River stage
McAlpine Lower, Ohio River
- River level
- 20.17 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +8.62 ft
- Recent high
- 36.47 ft
- Recent low
- 10.71 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS MLPK2
- 30-day change
- +2.30 ft
- Average
- 17.85 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 85.44 ft
In brief
The Ohio River at McAlpine Lower, KY read 20.17 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 32.83 ft below action stage. That is 2.30 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge MLPK2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 85.44 ft | 1937-01-27 |
| 2 | 74.40 ft | 1884-02-16 |
| 3 | 74.40 ft | 1945-03-07 |
| 4 | 73.46 ft | 1964-03-13 |
| 5 | 72.70 ft | 1913-04-02 |
| 6 | 72.20 ft | 1883-02-16 |
| 7 | 70.47 ft | 1997-03-07 |
| 8 | 69.60 ft | 1832-02-21 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 55.00 ft
Parks and riverfront areas in Clarksville and New Albany flood. Some yards along US 31W (Dixie Highway) from Pleasure Ridge Park to West Point KY flood.
- 58.00 ft
IN 111 floods upstream of Bridgeport.
- 59.00 ft
Overbrook Rd. floods south of Lake Dreamland Rd.
- 65.00 ft
Parts of US 31W (Dixie Highway) flood from I-265 (Gene Synder Freeway) interchange to West Point KY. Riverfront parks in Clarksville and New Albany flood.
- 66.00 ft
Lock is closed. Floodgates at Riverport are closed.
- 67.00 ft
Blackiston Mill Road floods at Silver Creek in Clarksville.
- 71.00 ft
KY 44 is closed.
- 74.00 ft
Houk Lane is closed at floodgate.
- 76.00 ft
US 31W (Dixie Highway) closed at floodgate.
- 88.50 ft
The flood will reach the top of the floodwall. A large part of downtown Louisville floods. Parts of I-64 and I-65 flood. Homes along 31W (Dixie Highway) are destroyed. New Albany and Clarksville will suffer major damage.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ohio River flooding at McAlpine Lower?
No. The Ohio River at McAlpine Lower is at 20.17 ft, 32.83 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at McAlpine Lower?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 53 ft, minor flooding 55 ft, moderate flooding 65 ft and major flooding 73 ft.
What is the highest the Ohio River has been at McAlpine Lower?
The highest crest on record is 85.44 ft, on 1937-01-27.
Is the Ohio River high or low right now at McAlpine Lower?
At 20.17 ft it is higher than 73% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge MLPK2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03294500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.