Rivers in Kentucky
Russell Fork near Elkhorn City
Below flood stage
6.67ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 30, 3:30 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 21.00 ft
- Record crest
- 24.80 ft1977
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 24.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 21.00 ft |
| Action | 17.00 ft |
- 24.80 ftFlooding equals the highest flood on record.
- 24.00 ftMajor flooding occurs. Many houses and businesses along Elkhorn Creek and Russell Fork are flooded. Several bridges are underwater.
- 22.00 ftModerate flooding occurs. Water begins to enter houses along East Russell Street.
- 21.00 ftLow lying areas flood. Russell Fork is 400 feet wide.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| 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 29, 2026.
Crest history
12 crests on NOAA’s list since 1957.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 4, 1977 | 24.80 ft |
| 2 | January 29, 1957 | 24.21 ft |
| 3 | March 12, 1963 | 21.73 ft |
| 4 | May 7, 1984 | 20.49 ft |
| 5 | February 1, 1962 | 19.20 ft |
| 6 | March 5, 2015 | 18.72 ft |
| 7 | March 7, 1967 | 18.59 ft |
| 8 | February 16, 2003 | 17.92 ft |
| 9 | January 26, 1978 | 17.84 ft |
| 10 | July 31, 1961 | 17.20 ft |
| 11 | May 8, 1958 | 17.00 ft |
| 12 | March 16, 1973 | 15.91 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 5, 2015: 18.72 ft
- February 16, 2003: 17.92 ft
- May 7, 1984: 20.49 ft
- January 26, 1978: 17.84 ft
- April 4, 1977: 24.80 ft
- March 16, 1973: 15.91 ft
- March 7, 1967: 18.59 ft
- March 12, 1963: 21.73 ft
- February 1, 1962: 19.20 ft
- July 31, 1961: 17.20 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.
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.