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Hydrograph River at a Glance Download
Ohio River at McAlpine Lower Tailwater (ft)Observed: 16.32 ft at 5:15PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.3 ft at 5:30PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.27 ft at 5:45PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.24 ft at 6:00PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.21 ft at 6:15PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.19 ft at 6:30PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.17 ft at 6:45PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.17 ft at 7:00PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.17 ft at 7:15PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.15 ft at 7:30PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.1 ft at 7:45PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.05 ft at 8:00PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.05 ft at 8:15PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.05 ft at 8:30PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.04 ft at 8:45PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 16.01 ft at 9:00PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.97 ft at 9:15PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.97 ft at 9:30PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.97 ft at 9:45PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.97 ft at 10:00PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.95 ft at 10:15PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.92 ft at 10:30PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.91 ft at 10:45PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.9 ft at 11:00PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.89 ft at 11:15PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.88 ft at 11:30PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.88 ft at 11:45PM Mar 25, 2024Observed: 15.89 ft at 12:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.89 ft at 12:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.89 ft at 12:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.89 ft at 12:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.88 ft at 1:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.87 ft at 1:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.86 ft at 1:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.89 ft at 1:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.92 ft at 2:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.92 ft at 2:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.92 ft at 2:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 15.96 ft at 2:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.01 ft at 3:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.01 ft at 3:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.02 ft at 3:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.05 ft at 3:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.07 ft at 4:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.09 ft at 4:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.1 ft at 4:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.11 ft at 4:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.15 ft at 5:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.21 ft at 5:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.26 ft at 5:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.34 ft at 5:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.43 ft at 6:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.51 ft at 6:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.56 ft at 6:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.66 ft at 6:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.75 ft at 7:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.79 ft at 7:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.83 ft at 7:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.85 ft at 7:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.87 ft at 8:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.9 ft at 8:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 16.94 ft at 8:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.05 ft at 8:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.15 ft at 9:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.19 ft at 9:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.19 ft at 9:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.2 ft at 9:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.22 ft at 10:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.25 ft at 10:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.28 ft at 10:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.29 ft at 10:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.31 ft at 11:00AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.33 ft at 11:15AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.35 ft at 11:30AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.36 ft at 11:45AM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.44 ft at 12:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.47 ft at 12:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.47 ft at 12:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.48 ft at 12:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.51 ft at 1:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.52 ft at 1:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.51 ft at 1:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.5 ft at 1:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.52 ft at 2:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.53 ft at 2:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.57 ft at 2:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.59 ft at 2:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.6 ft at 3:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.61 ft at 3:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.6 ft at 3:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.61 ft at 3:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.61 ft at 4:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.63 ft at 4:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.67 ft at 4:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.71 ft at 4:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.72 ft at 5:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.71 ft at 5:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.71 ft at 5:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.71 ft at 5:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.71 ft at 6:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.7 ft at 6:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.73 ft at 6:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.73 ft at 6:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.73 ft at 7:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.72 ft at 7:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.71 ft at 7:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.71 ft at 7:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.73 ft at 8:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.77 ft at 8:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.81 ft at 8:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.85 ft at 8:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.88 ft at 9:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.92 ft at 9:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 17.96 ft at 9:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18 ft at 9:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18.04 ft at 10:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18.08 ft at 10:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18.11 ft at 10:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18.15 ft at 10:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18.25 ft at 11:00PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18.28 ft at 11:15PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18.29 ft at 11:30PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18.29 ft at 11:45PM Mar 26, 2024Observed: 18.3 ft at 12:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.31 ft at 12:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.33 ft at 12:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.34 ft at 12:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.36 ft at 1:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.37 ft at 1:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.43 ft at 1:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.44 ft at 1:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.44 ft at 2:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.47 ft at 2:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.49 ft at 2:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.48 ft at 2:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.5 ft at 3:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.55 ft at 3:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.56 ft at 3:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.54 ft at 3:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.53 ft at 4:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.53 ft at 4:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.53 ft at 4:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.53 ft at 4:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.53 ft at 5:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.53 ft at 5:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.53 ft at 5:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.53 ft at 5:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.57 ft at 6:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.57 ft at 6:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.56 ft at 6:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.59 ft at 6:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.63 ft at 7:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.66 ft at 7:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.64 ft at 7:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.61 ft at 7:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.58 ft at 8:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.57 ft at 8:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.56 ft at 8:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.61 ft at 8:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.65 ft at 9:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.62 ft at 9:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.59 ft at 9:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.57 ft at 9:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.56 ft at 10:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.58 ft at 10:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.58 ft at 10:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.57 ft at 10:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.59 ft at 11:00AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.59 ft at 11:15AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.58 ft at 11:30AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.57 ft at 11:45AM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.61 ft at 12:00PM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.63 ft at 12:15PM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.62 ft at 12:30PM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.6 ft at 12:45PM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 18.58 ft at 1:00PM Mar 27, 2024Observed: 19.25 ft at 11:30AM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.3 ft at 11:45AM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.33 ft at 12:00PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.34 ft at 12:15PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.39 ft at 12:30PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.43 ft at 12:45PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.47 ft at 1:00PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.5 ft at 1:15PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.54 ft at 1:30PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.6 ft at 1:45PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.63 ft at 2:00PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.71 ft at 2:15PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.74 ft at 2:30PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.76 ft at 2:45PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.78 ft at 3:00PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.8 ft at 3:15PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.82 ft at 3:30PM Mar 28, 2024Observed: 19.84 ft at 3:45PM Mar 28, 2024Highest Observation: 19.88 ft at 4:00PM Mar 28, 2024Forecast: 20.7 ft 8:00PM Mar 28, 2024Forecast: 22 ft 2:00AM Mar 29, 2024Forecast: 22.9 ft 8:00AM Mar 29, 2024Forecast: 23.4 ft 2:00PM Mar 29, 2024Highest Forecast: 23.7 ft 8:00PM Mar 29, 2024Highest Forecast: 23.7 ft 2:00AM Mar 30, 2024Forecast: 23.4 ft 8:00AM Mar 30, 2024Forecast: 23 ft 2:00PM Mar 30, 2024Forecast: 22.4 ft 8:00PM Mar 30, 2024Forecast: 21.8 ft 2:00AM Mar 31, 2024Forecast: 21 ft 8:00AM Mar 31, 2024Forecast: 20.1 ft 2:00PM Mar 31, 2024Forecast: 19.2 ft 8:00PM Mar 31, 2024Forecast: 18.3 ft 2:00AM Apr 01, 2024Forecast: 17.6 ft 8:00AM Apr 01, 2024Forecast: 17 ft 2:00PM Apr 01, 2024Forecast: 16.5 ft 8:00PM Apr 01, 2024Forecast: 16 ft 2:00AM Apr 02, 2024Forecast: 15.6 ft 8:00AM Apr 02, 2024USACE - US Army Corps of EngineersMLPK2(plotting HTIRG) Graph Created (5:11PM Mar 28, 2024)ObservedForecast (issued 10:37AM Mar 28)Latest observed value: 19.88 ft at 4:00 PM EDT 28-Mar-2024. Flood Stage is 55 ft
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About this graph
Tabular Data (UTC)
Tabular Data (EDT)
XML Data
RSS Files
Datum: NGVD29
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 McAlpine Lower are issued routinely year-round.

