Rivers in Indiana
East Fork White River at Williams
Below flood stage
1.40ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 21, 9:45 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 8.00 ft
- Record crest
- 31.00 ft1913
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 20.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 14.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 8.00 ft |
| Action | 5.00 ft |
- 32.00 ftAn unbelievable flood is in progress. Flood levels are at record height. Homes located on the slopes of hills begin to flood. Flood waters wash out railroad near Williams and all county bridges. People in the flood plain have lost everything.
- 28.00 ftFlood waters are nearing a record level. This is the highest level since March 1913. Persons in flood plain areas have lost everything.
- 24.00 ftFlood waters are approaching railroad tracks near Williams. This is the greatest flood since January 1937. A serious flood is in progress. Evacuations are necessary along local streams and on low knolls. High water isolates many rural persons.
- 22.00 ftA major flood is in progress. The river is at its highest level since May 1961. Evacuation of residents on low knolls may be necessary. Local roads are underwater by 3 to possibly 15 feet.
- 20.00 ftFlood levels approach a serious level. Evacuations are necessary for those on lowest knolls. Flood waters cover nearly the entire flood plain.
- 18.52 ftState Road 450 west of Williams beings to flood just west of Huron and Williams Road. Local travel between Williams and Shoals must take long detours. The only land route to Williams is via Ridge Road from the north. High waters surrounds a few residents near Martin State Forest. Extensive flooding occurs in Chase Ripple area downstream of Williams.
- 18.51 ftDuring the March 2008 flood these roads remained flooded according to the Bedford Times: Peerless Road, Lawrenceport Tunnelton Road, Pumphouse Road, Indiana State Road 450, Stumphole Bridge Road, Mill Creek Road, Earl Road, Dillon Road, River Road and Rager Road.
- 16.00 ftLocal residents in a few river cabins may have to evacuate. Backwater affects some residents along local streams. Extensive flooding is in progress. Dillman Road (CR 1000 W) immediately north of Indiana 450 just west of Williams is flooded by as much as 2 feet of water.
- 14.90 ftOn April 24, 2011 extensive flooding in progress with SR 450 between Bedford and Shoals flooded in at least 3 locations. The deepest location was just east of Williams near the RR tressel. The next deepest was at Coxton Rd where backwater from the river extensively flooded Salt Creek. The last location was west of Williams near Dillman Rd where backwater from the river closed the road. To reach Williams one must use Ridge Road. Extensive flooding of many local river roads in Lawrence Co.
- 14.00 ftFlooding approaches local residents located on low flood plain areas on local streams. State Road 450 just east of Williams is extensively flooded. Only the highest campgrounds at Williams Dam are out of water. Huron and Williams Road flooded immediately south of Indiana 450 just west of Williams. Dillman Road (CR 1000 W) immediately north of Indiana 450 begins to flood. Indiana 450 begins to flood at Coxton Road.
- 13.20 ftWater begins to overflow the road to the new Williams Bridge. SR 450 closes in several locations. Most local roads in the flood plain are impassable at this level. Huron-Williams Road flooded south of Port Williams Road.
- 12.00 ftRiver begins to be noticeable as water backs up in local streams. State Road 450 closes in several locations. Higher campgrounds flood. Most roads in the flood plain are impassable above this level. Huron-Williams Road begins to flood south of Port Williams Road.
- 11.20 ftExtensive river flooding in progress. Several local roads are flooded including SR 450 just east of Williams and Stumphole Bridge Rd. Local residents use Ridge Road to travel from Williams to Bedford at this level and higher.
- 11.00 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 450; Huron-Williams Road; Lawrenceport Road; Rivervale Road and Earl Road.
- 10.00 ftState Road 450 near Williams and County Road 400 South closed by high water. Lowest campground begins to flood. Additional agricultural flooding occurs.
- 9.50 ftCampground begins to flood at Williams Dam.
- 9.30 ftState Road 450 near Williams and South Chase Riffle Road located about 2 miles downstream of Williams flooded at this level. Flooding of low agricultural land in Lawrence and Martin counties.
- 9.20 ftState Road 450 just east of Williams is closed by high water. Low agricultural grounds flood.
- 8.90 ftWater now begins to cover State Road 450 at the Public Access Site just east of Williams.
- 8.60 ftWater is on State Road 450 at the railroad trestle just east of Williams.
- 8.40 ftSR 450 immediately east of Williams floods. Locals use Ridge Road to travel to Bedford.
- 8.00 ftFlood stage at Williams. Bottomlands are beginning to flood. Stumphole road...South Chase Riffle Road and possibly other rural county roads in Western Lawrence County flood.
- 7.50 ftLowest agricultural lands begin to flood. County Road 400 S (Stumphole Road) near Williams begins to flood. Water is 6 to 10 inches deep and covers about 150 yards of the road. Water on either side of the road could be 12 feet deep.
- 7.30 ftState Road 450 at the railroad trestle just east of Williams was covered with high water on the morning of May 16, 2008. This water was too deep for safe passage of cars. On the morning of May 19, 2008...water was off State Road 450...but still on nearby Stumphole Road. River reading was 7.6 feet.
- 6.50 ftLow private campgrounds begin to flood.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 19% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.
Crest history
150 crests on NOAA’s list since 1913.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 27, 1913 | 31.00 ft |
| 2 | January 25, 1937 | 25.00 ft |
| 3 | May 12, 1961 | 22.40 ft |
| 4 | March 9, 1945 | 21.50 ft |
| 5 | January 9, 2005 | 21.30 ft |
| 6 | January 26, 1959 | 21.00 ft |
| 7 | January 9, 1950 | 20.90 ft |
| 8 | January 14, 1930 | 20.60 ft |
| 9 | January 9, 1949 | 20.40 ft |
| 10 | February 18, 1950 | 20.00 ft |
| 11 | March 23, 1943 | 20.00 ft |
| 12 | May 3, 1996 | 19.80 ft |
| 13 | April 9, 2025 | 19.80 ft |
| 14 | March 13, 1964 | 19.80 ft |
| 15 | March 16, 2006 | 18.80 ft |
| 16 | January 28, 1949 | 18.70 ft |
| 17 | May 18, 1933 | 18.50 ft |
| 18 | March 23, 2008 | 18.50 ft |
| 19 | December 18, 1927 | 18.50 ft |
| 20 | April 30, 1939 | 18.40 ft |
| 21 | April 26, 2011 | 18.20 ft |
| 22 | May 28, 1968 | 18.20 ft |
| 23 | June 11, 2008 | 17.60 ft |
| 24 | March 10, 1963 | 16.80 ft |
| 25 | May 18, 2002 | 16.70 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 25, 2026: 9.70 ft
- March 9, 2026: 16.30 ft
- April 9, 2025: 19.80 ft
- February 21, 2025: 8.10 ft
- March 30, 2023: 11.50 ft
- March 12, 2022: 8.90 ft
- July 23, 2021: 8.20 ft
- June 24, 2021: 8.30 ft
- March 5, 2021: 8.30 ft
- March 25, 2020: 12.00 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Ohio River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. Gauge readings received once daily during low-water and more frequently during high water. Stage measured manually and reported by river observer. No automated gauge on-site.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service.