Rivers in Alabama
Cahaba River near Cahaba Heights
Below flood stage
1.54ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 12:30 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 14.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 1.50 ftTue, Sep 22, 7:00 AM CDT
- Record crest
- 28.86 ft1979
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 24.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 14.00 ft |
| Action | 14.00 ft |
- 25.00 ftSevere residential flooding occurs in areas near the river.
- 24.00 ftResidential flooding becomes more severe and widespread near the river.
- 22.50 ftSome residential flooding develops as the river continues to rise.
- 20.00 ftWater overflows the yards of some homes near the river.
- 17.00 ftFlooding of some commercial property in the area begins as stages continues to rise.
- 14.00 ftMinor flooding occurs in the Cahaba Heights area.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 8% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.
Crest history
42 crests on NOAA’s list since 1976.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 13, 1979 | 28.86 ft |
| 2 | May 8, 2003 | 27.91 ft |
| 3 | June 29, 1999 | 24.00 ft |
| 4 | September 17, 2004 | 23.95 ft |
| 5 | April 7, 2014 | 23.58 ft |
| 6 | November 24, 2004 | 23.24 ft |
| 7 | April 4, 2000 | 22.28 ft |
| 8 | January 8, 1998 | 22.02 ft |
| 9 | March 4, 1979 | 21.92 ft |
| 10 | April 4, 2001 | 21.88 ft |
| 11 | April 5, 1977 | 21.67 ft |
| 12 | December 1, 1982 | 21.50 ft |
| 13 | March 16, 1976 | 20.70 ft |
| 14 | December 3, 1983 | 20.33 ft |
| 15 | December 28, 2018 | 19.65 ft |
| 16 | May 20, 1983 | 19.34 ft |
| 17 | May 19, 2003 | 19.29 ft |
| 18 | May 18, 2013 | 19.28 ft |
| 19 | February 6, 2004 | 18.97 ft |
| 20 | March 9, 2011 | 18.31 ft |
| 21 | September 4, 2001 | 18.30 ft |
| 22 | March 31, 1976 | 18.04 ft |
| 23 | March 27, 1980 | 17.89 ft |
| 24 | November 23, 2004 | 17.74 ft |
| 25 | October 7, 2021 | 17.13 ft |
Most recent crests
- October 7, 2021: 17.13 ft
- December 28, 2018: 19.65 ft
- April 15, 2018: 15.23 ft
- April 3, 2017: 12.45 ft
- February 3, 2016: 14.14 ft
- December 26, 2015: 17.07 ft
- January 4, 2015: 15.28 ft
- April 7, 2014: 23.58 ft
- August 1, 2013: 14.78 ft
- May 18, 2013: 19.28 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.