Rivers in Alabama
Alabama River at Selma
Below flood stage
19.05ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 29, 3:15 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 45.00 ft
- Record crest
- 57.97 ft1961
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 52.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 48.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 45.00 ft |
| Action | 30.00 ft |
- 58.00 ftSevere flooding occurs in Selma...Selmont and West Selmont.
- 56.00 ftWidespread flooding occurs in Dallas County...with many farmhouses flooded. Most of Highway 22 from the Cahaba River to the Sky Harbor Airport becomes flooded.
- 52.00 ftMost of Cahaba...as well as large portions of Selmont, West Selmont and East Selma...flood.
- 50.00 ftLow lying areas of Selmont...West Selmont and East Selmont flood. Portions of County Road 17 become inundated and water enters the yards of some residences in the Blackwell Bend area.
- 48.00 ftFlooding occurs inland to between Johnson Street and Old Montgomery Road in Selmont. Portions of Bloch Park and the Selma Country Club begin to flood.
- 45.00 ftExtensive overflow of low lying lands in the area begins. Some low roads in the area begin to flood.
- 30.00 ftPasture lands below Selma become flooded.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued October 15, 2025.
Crest history
72 crests on NOAA’s list since 1886.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 1, 1961 | 57.97 ft |
| 2 | April 8, 1986 | 57.00 ft |
| 3 | April 8, 1886 | 57.00 ft |
| 4 | March 21, 1990 | 56.80 ft |
| 5 | December 3, 1948 | 56.00 ft |
| 6 | March 19, 1929 | 56.00 ft |
| 7 | April 18, 1979 | 55.02 ft |
| 8 | January 19, 1892 | 54.00 ft |
| 9 | April 12, 1964 | 53.39 ft |
| 10 | March 18, 1909 | 52.90 ft |
| 11 | March 25, 1943 | 52.40 ft |
| 12 | December 21, 1961 | 51.40 ft |
| 13 | February 21, 1990 | 51.27 ft |
| 14 | December 22, 1961 | 51.20 ft |
| 15 | January 1, 1933 | 50.76 ft |
| 16 | March 1, 1980 | 50.72 ft |
| 17 | April 2, 1902 | 50.70 ft |
| 18 | February 15, 1903 | 50.60 ft |
| 19 | November 20, 1929 | 50.42 ft |
| 20 | March 24, 1906 | 50.40 ft |
| 21 | March 9, 1917 | 50.10 ft |
| 22 | March 8, 2020 | 50.00 ft |
| 23 | January 23, 1947 | 49.90 ft |
| 24 | April 3, 1976 | 49.83 ft |
| 25 | April 28, 1944 | 49.80 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 8, 2020: 50.00 ft
- December 31, 2018: 44.87 ft
- December 28, 2015: 49.58 ft
- April 10, 2014: 46.80 ft
- March 14, 2010: 45.99 ft
- April 3, 2005: 48.97 ft
- September 18, 2004: 34.95 ft
- May 12, 2003: 44.42 ft
- March 9, 2003: 37.30 ft
- April 6, 2001: 42.82 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Southeast River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. 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.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.