Rivers in Missouri
Current River at Van Buren
Below flood stage
2.55ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 21, 8:30 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 20.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 2.60 ftTue, Sep 22, 1:00 AM CDT
- Record crest
- 37.20 ft2017
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 27.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 23.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 20.00 ft |
| Action | 10.00 ft |
- 29.00 ftLarge amounts of property damage can be expected. Evacuation of many homes and businesses becomes necessary. The courthouse yard floods.
- 23.00 ftSome flooding in low sections in town begins.
- 20.00 ftMinor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas.
- 18.00 ftThe parking lot floods at WaterCress.
- 14.50 ftWater flows over Spring Branch Bridge.
- 10.00 ftThe gravel bar at The Landing floods.
- 9.00 ftWater overflows the boat access at Big Springs.
- 8.00 ftCurrent river closed to non-motorized traffic.
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
19 crests on NOAA’s list since 1904.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 1, 2017 | 37.20 ft |
| 2 | March 26, 1904 | 29.00 ft |
| 3 | November 15, 1993 | 27.39 ft |
| 4 | November 19, 1985 | 26.53 ft |
| 5 | August 21, 1915 | 25.90 ft |
| 6 | March 20, 2008 | 25.71 ft |
| 7 | February 24, 1985 | 24.85 ft |
| 8 | December 3, 1982 | 23.89 ft |
| 9 | December 29, 2015 | 23.12 ft |
| 10 | February 10, 1966 | 23.10 ft |
| 11 | March 11, 1935 | 22.84 ft |
| 12 | May 9, 2002 | 22.80 ft |
| 13 | January 30, 1969 | 22.72 ft |
| 14 | November 6, 2024 | 22.08 ft |
| 15 | December 28, 1942 | 21.66 ft |
| 16 | January 31, 1916 | 21.60 ft |
| 17 | April 26, 2011 | 21.14 ft |
| 18 | April 6, 2025 | 21.00 ft |
| 19 | April 18, 1945 | 20.00 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 6, 2025: 21.00 ft
- November 6, 2024: 22.08 ft
- May 1, 2017: 37.20 ft
- December 29, 2015: 23.12 ft
- April 26, 2011: 21.14 ft
- March 20, 2008: 25.71 ft
- May 9, 2002: 22.80 ft
- November 15, 1993: 27.39 ft
- November 19, 1985: 26.53 ft
- February 24, 1985: 24.85 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 24 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.