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 reading at the Carrollton Gage (New Orleans) at 1100 hours today was 11.72 feet with a change over the last 24-hours of – 0.09 feet. The forecast indicates a slow rise to cresting just below 12.0 feet over the weekend. The highest crest in 2022 to date on the Carrollton Gage was 13.82 feet which occurred on March 22 at 2100 hours. 

The following details are reproduced from the report:

“Last Friday, the lower Ohio River at Cairo, IL crested slightly below the 40.0ft flood stage level.  Significant falls are occurring on both the lower Ohio and the middle Mississippi Rivers.   

The crest on the lower Mississippi River is approaching the confluence with the Arkansas River.  The remaining downstream locations on the lower Mississippi River should crest within the next week.   

Minor flooding continues at Red River Landing, LA and it is expected to crest this weekend at 49.5ft.   

Natchez, MS is expected to crest slightly under the 48.0ft flood stage level for this weekend.

The 16 day future rainfall guidance doesn’t show much additional rainfall over the Ohio, Missouri, or middle Mississippi Valleys so guidance levels are similar to the official forecasts for the lower Ohio and lower Mississippi Rivers.  The guidance shows minor flooding ending at Red River Landing, LA by the end of May.”