Buffalo River near St Joe
Arkansas — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Searcy County, Arkansas on the Buffalo River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 07056000, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
50 ft
Moderate Flood
35 ft
Minor Flood
27 ft
Action Stage
20 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
53.8 ft
The crest of record is 53.8 feet which occurred December 3rd 1982. Incredible flooding experienced with the bridges or approach roads to the bridges on U.S. Highway 65 and State Highway 14 overtopped. Lower lying portion of the town of Gilbert may flood.
50 ft
Water is near U.S. 65 Highway Bridge lower steel. Recreational facilities in the lower lying areas along the river in the vicinity of Gilbert will flood. Buffalo river crested at 49.4 feet March 19 2008. There has been three crest over 49 feet since 1915, December 1982 crest of 53.8 feet, August 1915 crest of 50.5 feet and the March 2008 crest of 49.4 feet.
46.5 ft
Crest of April 25 2004 was 46.51 feet. Primary impacts are to the recreational facilities of the National Park Service, such as Tyler Bend Campground near U.S. Highway 65. River is swift and dangerous and may be carrying a tremendous amount of debris. Floating and other recreational activities on and along the river should be avoided.
45 ft
Buffalo River has crested over 45 feet at the U.S. Highway 65 gage six times since 1915. These events occurred in August 1915, November 1973, December 1982, April 2004, March 2008, and December 2015. River is swift, dangerous, and carrying a large amount of debris. Activities on and around the river should be avoided.
42 ft
River crested in May 1990 at this level. Expect similar damages and impacts. River has crested above 42 feet at the gage on U.S. Highway 65 bridge eight times since 1915.
35 ft
All of Tyler Bend Access Area is flooded. Backwater up Bear, Mill, and Calf Creeks flood an extensive area of the valley. River has crested above 35 feet at the U.S. Highway 65 gage at least nineteen times since 1915.
27 ft
Tyler Bend Access Area begins to flood. Some campsites are under water and Comfort Station is flooded.
20 ft
Limited impacts due to the lack of private property along the river. Some access points and public facilities will be effected. The National Park Service has recommended that float activities stop well below this flow level and conditions are dangerous to recreational floaters. Floodplain along the North Bank begins to flood.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 3, 1982 | 53.75 ft | 158,000 cfs |
| Dec 3, 1982 | 53.75 ft | 158,000 cfs |
| Jul 31, 1915 | 50.5 ft | 142,000 cfs |
| Jul 31, 1915 | 50.5 ft | 142,000 cfs |
| Mar 19, 2008 | 49.41 ft | 134,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Buffalo River near St Joe?
The Buffalo River near St Joe gauge is maintained by USGS (site 07056000) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Buffalo River near St Joe?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Buffalo River near St Joe is 27 feet. Action stage begins at 20 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 35 feet, and major flooding at 50 feet.
How do I get alerts when Buffalo River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Buffalo River near St Joe to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Buffalo River near St Joe gauge located?
The gauge is located in Searcy County, Arkansas at coordinates 35.9831°N, 92.7472°W. USGS site number: 07056000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.