Rivers in Indiana
Tippecanoe River near Delphi
Below flood stage
4.02ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 9:45 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 8.00 ft
- Record crest
- 17.83 ft2008
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 15.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 12.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 8.00 ft |
| Action | 6.00 ft |
- 40.00 ftProbable Maximum Flood. Total devastation in Tippecanoe River flood plain. River gage, homes, and all roads, including SR 18 across the Tippecanoe River from just south of Oakdale Dam to Americus, have been swept away before this level is reached.
- 26.48 ftAn unbelievable flood. Water is entirely over SR 18. The bridge might be swept away. The gaging site has been destroyed.
- 24.73 ftWater going over SR 18 by more than 2 feet. Water at the State of Indiana highway right-of-way marker located 50 feet shoreward from the gage house.
- 24.56 ftAt this level flood waters would cover SR 18 by more than 2 feet.
- 23.45 ftState Road 18 is closed because of high water. Readings have stopped from gaging station. At this elevation, flood waters are just beginning to cover a USGS bronze disc located on the left upstream abutment of SR 18 bridge (northeast section of bridge near gaging station).
- 23.00 ftFlood waters going over SR 18. Record flooding in progress. Many homes near the Tippecanoe River are significantly damaged.
- 20.00 ftFlooding with serious impacts. Complete evacuation of all people in flood prone areas downstream of Oakdale Dam. Flooding closes all county roads near the river. Flood waters approach SR 18. Record flooding in progress. Some unelevated homes along Horseshoe Bend, Tippecanoe Ranch, and Tecumseh Bend Rds have more than 5 feet of water. Possible overtopping of Oakdale Dam. Homes just north of Bicycle Bridge Rd extensively flooded.
- 19.00 ftRecord flood in progress. SR 18 bridge begins to act like a dam. Water levels are higher on the north side of the bridge than on the south side of the bridge. Must use wire weight gage to obtain river readings.
- 18.23 ftRecord flooding in progress. Gage readings are no longer accurate.
- 17.80 ftAll residents south of Oakdale Dam may need to evacuate. All local roads along both sides of the river are totally impassable.
- 17.78 ftNear record flood in progress. Extensive flooding of CR 1275 south of SR 18.
- 15.00 ftMajor flooding in progress. Evacuation of many people downstream of Oakdale Dam. Roads along both sides of the river are flooded, some by more than a foot deep. Substantial property damage downstream of Oakdale Dam. Flooded areas include Horseshoe Bend, Tippecanoe Ranch and Tecumseh Bend Roads, CR 1275 W north of Bicycle Bridge Rd, extreme west end of CR 975 N and low part of Goldsberry Rd. Residents park cars on high ground. Flooding affects numerous residential and recreational areas along the river.
- 14.00 ftExtensive flooding in progress. County Road 1275 W flooded near TNT Pool Supply south of SR 18 in the Delphi area. Nearly all low local roads are flooded.
- 13.00 ftExtensive flooding in progress with some evacuations and property damage. Many low local roads near the Tippecanoe River are flooded at this level. Approaching major flood levels.
- 12.00 ftSignificant flooding along the Tippecanoe River affecting local roads and some residential and recreational areas.
- 11.80 ftExtensive flooding along the Tippecanoe River.
- 10.50 ftExtensive lowland flooding in progress. Additional local roads begin to flood. Water levels becoming dangerous as property damage may begin and a few evacuations may be necessary.
- 8.00 ftLow agricultural lands, river parks and a few local roads flood along the Tippecanoe River. Oakdale Public Access Site flooded.
- 7.50 ftRiver approaching flood stage in the SR 18 area.
- 6.50 ftTippecanoe River at bankfull levels downstream of Oakdale Dam in Carroll County. Most of the solidly mounted piers are underwater. A few local roads may begin to flood. During the warm season items such as lawn chairs, boats and building supplies can be swept away. Handicapped area of Oakdale Public Access site begins to flood.
- 6.00 ftNear bankfull conditions along the Tippecanoe River.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 16% |
| 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
120 crests on NOAA’s list since 1936.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 8, 2008 | 17.83 ft |
| 2 | February 21, 2018 | 15.48 ft |
| 3 | February 10, 1959 | 15.10 ft |
| 4 | February 6, 2008 | 14.89 ft |
| 5 | February 24, 1985 | 14.86 ft |
| 6 | June 10, 1958 | 14.72 ft |
| 7 | March 11, 2009 | 14.40 ft |
| 8 | February 2, 1968 | 14.36 ft |
| 9 | July 17, 1957 | 14.08 ft |
| 10 | May 15, 1981 | 13.85 ft |
| 11 | April 12, 1994 | 13.72 ft |
| 12 | November 3, 1936 | 13.50 ft |
| 13 | April 4, 1950 | 13.43 ft |
| 14 | May 18, 1943 | 13.24 ft |
| 15 | March 4, 1979 | 13.19 ft |
| 16 | June 16, 2015 | 13.07 ft |
| 17 | January 5, 1993 | 12.95 ft |
| 18 | March 16, 1982 | 12.89 ft |
| 19 | December 30, 1990 | 12.87 ft |
| 20 | March 4, 1963 | 12.43 ft |
| 21 | February 21, 1951 | 12.36 ft |
| 22 | May 2, 1983 | 12.30 ft |
| 23 | April 11, 1944 | 12.16 ft |
| 24 | January 30, 1969 | 11.98 ft |
| 25 | April 20, 1970 | 11.97 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 15, 2026: 9.54 ft
- June 10, 2026: 8.13 ft
- July 11, 2024: 10.84 ft
- April 3, 2024: 8.04 ft
- January 26, 2024: 8.04 ft
- March 4, 2023: 9.33 ft
- February 23, 2023: 8.25 ft
- January 12, 2020: 9.22 ft
- May 1, 2019: 8.61 ft
- February 21, 2018: 15.48 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 reading affected by power generation.
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.