Mississippi River at Osceola
Highest listed crest 50.90 ftFlood stage 28.0 ft93 crests since 1927
The Mississippi River at Osceola crested at major flood stage 42 times among the 93 crests the National Weather Service lists from 1927 to 2025. The highest, 50.90 ft on February 7, 1937, was major flooding, 22.90 feet above flood stage. 8 other gauges on the Mississippi River crested above flood stage within a week of it, 3 at their own highest listed crest.
The gauge
- Highest listed crest
- 50.90 ft
- February 7, 1937
- Flood stage
- 28.0 ft
- Major flooding from 35.0 ft
- Crests at major
- 42
- 2nd of 54 gauges in Arkansas
- Most recent flood crest
- April 15, 2025
- 37.62 ft, major flooding
Flood stages
The thresholds the National Weather Service uses for this gauge today, and how many listed crests reached each.
| Action stage | 24.0 | 13 | Apr 15, 2014 |
| Flood stage (minor) | 28.0 | 6 | Feb 24, 2025 |
| Moderate flood stage | 31.0 | 28 | Apr 7, 2021 |
| Major flood stage | 35.0 | 42 | Apr 15, 2025 |
Every listed crest
93 crests from 1927 to 2025. Filled: at or above flood stage. Hover a crest for its date and stage.
Crests at or above flood stage, by decade
- These are the crests the local National Weather Service office lists for the gauge: the highest on record and recent crests. Lesser floods between them may be missing, so counts by decade are a floor.
- Categories use today's flood stages. Levees, dams and channel changes since a crest can make old and new stages not directly comparable.
Highest crests
The 50 highest of 93 listed crests.
| 1 | Feb 7, 1937 | 50.90 | +22.90 | Major |
| 2 | May 8, 2011 | 47.48 | +19.48 | Major |
| 3 | Apr 24, 1927 | 45.80 | +17.80 | Major |
| 4 | May 25, 1929 | 41.20 | +13.20 | Major |
| 5 | Feb 20, 1950 | 41.05 | +13.05 | Major |
| 6 | Mar 12, 1997 | 40.99 | +12.99 | Major |
| 7 | Apr 6, 1975 | 40.90 | +12.90 | Major |
| 8 | Mar 4, 2019 | 40.86 | +12.86 | Major |
| 9 | Apr 17, 1936 | 40.60 | +12.60 | Major |
| 10 | Apr 6, 1945 | 40.50 | +12.50 | Major |
| 11 | Apr 8, 1933 | 40.20 | +12.20 | Major |
| 12 | Apr 10, 1973 | 40.20 | +12.20 | Major |
| 13 | Jan 7, 2016 | 39.67 | +11.67 | Major |
| 14 | Jun 3, 1943 | 39.50 | +11.50 | Major |
| 15 | May 16, 1961 | 39.40 | +11.40 | Major |
| 16 | Jun 1, 1995 | 39.37 | +11.37 | Major |
| 17 | Apr 20, 1979 | 39.30 | +11.30 | Major |
| 18 | May 12, 1983 | 39.20 | +11.20 | Major |
| 19 | Feb 27, 1939 | 39.10 | +11.10 | Major |
| 20 | Mar 7, 2018 | 39.03 | +11.03 | Major |
| 21 | Mar 25, 1935 | 38.80 | +10.80 | Major |
| 22 | May 17, 1984 | 38.80 | +10.80 | Major |
| 23 | Feb 20, 1932 | 38.70 | +10.70 | Major |
| 24 | May 23, 2002 | 38.41 | +10.41 | Major |
| 25 | May 3, 1944 | 38.37 | +10.37 | Major |
| 26 | Jan 21, 1946 | 38.25 | +10.25 | Major |
| 27 | Apr 15, 2025 | 37.62 | +9.62 | Major |
