Ouachita River at Thatcher L&D

The past week

What floods at each level

• 96 ft

  Crest of record, 96.3 feet in April 1945. Very serious situation, extent of damages not entirely known. Possible road and structural flooding from near Calion downstream to the Moro Bay State Park vicinity.

• 94 ft

  Serious flooding begins, gap in floodwall near Calion Sawmill may need to be closed. River crested at 93.6 feet in January 1988, the highest level since completion of upstream flood control reservoirs. Calion Lake levee gates closed and runoff into lake cannot drain. Heavy rainfall in area could raise the lake level enough to threaten homes along shore. Areas of Moro Bay State Park flooded. Structures in the park probably high enough to stay dry.

• 92 ft

  From Calion to Thatcher Lock and Dam, the road along the levee may be affected. Some roads in Moro Bay State Park are flooded. Problems with Calion lake drainage. Heavy rain in the area could cause homes along the Lake Shore to be threatened by rising lake levels.

• 90 ft

  Access to Thatcher Lock and Dam may be affected. Many oil and gas rigs in the river bottoms can be reached by boat only. Runoff into Calion Lake cannot drain to the river. Levee gates should be closed. Downstream, minor impacts to the Moro Bay State Park, some shallow water may be over the road to the campground.

• 88 ft

  River is high enough to stop drainage from Calion Lake. Heavy rainfall in the area could cause the lake to rise towards several homes along the shore. Downstream, water rising into undeveloped areas of the State Park at Moro Bay. Widespread flooding of timber, with access to many oil and gas rigs flooded.

• 85 ft

  There may be some County roads along the river flooded, requiring lengthy detours. River is high and swift, boaters should be very cautious. Access to many oil and gas rigs will be by boat only. Levee gates should be closed.

• 83 ft

  Access to oil and gas rigs and to timber is flooded. Calhoun County Road 131 is completely under water leading to old Lock 8 river access.

• 80 ft

  Minor flooding occurs at this level. Levee gates should be closed to prevent the river from backing into Calion Lake. Access to oil and gas rigs and to timber is flooded. There is wide coverage of flooding in the river bottoms.

• 79 ft

  Property in low lying areas needs to be removed. Access roads to oil and gas rigs may be flooded. Levee gates should be closed before the river reaches 80 feet. There is minor flooding at this level.

Highest crests on record

More on Ouachita River