White River at Calico Rock

1. 50.00 ftRiver exceeded 50 feet three times between 1915 and 1927. Flood of record is 52.9 feet on January 31 1916. The river reached 51.5 feet on April 15 1927. All points along the White River will have major flood problems. Reservoirs provide some level of protection.
2. 40.00 ftMuch of the flood plain near Calico Rock will be flooded. Serious problems in Norfork, Boswell, Mount Olive, Sylamore, Allison, and Guion. Backwater up Calico Creek effects homes and business in Calico Rock. Houses on River Breeze Lane will be threatened. On April 11th 2008 the river crested at 40.2 feet and caused widespread serious damage. The December 1982 flood crested at 41.2 feet, which is the highest stage since the reservoirs were completed.
3. 36.00 ftMany of the homes along the river bank in Baxter, Stone, and Izard counties will be impacted by either inundation or isolation. This includes homes in areas near Norfork, Calico Rock , Allison, Boswell, Mount Olive, and Guion. Numerous roads closed.
4. 32.00 ftHomes along the river in Stone and Izard counties affected. Flooding in April 2004 reached 31.6 feet at Calico Rock and several homes were seriously damaged or destroyed. Boswell and Mount Olive communities were cut off. Private and commercial fishing docks need to be well anchored. Campground near Allison will be impacted.
5. 30.00 ftMajor flooding begins, most of lower lying portions of White River Valley from Norfork to Batesville flooding. Campgrounds and communities along the river will be flooded or isolated by flooded roads. Homes along the river in Stone and Izard counties may be flooded. River is swift and may contain a large amount of debris. Private and commercial boat docks should be monitored and well anchored to the bank.
6. 25.00 ftModerate flood level begins at this stage, campground at Allison floods, primary access to campground flooded. Izard County Road 157 flooded downstream of Guion. Homes along the river near Guion will be affected. Backwater up Calico Creek in Calico Rock floods City Park. Homes in the floodplain of the White River in Baxter, Izard, and Stone counties may be affected.
7. 22.00 ftIn Stone County, campground at Allison may be affected. Homeowners along the river should monitor water levels in Baxter, Stone, and Izard counties.
8. 19.00 ftPastures in Izard and Stone counties begin to flood.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 16, 2026.

Most recent crests

• April 6, 2025: 28.28 ft
• May 1, 2017: 32.65 ft
• December 29, 2015: 34.20 ft
• May 12, 2015: 19.95 ft
• April 26, 2011: 29.28 ft
• September 5, 2008: 18.38 ft
• April 11, 2008: 40.27 ft
• March 20, 2008: 39.64 ft
• April 25, 2004: 31.64 ft
• March 20, 2002: 22.54 ft

• DownstreamWhite River at Batesville
• Norfork River at Norfork Dam
• White River at Allison
• White River at Bull Shoals Dam
• Buffalo River at St Joe
• North Fork White River at Tecumseh
• Bryant Creek at Tecumseh
• Spring River (AR) at Hardy

Forecasts by the Lower Mississippi 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 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.

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.