Mississippi River at St. Louis
Highest listed crest 49.58 ftFlood stage 30.0 ft152 crests since 1785
The Mississippi River at St. Louis crested at major flood stage 9 times among the 152 crests the National Weather Service lists from 1785 to 2026. The highest, 49.58 ft on August 1, 1993, was major flooding, 19.58 feet above flood stage. 10 other gauges on the Mississippi River crested above flood stage within a week of it, 8 at their own highest listed crest.
The gauge
- Highest listed crest
- 49.58 ft
- August 1, 1993; 1,070,000 cubic feet per second
- Flood stage
- 30.0 ft
- Major flooding from 40.0 ft
- Crests at major
- 9
- 21st of 173 gauges in Missouri
- Most recent flood crest
- July 10, 2024
- 32.33 ft, minor flooding
Flood stages
The thresholds the National Weather Service uses for this gauge today, and how many listed crests reached each.
| Action stage | 28.0 | 7 | May 1, 2026 |
| Flood stage (minor) | 30.0 | 109 | Jul 10, 2024 |
| Moderate flood stage | 35.0 | 23 | Jul 1, 2015 |
| Major flood stage | 40.0 | 9 | Jun 9, 2019 |
Every listed crest
152 crests from 1785 to 2026. 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.
- 3 crests measured on an earlier gauge datum are left out: 41.32 ft on Jun 27, 1844; 38.94 ft on May 24, 1943; 40.28 ft on Jul 21, 1951.
Highest crests
The 50 highest of 152 listed crests.
| 1 | Aug 1, 1993 | 49.58 | +19.58 | Major |
| 2 | Jun 9, 2019 | 46.02 | +16.02 | Major |
| 3 | Apr 28, 1973 | 43.23 | +13.23 | Major |
| 4 | Jan 1, 2016 | 42.52 | +12.52 | Major |
| 5 | Apr 1, 1785 | 42.00 | +12.00 | Major |
| 6 | May 22, 1995 | 41.89 | +11.89 | Major |
| 7 | May 6, 2017 | 41.70 | +11.70 | Major |
| 8 | Jun 4, 2013 | 40.52 | +10.52 | Major |
| 9 | Jul 2, 1947 | 40.30 | +10.30 | Major |
| 10 | Dec 7, 1982 | 39.27 | +9.27 | Moderate |
| 11 | May 4, 1983 | 39.20 | +9.20 | Moderate |
| 12 | Apr 30, 1944 | 39.14 | +9.14 | Moderate |
| 13 | Oct 9, 1986 | 39.13 | +9.13 | Moderate |
| 14 | Oct 1, 1993 | 38.91 | +8.91 | Moderate |
| 15 | Jul 1, 2008 | 38.67 | +8.67 | Moderate |
| 16 | Jul 1, 2015 | 38.45 | +8.45 | Moderate |
| 17 | Jun 10, 1903 | 38.00 | +8.00 | Moderate |
| 18 | Apr 14, 1979 | 37.79 | +7.79 | Moderate |
| 19 | May 17, 2002 | 37.34 | +7.34 | Moderate |
| 20 | Sep 18, 2008 | 36.72 | +6.72 | Moderate |
| 21 | Apr 15, 1994 | 36.61 | +6.61 | Moderate |
| 22 | Jun 10, 1851 | 36.60 | +6.60 | Moderate |
| 23 | Apr 17, 1993 | 36.60 | +6.60 | Moderate |
| 24 | Apr 10, 1983 | 36.50 | +6.50 | Moderate |
| 25 | Apr 26, 1927 | 36.10 | +6.10 | Moderate |
| 26 | May 19, 1892 | 36.00 | +6.00 | Moderate |
| 27 | Apr 25, 2013 | 35.45 | +5.45 | Moderate |
| 28 | Jun 2, 1996 | 35.35 | +5.35 | Moderate |
| 29 | Apr 21, 1945 | 35.30 | +5.30 | Moderate |
| 30 | Jun 13, 1945 | 35.30 | +5.30 | Moderate |
| 31 | Jul 16, 1909 | 35.25 | +5.25 | Moderate |
| 32 | Jun 28, 2010 | 35.18 | +5.18 | Moderate |
| 33 | Jun 20, 1908 | 34.95 | +4.95 | Minor |
| 34 | May 1, 2011 | 34.93 | +4.93 | Minor |
