East Fork White River near Bedford

1. 47.50 ftApproximate elevation of the March 1913 flood. Water is at the ceiling in the Bedford Boat Club. Unbelievable destruction in Lawrence County to residences, bridges and roads. This flood level may impact the Bedford Water Pumping Station. Bedford Wastewater Plant remains safe.
2. 40.00 ftThe greatest flood since March 1913. Although the number of people directly affected is small, they lose everything.
3. 38.00 ftFlood waters begin to enter the Bedford Boat Club. Only the flood of March 1913 higher than this flood. Many rural areas suffer extensive flood damage.
4. 36.00 ftA serious flood is in progress. Local bridges of county roads are threatened. Residents living in areas below the 1913 flood are threatened. At this level and higher, flood waters may impact the Bedford Water Pumping Station.
5. 34.00 ftA major flood is in progress. Evacuation of more than 40 homes and 100 residents is necessary. River gage is difficult to reach. Bedford Boat Club is closed because of locally dangerous flood waters.
6. 32.50 ftFlooding affects more than 40 homes and over 100 Lawrence County residents in the Fort Ritner, the Fort Ritner Museum, White River Cabins near Williams, low areas of East Oolitic and locally known Chase Riffle and Palestine.
7. 32.00 ftHigh water begins to cover lower knolls. The Bedford Boat Club surrounded by high water. Water begins to cut off access to river gage. A number of rural homes flood.
8. 31.50 ftExtensive backwater from East Fork White River flooding low areas of East Oolitic north of Bedford. Flooding of at least two homes just south of State Road 158 bridge. Numerous local roads flooded.
9. 31.30 ftLocal roads in the Bedford area along Salt Creek and Little Salt Creek flooded by 2 to 3 feet because of backwater from the East Fork White River during March 2008.
10. 31.00 ftDuring March 2008 water over Stumphole Bottom Road at the bridge of the river on the left bank. Stumphole Bottom Road flooded extensively at the railroad underpass as one approached Williams. Backwater near Stumphole Road close to its junction with Twins Pond Road. Twins Pond Road floods during times of heavy rain, but not because of the river.
11. 30.50 ftVehicle access to Bedford Boat Club blocked by high water. Members must park on a hill and walk in.
12. 30.00 ftExtensive flood of South I street in Bedford. Salt Creek extensively flooded from the Patton Hill road area to the river. At least 2 homes just south of State Road 158 bridge have water in or near them.
13. 29.00 ftHigh water gradually affects higher ground. Thirty or so homes may have damage.
14. 28.50 ftEstimated level at when roads along Salt Creek and Little Salt Creek in the Bedford area began to flood during March 2008 because of local runoff and backwater from the East Fork White River.
15. 28.00 ftBackwater from Leatherwood Creek floods I street at the outskirts of Bedford. High water begins to affect some rural residents. Extensive backwater occurs along local streams.
16. 27.90 ftDuring the March 2008 flood the following roads were reported closed in article by the Bedford Times published on March 26, 2008 assuming the interview took place on March 25: Peerless Road, Lawrenceport Tunnelton Road, Pumphouse Road, Indiana Stote Road 450, Stumphole Bridge Road, Mill Creek Road, Earl Road, Dillon Road, River Road and Rager Road.
17. 26.00 ftIn Lawrence County, only State Road 37/U.S. Highway 50 is open across the East Fork White River flood plain.
18. 25.70 ftWater is at the horizontal handrail at the bottom of the steps at the Bedford Boat Club.
19. 25.00 ftExtensive lowland flooding is in progress. Bedford boat club is accessed by boat only. Some local residents walk to their homes. Several roads are closed including SR 450 east of Williams and Stumphole Bridge Rd. in Western Lawrence County.
20. 24.00 ftLimited parking at Bedford Boat Club. Flood waters cover much of the parking lot and are too deep to drive in.
21. 23.70 ftDuring the Late March 2008 flood, the Bedford Times reported the following County Roads still flooded; River Road, entire road; Bartlettsville Road, by the bridge and in the bottoms; Judah-Logan Road, by the bridge; Logan Bottoms, the gravel part; Donica Church Road, between Logan Bottom and the hill; Peerless Road, by Mica Metals; Little Salt Creek Run; Stumphole Bridge Road near Indiana State Road 450; Huron-Williams Road; Lawrenceport Road; Rivervale Road and Earl Road.
22. 23.50 ftBedford Boat Club Parking Lot covered with water.
23. 23.00 ftAlmost all county roads are impassible in the East Fork White flood plain. State Road 37/U.S. Highway 50 is likely the only road open across flood plain in Lawrence County.
24. 22.50 ftWater is near the center of the road at the first curve out of the Bedford Boat Club.
25. 21.20 ftAt this level during December 2013 backwater reached the tailwater of Lake Monroe as Salt Creek stopped falling. The crest of the river followed 2 days later and reached 27.6 feet at Bedford and caused Salt Creek to rise nearly 6 feet at the tailwater of Monroe Lake.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.

Most recent crests

• May 24, 2026: 23.90 ft
• March 30, 2023: 25.70 ft
• March 5, 2021: 21.80 ft
• March 24, 2020: 26.30 ft
• June 22, 2019: 28.60 ft
• April 25, 2019: 23.50 ft
• February 12, 2019: 29.00 ft
• November 7, 2018: 19.40 ft
• September 15, 2018: 18.50 ft
• April 7, 2018: 27.50 ft

• UpstreamEast Fork White River at Rivervale
• DownstreamEast Fork White River at Williams
• Salt Creek (IN) at Harrodsburg
• Salt Creek (IN) at Monroe Lake
• East Fork White River at Sparksville
• Beaver Creek (IN) at Shoals
• Lost River (IN) at Prospect
• East Fork White River at Shoals

Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. Gauge reading only in high-water situations. Stage measured manually and reported by river observer. No automated gauge on-site.

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service.