Cumberland River at Baxter
Kentucky — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Harlan County, Kentucky on the Cumberland River. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: BXTK2). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
20 ft
Moderate Flood
18 ft
Minor Flood
16 ft
Action Stage
13 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
34.2 ft
Most of the valley floods. Flooding will exceed the highest flood on record.
26.5 ft
Homes begin to flood.
25 ft
The old water plant building is flooded.
20 ft
Several local roads are closed.
18 ft
Street flooding begins. Kentucky Avenue is flooded.
16 ft
Low lying areas 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 4, 1977 | 34.2 ft | — |
| Apr 4, 1977 | 34.2 ft | — |
| Mar 12, 1963 | 29.2 ft | — |
| Mar 12, 1963 | 29.2 ft | — |
| Dec 30, 1969 | 28.5 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
BXTK2
River
Cumberland River
County
Harlan, KY
Coordinates
36.8606°N, 83.3269°W
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 Baxter?
The Cumberland River at Baxter gauge is maintained by USGS 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 Baxter?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cumberland River at Baxter is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 13 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 18 feet, and major flooding at 20 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 Baxter 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 Baxter gauge located?
The gauge is located in Harlan County, Kentucky at coordinates 36.8606°N, 83.3269°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.