Red River at Alexandria
Louisiana — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Rapides County, Louisiana on the Red 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: AEXL1). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
40 ft
Moderate Flood
36 ft
Minor Flood
32 ft
Action Stage
28 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
45.23 ft
The river is at its flood of record. Catastrophic flood damage will occur.
44 ft
Approximate top of levees in Alexandria. Water reaches low point of steel on us 167 bridge. Widespread major river and backwater flooding occurs.
40 ft
Extensive backwater flooding occurs near the confluence of the Cane River.
37.5 ft
Water reaches top of the rails of the Union Pacific railroad bridge at Boyce. Considerable backwater flooding will occur.
35 ft
Considerable overflow below Alexandria to the confluence with the Black River occurs. Backwater flooding worsens along inflow bayous that drain into the Red River.
33 ft
Backwater flooding begins along Bayou Maria and Huffman Creeks east of Pineville.
32 ft
Flooding of lowland areas near the river occurs and recreational boating is affected.
31 ft
Some of the outfall canals are slowed or not allowed to drain into the river between 31 and 32 feet. Depending on rainfall this could cause flooding along some of the bayous, especially along Bayou Rigolette.
28 ft
Overflow occurs on floodway side of levee from gauge to Acme. Recreational boaters should use extreme caution due to high river flows.
23 ft
When the river reaches 23 feet with a predicted continual rise, the public boat ramps in Rapides and Avoyelles parishes will close. These include the ramps at Boyce, Fort Buhlow, Alexandria Levee Park, Lock and Dam #2, Brouillette and Ben Routh recreation areas.
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 16, 1945 | 45.23 ft | 233,000 cfs |
| Apr 16, 1945 | 45.23 ft | 233,000 cfs |
| Feb 4, 1932 | 43.65 ft | 186,000 cfs |
| Feb 4, 1932 | 43.65 ft | 186,000 cfs |
| May 7, 1927 | 42.35 ft | 173,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
AEXL1
River
Red River
County
Rapides, LA
Coordinates
31.3089°N, 92.4392°W
Get Flood Alerts for Red 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 Red River at Alexandria?
The Red River at Alexandria 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 Red River at Alexandria?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Red River at Alexandria is 32 feet. Action stage begins at 28 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 36 feet, and major flooding at 40 feet.
How do I get alerts when Red River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Red River at Alexandria 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 Red River at Alexandria gauge located?
The gauge is located in Rapides County, Louisiana at coordinates 31.3089°N, 92.4392°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Red River
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Army Corps of Engineers, 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.