Major Flood
49 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
This is an NWS forecast point (LID: OWBK2). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
44 ft
Minor Flood
40 ft
Action Stage
24 ft
What Floods at Each Level
54.8 ft
This flood will exceed the highest stage on record. Large amounts of property damage can be expected. Evacuation of many homes and businesses becomes necessary.
50 ft
Moderate flooding occurs affecting the lowest land in Owensboro well back from the river due to sewers backing up.
44 ft
Parts of Smothers Park may flood.
41 ft
Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas.
35 ft
Bottomland begins to flood.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 28, 1937 | 54.8 ft | — |
| Mar 11, 1945 | 49.7 ft | — |
| Mar 15, 1964 | 49.5 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
OWBK2
River
Ohio River
County
Daviess, KY
Coordinates
37.7936°N, 87.1417°W
Get Flood Alerts for Ohio 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 Ohio River at Owensboro?
The Ohio River at Owensboro 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 Ohio River at Owensboro?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Ohio River at Owensboro is 40 feet. Action stage begins at 24 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 44 feet, and major flooding at 49 feet.
How do I get alerts when Ohio River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Ohio River at Owensboro to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Ohio River at Owensboro gauge located?
The gauge is located in Daviess County, Kentucky at coordinates 37.7936°N, 87.1417°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Ohio River
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.