Black River at Pocahontas, AR
River level and flood forecast · Randolph County
Normal0.6 ftas of Mon 2 PM
The river is 16.4 ft below flood stage (17 ft).
Forecast to fall to 0.3 ft by Sat, Oct 17, 7 AM.
Flow: 1,640 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 10:17 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 25 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 22 ft |
| Flood stage | 17 ft |
| Action stage | 16 ft |
| Record crest (May 3, 2017) | 28.95 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 28 ftSimilar conditions to record flood event in April 2011 when river crested at 28.47 feet. Patrolling of levees become necessary.
- 26 ftRiver crested March 2008 at 26.5 feet. Much of the area around Pocahontas was flooded. U. S. Highway 67 floods between Pocahontas and Walnut Ridge. Running water levee overtopped. Numerous homes impacted by flooding or flooded access.
- 25 ftMajor flooding begins, residential flooding in Eastern Pocahontas, evacuations may be needed. April 2025 crest was 25.68 ft. Residential and business property along the Fourche, Black, and Current rivers will flood. Jansen Trail Road will become flooded and some homes may become impacted.
- 24 ftWithout temporary levee, water could be rising near homes along Pace Street. State Highway 166 and 328 flooded. Riverfront Park is flooded and water will be rising near businesses on West bank of river at U. S. Highway 67 Bridge. Homes along State Highway 166 flooded. Lower portions of Jansen Trail Road will become impacted. Property on Current River at U. S. Highway 67 bridge also flooded.
- 23 ftWater around homes on State Highway 166. State Highway 166 and 328 may be flooded. Riverfront Park flooded. Several homes, cabins, and business at the State Highway 67 Bridge over the Current River are surrounded by water. Water getting near Pace Street at the north end of airport.
- 22 ftModerate flood level, flooding on Fourche River, Pettit Creek, and Mill Creek. North fringe of airport may be flooding. High water on the Fourche River may be affecting State Highways 328 and 166. Houses along State Highway 166 may have water near foundations. Riverfront Park is partially flooded.
- 20 ftFlooding of backwater up tributaries is spreading into lands along the Current, Fourche, and Black rivers. Water is spreading towards the northern edge of the airport.
- 17 ftAgricultural lands along the river east and south of Pocahontas will be impacted by high water. Equipment and livestock should be moved to higher ground.
Highest crests on record
- 28.95 ft — May 3, 2017
- 28.47 ft — April 28, 2011
- 27.9 ft — August 4, 1915
- 26.56 ft — March 22, 2008
- 25.9 ft — April 17, 1927
Recent crests: 20.54 ft (April 22, 2025) · 25.68 ft (April 9, 2025) · 17.36 ft (December 31, 2024) · 18.56 ft (November 10, 2024) · 17.5 ft (May 30, 2024)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (POCA4); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.