Pearl River at Jackson
Mississippi · Flood watch
Measured at USGS 02486000 — PEARL RIVER AT JACKSON, MS · NWS forecast point JACM6
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:30 PM UTC
Well below normal for the date
At 183 CFS, this gauge is running 39% of normal for late July — below the 470 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 62 years of record (1962–2025).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Jackson
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge JACM6, issued by WFO JAN. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced verbatim.
-
Major flood 36.0 ft
- 38.0 ft A large number of homes are flooded in Northeast Jackson and water is in some buildings in Downtown Jackson.
- 43.3 ft Major flooding is occurring along the river from Northeast Jackson to Flowood toRichland and Byram.
-
Moderate flood 33.0 ft
- 33.0 ft Rosemary Road is closed. Sidney Street is impassable. There is water on West Street. The playing field off Westbrook Road is underwater. Water is on Nichols and Julienne streets in the Hightower Area; however, both are passable. Water is approaching packs auto detail shop on South West Street.
- 34.0 ft Dozens of additional streets flood in downtown Jackson.
- 35.0 ft Some businesses are affected near Town Creek. River waters will flood some of the streets of Northeast Jackson subdivisions which are close to the river and a number of additional streets in downtown Jackson.
- 35.4 ft Water approaches homes in the Hightower Area.
- 35.8 ft Water is close to entering homes in Northeast Jackson.
-
Minor flood 28.0 ft
- 28.0 ft Minor flooding of lowland near the river is occurring. Water begins to back up into several creeks and streams in the Jackson area.
- 29.0 ft Farmland in southern Rankin County begins to flood and water begins to affect home access near the river in the Byram area.
- 30.0 ft Water backs up into several creeks and streams in the Jackson area. Water is under some homes near the river in the Byram area.
- 31.0 ft Water begins to impact approaches to additional homes and businesses in the Byram area.
- 32.0 ft Water begins to affect businesses on South President and South Farish streets. Sidney Street is flooded.
-
Action 24.0 ft
- 24.0 ft The Jackson waste water treatment plant loses its natural outflow and must initiate pumping.
- 26.0 ft Roads near the river in Lefleurs Bluff State Park begin to flood.
- Right now 3.40 ft
NWS forecast: 3.50 ft by Jul 29, 6:00 AM UTC.
12 months of flow at Jackson
Daily values from USGS gauge 02486000. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Jackson
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 43.28 ft | 128,000 CFS | Apr 17, 1979 |
| 39.58 ft | 79,500 CFS | May 25, 1983 |
| 36.67 ft | 77,200 CFS | Feb 17, 2020 |
| 36.30 ft | 70,000 CFS | Dec 5, 1880 |
| 36.30 ft | 85,000 CFS | Mar 31, 1902 |
| 36.07 ft | — | Dec 7, 1982 |
| 36.04 ft | 66,100 CFS | Dec 21, 1961 |
| 36.00 ft | 80,000 CFS | Apr 25, 1874 |
| 35.74 ft | 50,400 CFS | Apr 3, 1976 |
| 35.70 ft | — | Jan 27, 1979 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Pearl River at Jackson
This is the reference gauge for Pearl River at Jackson, Mississippi. It is the reading local emergency managers, the National Weather Service and residents watch when the river comes up.
Recurring metro flood emergencies; Ross Barnett releases.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 470 CFS for late July, from 62 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.
Pearl River at Jackson — common questions
What is the current flow on Pearl River at Jackson?
As of the last reading on this page, Pearl River at Jackson was running 183 CFS at a gage height of 3.40 ft, or 39% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 02486000, 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 470 CFS, calculated from 62 years of record (1962–2025). 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 Jackson?
The National Weather Service sets minor flood stage at this gauge at 28.0 ft, moderate at 33.0 ft, and major at 36.0 ft. Action stage — the level at which agencies begin preparing — is 24.0 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 14 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 (JAN) and updated through the day during high water.