Bayou Francois at Hwy 61 Near Gonzales water level
River gauge, Bayou Francois, Louisiana, United States
Right now
High for late October
Water level
History
20252026
What this means
The gauge at Bayou Francois at Hwy 61 Near Gonzales shows 1.86 ft, above normal for late October.
The median for late October is 1.27 ft, based on 28 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.60 ft above typical. On the same day last year the reading was 0.93 ft, a difference of +0.93 ft.
The level is falling, down 0.05 ft over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 1.12 ft and 2.38 ft.
That stands out in fall, when many rivers are usually near their lowest.
Compared with 28 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 1.27 ft0.60 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 0.44 ft – 1.97 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (28 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 0.93 ft+0.93 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 1.12 ft – 2.38 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- −1.20 ft – 2.38 ft
- Highest on record
- 8.24 ftAugust 16, 2016
What the stage means on the water
Fast, high water is not the time for casual paddling. Strainers, debris and cold water make an unplanned swim dangerous.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 8.24 ft | August 16, 2016 |
| 2 | 6.14 ft | August 13, 2016 |
| 3 | 5.72 ft | September 12, 1998 |
| 4 | 5.49 ft | August 30, 2012 |
| 5 | 5.07 ft | January 9, 2013 |
| 6 | 4.62 ft | December 8, 2009 |
| 7 | 4.39 ft | April 30, 2006 |
| 8 | 4.30 ft | March 27, 2009 |
| 9 | 3.95 ft | December 22, 2006 |
| 10 | 2.85 ft | May 15, 2008 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Black Bayou E of GonzalesRiver gauge | 2.00 ft | Very high | −0.03 ft | 1.9 mi |
| Black Bayou at Hwy 621 near PrairievilleRiver gauge, Black Bayou | 2.10 ft | Very high | −0.04 ft | 3.1 mi |
| Panama Canal at Hwy 44 near GonzalesRiver gauge, Panama Canal | 1.89 ft | Normal | ±0 | 4.1 mi |
| Bayou Conway near SorrentoRiver gauge, Bayou Conway | 1.92 ft | Normal | ±0 | 4.4 mi |
| Grand Goudine at Babin Rd Near DuplessisRiver gauge, Grand Goudine | 1.91 ft | Very low | −0.02 ft | 4.5 mi |
| Henderson Bayou near Port VincentRiver gauge, Henderson Bayou | 1.98 ft | High | −0.08 ft | 4.9 mi |
| Henderson Bayou Pump Station near Port VincentRiver gauge, Henderson Bayou Pump Station | 1.41 ft | Normal | −0.08 ft | 7 mi |
| Muddy Creek at Hwy 42 near Oak GroveRiver gauge, Muddy Creek | 2.82 ft | Low | −0.04 ft | 7 mi |
Questions and answers
Is Bayou Francois at Hwy 61 Near Gonzales higher than last year?
Yes, it is 0.93 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was 0.93 ft.
What is a normal level for Bayou Francois at Hwy 61 Near Gonzales in late October?
The median for late October is 1.27 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 0.44 ft and 1.97 ft, based on 28 years of records.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of Bayou Francois at Hwy 61 Near Gonzales today?
On Oct 21, 2026, 02:15 AM CDT, the water level was 1.86 ft. Down 0.05 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Bayou Francois at Hwy 61 Near Gonzales rising or falling?
Down 0.05 ft over the last 24 hours. Up 0.29 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Bayou Francois at Hwy 61 Near Gonzales normal?
High for late October. Compared with 28 years of daily readings for this time of year.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Bayou Francois at Hwy 61 Near Gonzales?
The highest level on record is 8.24 ft on August 16, 2016.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:073802273(Agency page)- Coordinates
30.22742, -90.89954(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 1.86 ft | 2026-10-21 07:15 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Bayou Francois at Hwy 61 Near Gonzales (usgs:073802273). Accessed October 21, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/louisiana/bayou-francois-at-hwy-61-near-gonzales
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer