Calcasieu River at Saltwater Barrier
Louisiana — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Calcasieu County, Louisiana on the Calcasieu 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: LCHL1). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
8 ft
Moderate Flood
6 ft
Minor Flood
4 ft
Action Stage
4 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
13 ft
The river is at its flood of record. Over half of the city of Lake Charles is flooded.
11 ft
Major flooding occurs. These water levels are near those reached during the storm surge of Hurricane Ike in 2008. Major flooding can be expected in Westlake and Lake Charles with numerous homes inundated.
10 ft
Backwater flooding in the north and east portions of Lake Charles will occur.
8 ft
Major flooding of residential areas near the barrier will occur.
6 ft
Significant flooding of numerous recreational camps and homes will occur. River Road and much of Mims Road are impassable.
5.5 ft
Access roads including River Road in North Lake Charles and Mims Road in Westlake become impassable to some vehicles. In addition flooding of roads along the West Fork of the Calcasieu can be expected. Including South Perkins Ferry Road.
5 ft
River Road in North Lake Charles and Mims Road in Westlake are flooded. Extensive marshland flooding will occur.
4.5 ft
Water covers portions of River Road in north Lake Charles.
4 ft
Minor marshland flooding occurs. Flooding also begins on River Road in north Lake Charles.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 30, 1913 | 13 ft | — |
| Sep 30, 1913 | 13 ft | — |
| Sep 13, 2008 | 11 ft | — |
| Sep 13, 2008 | 11 ft | — |
| Sep 23, 2005 | 9.43 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
LCHL1
River
Calcasieu River
County
Calcasieu, LA
Coordinates
30.2536°N, 93.2181°W
Get Flood Alerts for Calcasieu 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 Calcasieu River at Saltwater Barrier?
The Calcasieu River at Saltwater Barrier 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 Calcasieu River at Saltwater Barrier?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Calcasieu River at Saltwater Barrier is 4 feet. Action stage begins at 4 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 6 feet, and major flooding at 8 feet.
How do I get alerts when Calcasieu River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Calcasieu River at Saltwater Barrier 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 Calcasieu River at Saltwater Barrier gauge located?
The gauge is located in Calcasieu County, Louisiana at coordinates 30.2536°N, 93.2181°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- 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.