Skip Navigation Link weather.gov  
NOAA logo - Click to go to the NOAA homepage National Weather Service NWS logo - Click to go to the NWS homepage
Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service
Image background of Navigation bar Left Home News Organization
Bookmark and Share Navigation Bar End Cap

  

National Conditions
    Rivers
    Satellite
    Climate
    Observed Precip

Local Conditions
    Warnings
    Weather Forecast
    Radar - Paducah
    Radar - Evansville
    Radar - Hopkinsville

AHPS Documentation
    User Guide
    User Brochure

What is AHPS?
    Facts
    Our Partners

Feedback/Questions
    Provide Feedback
    Ask Questions

When flooded turn around don't drown
FloodSmart
USA.gov Official Web Portal
 

Visit https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations for access to new EXPERIMENTAL products and services from the National Water Center: National Hydrologic Discussion, Area Hydrologic Discussion, Flood Hazard Outlook and the National Water Center Visualization Services, a suite of geospatial services depicting River Forecast Center and National Water Model information.

View the Enhanced Operating Capability Products and Services StoryMap here



Hydrograph River at a Glance Download
Ohio River at Cairo Stage (ft)Observed: 28.95 ft at 7:00PM Jan 23, 2023Observed: 28.97 ft at 8:00PM Jan 23, 2023Observed: 28.99 ft at 9:00PM Jan 23, 2023Observed: 29.02 ft at 10:00PM Jan 23, 2023Observed: 29.05 ft at 11:00PM Jan 23, 2023Observed: 29.07 ft at 12:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.1 ft at 1:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.12 ft at 2:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.14 ft at 3:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.16 ft at 4:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.17 ft at 5:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.19 ft at 6:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.21 ft at 7:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.22 ft at 8:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.24 ft at 9:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.24 ft at 10:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.4 ft at 11:00AM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.41 ft at 12:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.42 ft at 1:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.43 ft at 2:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.44 ft at 3:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.45 ft at 4:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.46 ft at 5:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.47 ft at 6:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.48 ft at 7:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.49 ft at 8:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.5 ft at 9:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.51 ft at 10:00PM Jan 24, 2023Observed: 29.52 ft at 12:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.52 ft at 1:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.53 ft at 2:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.53 ft at 3:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.53 ft at 4:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.52 ft at 5:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.52 ft at 6:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.52 ft at 7:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.51 ft at 8:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.51 ft at 9:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.51 ft at 10:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.51 ft at 11:00AM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.51 ft at 12:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.52 ft at 1:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.52 ft at 2:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.53 ft at 3:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.54 ft at 4:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.48 ft at 5:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.48 ft at 6:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.5 ft at 7:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.51 ft at 8:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.52 ft at 9:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.53 ft at 10:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.54 ft at 11:00PM Jan 25, 2023Observed: 29.55 ft at 12:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.57 ft at 1:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.58 ft at 2:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.59 ft at 3:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.61 ft at 4:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.62 ft at 5:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.63 ft at 6:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.64 ft at 7:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.65 ft at 8:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.67 ft at 9:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.68 ft at 10:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.69 ft at 11:00AM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.7 ft at 12:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.71 ft at 1:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.71 ft at 2:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.72 ft at 3:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.73 ft at 4:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.74 ft at 5:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.74 ft at 6:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.75 ft at 7:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.76 ft at 8:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.77 ft at 9:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.77 ft at 10:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.78 ft at 11:00PM Jan 26, 2023Observed: 29.78 ft at 12:00AM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.79 ft at 1:00AM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.79 ft at 2:00AM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.8 ft at 3:00AM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.8 ft at 4:00AM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.8 ft at 5:00AM Jan 27, 2023Highest Observation: 29.81 ft at 6:00AM Jan 27, 2023Highest Observation: 29.81 ft at 7:00AM Jan 27, 2023Highest Observation: 29.81 ft at 8:00AM Jan 27, 2023Highest Observation: 29.81 ft at 9:00AM Jan 27, 2023Highest Observation: 29.81 ft at 10:00AM Jan 27, 2023Highest Observation: 29.81 ft at 11:00AM Jan 27, 2023Highest Observation: 29.81 ft at 12:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.8 ft at 1:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.8 ft at 2:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.79 ft at 3:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.78 ft at 4:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.77 ft at 5:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.76 