Rivers in Kentucky
Licking River at McKinneysburg
Below flood stage
4.41ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 5:45 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 35.00 ft
- Record crest
- 55.21 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 50.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 42.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 35.00 ft |
| Action | 32.00 ft |
- 55.00 ftThis equates to the flood of record, which occurred on March 1, 1997. Widespread major flooding occurs, with numerous homes along the river inundated.
- 52.00 ftThis stage is roughly equal to the FEMA 1 percent flood in southeast Pendleton County. Backwater flooding affects Willow Creek...including flooding along Galloway Road which inundate farm buildings and potentially some farm houses.
- 48.00 ftMuch of the basin in southern Pendleton County is inundated, including homes in the valley along McKinneysburg Spur and Colvin Bend Roads.
- 42.00 ftModerate flooding occurs with flooding in the McKinneysburg area worsening. Low areas along McKinneysburg Road and Colvin Bend Road receive the most flooding in southern Pendleton County, with some mobile homes and farm outbuildings flooded along the McKinneysburg Spur.
- 40.00 ftLowland flooding continues in southern Pendleton County, especially along McKinneysburg Road and in the Colvin Bend Road area. Water approaches some mobile homes and agricultural outbuildings along the river.
- 35.00 ftLowland flooding in southern Pendleton County, especially along McKinneysburg Road and in the Colvin Bend Road area, where high water makes the road impassible. Access to some homes near Colvin Bend Road and McKinneysburg Spur is cut off.
- 33.00 ftSome flooding occurs along the river in southern Pendleton County and is mainly confined to lowland and agricultural areas. Water approaches Colvin Bend Road and McKinneysburg Spur.
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
72 crests on NOAA’s list since 1921.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 2, 1997 | 55.21 ft |
| 2 | March 10, 1964 | 50.26 ft |
| 3 | January 20, 1937 | 47.80 ft |
| 4 | April 13, 1948 | 47.59 ft |
| 5 | April 6, 2025 | 43.76 ft |
| 6 | February 16, 1989 | 43.75 ft |
| 7 | December 1, 1921 | 42.50 ft |
| 8 | May 9, 1961 | 41.08 ft |
| 9 | March 20, 1943 | 40.86 ft |
| 10 | March 7, 1945 | 40.41 ft |
| 11 | February 28, 1962 | 39.09 ft |
| 12 | December 10, 1978 | 38.73 ft |
| 13 | May 4, 2010 | 38.39 ft |
| 14 | May 20, 2020 | 38.36 ft |
| 15 | May 4, 1983 | 37.67 ft |
| 16 | February 17, 2025 | 37.07 ft |
| 17 | April 17, 1939 | 36.68 ft |
| 18 | April 13, 2011 | 36.17 ft |
| 19 | January 12, 1974 | 36.00 ft |
| 20 | March 14, 1978 | 35.59 ft |
| 21 | April 4, 2015 | 35.41 ft |
| 22 | April 24, 2011 | 34.96 ft |
| 23 | January 28, 1994 | 34.80 ft |
| 24 | March 21, 2002 | 34.03 ft |
| 25 | March 23, 1952 | 33.96 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 6, 2025: 43.76 ft
- February 17, 2025: 37.07 ft
- May 20, 2020: 38.36 ft
- November 6, 2018: 28.47 ft
- September 25, 2018: 33.95 ft
- April 4, 2015: 35.41 ft
- April 24, 2011: 34.96 ft
- April 13, 2011: 36.17 ft
- May 4, 2010: 38.39 ft
- January 6, 2005: 26.13 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. River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.
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.