Rivers in Indiana
White River (IN) at Spencer
Below flood stage
3.99ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 6:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 14.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 4.40 ftWed, Sep 23, 8:00 AM EDT
- Record crest
- 28.50 ft1913
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 24.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 20.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 14.00 ft |
| Action | 9.00 ft |
- 29.50 ftRecord flood is in progress. Flood waters approaching courthouse from the south as south side of Spencer floods. Much of Prospect Park near SR 46 and U.S. 231 is completely underwater. A devastating flood on the river side of railroad tracks.
- 29.10 ftSpencer Wastewater Treatment Plant begins to flood. It may be the only dry spot in Spencer proper except for the hills.
- 28.50 ftWater is at record flood level. In the newer areas of southeast Spencer, flood waters surround apartments, the Senior Citizens Center, and nursing home. Flood waters two feet deep in Fairground Building. Possible first floor flooding on south side of Spencer.
- 28.00 ftCity Maintenance Garage floods by several feet. Evacuations are necessary in Southport area. Residential area near gravel pit just downstream completely floods. Extensive rural flooding just north of Freedom is in progress.
- 26.00 ftBuildings in the Owen County Fairgrounds begin to flood. Flood waters begin to enter Spencer proper. A few homes at the intersection of CR 25 E and CR 75 S impacted or will soon be impacted by high water immediately south of Spencer.
- 25.50 ftCity Maintenance Garage begins to flood.
- 24.60 ftNorth South road located on east side of Owen Valley Middle and High Schools begins to flood.
- 24.30 ftProspect Park on west side of Spencer extensively floods. Streets that partially flood on the south side include E Cooper and Clay Streets, and S West, Montgomery Street, Main, Washington, Harrison, and East Streets. Sandbagging is necessary on the south side of Spencer.
- 24.00 ftA major flood is in progress. As many as 150 people may be forced to evacuate from the western outskirts of Spencer.
- 23.00 ftFlooding affects all homes in Prospect Park area in western Spencer. Evacuations are necessary. Flood water affects southern Spencer and across the river in Southport area. Fairgrounds parking lot and arena flood.
- 22.50 ftEast side of Cooper Street on south side of Spencer begins to flood.
- 22.30 ftCounty road south of river gage begins to flood.
- 22.00 ftSome evacuations may begin in Prospect Park area and western outskirts of Spencer. Recreational area on southwest side of Spencer is flooded. Flood waters affect the southern part of Freedom while rural area just north of Freedom extensively floods. Several local roads along the White River in southern Owen County are flooded extensively.
- 21.00 ftProspect Park area, western outskirts, and East Street begin to flood in Spencer.
- 20.00 ftHyden Road, Fifth Avenue, and west side of Cooper Street in southern Spencer begin to flood.
- 19.00 ftRoad south of river gage begins to flood. Gosport Road closes. Extensive agricultural flooding is in progress. Moon Road in very rural northwest Monroe County is extensively flooded.
- 18.00 ftFlooding begins of Owen County Fairgrounds and Cooper Park on south side of Spencer.
- 17.50 ftLowest portions of Trail 2 flood in McCormicks Creek State Park. Extensive backwater in Rattlesnake, Fall, McCormicks, Limestone, Big, and Bean Blossom Creeks with overflow flooding crops or hay.
- 17.20 ftHigh water affects Owen County Fairgrounds parking lot and county roads in the Freedom area.
- 17.00 ftA few mobile homes located downstream of Spencer are isolated because their driveway lanes flood. County Line Road on north side of river has one foot of water and begins to flood in a second place. Spencer Public Access extensively floods. North Moon Road in very rural northwest Monroe County is flooded by the White River.
- 16.30 ftCounty Line Road south of Gosport begins to flood.
- 16.00 ftFlood water affects gravel pit. High water concerns farmers in agricultural season about crops and livestock. Lowest portions of Trail 7 in McCormicks Creek Park flood.
- 15.50 ftGosport Road, also known as County Line Road in Owen County, begins to flood on north side of river. Romona Road west of Gosport begins to flood. Flooding of low agricultural land is noticeable.
- 14.00 ftLowland flooding begins in the Spencer and Gosport areas. The river begins to backup Rattlesnake, Fall, McCormicks, Limestone, Big, and Bean Blossom Creeks. Spencer Public Access site begins to flood.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 25% |
| 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
317 crests on NOAA’s list since 1913.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 26, 1913 | 28.50 ft |
| 2 | June 8, 2008 | 26.84 ft |
| 3 | January 7, 2005 | 25.08 ft |
| 4 | April 7, 2025 | 24.41 ft |
| 5 | January 1, 1991 | 23.95 ft |
| 6 | November 16, 1993 | 23.82 ft |
| 7 | April 23, 1964 | 23.33 ft |
| 8 | September 4, 2003 | 23.30 ft |
| 9 | May 6, 2017 | 23.22 ft |
| 10 | May 15, 1933 | 23.20 ft |
| 11 | January 16, 1937 | 23.20 ft |
| 12 | May 25, 1968 | 23.09 ft |
| 13 | April 21, 2013 | 23.08 ft |
| 14 | May 9, 1961 | 23.06 ft |
| 15 | May 20, 1943 | 22.96 ft |
| 16 | May 15, 2002 | 22.85 ft |
| 17 | January 15, 2005 | 22.84 ft |
| 18 | April 5, 2018 | 22.70 ft |
| 19 | January 31, 1969 | 22.64 ft |
| 20 | March 6, 1963 | 22.53 ft |
| 21 | September 11, 1926 | 22.48 ft |
| 22 | January 6, 1950 | 22.43 ft |
| 23 | June 17, 1998 | 22.38 ft |
| 24 | January 24, 1999 | 22.33 ft |
| 25 | January 15, 1930 | 22.30 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 20, 2026: 20.96 ft
- May 21, 2026: 15.33 ft
- March 6, 2026: 19.27 ft
- April 7, 2025: 24.41 ft
- May 18, 2024: 15.48 ft
- April 13, 2024: 20.33 ft
- March 26, 2023: 18.69 ft
- March 9, 2022: 18.60 ft
- October 29, 2021: 14.22 ft
- July 18, 2021: 15.34 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamWhite River (IN) at Eagle Valley Power Plant
- DownstreamWhite River (IN) at Elliston
- Mill Creek (IN) at Cataract
- Eel River at Bowling Green
- White River (IN) at Worthington
- Mill Creek (IN) at Cagles Mill Lake
- Mill Creek (IN) at Cagles Mill
- Big Walnut Creek (IN) at Reelsville
- Salt Creek (IN) at Monroe Lake
What this means
Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. Stage may be affected by ice.
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.