Rivers in Kentucky
Poor Fork Cumberland River at Cumberland
Below flood stage
3.66ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 3:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 12.00 ft
- Record crest
- 15.88 ft1977
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 16.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 14.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 12.00 ft |
| Action | 9.50 ft |
- 15.88 ftFlooding will exceed the highest flood on record. Downtown streets and the approach of KY 2179 bridge flood.
- 14.00 ftLow lying private yards are flooded.
- 13.50 ftWater begins affecting some low lying businesses.
- 12.00 ftLow lying areas flood. A parking lot of a business floods.
- 11.00 ftRiver is at bankfull.
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
45 crests on NOAA’s list since 1898.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 4, 1977 | 15.88 ft |
| 2 | December 30, 1969 | 14.64 ft |
| 3 | March 18, 2002 | 12.63 ft |
| 4 | January 11, 1974 | 12.30 ft |
| 5 | February 6, 2020 | 12.13 ft |
| 6 | November 28, 1973 | 12.07 ft |
| 7 | March 16, 1973 | 11.96 ft |
| 8 | December 2, 1991 | 11.64 ft |
| 9 | April 28, 1970 | 11.62 ft |
| 10 | May 7, 1971 | 11.61 ft |
| 11 | January 29, 1957 | 11.50 ft |
| 12 | May 7, 1984 | 11.44 ft |
| 13 | March 5, 2015 | 11.17 ft |
| 14 | February 11, 1994 | 11.01 ft |
| 15 | March 30, 1975 | 10.78 ft |
| 16 | February 16, 2003 | 10.73 ft |
| 17 | February 25, 1972 | 10.52 ft |
| 18 | January 1, 1927 | 10.20 ft |
| 19 | April 23, 2017 | 10.09 ft |
| 20 | March 23, 1991 | 10.05 ft |
| 21 | May 30, 1927 | 10.00 ft |
| 22 | January 28, 1918 | 10.00 ft |
| 23 | March 12, 1963 | 9.75 ft |
| 24 | March 17, 1963 | 9.75 ft |
| 25 | January 7, 1946 | 9.65 ft |
Most recent crests
- February 6, 2020: 12.13 ft
- April 23, 2017: 10.09 ft
- March 5, 2015: 11.17 ft
- February 16, 2003: 10.73 ft
- March 18, 2002: 12.63 ft
- February 11, 1994: 11.01 ft
- December 2, 1991: 11.64 ft
- March 23, 1991: 10.05 ft
- May 7, 1984: 11.44 ft
- April 4, 1977: 15.88 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.