Rivers in Illinois
Ohio River at Smithland Lock and Dam
Below flood stage
13.68ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 40.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 20.50 ftMon, Sep 28, 7:00 PM CDT
- Record crest
- 54.83 ft2011
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 50.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 48.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 40.00 ft |
| Action | 35.00 ft |
- 51.00 ftLarge amounts of property damage can be expected. Evacuation of many homes and businesses becomes necessary. Highway 60 in Smithland closes.
- 40.00 ftMinor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding and low lying areas.
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
31 crests on NOAA’s list since 1982.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 6, 2011 | 54.83 ft |
| 2 | February 25, 2019 | 51.83 ft |
| 3 | March 12, 1997 | 51.44 ft |
| 4 | March 2, 2018 | 50.14 ft |
| 5 | January 8, 1991 | 49.80 ft |
| 6 | April 15, 2025 | 47.96 ft |
| 7 | January 16, 2005 | 47.29 ft |
| 8 | May 14, 1984 | 47.10 ft |
| 9 | February 20, 2020 | 46.59 ft |
| 10 | May 25, 1983 | 46.40 ft |
| 11 | February 24, 1989 | 46.10 ft |
| 12 | February 19, 1990 | 45.80 ft |
| 13 | April 23, 1994 | 45.29 ft |
| 14 | March 17, 2015 | 45.22 ft |
| 15 | March 28, 2008 | 45.17 ft |
| 16 | March 2, 2022 | 44.04 ft |
| 17 | May 13, 1996 | 44.00 ft |
| 18 | May 28, 1995 | 44.00 ft |
| 19 | February 28, 2003 | 43.90 ft |
| 20 | February 1, 1999 | 43.70 ft |
| 21 | May 24, 2002 | 43.00 ft |
| 22 | May 6, 2010 | 42.90 ft |
| 23 | March 10, 2021 | 42.37 ft |
| 24 | February 6, 1994 | 41.40 ft |
| 25 | April 28, 1998 | 41.40 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 15, 2025: 47.96 ft
- March 2, 2022: 44.04 ft
- March 10, 2021: 42.37 ft
- February 20, 2020: 46.59 ft
- February 25, 2019: 51.83 ft
- March 2, 2018: 50.14 ft
- March 17, 2015: 45.22 ft
- May 6, 2011: 54.83 ft
- May 6, 2010: 42.90 ft
- May 12, 2009: 41.33 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
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 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.