The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Lower Mississippi River Forecast Center (LMRFC) released this update to document the low river stage conditions. The LMRFC provided the quoted text below along with the attachment to update historic low water readings and updated river stage predictions from Cairo (IL) to Baton Rouge (LA).

“We have only minor changes to report from the issuance last week. Cairo stages have been fairly stable with minor daily fluctuations of about 1 ft with minimums around Noon and maximums around Midnight. After the next few days we are anticipating a gradual average decrease in stages at Cairo. 

Our official forecast with 48 hour forecasted rainfall and longer range outlook with 16-days of future forecast rainfall are still not picking up on any significant additional rainfall over the next two weeks that will slow recessions.

Stages on the lower end of the Mississippi below Baton Rouge will continue to be moderated by winds and tides.

The Climate Prediction Center outlooks for the 8-14 day, one month and three month outlooks are calling for Normal to Below Normal conditions over the Ohio and Upper Mississippi. ” (Emphasis supplied)

The supporting information below was prepared by the Big River Coalition:

The Carrolton Gage (New Orleans) reading at 1100 hours today was 3.56 feet with a 24-hour change of + 0.62 feet.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) National Weather Service Extended Streamflow Prediction (28-Day) for the Carrollton Gage issued today forecasts stages will continue a slow fall to 2.8 feet on October 2 (2024).
Long-range forecasts only include precipitation expected to fall in the next 48-hours.