River stage
Portsmouth, Ohio River
- River level
- 23.46 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +7.58 ft
- Recent high
- 37.51 ft
- Recent low
- 15.31 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS PORO1
- 30-day change
- +0.65 ft
- Average
- 19.79 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 74.23 ft
In brief
The Ohio River at Portsmouth, OH read 23.46 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 11.54 ft below action stage. That is 0.65 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge PORO1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 74.23 ft | 1937-01-27 |
| 2 | 67.90 ft | 1913-03-31 |
| 3 | 66.26 ft | 1884-02-12 |
| 4 | 64.90 ft | 1945-03-09 |
| 5 | 64.10 ft | 1948-04-17 |
| 6 | 61.20 ft | 1943-01-03 |
| 7 | 60.80 ft | 1907-03-18 |
| 8 | 60.80 ft | 1964-03-12 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 42.00 ft
Lane restrictions and closings occur at the ramp to west Route 52 from State Route 239, with flooding possibly made worse if the Scioto River is also flooded. High water also affects eastbound Route 73 between Second Street and Route 852.
- 49.00 ft
Lowland flooding affects southern Scioto County. Backwater flooding begins into the Scioto River, as well as along smaller creeks and streams. State Route 73 is closed near the river.
- 50.00 ft
Lowland flooding affects southern Scioto County. Backwater flooding occurs into the Scioto River, as well as along smaller creeks flowing into the Ohio River. Flood waters expand across route 73, as well as State Route 239. Much of Portsmouth itself is protected by flood walls.
- 51.00 ft
Low-lying flooding occurs along the southern border of Scioto County, as well as in South Portsmouth. Routes 73 and 239 are closed near the Ohio River. Much of Portsmouth itself is protected by flood walls.
- 53.00 ft
Backwater flooding on tributaries occurs, with low lying impacts and flooding of some county roads. Riverfront homes near Shannoah Lane near Ziegler Lane become surrounded by water with some homes flooded by several feet of water.
- 55.00 ft
Backwater flooding affects portions of Sciotoville, New Boston and other sections outside of the flood wall area. Backwater flooding along Pond Creek near West Portsmouth floods some county roads.
- 56.00 ft
Flooding through Scioto County continues, with water entering lower levels of homes in Fullerton. Portions of Route 52 are closed due to flooding.
- 60.00 ft
The low area along Main Street in Fullerton, Ohio becomes flooded. More homes are affected by flood waters in South Portsmouth. Long stretches of Route 52 are flooded.
- 62.00 ft
Water rises onto the east end of the Scioto River Bridge, and significant flooding occurs in many areas outside of Portsmouth in Scioto and Adams Counties along the Ohio River. Areas hardest hit include South Portsmouth, Fullerton and low-lying areas near Friendship.
- 66.00 ft
This is approximately the FEMA 1 percent flood. Route 52 is under water through much of the region, with homes flooded along 52 and between 52 and the river. Backwater flooding also affects low areas of Friendship and West Portsmouth, Ohio. Structures in the bottom land of Kentucky between Route 8 and the river flood. Backwater flooding up Kinney Creek floods low areas near Garrison KY, with nearly all of Vanceburg flooded.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ohio River flooding at Portsmouth?
No. The Ohio River at Portsmouth is at 23.46 ft, 11.54 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Portsmouth?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 35 ft, minor flooding 50 ft, moderate flooding 57 ft and major flooding 66 ft.
What is the highest the Ohio River has been at Portsmouth?
The highest crest on record is 74.23 ft, on 1937-01-27.
Is the Ohio River high or low right now at Portsmouth?
At 23.46 ft it is higher than 82% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge PORO1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03217200). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.