Mississippi River at Natchez
Highest listed crest 61.95 ftFlood stage 48.0 ft136 crests since 1903
The Mississippi River at Natchez crested at major flood stage 6 times among the 136 crests the National Weather Service lists from 1903 to 2022. The highest, 61.95 ft on May 19, 2011, was major flooding, 13.95 feet above flood stage. 12 other gauges on the Mississippi River crested above flood stage within a week of it, 2 at their own highest listed crest.
The gauge
- Highest listed crest
- 61.95 ft
- May 19, 2011
- Flood stage
- 48.0 ft
- Major flooding from 57.0 ft
- Crests at major
- 6
- 12th of 74 gauges in Mississippi
- Most recent flood crest
- March 19, 2022
- 49.77 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 | 38.0 | 75 | Oct 17, 2016 |
| Flood stage (minor) | 48.0 | 28 | Mar 19, 2022 |
| Moderate flood stage | 51.0 | 27 | Apr 15, 2021 |
| Major flood stage | 57.0 | 6 | Apr 15, 2020 |
Every listed crest
136 crests from 1903 to 2022. 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 136 listed crests.
| 1 | May 19, 2011 | 61.95 | +13.95 | Major |
| 2 | Feb 21, 1937 | 58.04 | +10.04 | Major |
| 3 | Mar 12, 2019 | 57.91 | +9.91 | Major |
| 4 | Apr 15, 2020 | 57.55 | +9.55 | Major |
| 5 | Mar 18, 2018 | 57.12 | +9.12 | Major |
| 6 | Apr 23, 2008 | 57.03 | +9.03 | Major |
| 7 | Jan 17, 2016 | 56.75 | +8.75 | Moderate |
| 8 | May 13, 1973 | 56.70 | +8.70 | Moderate |
| 9 | May 4, 1927 | 56.60 | +8.60 | Moderate |
| 10 | Mar 26, 1997 | 56.30 | +8.30 | Moderate |
| 11 | May 31, 1983 | 55.70 | +7.70 | Moderate |
| 12 | Apr 26, 1922 | 55.30 | +7.30 | Moderate |
| 13 | Apr 29, 1945 | 55.20 | +7.20 | Moderate |
| 14 | May 26, 2017 | 54.91 | +6.91 | Moderate |
| 15 | Apr 23, 1979 | 54.60 | +6.60 | Moderate |
| 16 | Jun 5, 1929 | 54.50 | +6.50 | Moderate |
| 17 | May 30, 2009 | 54.44 | +6.44 | Moderate |
| 18 | Apr 12, 1975 | 54.02 | +6.02 | Moderate |
| 19 | Feb 15, 1916 | 53.50 | +5.50 | Moderate |
| 20 | Mar 4, 1950 | 53.40 | +5.40 | Moderate |
| 21 | Jun 14, 1995 | 53.10 | +5.10 | Moderate |
| 22 | Apr 15, 2021 | 52.78 | +4.78 | Moderate |
| 23 | Jul 27, 2015 | 52.71 | +4.71 | Moderate |
| 24 | Apr 27, 1913 | 52.60 | +4.60 | Moderate |
| 25 | Mar 1, 1932 | 52.50 | +4.50 | Moderate |
| 26 | May 7, 1994 | 52.40 | +4.40 | Moderate |
| 27 | May 26, 1984 | 52.00 | +4.00 | Moderate |
| 28 | Apr 28, 1920 | 51.50 | +3.50 | Moderate |
| 29 | Jan 20, 1991 | 51.50 | +3.50 | Moderate |
| 30 | Jun 4, 2002 | 51.50 | +3.50 | Moderate |
| 31 | Apr 14, 1912 | 51.40 | +3.40 | Moderate |
| 32 | Mar 20, 2016 | 51.23 | +3.23 | Moderate |
| 33 | Feb 1, 2005 | 51.16 | +3.16 | Moderate |
| 34 | Feb 10, 1974 | 50.90 | +2.90 | Minor |
| 35 | May 25, 2013 | 50.70 | +2.70 | Minor |
