Rivers in Illinois
Big Muddy River at Murphysboro
Below flood stage
3.21ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 21, 5:30 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 22.00 ft
- Record crest
- 40.47 ft2011
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 36.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 28.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 22.00 ft |
| Action | 20.00 ft |
- 36.00 ftDamage begins to property near Shoemaker Drive in Murphysboro. Evacuations may be needed to parts of a mobile home park.
- 34.00 ftAreas around S 3rd & 4th Streets begin to flood.
- 24.00 ftSome minor flooding in S 3rd & Division / Plum Street area.
- 22.00 ftMinor flooding occurs affecting mainly low lying areas.
- 20.00 ftSome farmers may have to move livestock and equipment to higher ground.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 14% |
| Moderate flooding | 7% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
78 crests on NOAA’s list since 1916.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 3, 2011 | 40.47 ft |
| 2 | May 12, 1961 | 39.03 ft |
| 3 | May 6, 2017 | 38.56 ft |
| 4 | May 2, 1996 | 37.65 ft |
| 5 | March 23, 2008 | 37.24 ft |
| 6 | May 5, 1983 | 36.85 ft |
| 7 | April 9, 2025 | 36.39 ft |
| 8 | January 2, 2016 | 36.11 ft |
| 9 | November 19, 1993 | 35.60 ft |
| 10 | March 15, 1935 | 34.06 ft |
| 11 | March 6, 1979 | 34.00 ft |
| 12 | January 18, 1937 | 33.86 ft |
| 13 | March 16, 2006 | 33.80 ft |
| 14 | May 17, 1933 | 33.51 ft |
| 15 | May 18, 2002 | 33.49 ft |
| 16 | April 3, 1985 | 33.39 ft |
| 17 | January 9, 1993 | 33.19 ft |
| 18 | August 22, 1946 | 33.17 ft |
| 19 | April 3, 1945 | 32.57 ft |
| 20 | April 26, 1973 | 32.08 ft |
| 21 | March 14, 1964 | 31.99 ft |
| 22 | February 3, 1969 | 31.82 ft |
| 23 | April 1, 1977 | 31.78 ft |
| 24 | June 11, 2019 | 31.72 ft |
| 25 | June 23, 2015 | 31.22 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 9, 2025: 36.39 ft
- May 13, 2024: 23.80 ft
- March 29, 2023: 28.91 ft
- February 23, 2022: 25.22 ft
- March 22, 2021: 29.78 ft
- January 16, 2020: 29.92 ft
- June 11, 2019: 31.72 ft
- April 3, 2018: 30.85 ft
- May 6, 2017: 38.56 ft
- January 2, 2016: 36.11 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamBig Muddy River at Plumfield
- Crab Orchard Creek at Crab Orchard Lake near Marion 12W
- Mississippi River at Grand Tower
- Little Grassy Creek at Little Grassy Lake near Marion 13WSW
- Grassy Creek (IL) at Devils Kitchen Lake near Marion 11WSW
- Mississippi River at Red Rock Landing
- Mississippi River at Moccasin Springs
- Crab Orchard Creek at Marion
What this means
Forecasts by the North Central 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.
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.