Ohio River Begins Slow But Steady Retreat

Flood-weary residents along the Ohio River can finally look forward to receding waters, but it could take almost two weeks for the river to get back to normal levels.

The river gauge at Paducah's riverfront had been hovering just below major flood stage all last week at around 51 feet. The level slipped to 49.46 feet by 9pm on Sunday, and 48.84 feet at 5am Monday.

The river at Paducah is forecast to fall below flood stage of 39 feet by next Saturday, but "normal" levels below 32 feet will not be seen until after Tuesday, March 20.

At the Ohio's conjunction with the Mississippi River at Cairo, the river was near 55 feet early last week. As of Sunday night the Ohio level was 53.46 feet, and 53.19 feet at 5am Monday. The river is forecast to get back below flood stage of 40 feet by next Monday, March 19. 

The level of 32 feet -- where Cairo would stop all pumping operations -- will not be reached until around March 23rd.

On the Net:

Ohio River gauge forecast at Paducah