ft at 6:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.74 ft at 7:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.73 ft at 8:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.72 ft at 9:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.7 ft at 10:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.69 ft at 11:00PM Jan 27, 2023Observed: 29.67 ft at 12:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.65 ft at 1:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.64 ft at 2:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.62 ft at 3:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.6 ft at 4:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.58 ft at 5:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.55 ft at 6:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.53 ft at 7:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.5 ft at 8:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.48 ft at 9:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.45 ft at 10:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.42 ft at 11:00AM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.4 ft at 12:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.37 ft at 1:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.34 ft at 2:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.32 ft at 3:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.29 ft at 4:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.26 ft at 5:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.23 ft at 6:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.19 ft at 7:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.16 ft at 8:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.13 ft at 9:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.09 ft at 10:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.06 ft at 11:00PM Jan 28, 2023Observed: 29.02 ft at 12:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.98 ft at 1:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.95 ft at 2:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.92 ft at 3:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.88 ft at 4:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.85 ft at 5:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.82 ft at 6:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.78 ft at 7:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.74 ft at 8:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.71 ft at 9:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.67 ft at 10:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.64 ft at 11:00AM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.6 ft at 12:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.57 ft at 1:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.53 ft at 2:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.49 ft at 3:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.46 ft at 4:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.42 ft at 5:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.38 ft at 6:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.34 ft at 7:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.31 ft at 8:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.27 ft at 9:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.24 ft at 10:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.2 ft at 11:00PM Jan 29, 2023Observed: 28.17 ft at 12:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 28.14 ft at 1:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 28.1 ft at 2:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 28.06 ft at 3:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 28.03 ft at 4:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.99 ft at 5:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.96 ft at 6:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.93 ft at 7:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.89 ft at 8:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.86 ft at 9:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.82 ft at 10:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.79 ft at 11:00AM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.76 ft at 12:00PM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.73 ft at 1:00PM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.71 ft at 2:00PM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.7 ft at 3:00PM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.68 ft at 4:00PM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.68 ft at 5:00PM Jan 30, 2023Observed: 27.69 ft at 6:00PM Jan 30, 2023Forecast: 27.9 ft 12:00AM Jan 31, 2023Forecast: 28 ft 6:00AM Jan 31, 2023Forecast: 28.1 ft 12:00PM Jan 31, 2023Forecast: 28.3 ft 6:00PM Jan 31, 2023Highest Forecast: 28.4 ft 12:00AM Feb 01, 2023Highest Forecast: 28.4 ft 6:00AM Feb 01, 2023Highest Forecast: 28.4 ft 12:00PM Feb 01, 2023Highest Forecast: 28.4 ft 6:00PM Feb 01, 2023Forecast: 28.2 ft 12:00AM Feb 02, 2023Forecast: 28 ft 6:00AM Feb 02, 2023Forecast: 27.8 ft 12:00PM Feb 02, 2023Forecast: 27.6 ft 6:00PM Feb 02, 2023Forecast: 27.4 ft 12:00AM Feb 03, 2023Forecast: 27.2 ft 6:00AM Feb 03, 2023Forecast: 27.1 ft 12:00PM Feb 03, 2023Forecast: 26.9 ft 6:00PM Feb 03, 2023Forecast: 26.7 ft 12:00AM Feb 04, 2023Forecast: 26.5 ft 6:00AM Feb 04, 2023Forecast: 26.3 ft 12:00PM Feb 04, 2023Forecast: 26.1 ft 6:00PM Feb 04, 2023Forecast: 26 ft 12:00AM Feb 05, 2023Forecast: 25.8 ft 6:00AM Feb 05, 2023Forecast: 25.6 ft 12:00PM Feb 05, 2023Forecast: 25.4 ft 6:00PM Feb 05, 2023Forecast: 25.3 ft 12:00AM Feb 06, 2023Forecast: 25.1 ft 6:00AM Feb 06, 2023Forecast: 24.9 ft 12:00PM Feb 06, 2023Forecast: 24.7 ft 6:00PM Feb 06, 2023Forecast: 24.5 ft 12:00AM Feb 07, 2023Forecast: 24.4 ft 6:00AM Feb 07, 2023Forecast: 24.2 ft 12:00PM Feb 07, 2023Forecast: 24 ft 6:00PM Feb 07, 2023Forecast: 23.7 ft 12:00AM Feb 08, 2023Forecast: 23.4 ft 6:00AM Feb 08, 2023Forecast: 23.1 ft 12:00PM Feb 08, 2023Forecast: 22.8 ft 6:00PM Feb 08, 2023Forecast: 22.5 ft 12:00AM Feb 09, 2023Forecast: 22.2 ft 6:00AM Feb 09, 2023Forecast: 21.9 ft 12:00PM Feb 09, 2023Forecast: 21.6 ft 6:00PM Feb 09, 2023Forecast: 21.3 ft 12:00AM Feb 10, 2023Forecast: 21 ft 6:00AM Feb 10, 2023Forecast: 20.7 ft 12:00PM Feb 10, 2023Forecast: 20.5 ft 6:00PM Feb 10, 2023Forecast: 20.3 ft 12:00AM Feb 11, 2023Forecast: 20.1 ft 6:00AM Feb 11, 2023Forecast: 19.8 ft 12:00PM Feb 11, 2023Forecast: 19.7 ft 6:00PM Feb 11, 2023Forecast: 19.6 ft 12:00AM Feb 12, 2023Forecast: 19.5 ft 6:00AM Feb 12, 2023Forecast: 19.4 ft 12:00PM Feb 12, 2023Forecast: 19.3 ft 6:00PM Feb 12, 2023Forecast: 19.2 ft 12:00AM Feb 13, 2023Forecast: 19.1 ft 6:00AM Feb 13, 2023Forecast: 18.9 ft 12:00PM Feb 13, 2023Forecast: 18.8 ft 6:00PM Feb 13, 2023CIRI2(plotting HGIRG) Graph Created (6:32PM Jan 30, 2023)ObservedForecast (issued 10:32AM Jan 30)Latest observed value: 27.69 ft at 6:00 PM CST 30-Jan-2023. Flood Stage is 40 ft
Printable Image
About this graph
Tabular Data (UTC)
Tabular Data (CST)
XML Data
RSS Files
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 Ohio River at Cairo are issued routinely year-round.

