Rivers in Indiana

St. Joseph River (MI/IN) at Elkhart

Elkhart County, IndianaNWS EKMI3USGS 04101000Syracuse office

Below flood stage
19.68ftStage

Observed Wed, Sep 30, 5:30 AM EDT

Flood stage
24.00 ft
Record crest
30.00 ft1908

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood27.00 ft
Moderate flood25.00 ft
Minor flood24.00 ft
Action23.00 ft
  1. 30.01 ftExtensive flooding occurs of commercial property along east Jackson Street. Flood water is 1 to 2 feet deep in some businesses with east Jackson Street nearly impassible.
  2. 30.00 ftResidential flooding from Second Street to and including South Shore Drive. Several city streets become impassible.
  3. 29.00 ftExtensive flooding of the commercial district along east Jackson Street is in progress.
  4. 28.00 ftExtensive street flooding is in progress.
  5. 27.00 ftWater begins to affect businesses on east Jackson Street. Flooding affects a few first floor residences in the South Shore Drive area across from the hospital.
  6. 25.00 ftBasement flooding begins in residential areas of the 6th Street area and along South Shore Drive.
  7. 24.00 ftIsland park in Elkhart and Kamm's Island in Mishawaka begin to flood.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, October to December

CategoryChance
Minor flooding12%
Moderate flooding7%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 25, 2026.

Crest history

10 crests on NOAA’s list since 1908.

#DateStage
1March 8, 190830.00 ft
2May 6, 201923.96 ft
3February 27, 202223.17 ft
4March 7, 202323.03 ft
5April 9, 201422.86 ft
6April 5, 201422.86 ft
7April 5, 201422.86 ft
8July 23, 201522.40 ft
9April 10, 201722.29 ft
10July 2, 202122.22 ft

Most recent crests

  • March 7, 2023: 23.03 ft
  • February 27, 2022: 23.17 ft
  • July 2, 2021: 22.22 ft
  • May 6, 2019: 23.96 ft
  • April 10, 2017: 22.29 ft
  • July 23, 2015: 22.40 ft
  • April 9, 2014: 22.86 ft
  • April 5, 2014: 22.86 ft
  • April 5, 2014: 22.86 ft
  • March 8, 1908: 30.00 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.

Sources

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.