Rivers in Ohio
Mad River near Dayton
Below flood stage
4.97ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 10:30 AM EDT
- Flood stage
- 25.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 4.90 ftTue, Sep 22, 2:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 32.00 ft1959
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 52.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 32.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 25.00 ft |
| Action | 15.00 ft |
- 58.00 ftThis is the height of the emergency spillway at Huffman. While the dam would still be storing water at this point, heights above this level would substantially worsen flooding downstream of Huffman in unprotected areas.
- 52.00 ftSignificant and widespread flooding occurs. Major inundation occurs in Fairborn, Riverside and portions of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base. Much of Dayton itself along the Mad River is protected by levees to 58 feet.
- 40.00 ftThis exceeds the flood of 1959 by 5 feet. In addition to road and runway flooding at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, flooding occurs along Route 4 in numerous locations from near Huffman Metropark and northward. Flooding also occurs near Osborn Road.
- 35.00 ftThis is equivalent to the FEMA 1 percent flood, with significant flooding of structures and the runway at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Over half of the Fairway Terrace Mobile Home community is flooded.
- 33.00 ftModerate flooding expands. In addition to flooding within portions of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, some areas of State Route 4 begin to flood between Valley Pike and Lower Valley Pike. The City of Dayton near the Mad River is protected to a stage of 58 feet.
- 32.00 ftModerate flooding occurs. This equals the highest crest on record, which occurred in January 1959. Runway flooding continues at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with additional roads on the base flooding. Flooding also occurs near Valley Pike.
- 30.00 ftSubstantial backwater flooding occurs on Mud Creek. Much of the Fairway Terrace mobile home community is flooded, especially between Welington Drive and Mud Creek.
- 25.00 ftFlooding occurs along the Wright-Patterson Air Force Base runway as well as low areas around the base. Backwater flooding along Mud Creek approaches homes in the Fairway Terrace mobile home community along Lower Spring Valley Pike.
- 22.00 ftLowland flooding occurs in the area of Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, with water beginning to spill onto the main runway.
- 21.00 ftWater impacts lowland areas near Wright-Patterson Air Force Base with water approaching the main runway.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| 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
55 crests on NOAA’s list since 1913.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | January 23, 1959 | 32.00 ft |
| 2 | February 26, 1929 | 28.20 ft |
| 3 | March 5, 1963 | 27.10 ft |
| 4 | January 21, 1937 | 24.00 ft |
| 5 | January 27, 1952 | 23.80 ft |
| 6 | January 15, 1937 | 22.80 ft |
| 7 | February 14, 1948 | 22.30 ft |
| 8 | March 29, 1924 | 21.00 ft |
| 9 | March 10, 1964 | 20.70 ft |
| 10 | February 11, 1959 | 20.20 ft |
| 11 | June 3, 1947 | 20.00 ft |
| 12 | June 9, 1924 | 19.80 ft |
| 13 | May 14, 1933 | 19.70 ft |
| 14 | March 7, 1945 | 19.50 ft |
| 15 | June 14, 1958 | 19.50 ft |
| 16 | January 6, 2005 | 19.22 ft |
| 17 | April 4, 2018 | 19.21 ft |
| 18 | March 20, 1943 | 19.10 ft |
| 19 | February 24, 1975 | 19.00 ft |
| 20 | April 5, 1957 | 18.70 ft |
| 21 | January 5, 2004 | 18.60 ft |
| 22 | December 31, 1990 | 18.30 ft |
| 23 | January 12, 2005 | 18.00 ft |
| 24 | April 15, 1922 | 17.70 ft |
| 25 | February 1, 1982 | 17.70 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 6, 2025: 16.88 ft
- April 4, 2018: 19.21 ft
- December 22, 2013: 16.72 ft
- June 5, 2008: 16.30 ft
- March 20, 2008: 17.40 ft
- March 24, 2007: 15.90 ft
- March 3, 2007: 16.30 ft
- January 12, 2005: 18.00 ft
- January 6, 2005: 19.22 ft
- January 5, 2004: 18.60 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. River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.
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.