Rivers in Kentucky
Cumberland River at Pineville
Below flood stage
981.80ftStage
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 5:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 1002.0 ft
- Forecast crest
- 978.10 ftFri, Sep 25, 2:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 1021.8 ft1977
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 1019.0 ft |
| Moderate flood | 1010.0 ft |
| Minor flood | 1002.0 ft |
| Action | 995.00 ft |
- 1033.0 ftWater will overtop the floodwall. Evacuation of the Pineville central business district is necessary.
- 1023.5 ftUS 25 E floods.
- 1021.8 ftFlooding will exceed the highest flood of record.
- 1019.0 ftProtected areas of town and Highway 25 E flood. Floodgates are closed.
- 1018.2 ftHomes begin flooding along Fourmile Road.
- 1016.3 ftStewart Branch Road and homes along Highway 25 E begin flooding.
- 1014.6 ftStructures begin flooding along Straight Creek.
- 1013.0 ftFlooding threatens US 25 E, Stewart branch Road and Wallsend.
- 1012.0 ftStructures begin flooding along Dorton Branch.
- 1006.4 ftFourmile Road floods.
- 1005.7 ftDorton Branch Road floods.
- 1005.0 ftKY Route 66 north of Straight Creek bridge floods.
- 1002.0 ftLow lying roads flood, including portions of Straight Creek, Dorton Branch, and Fourmile Road.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 23% |
| Moderate flooding | 14% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.
Crest history
34 crests on NOAA’s list since 1967.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 5, 1977 | 1021.8 ft |
| 2 | February 7, 2020 | 1019.1 ft |
| 3 | March 18, 2002 | 1017.3 ft |
| 4 | February 16, 2025 | 1014.6 ft |
| 5 | February 11, 1994 | 1013.7 ft |
| 6 | March 5, 2015 | 1013.5 ft |
| 7 | March 29, 2021 | 1013.3 ft |
| 8 | May 8, 1984 | 1013.3 ft |
| 9 | February 16, 2003 | 1013.2 ft |
| 10 | April 19, 1998 | 1012.7 ft |
| 11 | December 3, 1991 | 1012.1 ft |
| 12 | June 16, 1989 | 1010.2 ft |
| 13 | December 1, 1996 | 1009.1 ft |
| 14 | January 1, 1967 | 1008.9 ft |
| 15 | March 4, 1997 | 1008.7 ft |
| 16 | March 24, 1993 | 1008.7 ft |
| 17 | April 24, 2017 | 1007.5 ft |
| 18 | March 28, 1994 | 1006.9 ft |
| 19 | March 23, 1991 | 1006.6 ft |
| 20 | April 13, 2020 | 1006.5 ft |
| 21 | April 16, 2011 | 1005.4 ft |
| 22 | January 4, 1982 | 1005.0 ft |
| 23 | December 23, 1990 | 1004.6 ft |
| 24 | April 11, 2003 | 1004.6 ft |
| 25 | April 17, 1998 | 1003.8 ft |
Most recent crests
- February 16, 2025: 1014.6 ft
- March 29, 2021: 1013.3 ft
- March 2, 2021: 1002.2 ft
- April 13, 2020: 1006.5 ft
- February 7, 2020: 1019.1 ft
- February 24, 2019: 1002.5 ft
- February 21, 2019: 1003.1 ft
- April 24, 2017: 1007.5 ft
- March 5, 2015: 1013.5 ft
- January 31, 2013: 1003.1 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
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.