Major Flood
52 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
43 ft
Minor Flood
39 ft
Action Stage
32 ft
What Floods at Each Level
64 ft
The top of the protection is reached at Paducah.
60.6 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. The levee will protect most of the city at this level.
56 ft
Many of the industrial plants upstream in Calvert City are affected at this stage and higher and may begin to shut down.
52 ft
Major flooding occurs and is widespread on both sides of the river.
49.5 ft
The first gate is closed in the floodwall in Paducah.
47 ft
Property damage begins on the the Illinois and Kentucky sides of the river.
43 ft
Moderate flooding occurs affecting several small unprotected towns.
39 ft
Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas.
32 ft
The city of Paducah starts the first pumps.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Feb 1, 1937 | 60.6 ft | — |
| May 5, 2011 | 55.03 ft | 1,300,980 cfs |
| Apr 6, 1913 | 54.3 ft | — |
About This Gauge
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 Paducah?
The Ohio River at Paducah gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03611000) 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 Paducah?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Ohio River at Paducah is 39 feet. Action stage begins at 32 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 43 feet, and major flooding at 52 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 Paducah 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 Paducah gauge located?
The gauge is located in McCracken County, Kentucky at coordinates 37.0894°N, 88.5944°W. USGS site number: 03611000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Ohio River
On This River
Upstream: Ohio River at Smithland Lock and Dam
Downstream: Ohio River at Olmsted Lock and Dam Headwater
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- 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.