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Ohio River at Maysville water level

River gauge, Ohio River, Kentucky, United States

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Right now

Normal for mid-October

Water level

34.05ft Down 0.45 ft over the last 24 hours

50 75 Highest onrecord 75.60 ft Minor floodstage 50.00 ft

History

History
33.534.034.535.0ftOct 13Oct 15Oct 18Oct 20Oct 2333.534.034.535.0ftOct 13Oct 18Oct 23
3436ftSep 20Sep 28Oct 6Oct 15Oct 233436ftSep 20Oct 6Oct 23
35404550ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage35404550ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026Minor flood stage
35404550ftJanMarMayJulSepNov202635404550ftJanAprJulOct2026

20252026

Water level Normal range (10–90 %) Forecast Minor flood stage

The forecast expects the river to rise to 34.40 ft by Monday, October 19 at 08:00 AM. Issued Sunday, October 18 at 09:27 AM by NOAA National Weather Service.

What this means

Water levels are unremarkable at Ohio River at Maysville, where the gauge shows 34.05 ft.

The median for mid-October is 34.18 ft, based on 26 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.13 ft below typical. It is 15.95 ft below the flood stage of 50.00 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 34.11 ft, a difference of −0.06 ft.

It is still going down, by 0.45 ft over the past 24 hours. The forecast expects the river to rise to 34.40 ft by Monday, October 19 at 08:00 AM. The 30-day range is 33.78 ft – 37.43 ft.

Compared with 26 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date
34.18 ft0.13 ft below the median for this date
Normal for this date
33.84 ft – 34.63 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (26 years of records)
Same day last year
34.11 ft−0.06 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days
33.78 ft – 37.43 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
33.78 ft – 41.40 ft
Highest on record
75.60 ftJanuary 27, 1937
Forecast peak
34.40 ftMonday, October 19 at 08:00 AM

Paddling and fishing conditions

Most paddlers and anglers will find the river in good shape at this stage.

For reference, flood stage is 50.00 ft.

What happens at each level

79.00 ft
This stage will surpass the flood of record at Maysville. The floodwall protects the City of Maysville to a stage just above 79 feet. Major flooding outside of the flood wall can be expected in areas near Maysville, Kentucky and Ripley, Ohio. Major property damage and evacuations will occur. Also, all of Aberdeen, Ohio is flooded.
75.59 ft
This flood will equal the highest stage on record. While the City of Maysville is protected to a level just above 79 feet, major flooding is widespread through other areas of Mason County and along the Ohio side of the river from near Manchester to Aberdeen to near Higginsport. Hundreds of homes and businesses are flooded and much of Route 52 and Kentucky Route 8 is flooded, as well as backwater flooding affecting streams entering into the Ohio River.
66.00 ft
Major flooding occurs with the flood plain near the Ohio River in both Ohio and Kentucky completely inundated. Numerous homes are evacuated, especially in Manchester, Aberdeen, Huntington Park and Ripley along the Ohio side of the river. The City of Maysville itself is protected to a stage just above 79 feet, but major flooding occurs along the river in both Ohio and Kentucky.
65.00 ft
A Stage of this level is roughly equivalent to the FEMA 1 percent flood. Major flooding occurs in Aberdeen and Ripley Ohio, with numerous homes and businesses between route 52 and the river impacted in Aberdeen, while most of Ripley experiences flooding from both the Ohio and backwater flooding along Redoak Creek. Much of Dover Kentucky between Kentucky Route 8 and the river is flooded. Long stretches of U.S. 52 are flooded. The city of Maysville is protected by levees and floodwalls to a stage of 79 feet.
64.00 ft
Significant flooding occurs with about half of Ripley, Augusta, Higginsport and Aberdeen flooded. While the City of Maysville itself is protected by floodwalls to a level just above 79 feet, all of the floodplain is inundated outside of this protection.
60.00 ft
Significant flooding occurs in portions of Manchester, Ripley and Aberdeen, Ohio. Water enters homes and businesses in these communities, mainly structures between Route 52 and the river, as well as any structures close to streams, which will incur major backwater flooding. The City of Maysville itself is protected to a level just above 79 feet.
58.00 ft
Moderate flooding occurs along the river especially on the Ohio side in Adams and Brown Counties. Stretches of Route 52 are flooded, and backwater flooding closes portions of Route 221 and other secondary roads along creeks. The City of Maysville itself is protected to a stage just above 79 feet. Some homes and businesses between Route 52 and the river are flooded. Some structures in and near Augusta and Dover on the Kentucky side of the river are flooded.
56.00 ft
Flooding occurs along the river especially on the Ohio side in Adams and Brown Counties. Stretches of Route 52 are flooded, and backwater flooding closes portions of Route 221 and other secondary roads along creeks. The City of Maysville itself is protected to a stage just above 79 feet.
55.00 ft
Widespread backwater flooding can be expected and roads near the river become flooded, especially on the Ohio side of the river. Portions of Routes 52 and 221 in Brown County flood, as well as secondary roads along Eagle Creek and Straight Creek. The City of Maysville itself is protected to a stage just above 79 feet.
53.50 ft
Flooding occurs in low areas of Ripley and Aberdeen, Ohio. Areas within the flood plain are increasingly inundated. Backwater and lowland flooding can be expected along the river. The City of Maysville itself is protected to a stage just above 79 feet.
52.00 ft
Backwater flooding traveling up Red Oak Creek near Ripley, Ohio results in flooding along and east of Cherry Street, with water also approaching the Ripley Post Office.
51.00 ft
Water enters Huntington Park Power Plant and backwater and lowland flooding begins along creeks near Maysville. Backwater flooding also begins in Brown County, especially along Eagle and Straight Creeks. The City of Maysville itself is protected by flood walls to a stage just above 79 feet.
34.05 ft
Right now

Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Highest crests on record

Chance of at least minor flooding in October to December: 11 %.

RankLevelDate
175.60 ftJanuary 27, 1937
268.80 ftMarch 31, 1913
365.50 ftMarch 9, 1945
464.10 ftApril 17, 1948
562.65 ftMarch 13, 1964
661.20 ftMarch 5, 1997
760.94 ftMarch 2, 1962
860.40 ftJanuary 3, 1943
959.20 ftMarch 18, 1907
1058.50 ftMarch 10, 1967

Weather at the gauge

The forecast is not available right now.

Sunrise 07:49 AM Sunset 06:53 PM Daylight 11 hr, 4 min First quarter 60%

Map

Other gauges on the Ohio River

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Ohio River at Point PleasantRiver gauge, Ohio River 24.78 ft Very low +0.08 ft 89 mi
Ohio River at HuntingtonRiver gauge, Ohio River 26.76 ft Normal −0.41 ft 72 mi
Ohio River at AshlandRiver gauge, Ohio River 34.83 ft Below flood stage −0.07 ft 63 mi
Ohio River at IrontonRiver gauge, Ohio River 34.68 ft High +0.02 ft 60 mi
Ohio River at Greenup Dam near GreenupRiver gauge, Ohio River 13.10 ft Below flood stage +0.18 ft 50 mi
Ohio River at PortsmouthRiver gauge, Ohio River 19.02 ft High −1.55 ft 43 mi
Ohio River at CincinnatiRiver gauge, Ohio River 28.64 ft High +0.39 ft 48 mi
Ohio River at Markland Dam near WarsawRiver gauge, Ohio River 18.83 ft High +0.09 ft 64 mi
Ohio River at MadisonRiver gauge, Ohio River 15.03 ft No reference yet −0.06 ft 86 mi
Ohio River at Water Tower at LouisvilleRiver gauge, Ohio River 99,300 cfs High +600 cfs 107 mi
Ohio River at LouisvilleRiver gauge, Ohio River 17.40 ft High −0.54 ft 113 mi
Ohio River below Riverview Park near LouisvilleRiver gauge, Ohio River 15.31 ft No reference yet −0.54 ft 121 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
North Fork Licking River near Mount OlivetRiver gauge, North Fork Licking River 1.55 ft Below flood stage −0.02 ft 14 mi
White Oak Creek above Georgetown OHRiver gauge, White Oak Creek 22.9 cfs High −2.9 cfs 18 mi
Ohio Brush Creek near West Union OHRiver gauge, Ohio Brush Creek 2.31 ft Below flood stage −0.07 ft 21 mi
Licking River at Blue Lick SpringsRiver gauge, Licking River 5.11 ft Below flood stage −0.66 ft 22 mi
Licking River at McKinneysburgRiver gauge, Licking River 5.27 ft Below flood stage −0.67 ft 27 mi
Licking River at CatawbaRiver gauge, Licking River 618 cfs Normal +242 cfs 28 mi
East Fork Little Miami River at Williamsburg OHRiver gauge, East Fork Little Miami River 16.0 cfs Normal −3.2 cfs 29 mi
East Fork Lake near Bantam OHLake, East Fork Lake 730.69 ft Normal −0.09 ft 31 mi

Questions and answers

Is the Ohio River at Maysville higher than last year?

No, it is 0.06 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 34.11 ft.

What is flood stage for the Ohio River at Maysville?

The official flood stage is 50.00 ft. The level is currently 15.95 ft below it.

What is a normal level for the Ohio River at Maysville in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is 34.18 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 33.84 ft and 34.63 ft, based on 26 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 Ohio River at Maysville today?

On Oct 19, 2026, 12:00 PM EDT, the water level was 34.05 ft. Down 0.45 ft over the last 24 hours.

Is Ohio River at Maysville rising or falling?

Down 0.45 ft over the last 24 hours. Down 0.31 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Ohio River at Maysville normal?

Normal for mid-October. Compared with 26 years of daily readings for this time of year.

For specialists

Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
Operator
U.S. Geological Survey
Station code
usgs:03238000 (Agency page)
Coordinates
38.68411, -83.78389 (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

ParameterLast valueTime (UTC)Quality
Water level 34.05 ft 2026-10-19 16:00 Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Ohio River at Maysville (usgs:03238000). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/kentucky/ohio-river-at-maysville

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.