Rivers in Indiana
St. Joseph River (MI/IN) at South Bend
Below flood stage
3.36ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 9:15 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 5.50 ft
- Record crest
- 12.70 ft2018
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 9.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 8.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 5.50 ft |
| Action | 4.50 ft |
- 11.10 ftThe river is at the 100 year flood level.
- 11.00 ftBusiness areas near Indiana University at South Bend campus are flooded. Residents in River Commons, near Keller Park and Riverside Drive between Marion and Bartlett are flooded in their basements. Street flooding closes portions of Northshore Drive and Northside Blvd. Evacuations may be necessary and the wastewater treatment plant will be completely flooded.
- 10.00 ftFlooding affects commercial areas near Indiana University at South Bend campus along Northside Blvd.
- 9.00 ftMajor flooding is in progress. Flooding almost completely submerges parks and floods local streets near the St. Joseph River.
- 8.00 ftFlood waters begin to affect river parks and roads and may affect portions of Northside Blvd in the area of Veterans Memorial Park, and Riverside Drive in the areas south of Leeper Park, by Keller Park and Woodland Park. High water may cause flooding of basements and interfere with some commercial activities.
- 7.00 ftFlooding is confined to park land and park roads. Some backyard flooding may occur in low lying residential areas near the river.
- 6.00 ftFlooding is confined to mostly park land and golf courses. Leeper Park and Petro golf courses begin to flood.
- 5.50 ftThe river reaches flood stage with the lowest residential areas beginning to flood.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 9% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
30 crests on NOAA’s list since 1982.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | February 22, 2018 | 12.70 ft |
| 2 | March 15, 1982 | 10.90 ft |
| 3 | January 6, 1993 | 10.90 ft |
| 4 | February 24, 1985 | 10.70 ft |
| 5 | January 9, 2008 | 9.60 ft |
| 6 | March 12, 2009 | 9.00 ft |
| 7 | February 7, 2008 | 8.90 ft |
| 8 | January 14, 2005 | 8.00 ft |
| 9 | April 20, 2013 | 7.80 ft |
| 10 | May 2, 2019 | 7.13 ft |
| 11 | April 29, 2011 | 6.90 ft |
| 12 | May 14, 2002 | 6.90 ft |
| 13 | May 20, 2020 | 6.83 ft |
| 14 | September 16, 2008 | 6.70 ft |
| 15 | April 24, 1999 | 6.60 ft |
| 16 | February 10, 2001 | 6.50 ft |
| 17 | June 28, 2021 | 6.43 ft |
| 18 | June 13, 2004 | 6.40 ft |
| 19 | April 15, 1983 | 6.30 ft |
| 20 | December 16, 2011 | 6.10 ft |
| 21 | March 14, 2006 | 6.10 ft |
| 22 | April 7, 2009 | 6.00 ft |
| 23 | December 28, 2008 | 6.00 ft |
| 24 | February 16, 2005 | 5.90 ft |
| 25 | February 26, 2001 | 5.90 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 6, 2023: 5.61 ft
- February 18, 2022: 5.89 ft
- June 28, 2021: 6.43 ft
- May 20, 2020: 6.83 ft
- May 2, 2019: 7.13 ft
- February 22, 2018: 12.70 ft
- April 20, 2013: 7.80 ft
- December 16, 2011: 6.10 ft
- April 29, 2011: 6.90 ft
- April 7, 2009: 6.00 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.