Rivers in Kentucky
Cumberland River at Baxter
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 20.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 18.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 16.00 ft |
| Action | 13.00 ft |
- 34.20 ftMost of the valley floods. Flooding will exceed the highest flood on record.
- 26.50 ftHomes begin to flood.
- 25.00 ftThe old water plant building is flooded.
- 20.00 ftSeveral local roads are closed.
- 18.00 ftStreet flooding begins. Kentucky Avenue is flooded.
- 16.00 ftLow lying areas flood.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 19% |
| Moderate flooding | 11% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.
Crest history
47 crests on NOAA’s list since 1944.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 4, 1977 | 34.20 ft |
| 2 | March 12, 1963 | 29.20 ft |
| 3 | December 31, 1969 | 28.50 ft |
| 4 | February 6, 2020 | 26.00 ft |
| 5 | February 16, 2025 | 24.50 ft |
| 6 | December 2, 1991 | 24.00 ft |
| 7 | March 7, 1967 | 23.70 ft |
| 8 | March 17, 1963 | 23.10 ft |
| 9 | February 11, 1994 | 22.80 ft |
| 10 | January 6, 1946 | 22.80 ft |
| 11 | January 29, 1957 | 22.20 ft |
| 12 | February 11, 2018 | 22.10 ft |
| 13 | November 28, 1973 | 22.00 ft |
| 14 | March 18, 2002 | 22.00 ft |
| 15 | January 11, 1974 | 21.70 ft |
| 16 | March 5, 2015 | 21.50 ft |
| 17 | February 16, 2003 | 20.00 ft |
| 18 | April 28, 1970 | 19.80 ft |
| 19 | January 22, 1959 | 19.70 ft |
| 20 | April 13, 1994 | 19.50 ft |
| 21 | November 7, 1977 | 19.00 ft |
| 22 | April 19, 1998 | 18.80 ft |
| 23 | December 16, 1972 | 18.60 ft |
| 24 | March 23, 1993 | 18.50 ft |
| 25 | February 17, 1944 | 18.40 ft |
Most recent crests
- February 16, 2025: 24.50 ft
- April 13, 2020: 18.00 ft
- February 6, 2020: 26.00 ft
- February 11, 2018: 22.10 ft
- March 5, 2015: 21.50 ft
- February 16, 2003: 20.00 ft
- March 18, 2002: 22.00 ft
- April 19, 1998: 18.80 ft
- April 17, 1998: 17.20 ft
- March 3, 1997: 17.89 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.