River stage
Monroe, Ouachita River
- River level
- 18.35 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.13 ft
- Recent high
- 22.40 ft
- Recent low
- 18.08 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS MLUL1
- 30-day change
- -0.01 ft
- Average
- 18.56 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 50.81 ft
In brief
The Ouachita River at Monroe, LA read 18.35 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 17.15 ft below action stage. That is 0.01 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge MLUL1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 50.81 ft | 1958-05-22 |
| 2 | 50.78 ft | 1945-04-15 |
| 3 | 50.48 ft | 1991-05-04 |
| 4 | 50.10 ft | 1932-02-02 |
| 5 | 48.70 ft | 1885-01-19 |
| 6 | 48.60 ft | 1927-05-04 |
| 7 | 48.60 ft | 1973-05-07 |
| 8 | 47.80 ft | 2009-11-10 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 34.00 ft
The Forsythe Recreational Area closes, otherwise no other flooding occurs in the Monroe area until a stage of 36 feet.
- 36.00 ft
Both the Forsythe and Lazarre recreational areas flood and close with very minor lowland flooding immediately next to the river.
- 40.00 ft
Minor backwater flooding affects small bayous that drain into the Ouachita River along with minor lowland flooding between levee systems.
- 43.00 ft
The Bawcomville and Moon Lake recreational areas flood and close.
- 45.00 ft
The Prairon Bayou recreational area floods and closes. Lowland flooding becomes extensive at this stage between levees.
- 47.50 ft
Water floods the underclearance of the Desiard Street bridge. Major lowland flooding occurs between the levee systems.
- 49.00 ft
Major flooding between the levees occurs and the floodwall gap must be closed on the East Monroe side of the river.
- 54.40 ft
Catastrophic flooding occurrs with water overtopping numerous levees in the Monroe area. High water laps at the bottom of the U.S. Highway 80 bridge.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Ouachita River flooding at Monroe?
No. The Ouachita River at Monroe is at 18.35 ft, 17.15 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Monroe?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 35.5 ft, minor flooding 40 ft, moderate flooding 43 ft and major flooding 45 ft.
What is the highest the Ouachita River has been at Monroe?
The highest crest on record is 50.81 ft, on 1958-05-22.
Is the Ouachita River high or low right now at Monroe?
At 18.35 ft it is higher than 54% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge MLUL1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 07367005). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.