Return to Area Map
Upstream Gauge - at Olmsted Lock and Dam Tailwater Upstream Gauge Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - above Wickliffe
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 53
Moderate Flood Stage: 47
Flood Stage: 40
Action Stage: 32
Low Stage (in feet): 9.4

Historic Crests
(1) 61.72 ft on 05/02/2011
(2) 59.50 ft on 02/03/1937
(3) 56.51 ft on 03/01/2019
(4) 56.50 ft on 04/03/1975
(5) 56.40 ft on 04/20/1927
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 47.11 ft on 03/03/2022 (P)
(2) 40.58 ft on 01/12/2022 (P)
(3) 47.01 ft on 04/04/2021
(4) 52.64 ft on 03/31/2020
(5) 56.51 ft on 03/01/2019
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) -1.00 ft on 12/24/1871
(2) 0.30 ft on 12/30/1876
(3) 1.10 ft on 01/01/1877
Show More Low Water Records

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.
Zoom Level:16
KML Image
Gauge LocationGauge Map Marker
 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
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
65 The river will reach the top of the protection at Mounds and Mound City.
64 The river will reach the top of the protection of Cairo.
61.72 This flood will exceed the highest stage on record.
56 U.S. Highway 51 near Wickliffe is flooded.
50 The first gate is closed at Cairo.
40 Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly agricultural bottomland and low lying areas.
32 Cairo begins pumping operations.
Photos
(1) Gage House
(2) Ohio River Downstream
(3) Confluence Looking Toward Cairo
(4) Confluence at Fort Defiance
(5) Confluence Looking Up Mississippi
About This Location Collapse

Latitude: 37.000000° N, Longitude: 89.162500° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD27

River Stage
Reference Frame		 Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses
NWS stage 0 ft 40 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 270.87 310.87 Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29 270.47 310.47 Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other 270.9 ft 310.9 ft Ohio River Datum
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
Paducah Weather Forecast Office
8250 Highway 3520
West Paducah, KY 42086-6440
(270) 744-6440
Ask Questions/Webmaster
Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:29 PM 		Disclaimer
Credits
Glossary 		Privacy Policy
About Us
Career Opportunities