| 28 | Apr 6, 1948 | 37.50 | +9.50 | Major |
| 29 | Mar 28, 2008 | 37.47 | +9.47 | Major |
| 30 | Apr 22, 1994 | 37.36 | +9.36 | Major |
| 31 | May 1, 1972 | 37.20 | +9.20 | Major |
| 32 | May 20, 1996 | 37.07 | +9.07 | Major |
| 33 | Feb 4, 1974 | 37.00 | +9.00 | Major |
| 34 | Mar 22, 2011 | 36.99 | +8.99 | Major |
| 35 | Mar 26, 1963 | 36.70 | +8.70 | Major |
| 36 | Jan 6, 1991 | 36.69 | +8.69 | Major |
| 37 | Feb 5, 1949 | 36.30 | +8.30 | Major |
| 38 | Mar 30, 1952 | 36.25 | +8.25 | Major |
| 39 | Jan 21, 2005 | 36.25 | +8.25 | Major |
| 40 | May 13, 2017 | 35.94 | +7.94 | Major |
| 41 | Mar 19, 1962 | 35.90 | +7.90 | Major |
| 42 | Mar 31, 1955 | 35.50 | +7.50 | Major |
| 43 | May 8, 1998 | 34.84 | +6.84 | Moderate |
| 44 | Apr 1, 1978 | 34.80 | +6.80 | Moderate |
| 45 | May 16, 2009 | 34.76 | +6.76 | Moderate |
| 46 | May 19, 2003 | 34.54 | +6.54 | Moderate |
| 47 | May 11, 2013 | 34.22 | +6.22 | Moderate |
| 48 | Apr 19, 1938 | 34.20 | +6.20 | Moderate |
| 49 | Mar 9, 1985 | 33.90 | +5.90 | Moderate |
| 50 | Dec 31, 1990 | 33.89 | +5.89 | Moderate |
The worst floods along the Mississippi River
For this gauge's highest crests, the other gauges on the Mississippi River that crested above flood stage within a week.
February 7, 1937: 50.90 ft here, major flooding
- GreenvilleAR · Feb 13, 1937 · 63.00 ft · Major
- HelenaAR · Feb 12, 1937 · 60.21 ft · Major · its highest
- Arkansas CityAR · Feb 14, 1937 · 53.90 ft · Major
- Tunica Mhoon LandingMS · Feb 10, 1937 · 53.20 ft · Major · its highest
- MemphisTN · Feb 10, 1937 · 48.70 ft · Major · its highest
- New MadridMO · Feb 3, 1937 · 48.00 ft · Major
- TiptonvilleMO · Feb 6, 1937 · 47.75 ft · Major
- CaruthersvilleMO · Feb 5, 1937 · 46.00 ft · Major
May 8, 2011: 47.48 ft here, major flooding
- HelenaAR · May 12, 2011 · 56.59 ft · Major
- HickmanKY · May 2, 2011 · 54.29 ft · Major · its highest
- TiptonvilleMO · May 5, 2011 · 48.35 ft · Major · its highest
- New MadridMO · May 6, 2011 · 48.35 ft · Major · its highest
- MemphisTN · May 10, 2011 · 48.03 ft · Major
- CaruthersvilleMO · May 7, 2011 · 47.61 ft · Major · its highest
- Cape GirardeauMO · May 3, 2011 · 46.28 ft · Major
- ThebesIL · May 3, 2011 · 45.52 ft · Major
- Baton RougeLA · May 12, 2011 · 43.13 ft · Major
- ChesterIL · May 2, 2011 · 39.74 ft · Moderate
April 24, 1927: 45.80 ft here, major flooding
- GreenvilleAR · Apr 21, 1927 · 65.40 ft · Major · its highest
- Arkansas CityAR · Apr 21, 1927 · 59.20 ft · Major · its highest
- HelenaAR · Apr 27, 1927 · 56.75 ft · Major
- New OrleansLA · Apr 25, 1927 · 21.00 ft · Major
- MemphisTN · Apr 23, 1927 · 45.80 ft · Moderate
- St. LouisMO · Apr 26, 1927 · 36.10 ft · Moderate
- AitkinMN · Apr 25, 1927 · 14.50 ft · Minor
Gauges on the Mississippi River
Flood gauges sharing the river's name, linked within 80 miles of one another.
