Cumberland River at Barbourville
Kentucky — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Knox County, Kentucky on the Cumberland River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 03403500, 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
38 ft
Moderate Flood
33 ft
Minor Flood
27 ft
Action Stage
21.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
50 ft
Overtopping or failure of floodwall is expected. Full evacuation of Barbourville is necessary.
45.91 ft
Flooding will exceed the highest flood on record. Homes and businesses must be evacuated.
40.29 ft
Closing of flood gates begins.
40 ft
Major flood threatens the protected area of Barbourville. US 25 E floods on both sides of the city.
39.6 ft
KY 11 floods.
39.4 ft
Homes on Miller Road and Boone Heights begin flooding.
38.5 ft
Homes begin flooding in Apple Grove, Sharp Gap and Smokey.
36.6 ft
Roads begin flooding in Heidrick. Homes begin flooding on South Main Street.
34 ft
Flooding threatens homes and businesses in unprotected areas.
30 ft
Manchester Street and Miller Road east of US 25 E flood.
27 ft
Low lying roads flood. Manchester street floods.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 5, 1977 | 45.91 ft | 56,100 cfs |
| Apr 5, 1977 | 45.91 ft | 56,100 cfs |
| Dec 31, 1945 | 42.8 ft | — |
| Dec 31, 1945 | 42.8 ft | — |
| Nov 28, 1973 | 42.65 ft | 49,500 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Cumberland River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Cumberland River at Barbourville?
The Cumberland River at Barbourville gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03403500) 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 Cumberland River at Barbourville?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cumberland River at Barbourville is 27 feet. Action stage begins at 21.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 33 feet, and major flooding at 38 feet.
How do I get alerts when Cumberland River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Cumberland River at Barbourville 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 Cumberland River at Barbourville gauge located?
The gauge is located in Knox County, Kentucky at coordinates 36.8622°N, 83.8875°W. USGS site number: 03403500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Army Corps of Engineers, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey