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Over 200 USGS real-time streamgages used to support NWS river forecasts and warnings are at risk of being discontinued. Click here for more information from the USGS...
Weather Forecast Office Wilmington, OH Ohio River Forecast Center
Special Weather Statement
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Hydrograph River at a Glance Download Weekly Chance of
Exceeding Levels		 Chance of Exceeding Levels
During Entire Period
Ohio River at Portsmouth Stage (ft)Flow (kcfs)Highest Observation: 18.32 ft at 3:30PM May 21, 2013Observed: 18.31 ft at 4:00PM May 21, 2013Observed: 18.31 ft at 4:30PM May 21, 2013Observed: 18.31 ft at 5:00PM May 21, 2013Highest Observation: 18.32 ft at 5:30PM May 21, 2013Highest Observation: 18.32 ft at 6:00PM May 21, 2013Highest Observation: 18.32 ft at 6:30PM May 21, 2013Highest Observation: 18.32 ft at 7:00PM May 21, 2013Forecast: 16.3 ft 8:00PM May 21, 2013Forecast: 16.4 ft 2:00AM May 22, 2013Forecast: 16.4 ft 8:00AM May 22, 2013Forecast: 16.4 ft 2:00PM May 22, 2013Forecast: 16.6 ft 8:00PM May 22, 2013Highest Forecast: 16.7 ft 2:00AM May 23, 2013Forecast: 16.4 ft 8:00AM May 23, 2013Forecast: 16.1 ft 2:00PM May 23, 2013Forecast: 16 ft 8:00PM May 23, 2013Forecast: 16 ft 2:00AM May 24, 2013Forecast: 15.9 ft 8:00AM May 24, 2013Forecast: 15.8 ft 2:00PM May 24, 2013Forecast: 15.8 ft 8:00PM May 24, 2013Forecast: 15.9 ft 2:00AM May 25, 2013Forecast: 15.8 ft 8:00AM May 25, 2013Forecast: 15.7 ft 2:00PM May 25, 2013Forecast: 15.7 ft 8:00PM May 25, 2013Forecast: 15.6 ft 2:00AM May 26, 2013Forecast: 15.5 ft 8:00AM May 26, 2013USGS--Water Resources of the United StatesPORO1(plotting HGIRG) Graph Created (7:14PM May 21, 2013)ObservedForecast (issued 10:56AM May 21)Latest observed value: 18.32 ft at 7:00 PM EDT 21-May-2013. Flood Stage is 50 ft
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Datum: Not Available
Metadata
NOTE: Gauge readings inaccurate - awaiting repair.

Reliability of the Forecast: Based on current and forecast river, weather and reservoir conditions

NOTE: Forecasts for the Ohio River at Portsmouth are issued routinely year-round.

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Upstream Gauge - at Lloyd Greenup Lock Upstream Gauge Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - at Maysville
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage:66
Moderate Flood Stage:57
Flood Stage:50
Action Stage:35

Historical Crests
(1) 74.23 ft on 01/27/1937
(2) 67.90 ft on 03/31/1913
(3) 66.26 ft on 02/12/1884
(4) 64.90 ft on 03/09/1945
(5) 64.10 ft on 04/17/1948
(6) 61.20 ft on 01/03/1943
(7) 60.80 ft on 03/12/1964
(8) 60.60 ft on 03/09/1955
(9) 59.80 ft on 03/04/1997
(10) 59.70 ft on 03/09/1963
Show More Historical Crests

Low Water Records
(1) 0.90 ft on 10/21/1920
(2) 1.20 ft on 10/29/1895
(3) 1.30 ft on 09/15/1881
Legend
Gauge Location
Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.
Flood Impacts & Photos Collapse
74.23 This flood will exceed the highest stage on record. Widespread damage occurs. Backwater flooding along the Scioto River produces additional damage to homes...farms and businesses. Most of the City of Portsmouth is protected to a stage of 79 feet by the flood walls. Evacuations of homes and businesses east of Portsmouth and elsewhere along the Ohio River within Scioto County will be required.
66 Major flooding extends through southern Scioto county outside of the Portsmouth flood wall. Route 52 is underwater through much of the region...with backwater flooding along Turkey creek flooding structures in Friendship Ohio close to the creek. Structures between route 52 and the river are flooded in Ohio...and to a lesser extent...structures in the bottom land of Kentucky between route 8 and the river.
62 Water rises onto the east end of the Scioto River Bridge...and significant flooding occurs in many areas outside of Portsmouth in Scioto and Adams Counties along the Ohio River. Areas hardest hit include South Portsmouth...Fullerton and low lying areas near Friendship.
60 The low area along Main Street in Fullerton Ohio becomes flooded. More homes are affected by flood waters in South Portsmouth. Long stretches of US Route 52 are flooded.
56 Flooding through Scioto County continues...with water entering lower levels of homes in Fullerton.
55 Backwater flooding affects portions of Sciotoville...New Boston and other sections outside of the flood wall area. Portions of Route 52 become flooded.
53 Water enters lower levels of homes in South Portsmouth. Backwater flooding from the Ohio River worsens...especially along the Ohio side of the river...through Scioto and Adams Counties. Flooding continues through stretches of Route 52. Much of Portsmouth itself is protected by flood walls.
51 Low lying flooding occurs along the southern border of Scioto County...as well as in South Portsmouth. Much of Portsmouth itself is protected by flood walls.
50 Lowland flooding has already begun to affect southern Scioto County. Backwater flooding begins into the Scioto River...as well as along smaller creeks flowing into the Ohio River. Much of Portsmouth itself is protected by flood walls.
49 Lowland flooding increasingly affects southern Scioto county. Backwater flooding begins into the Scioto river...as well as along smaller creeks and streams flowing into the Ohio river.
42 Lane restrictions and closings begin at the on and off ramp to west US Route 52 from State Route 239...especially if the lower Scioto river is also high. High water also affects eastbound 73 between Second street and route 852.
About This Location Collapse

Latitude: 38.728889° N, Longitude: 82.973056° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage
Reference Frame		 Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses
NWS stage 0 ft 50 ft Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum Elevation
(gauge height = 0)		 Elevation
(gauge height = flood stage)		 Elevation information source
NAVD88 Not Available Not Available Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29 Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other 470.9 ft 520.9 ft  

Other Data Sources:
Additional Information Collapse
'Normal' pool elevation is 14.2'
Resources Collapse
Hydrologic Resources Additional Resources
Collaborative Agencies Collapse
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
NWS Information
National Weather Service
Wilmington Weather Forecast Office
1901 South State Route 134
Wilmington, OH 45177
(937) 383-0031
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Page last modified: 13-Mar-2013 6:34 PM 		Disclaimer
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