Rivers in Louisiana
Mississippi River at Baton Rouge
Below flood stage
6.89ftStage
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 10:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 35.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 13.90 ftTue, Oct 6, 7:00 AM CDT
- Record crest
- 47.28 ft1927
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 40.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 38.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 35.00 ft |
| Action | 30.00 ft |
- 47.28 ftThis is the flood of record established on May 15, 1927.
- 43.00 ftShipping and industrial activities are significantly affected. Unprotected low-lying areas will be flooded and agricultural operations will be impacted on the west side of the river. The city of Baton Rouge is protected by levees at this level.
- 40.00 ftThe grounds of the older part of Louisiana State University's campus become soggy. This includes the area around the Veterinary Medicine building, the Veterinary Medicine Annex, the stadium and ball fields. The city of Baton Rouge and the main LSU campus are protected by levees at this level.
- 38.00 ftRiver traffic and industrial activity on the river side of the levees will be greatly affected. Navigational safety regulations will be strictly enforced.
- 36.00 ftRiver traffic and industrial activity on the river side of the levees will be greatly affected. Navigational safety regulations will be strictly enforced.
- 35.00 ftRiver islands from Red River Landing downstream to Baton Rouge will be inundated.
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
86 crests on NOAA’s list since 1874.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 15, 1927 | 47.28 ft |
| 2 | April 29, 1945 | 45.18 ft |
| 3 | May 16, 1922 | 45.18 ft |
| 4 | May 18, 2011 | 45.01 ft |
| 5 | April 16, 1945 | 44.58 ft |
| 6 | February 28, 1937 | 44.48 ft |
| 7 | April 16, 2020 | 44.35 ft |
| 8 | March 18, 2019 | 44.18 ft |
| 9 | May 31, 1983 | 43.90 ft |
| 10 | March 26, 1997 | 43.79 ft |
| 11 | March 19, 2018 | 43.78 ft |
| 12 | May 11, 1912 | 43.30 ft |
| 13 | January 17, 2016 | 43.28 ft |
| 14 | January 18, 2016 | 43.28 ft |
| 15 | May 12, 2011 | 43.13 ft |
| 16 | April 24, 2008 | 43.10 ft |
| 17 | June 10, 1929 | 42.98 ft |
| 18 | March 4, 1950 | 42.98 ft |
| 19 | April 22, 1979 | 42.48 ft |
| 20 | March 4, 1932 | 42.26 ft |
| 21 | April 30, 2025 | 42.18 ft |
| 22 | March 1, 1916 | 42.05 ft |
| 23 | May 10, 1973 | 41.58 ft |
| 24 | May 22, 1920 | 40.98 ft |
| 25 | May 18, 1944 | 40.88 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 30, 2025: 42.18 ft
- March 23, 2022: 35.68 ft
- April 17, 2021: 39.09 ft
- April 16, 2020: 44.35 ft
- March 18, 2019: 44.18 ft
- March 19, 2018: 43.78 ft
- May 30, 2017: 40.60 ft
- May 30, 2017: 40.60 ft
- March 21, 2016: 38.47 ft
- January 18, 2016: 43.28 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamMississippi River at St. Francisville
- DownstreamMississippi River at Donaldsonville
- Intracoastal Waterway at Port Allen Lock
- Mississippi River at Baton Rouge (USGS)
- Amite River Basin at Ward Creek at Government St.
- Hurricane Creek (SE LA) at Baton Rouge
- Amite River Basin at Ward Creek near Inniswold
- Amite River Basin at North Branch Ward Creek at Westminster
- Amite River Basin at Dawson Creek near Baton Rouge
- Amite River Basin at Bayou Fountain near Baton Rouge
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.