Rivers in Arkansas
Arkansas River at Pine Bluff
Below flood stage
31.04ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 12:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 42.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 31.10 ftWed, Sep 23, 1:00 AM CDT
- Record crest
- 52.10 ft1943
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 45.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 44.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 42.00 ft |
| Action | 40.00 ft |
- 53.00 ftAll areas inside the levees flooded.
- 52.00 ftCrest of record, 52.1 feet in May 1943.
- 50.00 ftRiver crested at 50.86 feet in June 2019. This was the highest crest since the navigation system opened and 2nd highest overall.
- 47.00 ftExtensive agricultural flooding along the river downstream of Pine Bluff. Backwater flooding up into the area around Lake Pine Bluff and up Brumps and Caney Bayous in Northern Pine Bluff.
- 45.00 ftLevee patrolling begins in Pine Bluff area. Residences in Island Harbour inundated. Flood crested at 45.96 feetin June 2015.
- 44.00 ftTrulock Bay Residential Addition upstream of U.S. Highway 79 Business Bridge is affected.
- 43.00 ftIsland Harbour Estates Road is impassible, access by boat only to Island Harbour homes. Knotts Island Road impassible and residents should monitor the river for any additional rises.
- 42.00 ftRegional Park flooded with the gate at Regional Park Road closed. This will prevent access to the AGFC Delta Rivers Nature Center and Harbor Oaks public golf course. Some damage in the lowlands inside the levees in Pine Bluff. Water over Knotts Island Road.
- 41.00 ftMinor flooding of property in the Riverside Addition west of Lake Langhofer. Water starts to get over Acorn Road.
- 40.00 ftWater over the road to Island Harbour Estates. Flooding of cropland inside the levees. Residents of the Island Harbour area should monitor the river for any additional rises and take whatever steps necessary to protect their property. Some trails at the AGFC Delta Rivers Nature Center are covered by water and must be partially closed.
- 37.00 ftWater starts to get over Swan Lake Recreation Road and portions of Little Bayou Meto area south of Reydell are impacted.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 7% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.
Crest history
24 crests on NOAA’s list since 1927.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 28, 1943 | 52.10 ft |
| 2 | June 6, 2019 | 50.86 ft |
| 3 | May 31, 1957 | 50.74 ft |
| 4 | April 21, 1927 | 49.90 ft |
| 5 | May 9, 1990 | 47.70 ft |
| 6 | January 2, 2016 | 46.24 ft |
| 7 | June 4, 2015 | 45.96 ft |
| 8 | April 26, 1973 | 44.70 ft |
| 9 | October 13, 1986 | 44.00 ft |
| 10 | April 14, 2008 | 43.75 ft |
| 11 | April 29, 2011 | 43.31 ft |
| 12 | May 14, 2015 | 43.15 ft |
| 13 | April 25, 1941 | 42.80 ft |
| 14 | March 22, 2008 | 42.75 ft |
| 15 | November 28, 1973 | 42.60 ft |
| 16 | June 18, 1995 | 42.41 ft |
| 17 | May 9, 2009 | 42.40 ft |
| 18 | December 5, 1982 | 42.30 ft |
| 19 | May 15, 1993 | 41.85 ft |
| 20 | December 18, 1992 | 40.20 ft |
| 21 | December 19, 2001 | 38.91 ft |
| 22 | June 24, 2000 | 38.84 ft |
| 23 | November 7, 1994 | 37.98 ft |
| 24 | November 21, 1991 | 35.70 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 6, 2019: 50.86 ft
- January 2, 2016: 46.24 ft
- June 4, 2015: 45.96 ft
- May 14, 2015: 43.15 ft
- April 29, 2011: 43.31 ft
- May 9, 2009: 42.40 ft
- April 14, 2008: 43.75 ft
- March 22, 2008: 42.75 ft
- December 19, 2001: 38.91 ft
- June 24, 2000: 38.84 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Arkansas-Red Basin RFC. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 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.