| 35 | Jun 26, 1943 | 34.90 | +4.90 | Minor |
| 36 | May 20, 2010 | 34.83 | +4.83 | Minor |
| 37 | Jun 25, 1883 | 34.80 | +4.80 | Minor |
| 38 | Jun 10, 2001 | 34.79 | +4.79 | Minor |
| 39 | Mar 27, 1948 | 34.63 | +4.63 | Minor |
| 40 | Apr 28, 1929 | 34.60 | +4.60 | Minor |
| 41 | Jun 30, 1942 | 34.48 | +4.48 | Minor |
| 42 | Feb 28, 1985 | 34.40 | +4.40 | Minor |
| 43 | Apr 28, 1947 | 34.30 | +4.30 | Minor |
| 44 | Apr 24, 1984 | 34.02 | +4.02 | Minor |
| 45 | Apr 20, 1922 | 33.95 | +3.95 | Minor |
| 46 | Jul 2, 2011 | 33.89 | +3.89 | Minor |
| 47 | Apr 29, 1952 | 33.83 | +3.83 | Minor |
| 48 | May 16, 1996 | 33.80 | +3.80 | Minor |
| 49 | Apr 10, 1960 | 33.78 | +3.78 | Minor |
| 50 | May 5, 1881 | 33.65 | +3.65 | Minor |
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.
August 1, 1993: 49.58 ft here, major flooding
- ChesterIL · Aug 7, 1993 · 49.74 ft · Major · its highest
- Cape GirardeauMO · Aug 8, 1993 · 48.49 ft · Major
- ThebesIL · Aug 7, 1993 · 45.51 ft · Major
- Mel Price (Alton) Lock and DamIL · Aug 1, 1993 · 42.72 ft · Major · its highest
- Winfield Lock and Dam 25MO · Aug 1, 1993 · 39.62 ft · Major · its highest
- AltonIL · Aug 1, 1993 · 39.55 ft · Major · its highest
- GraftonIL · Aug 1, 1993 · 38.17 ft · Major · its highest
- Clarksville Lock and Dam 24MO · Jul 29, 1993 · 37.73 ft · Major · its highest
- Saverton Lock and Dam 22MO · Jul 25, 1993 · 29.58 ft · Major · its highest
- LouisianaMO · Jul 28, 1993 · 28.40 ft · Major · its highest
June 9, 2019: 46.02 ft here, major flooding
- ChesterIL · Jun 10, 2019 · 46.52 ft · Major
- Cape GirardeauMO · Jun 11, 2019 · 46.36 ft · Major
- ThebesIL · Jun 11, 2019 · 43.66 ft · Major
- Mel Price (Alton) Lock and DamIL · Jun 9, 2019 · 39.01 ft · Major
- Winfield Lock and Dam 25MO · Jun 4, 2019 · 38.59 ft · Major
- Clarksville Lock and Dam 24MO · Jun 2, 2019 · 37.11 ft · Major
- AltonIL · Jun 9, 2019 · 35.30 ft · Major
- GraftonIL · Jun 7, 2019 · 35.17 ft · Major
- HannibalMO · Jun 2, 2019 · 30.16 ft · Major
- Saverton Lock and Dam 22MO · Jun 2, 2019 · 28.48 ft · Major
April 28, 1973: 43.23 ft here, major flooding
- Cape GirardeauMO · May 1, 1973 · 45.50 ft · Major
- ThebesIL · Apr 30, 1973 · 43.43 ft · Major
- ChesterIL · Apr 30, 1973 · 43.32 ft · Major
- Winfield Lock and Dam 25MO · Apr 27, 1973 · 36.93 ft · Major
- Mel Price (Alton) Lock and DamIL · Apr 28, 1973 · 36.89 ft · Major
- Clarksville Lock and Dam 24MO · Apr 24, 1973 · 36.76 ft · Major
- GraftonIL · Apr 28, 1973 · 33.12 ft · Major
- QuincyIL · Apr 25, 1973 · 28.90 ft · Major
- Quincy Lock and Dam 21IL · Apr 25, 1973 · 27.70 ft · Major
- LouisianaMO · Apr 24, 1973 · 27.05 ft · Major
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 | 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 this gauge | 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 |
St. Louis city: every hazard · River floods across the country · Missouri
NOAA National Water Prediction Service, gauge EADM7, 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.