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Hydrograph River at a Glance Download
Calcasieu River at Saltwater Barrier Pool (ft)Highest Observation: 2.7 ft at 5:00AM Apr 21, 2024Observed: 1.9 ft at 5:00AM Apr 22, 2024Highest Observation: 2.7 ft at 5:00AM Apr 23, 2024Observed: 2.6 ft at 5:00AM Apr 24, 2024Observed: 2.2 ft at 5:59AM Apr 25, 2024Forecast: 2.8 ft 7:00PM Apr 25, 2024Forecast: 1.9 ft 1:00AM Apr 26, 2024Forecast: 2.2 ft 7:00AM Apr 26, 2024Forecast: 2.9 ft 1:00PM Apr 26, 2024Forecast: 2.8 ft 7:00PM Apr 26, 2024Forecast: 2 ft 1:00AM Apr 27, 2024Forecast: 2.3 ft 7:00AM Apr 27, 2024Forecast: 2.9 ft 1:00PM Apr 27, 2024Forecast: 2.9 ft 7:00PM Apr 27, 2024Forecast: 2.4 ft 1:00AM Apr 28, 2024Forecast: 2.2 ft 7:00AM Apr 28, 2024Highest Forecast: 3 ft 1:00PM Apr 28, 2024Forecast: 2.9 ft 7:00PM Apr 28, 2024Forecast: 2.4 ft 1:00AM Apr 29, 2024Forecast: 2.2 ft 7:00AM Apr 29, 2024Forecast: 2.9 ft 1:00PM Apr 29, 2024Forecast: 2.9 ft 7:00PM Apr 29, 2024Forecast: 2.3 ft 1:00AM Apr 30, 2024Forecast: 2.2 ft 7:00AM Apr 30, 2024USGS--Water Resources of the United StatesLCHL1(plotting HPIRZ) Graph Created (4:40PM Apr 25, 2024)ObservedForecast (issued 9:05AM Apr 25)Latest observed value: 2.2 ft at 5:59 AM CDT 25-Apr-2024. Flood Stage is 4 ft
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Tabular Data (UTC)
Tabular Data (CDT)
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Datum: Not Available
Metadata
NOTE: 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.

NOTE: Forecasts for the Calcasieu River at Saltwater Barrier are issued routinely year-round.

Vertical datum height estimated from NGVD29 to NAVD88 using the NGS VERTCON conversion program

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Upstream Gauge - at Sam Houston Jones State Park Upstream Gauge Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - at Lake Charles
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 8
Moderate Flood Stage: 6
Flood Stage: 4
Action Stage: 4
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 13.00 ft on 10/01/1913
(2) 11.00 ft on 09/13/2008
(3) 9.43 ft on 09/24/2005
(4) 9.40 ft on 07/03/1989
(5) 8.95 ft on 12/31/1982
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 7.34 ft on 08/30/2017
(2) 6.82 ft on 05/04/2017 (P)
(3) 4.59 ft on 08/14/2016
(4) 4.24 ft on 06/03/2016
(5) 5.54 ft on 03/10/2016
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) -1.64 ft on 01/07/1970
(2) -0.75 ft on 02/03/1970
(3) -0.50 ft on 02/28/1984
Show More Low Water Records

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.
Zoom Level:16
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Gauge LocationGauge Map Marker
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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
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
13 The river is at its flood of record. Over half of the city of Lake Charles is flooded.
11 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 Backwater flooding in the north and east portions of Lake Charles will occur.
8 Major flooding of residential areas near the barrier will occur.
6 Significant flooding of numerous recreational camps and homes will occur. River Road and much of Mims Road are impassable.
5.5 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 River Road in North Lake Charles and Mims Road in Westlake are flooded. Extensive marshland flooding will occur.
4.5 Water covers portions of River Road in north Lake Charles.
4 Minor marshland flooding occurs. Flooding also begins on River Road in north Lake Charles.
About This Location Collapse

Latitude: 30.253611° N, Longitude: 93.218056° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage
Reference Frame		 Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses
NWS stage 0 ft 4 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 -0.61 ft 3.39 ft Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29 -0.78 ft 3.22 ft Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other Not Available Not Available  

Current/Historical Observations:
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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
Lake Charles Weather Forecast Office
500 Airport Boulevard
Lake Charles, LA 70607
(337) 477-5285
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