots downtown take on water. For the biggest predicted tides ahead, see this town's Highest Tides to Watch page; for coastal-flood watches and warnings, follow the National Weather Service in Gray and the town's notices.
Right now
Coming in
The tide is
water now about 0.9 ft (0.3 m), estimated from the predicted highs and lows
1:02 PM
Next high water
10.4 ft (3.2 m)
7:31 PM
Next low water
-0.3 ft (-0.1 m)
Today
Time
Tide
Height
12:54 AM
High water
9.8 ft (3.0 m)
7:00 AM
Low water
0.4 ft (0.1 m)
1:02 PM
High water
10.4 ft (3.2 m)
7:31 PM
Low water
-0.3 ft (-0.1 m)
The week ahead
Day
Time
Tide
Height
Tue, Oct 13
1:36 AM
High
9.5 ft (2.9 m)
7:39 AM
Low
0.8 ft (0.2 m)
1:40 PM
High
10.2 ft (3.1 m)
8:12 PM
Low
0.0 ft (0.0 m)
Wed, Oct 14
2:17 AM
High
9.1 ft (2.8 m)
8:18 AM
Low
1.2 ft (0.4 m)
2:19 PM
High
9.9 ft (3.0 m)
8:54 PM
Low
0.4 ft (0.1 m)
Thu, Oct 15
3:00 AM
High
8.7 ft (2.6 m)
8:59 AM
Low
1.6 ft (0.5 m)
3:01 PM
High
9.5 ft (2.9 m)
9:38 PM
Low
0.8 ft (0.2 m)
Fri, Oct 16
3:47 AM
High
8.3 ft (2.5 m)
9:44 AM
Low
1.9 ft (0.6 m)
3:48 PM
High
9.1 ft (2.8 m)
10:28 PM
Low
1.2 ft (0.4 m)
Sat, Oct 17
4:38 AM
High
8.0 ft (2.4 m)
10:34 AM
Low
2.2 ft (0.7 m)
Heights are above mean lower low water (MLLW) — roughly the average lowest tide — not above the dock or the sand. Times are local (EDT). NOAA's prediction point is the Newcastle station, on the Damariscotta River directly across from downtown — the same water as the town landing, so highs and lows here land within minutes of what you see from Main Street. Heights are in feet above the average low-tide line (MLLW). This station publishes the times and heights of each high and low; the level between tides is estimated from those and labelled that way.
Predictions, not measurements
These are astronomical tide predictions. Wind, air pressure and storm surge can push the real water level well above or below them — in bad weather, check the National Weather Service forecast and warnings at weather.gov before trusting a number here. In an emergency on or near the water, call 911, or hail the Coast Guard on marine VHF channel 16.
Official predictions for station Newcastle, Damariscotta River (8416608) from NOAA Tides & Currents, National Ocean Service (CO-OPS). Retrieved October 12 at 7:49 AM.