River stage
Paducah, Ohio River
- River level
- 16.09 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.18 ft
- Recent high
- 25.96 ft
- Recent low
- 15.11 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS PAHK2
- 30-day change
- -0.96 ft
- Average
- 17.36 ft
- Readings
- 120
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 60.60 ft
In brief
The Ohio River at Paducah, KY read 16.09 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 15.91 ft below action stage. That is 0.96 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge PAHK2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 60.60 ft | 1937-02-02 |
| 2 | 55.03 ft | 2011-05-05 |
| 3 | 54.30 ft | 1913-04-07 |
| 4 | 54.30 ft | 1884-02-23 |
| 5 | 53.30 ft | 1950-02-13 |
| 6 | 53.27 ft | 2019-02-25 |
| 7 | 52.00 ft | 1867-03-21 |
| 8 | 51.79 ft | 1997-03-11 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 32.00 ft
The city of Paducah starts the first pumps.
- 39.00 ft
Minor flooding occurs affecting mainly bottomland and surrounding low lying areas.
- 43.00 ft
Moderate flooding occurs affecting several small unprotected towns.
- 47.00 ft
Property damage begins on the the Illinois and Kentucky sides of the river.
- 49.50 ft
The first gate is closed in the floodwall in Paducah.
- 52.00 ft
Major flooding occurs and is widespread on both sides of the river.
- 56.00 ft
Many of the industrial plants upstream in Calvert City are affected at this stage and higher and may begin to shut down.
- 60.60 ft
This flood will exceed the highest stage on record. Large amounts of property damage can be expected. Evacuation of many homes and businesses becomes necessary. The levee will protect most of the city at this level.
- 64.00 ft
The top of the protection is reached at Paducah.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ohio River flooding at Paducah?
No. The Ohio River at Paducah is at 16.09 ft, 15.91 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Paducah?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 32 ft, minor flooding 39 ft, moderate flooding 43 ft and major flooding 52 ft.
What is the highest the Ohio River has been at Paducah?
The highest crest on record is 60.6 ft, on 1937-02-02.
Is the Ohio River high or low right now at Paducah?
At 16.09 ft it is higher than 15% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge PAHK2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03611000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.