| 36 | Jun 12, 1933 | 50.40 | +2.40 | Minor |
| 37 | Apr 21, 1935 | 50.40 | +2.40 | Minor |
| 38 | Mar 28, 1903 | 50.30 | +2.30 | Minor |
| 39 | Jun 1, 1961 | 50.20 | +2.20 | Minor |
| 40 | Apr 2, 2015 | 50.04 | +2.04 | Minor |
| 41 | May 2, 1991 | 50.00 | +2.00 | Minor |
| 42 | May 16, 1998 | 50.00 | +2.00 | Minor |
| 43 | Jun 10, 1990 | 49.90 | +1.90 | Minor |
| 44 | Apr 2, 2011 | 49.82 | +1.82 | Minor |
| 45 | Mar 19, 2022 | 49.77 | +1.77 | Minor |
| 46 | May 20, 1993 | 49.74 | +1.74 | Minor |
| 47 | Apr 27, 1993 | 49.70 | +1.70 | Minor |
| 48 | May 16, 1944 | 49.60 | +1.60 | Minor |
| 49 | Jun 3, 1996 | 49.50 | +1.50 | Minor |
| 50 | Feb 14, 1999 | 49.40 | +1.40 | 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.
May 19, 2011: 61.95 ft here, major flooding
- GreenvilleAR · May 16, 2011 · 64.22 ft · Major
- VicksburgLA · May 19, 2011 · 57.10 ft · Major · its highest
- HelenaAR · May 12, 2011 · 56.59 ft · Major
- Arkansas CityAR · May 16, 2011 · 53.14 ft · Major
- Baton RougeLA · May 18, 2011 · 45.01 ft · Major
- Red River LandingLA · May 18, 2011 · 63.39 ft · Moderate · its highest
- DonaldsonvilleLA · May 18, 2011 · 32.53 ft · Moderate
- Winfield Lock and Dam 25MO · May 19, 2011 · 26.01 ft · Minor
- ReserveLA · May 18, 2011 · 23.97 ft · Minor
- Mel Price (Alton) Lock and DamIL · May 24, 2011 · 22.17 ft · Minor
February 21, 1937: 58.04 ft here, major flooding
- Arkansas CityAR · Feb 14, 1937 · 53.90 ft · Major
- VicksburgLA · Feb 21, 1937 · 53.20 ft · Major
- Baton RougeLA · Feb 28, 1937 · 44.48 ft · Major
- Red River LandingLA · Feb 27, 1937 · 58.99 ft · Moderate
- DonaldsonvilleLA · Feb 27, 1937 · 33.29 ft · Moderate
- ReserveLA · Feb 26, 1937 · 25.60 ft · Moderate
- New OrleansLA · Feb 28, 1937 · 19.29 ft · Moderate
March 12, 2019: 57.91 ft here, major flooding
- VicksburgLA · Mar 12, 2019 · 51.47 ft · Major
- Arkansas CityAR · Mar 8, 2019 · 44.77 ft · Major
- Baton RougeLA · Mar 18, 2019 · 44.18 ft · Major
- Tunica Mhoon LandingMS · Mar 5, 2019 · 41.42 ft · Major
- Red River LandingLA · Mar 19, 2019 · 61.94 ft · Moderate
- GreenvilleAR · Mar 12, 2019 · 56.95 ft · Moderate
- DonaldsonvilleLA · Mar 19, 2019 · 32.07 ft · Moderate
- ReserveLA · Mar 18, 2019 · 24.07 ft · Moderate
- HelenaAR · Mar 6, 2019 · 49.65 ft · Minor
- Gregory LandingMO · Mar 11, 2019 · 15.60 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 this gauge | 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 | 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 |
Adams County: every hazard · River floods across the country · Mississippi
NOAA National Water Prediction Service, gauge NTZM6, 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.