Rivers in Kentucky
South Fork Licking River at Cynthiana
Below flood stage
4.93ftStage
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 9:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 20.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 4.90 ftThu, Sep 24, 2:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 28.53 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 23.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 20.00 ft |
| Action | 16.00 ft |
- 28.50 ftMuch of western and a large part of southern Cynthiana is flooded. Water is 3 feet deep in western business district. KY 356 bridge is closed.
- 27.00 ftKY 356 bridge floods.
- 26.00 ftA large section of US 27 is closed one quater mile north of town. Town is cutoff.
- 25.00 ftApproaches to KY 356 bridge are flooded.
- 24.00 ftWater enters some businesses. Sections of US 62, US 27, KY 36 south and west of town flood.
- 23.00 ftSome homes on west side of town flood.
- 22.00 ftIntersections of Pearl and Locust, Poplar and Penn, and Poplar and Cromwell Alley flood. KY 36 (Pleasant Street) between Locust and W. Pike flood. KY 983 before Infirmary Road floods.
- 21.00 ftIntersection of Louis Stout Way and Newsome Avenue floods.
- 20.00 ftA large section of city park floods. Water begins to back up in some streets in west side of town.
- 19.00 ftSeveral roads are closed outside of city limits.
- 16.00 ftRiver Road is blocked. Riverside park floods.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 6% |
| Moderate flooding | 6% |
| Major flooding | 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.
Crest history
35 crests on NOAA’s list since 1913.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 3, 1997 | 28.53 ft |
| 2 | April 13, 1948 | 23.32 ft |
| 3 | February 16, 1989 | 23.02 ft |
| 4 | December 10, 1978 | 22.99 ft |
| 5 | April 5, 2015 | 22.98 ft |
| 6 | January 24, 1922 | 22.60 ft |
| 7 | March 5, 1964 | 22.59 ft |
| 8 | May 20, 2020 | 22.40 ft |
| 9 | December 7, 1919 | 22.30 ft |
| 10 | April 13, 2011 | 21.98 ft |
| 11 | May 4, 2010 | 21.92 ft |
| 12 | April 6, 2025 | 21.78 ft |
| 13 | September 22, 1979 | 21.40 ft |
| 14 | March 19, 1943 | 21.40 ft |
| 15 | November 2, 1919 | 21.40 ft |
| 16 | May 19, 1995 | 21.20 ft |
| 17 | January 22, 1927 | 21.20 ft |
| 18 | March 27, 1913 | 21.00 ft |
| 19 | January 6, 1950 | 20.80 ft |
| 20 | December 8, 1924 | 20.60 ft |
| 21 | June 19, 1950 | 20.60 ft |
| 22 | February 28, 1962 | 20.55 ft |
| 23 | January 9, 1920 | 20.50 ft |
| 24 | March 20, 2002 | 20.50 ft |
| 25 | January 11, 1974 | 20.48 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 6, 2025: 21.78 ft
- February 16, 2025: 20.26 ft
- May 20, 2020: 22.40 ft
- September 25, 2018: 20.09 ft
- April 5, 2015: 22.98 ft
- April 13, 2011: 21.98 ft
- May 4, 2010: 21.92 ft
- April 5, 2008: 20.11 ft
- March 20, 2002: 20.50 ft
- February 19, 2000: 20.43 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Ohio 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.