River stage
Poplar Bluff, Black River
- River level
- -0.45 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.74 ft
- Recent high
- 9.18 ft
- Recent low
- -0.48 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS PPBM7
- 30-day change
- -0.18 ft
- Average
- 2.04 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 22.15 ft
In brief
The Black River at Poplar Bluff, MO read -0.45 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 12.45 ft below action stage. That is 0.18 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge PPBM7
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 22.15 ft | 2008-03-20 |
| 2 | 21.96 ft | 2017-05-01 |
| 3 | 21.68 ft | 1982-12-04 |
| 4 | 21.41 ft | 2011-04-26 |
| 5 | 21.10 ft | 1935-03-12 |
| 6 | 20.80 ft | 1945-06-10 |
| 7 | 20.77 ft | 1943-05-12 |
| 8 | 20.60 ft | 1933-05-16 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 13.00 ft
The Black River enters the Palmer Slough flood plain.
- 16.00 ft
Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas. If the water continues to rise, Hillcrest Park will be affected.
- 17.00 ft
Farmland south of Poplar Bluff floods.
- 18.00 ft
U.S. Highway 60 begins to flood heading toward Baskey.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Black River flooding at Poplar Bluff?
No. The Black River at Poplar Bluff is at -0.45 ft, 12.45 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Poplar Bluff?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 12 ft, minor flooding 16 ft, moderate flooding 19 ft and major flooding 21 ft.
What is the highest the Black River has been at Poplar Bluff?
The highest crest on record is 22.15 ft, on 2008-03-20.
Is the Black River high or low right now at Poplar Bluff?
At -0.45 ft it is higher than 2% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge PPBM7); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 07063000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.