River stage
St Joe, Buffalo River
- River level
- 2.80 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.05 ft
- Recent high
- 14.10 ft
- Recent low
- 2.63 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS SJOA4
- 30-day change
- +0.05 ft
- Average
- 3.54 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 53.75 ft
In brief
The Buffalo River at St Joe, AR read 2.80 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 17.20 ft below action stage. That is 0.05 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge SJOA4
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 53.75 ft | 1982-12-03 |
| 2 | 50.50 ft | 1915-08-01 |
| 3 | 49.41 ft | 2008-03-19 |
| 4 | 46.51 ft | 2004-04-25 |
| 5 | 45.58 ft | 2015-12-28 |
| 6 | 45.41 ft | 1973-11-25 |
| 7 | 43.40 ft | 1971-12-10 |
| 8 | 42.02 ft | 1990-05-03 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 20.00 ft
Limited impacts due to the lack of private property along the river. Some access points and public facilities will be effected. The National Park Service has recommended that float activities stop well below this flow level and conditions are dangerous to recreational floaters. Floodplain along the North Bank begins to flood.
- 27.00 ft
Tyler Bend Access Area begins to flood. Some campsites are under water and Comfort Station is flooded.
- 35.00 ft
All of Tyler Bend Access Area is flooded. Backwater up Bear, Mill, and Calf Creeks flood an extensive area of the valley. River has crested above 35 feet at the U.S. Highway 65 gage at least nineteen times since 1915.
- 42.00 ft
River crested in May 1990 at this level. Expect similar damages and impacts. River has crested above 42 feet at the gage on U.S. Highway 65 bridge eight times since 1915.
- 45.00 ft
Buffalo River has crested over 45 feet at the U.S. Highway 65 gage six times since 1915. These events occurred in August 1915, November 1973, December 1982, April 2004, March 2008, and December 2015. River is swift, dangerous, and carrying a large amount of debris. Activities on and around the river should be avoided.
- 46.50 ft
Crest of April 25 2004 was 46.51 feet. Primary impacts are to the recreational facilities of the National Park Service, such as Tyler Bend Campground near U.S. Highway 65. River is swift and dangerous and may be carrying a tremendous amount of debris. Floating and other recreational activities on and along the river should be avoided.
- 50.00 ft
Water is near U.S. 65 Highway Bridge lower steel. Recreational facilities in the lower lying areas along the river in the vicinity of Gilbert will flood. Buffalo river crested at 49.4 feet March 19 2008. There has been three crest over 49 feet since 1915, December 1982 crest of 53.8 feet, August 1915 crest of 50.5 feet and the March 2008 crest of 49.4 feet.
- 53.80 ft
The crest of record is 53.8 feet which occurred December 3rd 1982. Incredible flooding experienced with the bridges or approach roads to the bridges on U.S. Highway 65 and State Highway 14 overtopped. Lower lying portion of the town of Gilbert may flood.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Buffalo River flooding at St Joe?
No. The Buffalo River at St Joe is at 2.8 ft, 17.2 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at St Joe?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 20 ft, minor flooding 27 ft, moderate flooding 35 ft and major flooding 50 ft.
What is the highest the Buffalo River has been at St Joe?
The highest crest on record is 53.75 ft, on 1982-12-03.
Is the Buffalo River high or low right now at St Joe?
At 2.8 ft it is higher than 28% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge SJOA4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 07056000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.