Rivers in Indiana
Wabash River at Riverton
Below flood stage
8.84ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 3:00 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 15.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 10.20 ftFri, Sep 25, 2:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 29.36 ft1943
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 26.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 15.00 ft |
| Action | 10.00 ft |
- 30.00 ftRecord stage. A repeat of March 1913 flood flow would reach an estimated 31.5 feet.
- 29.00 ftFailure of Gill Township levee would flood thousands of acres including State Road 58 in western Sullivan County and railroad from Riverton to Merom Station.
- 28.00 ftWater level is nearing a record stage. The top of all levees is reached. Failure of a levee causes widespread flooding of rural areas and the towns of Russellville, Illinois and eastern portion of Palestine, Illinois. Illinois 33 about 2 miles south of Heathsville, Illinois begins to flood. River cabins are washing away. Many evacuations are necessary.
- 26.00 ftMajor flood in progress. Sandbagging possible in Hutsonville and on local levees. Gill Township Flood Gage at Riverton is installed. State Road 154 between Hutsonville and Graysville is closed. All river roads improved or otherwise are flooded, some by several feet of water. East side of Palestine extensively flooded including all of Leaverton Park. Wabash River levees on the Illinois side in Lawrence County Illinois may fail.
- 25.50 ftApproaching major flooding with sandbagging possible in Hutsonville and on local levees. Installation of Gill Township Flood Gage at Riverton is necessary if river continues to rise. State Road 154 between Hutsonville and Graysville is closed. All river roads improved or otherwise are flooded, some by several feet of water. East side of Palestine extensively flooded including all of Leaverton Park.
- 24.00 ftExtensive flooding is in progress. Most levees are at critical levels. Water level near the top of a few levees. High water begins to affect residences in eastern Palestine, Illinois and those along East River Road just southeast of Palestine. Some evacuations are necessary. Rodeo area in Leaverton Park begins to flood. Water near or over East River Road south of Palestine.
- 22.00 ftFlooding becomes more serious. Water is approaching critical levels on most levees. Flooding enters some river cabins. Flooding is at the outskirts of Palestine and Russellville, Illinois. Flood waters near Illinois 33 between Palestine and Hutsonville, Illinois. Many local river roads are flooded.
- 21.00 ftShortcut (gravel road) to Riverton floods at 20 to 21 feet as Wabash River backs up Turtle Creek a few miles south of Merom.
- 20.70 ftLeaverton Park at Palestine, Illinois extensively floods including the campground area. Rodeo area still dry at this level. Most if not all local unimproved roads leading to the Wabash River in the Palestine area are impassable by any land vehicle. Extensive backwater flooding of Minnow Slough, Sugar Creek and Lamotte Creek in Palestine area. Numerous river cabins surrounded by water across the river from Merom Bluff. Backyards of a few residences southeast of Palestine along East River Road flood.
- 20.00 ftExtensive flooding is in progress. Higher rural roads begin to flood. High water isolates many river cabins. Seep water becomes a problem.
- 18.50 ftHigh water surrounds elevated river cabins. County roads to these cabins are impassable. Agricultural flooding is in progress. Seep water develops behind levees.
- 18.00 ftExtensive lowland flooding is in progress. High water surrounds many river cabins. Access to most river cabins is by boat only. Levees begin to protect farmland. Extensive flooding of Leaverton Park occurs in Palestine, Illinois.
- 16.00 ftSome agricultural lands underwater. A few rural roads in Crawford County, Illinois close as water backs up Minnow Slough. High water affects campground at Leaverton Park in Palestine. A few private roads near the Gill Township levee in Sullivan County may flood. Water level is at the top of most makeshift levees.
- 14.00 ftLowest agricultural lands begin to flood. Makeshift levees offer some protection. Lowest rural roads flood.
- 10.00 ftRiver flap gates close and pumping operations begin.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 57% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 22, 2026.
Crest history
281 crests on NOAA’s list since 1912.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 21, 1943 | 29.36 ft |
| 2 | April 26, 2013 | 27.20 ft |
| 3 | June 10, 2008 | 26.56 ft |
| 4 | March 28, 1913 | 26.40 ft |
| 5 | January 17, 2005 | 26.11 ft |
| 6 | June 18, 1958 | 25.83 ft |
| 7 | May 3, 2011 | 25.78 ft |
| 8 | January 18, 1950 | 25.20 ft |
| 9 | January 3, 2016 | 24.97 ft |
| 10 | March 1, 1985 | 24.46 ft |
| 11 | February 28, 2018 | 24.31 ft |
| 12 | February 12, 2008 | 24.16 ft |
| 13 | March 17, 1939 | 24.00 ft |
| 14 | January 5, 1991 | 23.92 ft |
| 15 | February 17, 1959 | 23.78 ft |
| 16 | July 17, 2003 | 23.61 ft |
| 17 | May 9, 2017 | 23.57 ft |
| 18 | June 27, 2015 | 23.40 ft |
| 19 | April 18, 1994 | 23.13 ft |
| 20 | June 20, 1998 | 23.11 ft |
| 21 | February 4, 1969 | 23.10 ft |
| 22 | January 11, 2005 | 23.09 ft |
| 23 | February 7, 1968 | 22.82 ft |
| 24 | May 17, 2002 | 22.81 ft |
| 25 | February 26, 1951 | 22.52 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 24, 2026: 21.32 ft
- June 23, 2026: 18.39 ft
- May 1, 2026: 16.61 ft
- April 10, 2026: 18.09 ft
- June 20, 2025: 15.48 ft
- April 11, 2025: 20.53 ft
- May 2, 2024: 15.67 ft
- April 20, 2024: 19.04 ft
- February 5, 2024: 19.12 ft
- April 1, 2023: 18.84 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round.
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.