Tensas River River Levels

Last Updated: December 4, 2025

The Tensas River is located in Louisiana and Mississippi and spans approximately 250 miles.


Summary

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the reporting a streamflow rate of cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Tensas River, with a gauge stage of ft at this location. This river is monitored from 1 different streamgauging stations along the Tensas River, the highest being situated at an altitude of ft, the .

       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Tensas River At Tendal
USGS 07369500
80 cfs 7.78 ft -9.9
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Tensas River is a river in Louisiana in the United States. The river, known as Tensas Bayou in its upper reaches, begins in East Carroll Parish in the northeast corner of the state and runs roughly southwest for 177 miles (285 km) more or less in parallel with the Mississippi River. The Tensas River merges with the Ouachita River in Jonesville in Catahoula Parish to become the Black River, not to be confused with Black Lake in Natchitoches Parish in north central Louisiana.
For the twenty miles south of Interstate 20 between Delhi and Tallulah, the river winds its way through the Tensas River National Wildlife Refuge (in Madison, Franklin, and Tensas parishes), which was established in 1980 "for the preservation and development of environmental resources" about the river.
The name Tensas is derived from the historic indigenous Taensa people.