| Tiptonville | MO | 48.35 ft, May 5, 2011 | 2 |
| Alma - Pool 5 | MN | 672.13 ft, Apr 16, 2001 | 0 |
| Alton | IL | 39.55 ft, Aug 1, 1993 | 7 |
| Baton Rouge | LA | 47.28 ft, May 15, 1927 | 31 |
| Bellevue | IL | 23.51 ft, Apr 26, 1965 | 11 |
| Brainerd | MN | 17.61 ft, Jun 28, 2012 | 0 |
| Brownsville | MN | 640.20 ft, Apr 22, 1965 | 0 |
| Burlington | IL | 25.73 ft, Jun 17, 2008 | 36 |
| Camanche | IA | 24.65 ft, Apr 28, 1965 | 20 |
| Canton Lock and Dam 20 | MO | 27.88 ft, Jul 9, 1993 | 3 |
| Cape Girardeau | MO | 48.86 ft, Jan 2, 2016 | 15 |
| Caruthersville | MO | 47.61 ft, May 7, 2011 | 2 |
| Chester | IL | 49.74 ft, Aug 7, 1993 | 9 |
| Clarksville Lock and Dam 24 | MO | 37.73 ft, Jul 29, 1993 | 10 |
| Clayton | IA | 627.28 ft, Apr 24, 1965 | 0 |
| Dakota | MN | 649.08 ft, Apr 21, 1965 | 0 |
| Donaldsonville | LA | 36.01 ft, May 15, 1927 | 3 |
| Dubuque (LD11) | IA | 25.69 ft, Apr 26, 1965 | 13 |
| Dubuque (Railroad Bridge) | IA | 26.81 ft, Apr 26, 1965 | 18 |
| Fort Ripley | MN | 14.15 ft, Apr 8, 1997 | 0 |
| Fridley abv 37th Ave NE | MN | 20.00 ft, Apr 17, 1965 | 6 |
| Fulton | IL | 24.75 ft, Apr 28, 1965 | 13 |
| Gladstone | IL | 22.46 ft, Jun 17, 2008 | 24 |
| Grafton | IL | 38.17 ft, Aug 1, 1993 | 15 |
| Gregory Landing | MO | 28.49 ft, Jul 9, 1993 | 4 |
| Hannibal | MO | 31.80 ft, Jul 15, 1993 | 10 |
| Helena | AR | 60.21 ft, Feb 12, 1937 | 4 |
| Herculaneum | MO | 29.79 ft, Jul 10, 2024 | 0 |
| Hickman | KY | 54.29 ft, May 2, 2011 | 3 |
| Hwy 169 at Champlin | MN | 17.96 ft, Apr 12, 1965 | 3 |
| Hwy 610 in Brooklyn Park | MN | 19.53 ft, Apr 17, 1965 | 4 |
| Illinois City | IA | 24.10 ft, Jul 9, 1993 | 21 |
| Keithsburg | IA | 24.49 ft, Jun 17, 2008 | 22 |
| Keokuk | IA | 27.58 ft, Jul 10, 1993 | 24 |
| La Crosse - Pool 8 | WI | 17.89 ft, Apr 22, 1965 | 4 |
| LaGrange | MO | 30.00 ft, Jul 13, 1993 | 4 |
| Lake City | WI | 22.18 ft, Apr 19, 1965 | 3 |
| Lansing - Pool 9 | IA | 22.50 ft, Apr 24, 1965 | 1 |
| LeClaire | IA | 17.75 ft, Apr 28, 1965 | 16 |
| Louisiana | MO | 28.40 ft, Jul 28, 1993 | 4 |
| McGregor | IA | 25.38 ft, Apr 24, 1965 | 3 |
| Mel Price (Alton) Lock and Dam | IL | 42.72 ft, Aug 1, 1993 | 8 |
| Memphis | TN | 48.70 ft, Feb 10, 1937 | 2 |
