A forecast update provided today by our colleagues from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (LMRFC) is here.  The stages at New Orleans (Carrollton Gage) will continue to slowly rise until cresting at 12.7 feet on March 20, 2022 before beginning a steady fall to 9.9 feet on April 7, 2022.   

The following details are reproduced from the attached report:

“All locations on the lower Ohio River are slowly falling.  Moderate flooding should end today at Olmsted Lock & Dam.  Minor flooding will continue on the lower Ohio River for a couple of more weeks. 

On the lower Mississippi River, cresting conditions are approaching Helena, AR and minor flooding should end between New Madrid, MO to Mhoon Landing, MS by the end of next week.  Minor flooding will continue at Natchez, MS and Red River Landing, LA for two to three more weeks. 

Cresting conditions are not expected at New Orleans, LA for another 1 ½ weeks.

Rainfall over the next 7 days may cause isolated minor flooding on the smaller tributaries in Mississippi, north Alabama, and Tennessee.  The rainfall should not impact crests on the lower Mississippi River.

The 16 day future rainfall guidance shows recessions on the lower Ohio River during the next couple of weeks and steady conditions for the end of the month.   At this time, the guidance does not show any renewed rises on the lower Ohio and lower Mississippi Rivers.”