James River near Ashton
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 2:45 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 13.00 ft
- Record crest
- 26.64 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 16.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 14.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 13.00 ft |
| Action | 11.00 ft |
- 24.50 ftThe bridge at the gauge on 165th/County Rd 14 is overtopped. 170th west of the bridge is flooded with most river crossings inaccessible due to flooding. Several additional structures are also flooded.
- 22.50 ftSeveral outbuildings near and north of the gauge on 165th/County Rd 14 begin to flood. The water reaches the bottom of the bridge on 165th/County Rd 14.
- 21.00 ftThe lowest portions of 165th/County Rd 14 begin to flood. At least one house a couple miles north of the gauge begins to flood. Water overtops the bridge on 167th southeast of Ashton.
- 19.50 ftWater reaches the bottom of the bridge on 167th southeast of Ashton.
- 16.00 ft161st begins to flood.
- 15.00 ftSignificant amounts of farm land begin flooding.
- 14.00 ftWater reaches the bottom of the bridge on 161st northeast of Ashton.
- 13.00 ftFlooding begins to affect some crop land along with moderate flooding of pasture and low-lying areas.
- 11.00 ftFlooding of low-lying pasture and wooded areas begins.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 11% |
| Moderate flooding | 8% |
| Major flooding | 6% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 23, 2026.
Crest history
70 crests on NOAA’s list since 1948.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 6, 1997 | 26.64 ft |
| 2 | March 22, 2010 | 25.25 ft |
| 3 | April 28, 2011 | 24.40 ft |
| 4 | April 23, 2019 | 23.20 ft |
| 5 | April 30, 2009 | 22.96 ft |
| 6 | May 22, 1995 | 21.21 ft |
| 7 | April 24, 1969 | 20.63 ft |
| 8 | April 21, 2023 | 19.85 ft |
| 9 | April 23, 1952 | 19.59 ft |
| 10 | May 19, 1950 | 19.14 ft |
| 11 | April 29, 2001 | 18.76 ft |
| 12 | April 20, 2020 | 18.36 ft |
| 13 | June 9, 2022 | 17.51 ft |
| 14 | May 14, 2007 | 17.39 ft |
| 15 | May 10, 1986 | 16.74 ft |
| 16 | April 2, 1994 | 16.23 ft |
| 17 | June 11, 1999 | 15.57 ft |
| 18 | May 19, 1996 | 15.26 ft |
| 19 | April 14, 1966 | 15.16 ft |
| 20 | May 18, 1979 | 14.86 ft |
| 21 | April 18, 1978 | 14.06 ft |
| 22 | July 16, 2005 | 13.84 ft |
| 23 | March 25, 1948 | 13.78 ft |
| 24 | September 10, 1993 | 12.92 ft |
| 25 | April 20, 1989 | 12.85 ft |
Most recent crests
- September 30, 2025: 11.23 ft
- April 21, 2023: 19.85 ft
- June 9, 2022: 17.51 ft
- April 11, 2021: 5.45 ft
- April 20, 2020: 18.36 ft
- April 23, 2019: 23.20 ft
- May 23, 2018: 9.24 ft
- March 28, 2017: 9.79 ft
- March 9, 2016: 6.43 ft
- July 2, 2015: 10.34 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. 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. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. Gauge reading may be affected by ice.
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.