| Muscatine | IA | 25.61 ft, Jul 9, 1993 | 21 |
| Natchez | MS | 61.95 ft, May 19, 2011 | 6 |
| New Boston | IL | 25.90 ft, Jul 9, 1993 | 22 |
| New Madrid | MO | 48.35 ft, May 6, 2011 | 4 |
| New Orleans | LA | 21.27 ft, Apr 25, 1922 | 5 |
| Osceola this gauge | AR | 50.90 ft, Feb 7, 1937 | 42 |
| Quincy | IL | 32.13 ft, Jul 13, 1993 | 7 |
| Quincy Lock and Dam 21 | IL | 31.30 ft, Jul 13, 1993 | 7 |
| Red River Landing | LA | 63.39 ft, May 18, 2011 | 0 |
| Red Wing | MN | 20.70 ft, Apr 18, 1965 | 9 |
| Reserve | LA | 26.00 ft, Jun 11, 1929 | 1 |
| Rock Island | IL | 22.70 ft, May 2, 2019 | 20 |
| Saverton Lock and Dam 22 | MO | 29.58 ft, Jul 25, 1993 | 9 |
| St. Cloud | MN | 11.44 ft, Apr 8, 1997 | 1 |
| St. Louis | MO | 49.58 ft, Aug 1, 1993 | 9 |
| St. Paul | MN | 26.01 ft, Apr 16, 1965 | 16 |
| Thebes | IL | 47.74 ft, Jan 2, 2016 | 12 |
| Tunica Mhoon Landing | MS | 53.20 ft, Feb 10, 1937 | 5 |
| Vicksburg | LA | 57.10 ft, May 19, 2011 | 12 |
| Wabasha - Pool 4 | MN | 20.05 ft, Apr 19, 1965 | 7 |
| Winfield Lock and Dam 25 | MO | 39.62 ft, Aug 1, 1993 | 9 |
| Winona - Pool 6 | MN | 20.77 ft, Apr 19, 1965 | 5 |
| Lock and Dam 10 - Guttenberg | IA | 23.65 ft, Apr 24, 1965 | 2 |
| Lock and Dam 2 - Hastings | MN | 25.90 ft, Apr 17, 1965 | 12 |
| Lock and Dam 3 - Red Wing | MN | 687.77 ft, Apr 19, 1965 | 8 |
| Lock and Dam 4 - Alma | WI | 19.78 ft, Apr 19, 1965 | 2 |
| Lock and Dam 5 - Minnesota City | MN | 667.85 ft, Apr 19, 1965 | 4 |
| Lock and Dam 5a - Winona | MN | 663.35 ft, Apr 19, 1965 | 4 |
| Lock and Dam 6 - Trempealeau | MN | 653.02 ft, Apr 21, 1965 | 4 |
| Lock and Dam 7 - La Crescent | MN | 647.38 ft, Apr 21, 1965 | 2 |
| Lock and Dam 8 - Genoa | WI | 638.40 ft, Apr 22, 1965 | 3 |
| Lock and Dam 9 - Lynxville | WI | 633.16 ft, Apr 24, 1965 | 3 |
| Aitkin | MN | 22.49 ft, May 20, 1950 | 11 |
| Arkansas City | AR | 59.20 ft, Apr 21, 1927 | 15 |
| Greenville | AR | 65.40 ft, Apr 21, 1927 | 18 |
Mississippi County: every hazard · River floods across the country · Arkansas
NOAA National Water Prediction Service, gauge OSGA4, retrieved October 30, 2026. Stages in feet on the gauge's own datum, not elevation. Crests are as the National Weather Service lists them; preliminary values may be revised.