Amite River at Denham Springs
Louisiana · Flood watch
Measured at USGS 07378500 — Amite River near Denham Springs, LA · NWS forecast point DENL1
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:15 PM UTC
Well below normal for the date
At 466 CFS, this gauge is running 58% of normal for late July — below the 801 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 87 years of record (1938–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Denham Springs
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge DENL1, issued by WFO LIX. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
-
Major flood 39.0 ft
- 39.0 ft Widespread major flooding can be expected in subdivisions along Tiger Bend Road, Antioch Road, Eliot Road, and in Woodcrest and Stevendale Estates in Old Jefferson.
- 41.5 ft Widespread flooding of the area between Range Avenue in Denham Springs, west to Airline Highway in Baton Rouge, is expected. Significant flood reached this level in April 1983.
- 46.2 ft Flood of Record on August 14, 2016. At this level, widespread flooding will occur with most roads, including Interstate 12 and LA Hwy 190, inundated. Approximately 90 percent of the homes will be flooded, along with businesses and other buildings.
-
Moderate flood 35.0 ft
- 35.0 ft There will be moderate flooding of areas around Clay Cut Bayou, Jones Creek, and Honey Cut Bayou. In Denham Springs the area west of Florida Avenue will be subject to flooding.
- 38.2 ft Tropical Storm Allison - June 2001
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Minor flood 29.0 ft
- 29.0 ft Flooding will begin in the westernmost parts of Denham Springs.
- 30.0 ft Flooding will begin in the westernmost parts of Denham Springs. River Road at the foot of Benton Lane will flood.
-
Action 26.0 ft
- Right now 10.21 ft
NWS forecast: 10.30 ft by Jul 29, 6:00 AM UTC.
12 months of flow at Denham Springs
Daily values from USGS gauge 07378500. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Denham Springs
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 46.20 ft | — | Aug 14, 2016 |
| 41.50 ft | 112,000 CFS | Apr 8, 1983 |
| 41.08 ft | 110,000 CFS | Apr 23, 1977 |
| 39.88 ft | 96,700 CFS | Jan 27, 1990 |
| 39.27 ft | 93,000 CFS | Mar 15, 1921 |
| 38.34 ft | 83,500 CFS | Jun 9, 2001 |
| 38.15 ft | 81,900 CFS | Jan 22, 1993 |
| 36.70 ft | 68,600 CFS | Apr 24, 1979 |
| 36.50 ft | 60,200 CFS | Mar 27, 1973 |
| 36.33 ft | 67,000 CFS | May 20, 1953 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Amite River at Denham Springs
This is the reference gauge for Amite River at Denham Springs, Louisiana. It is the reading local emergency managers, the National Weather Service and residents watch when the river comes up.
The 2016 flood benchmark gauge.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 801 CFS for late July, from 87 years of record.
Because the National Weather Service also operates a forecast point here, the page carries the official flood-category ladder and the NWS's own stage-by-stage impact statements.
Amite River at Denham Springs — common questions
What is the current flow on Amite River at Denham Springs?
As of the last reading on this page, Amite River at Denham Springs was running 466 CFS at a gage height of 10.21 ft, or 58% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 07378500, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 801 CFS, calculated from 87 years of record (1938–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
What is flood stage at Denham Springs?
The National Weather Service sets minor flood stage at this gauge at 29.0 ft, moderate at 35.0 ft, and major at 39.0 ft. Action stage — the level at which agencies begin preparing — is 26.0 ft. The ladder on this page shows each threshold against the current reading.
What happens at each flood stage here?
The National Weather Service publishes 7 stage-by-stage impact statements for this gauge, describing what specific roads, properties and structures are affected at each level. They are reproduced verbatim on this page, lowest to highest. They are NWS descriptions, not riverlvl's.
Is there a forecast for this gauge?
Yes. This is an NWS forecast point, so the chart shows the observed hydrograph running into the official National Weather Service forecast. Forecasts are issued by the local Weather Forecast Office (LIX) and updated through the day during high water.