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Upstream Gauge - at McAlpine Upper Upstream Gauge Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - at Kosmosdale
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 73
Moderate Flood Stage: 65
Flood Stage: 55
Action Stage: 53
Low Stage (in feet): 9

Historic Crests
(1) 85.44 ft on 01/27/1937
(2) 74.40 ft on 03/07/1945
(3) 74.40 ft on 02/16/1884
(4) 73.46 ft on 03/13/1964
(5) 72.70 ft on 04/02/1913
(6) 72.20 ft on 02/16/1883
(7) 70.47 ft on 03/07/1997
(8) 69.60 ft on 02/21/1832
(9) 69.10 ft on 01/22/1907
(10) 68.80 ft on 12/17/1847
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 59.81 ft on 03/06/2021 (P)
(2) 56.69 ft on 02/16/2020 (P)
(3) 57.00 ft on 02/27/2019 (P)
(4) 59.74 ft on 02/14/2019 (P)
(5) 67.09 ft on 02/26/2018
(6) 61.29 ft on 03/16/2015
(7) 62.88 ft on 04/27/2011
(8) 57.83 ft on 03/12/2011
(9) 57.56 ft on 03/21/2008
(10) 59.09 ft on 01/12/2005
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 0.80 ft on 07/30/1925
(2) 1.60 ft on 10/17/1872
(3) 2.00 ft on 10/19/1895
Show More Low Water Records

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Zoom Level:12
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
88.5 The flood will reach the top of the floodwall. A large part of downtown Louisville floods. Parts of I-64 and I-65 flood. Homes along 31W (Dixie Highway) are destroyed. New Albany and Clarksville will suffer major damage.
76 US 31W (Dixie Highway) closed at floodgate.
74 Houk Lane is closed at floodgate.
71 KY 44 is closed.
67 Blackiston Mill Road floods at Silver Creek in Clarksville.
66 Lock is closed. Floodgates at Riverport are closed.
65 Parts of US 31W (Dixie Highway) flood from I-265 (Gene Synder Freeway) interchange to West Point KY. Riverfront parks in Clarksville and New Albany flood.
59 Overbrook Rd. floods south of Lake Dreamland Rd.
58 IN 111 floods upstream of Bridgeport.
55 Parks and riverfront areas in Clarksville and New Albany flood. Some yards along US 31W (Dixie Highway) from Pleasure Ridge Park to West Point KY flood.
Photos
(1) Gage House
(2) Lower Pool Staff Gage on South Lock Wall
(3) Upper Section of Staff Gage on Gage House
(4) Lower Section of Staff Gage on Gage House
(5) North Lock Chamber
(6) South Lock Chamber
(7) Another View of South Lock Chamber
(8) South Lock Upper Gate
(9) Looking Upstream at Lock Chambers from Gage House
(10) Bridge Over Lock
(11) Old Lock Office
(12) Public Overlook Area
(13) Repair Station Area
(14) Looking Downstream From Gage House
(15) Hydro Outlet
(16) Another View of Hydro Outlet
(17) Falls of the Ohio from Fossil Bed
(18) Falls of the Ohio from Parking Lot Hill
(19) Falls of the Ohio Upstream from Overlook
(20) Falls of the Ohio Downstream from Overlook
(21) Falls of the Ohio Outlet
About This Location Collapse

Latitude: 38.280278° N, Longitude: 85.799167° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage
Reference Frame
Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses
NWS stage 0 ft 55 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 29 373.18 428.18 Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL Not Available Not Available Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other 374 ft 429 ft Ohio River Datum 1913

Current/Historical Observations:

Additional Information Collapse
Potential River Levels - Used to
Potential River Levels
Used to Estimate the Chance of Flooding and the Range of Possible River Levels
10 Day (HEFS) 10 Day (NAEFS) River Forecast VS. River Potential
HEFS Ensemble NAEFS Ensemble River Forecast vs Potential

Note: Use the official hydrograph at the top of this web page for river levels within the next 72 hours.

Click individual graphics to enlarge.

USGS Average Streamflow
How low could the river get?
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
Louisville Weather Forecast Office
6201 Theiler Lane
Louisville, KY 40229
(502) 969-8842
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:30 PM
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