Rivers in Arkansas
Black River at Pocahontas
Below flood stage
0.50ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 4:00 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 17.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 0.80 ftWed, Sep 23, 1:00 AM CDT
- Record crest
- 28.95 ft2017
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 25.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 17.00 ft |
| Action | 16.00 ft |
- 28.00 ftSimilar conditions to record flood event in April 2011 when river crested at 28.47 feet. Patrolling of levees become necessary.
- 26.00 ftRiver crested March 2008 at 26.5 feet. Much of the area around Pocahontas was flooded. U. S. Highway 67 floods between Pocahontas and Walnut Ridge. Running water levee overtopped. Numerous homes impacted by flooding or flooded access.
- 25.00 ftMajor flooding begins, residential flooding in Eastern Pocahontas, evacuations may be needed. April 2025 crest was 25.68 ft. Residential and business property along the Fourche, Black, and Current rivers will flood. Jansen Trail Road will become flooded and some homes may become impacted.
- 24.00 ftWithout temporary levee, water could be rising near homes along Pace Street. State Highway 166 and 328 flooded. Riverfront Park is flooded and water will be rising near businesses on West bank of river at U. S. Highway 67 Bridge. Homes along State Highway 166 flooded. Lower portions of Jansen Trail Road will become impacted. Property on Current River at U. S. Highway 67 bridge also flooded.
- 23.00 ftWater around homes on State Highway 166. State Highway 166 and 328 may be flooded. Riverfront Park flooded. Several homes, cabins, and business at the State Highway 67 Bridge over the Current River are surrounded by water. Water getting near Pace Street at the north end of airport.
- 22.00 ftModerate flood level, flooding on Fourche River, Pettit Creek, and Mill Creek. North fringe of airport may be flooding. High water on the Fourche River may be affecting State Highways 328 and 166. Houses along State Highway 166 may have water near foundations. Riverfront Park is partially flooded.
- 20.00 ftFlooding of backwater up tributaries is spreading into lands along the Current, Fourche, and Black rivers. Water is spreading towards the northern edge of the airport.
- 17.00 ftAgricultural lands along the river east and south of Pocahontas will be impacted by high water. Equipment and livestock should be moved to higher ground.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| 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 September 16, 2026.
Crest history
67 crests on NOAA’s list since 1915.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 3, 2017 | 28.95 ft |
| 2 | April 28, 2011 | 28.47 ft |
| 3 | August 4, 1915 | 27.90 ft |
| 4 | March 22, 2008 | 26.56 ft |
| 5 | April 17, 1927 | 25.90 ft |
| 6 | April 9, 2025 | 25.68 ft |
| 7 | December 7, 1982 | 25.22 ft |
| 8 | January 1, 2016 | 25.08 ft |
| 9 | April 25, 1973 | 25.00 ft |
| 10 | June 17, 1945 | 24.32 ft |
| 11 | April 1, 1977 | 24.21 ft |
| 12 | May 12, 1961 | 24.18 ft |
| 13 | February 3, 1969 | 24.18 ft |
| 14 | January 29, 1949 | 24.07 ft |
| 15 | January 21, 1937 | 24.00 ft |
| 16 | April 1, 1975 | 23.65 ft |
| 17 | May 29, 1957 | 23.34 ft |
| 18 | March 14, 1964 | 23.32 ft |
| 19 | April 14, 2008 | 23.31 ft |
| 20 | May 21, 2002 | 23.24 ft |
| 21 | December 26, 1984 | 23.19 ft |
| 22 | January 11, 1950 | 22.92 ft |
| 23 | February 19, 1989 | 22.82 ft |
| 24 | November 3, 2009 | 22.81 ft |
| 25 | February 5, 1982 | 22.58 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 22, 2025: 20.54 ft
- April 9, 2025: 25.68 ft
- December 31, 2024: 17.36 ft
- November 10, 2024: 18.56 ft
- May 30, 2024: 17.50 ft
- January 29, 2024: 17.06 ft
- March 28, 2023: 22.32 ft
- March 8, 2023: 21.11 ft
- February 12, 2023: 18.33 ft
- May 10, 2022: 20.55 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center. 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.