Rivers in Kentucky
Levisa Fork at Prestonsburg
Below flood stage
1.70ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 21, 10:45 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 40.00 ft
- Record crest
- 48.78 ft1957
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 46.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 43.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 40.00 ft |
| Action | 22.00 ft |
- 49.90 ftFlooding will equal the highest flood on record.
- 48.00 ftThe entire town is flooded except for portions of Riverside Avenue and a half block on Mill Street.
- 47.00 ftWater reaches the top of the levee.
- 46.00 ftMajor flooding is occurring. Most of town is flooded except for the center of city which is protected by a levee and small area near hills.
- 43.00 ftModerate flooding occurs. Water enters some homes.
- 41.00 ftWater is in the business district including the court house and old post office.
- 40.00 ftMinor flooding. River is at flood stage and is 430 feet wide.
- 27.00 ftFlood gate is closed to the storm drain system in Prestonsburg.
- 24.00 ftArcher Park is inundated.
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 15, 2026.
Crest history
13 crests on NOAA’s list since 1862.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 30, 1957 | 48.78 ft |
| 2 | February 1, 1862 | 47.90 ft |
| 3 | March 12, 1963 | 46.60 ft |
| 4 | April 6, 1977 | 45.71 ft |
| 5 | January 29, 1918 | 45.30 ft |
| 6 | May 7, 1984 | 43.88 ft |
| 7 | March 23, 1929 | 43.80 ft |
| 8 | February 17, 2025 | 43.37 ft |
| 9 | February 5, 1939 | 41.83 ft |
| 10 | March 1, 1955 | 41.51 ft |
| 11 | March 2, 2021 | 40.50 ft |
| 12 | March 8, 1967 | 40.02 ft |
| 13 | February 17, 2003 | 39.88 ft |
Most recent crests
- February 17, 2025: 43.37 ft
- March 2, 2021: 40.50 ft
- February 17, 2003: 39.88 ft
- May 7, 1984: 43.88 ft
- April 6, 1977: 45.71 ft
- March 8, 1967: 40.02 ft
- March 12, 1963: 46.60 ft
- January 30, 1957: 48.78 ft
- March 1, 1955: 41.51 ft
- February 5, 1939: 41.83 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.