Mad River near Springfield
Observed Sun, Sep 20, 3:15 PM EDT
- Flood stage
- 12.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 5.60 ftMon, Sep 21, 2:00 PM EDT
- Record crest
- 16.90 ft1913
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 18.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 16.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 12.00 ft |
| Action | 9.00 ft |
- 21.00 ftMajor flooding occurs through Clark County along the river, with flooding affecting many homes close to the river between Lower Valley Pike and Dayton-Springfield Roads.
- 19.00 ftThis is a similar crest to the 1959 flood. Significant flooding of low-lying residences and businesses in Snyderville and Durbin occurs, as well as other low areas along the river southwest of Springfield. Spangler Road is flooded south of Medway, as well as Osborn, Union and Snider Roads. Flooding also occurs at the Waste Water Treatment Plant near Woodbury Road.
- 18.00 ftAbout half of the Springfield Waste Water Treatment Plant is flooded, as well as portions of Lower Valley Pike and Old Mill Road.
- 17.00 ftSeveral homes along the river become inundated, especially in low areas of Snyderville and Durbin. Portions of Lower Valley Pike are flooded, as well as near St. Paris Pike. Levees along Buck and Beaver Creeks help prevent backwater flooding in Springfield itself.
- 16.00 ftWater spills onto low-lying area roads south of Springfield, possibly cutting off access to some areas, particularly near Durbin and Snyderville. Locations along the river upstream in Champaign and Logan Counties also experience flooding in lowland areas. Some evacuations may be necessary in low-lying communities along the river.
- 14.00 ftWest 1st Street in Springfield Township floods, including the Forest Lake Fishing and Campround area, with water approaching some businesses along West 1st Street. Spangler Road downstream of Springfield also floods. Flood waters approach several homes to the southwest of Springfield. In addition, the Mad River experiences widespread flooding in Champaign County near the river.
- 13.00 ftIn addition to flooding along Lower Valley Pike between Old Mill Road and State Route 369, Spengler Road is flooded, and the I-70 Westbound exit to Medway at route 675 is closed.
- 12.00 ftFlooding occurs along Spangler Road and Lower Valley Pike.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 22% |
| Moderate flooding | 13% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 15, 2026.
Crest history
36 crests on NOAA’s list since 1913.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 25, 1913 | 16.90 ft |
| 2 | January 21, 1959 | 15.86 ft |
| 3 | February 26, 1929 | 14.90 ft |
| 4 | March 5, 1963 | 14.43 ft |
| 5 | April 5, 2025 | 14.13 ft |
| 6 | January 25, 1937 | 14.10 ft |
| 7 | March 27, 2026 | 14.09 ft |
| 8 | January 26, 1952 | 13.18 ft |
| 9 | April 4, 2018 | 12.49 ft |
| 10 | January 6, 2005 | 12.26 ft |
| 11 | March 10, 1964 | 12.10 ft |
| 12 | January 5, 2004 | 11.91 ft |
| 13 | June 29, 1980 | 11.88 ft |
| 14 | January 12, 2005 | 11.69 ft |
| 15 | March 2, 2007 | 11.66 ft |
| 16 | December 30, 1990 | 11.60 ft |
| 17 | May 11, 1996 | 11.50 ft |
| 18 | February 25, 2018 | 11.50 ft |
| 19 | December 6, 2011 | 11.47 ft |
| 20 | December 22, 2013 | 11.38 ft |
| 21 | March 19, 2008 | 11.30 ft |
| 22 | May 17, 2019 | 11.20 ft |
| 23 | January 31, 1982 | 11.00 ft |
| 24 | March 4, 2023 | 10.95 ft |
| 25 | April 5, 2025 | 10.90 ft |
Most recent crests
- March 27, 2026: 14.09 ft
- April 5, 2025: 10.90 ft
- April 5, 2025: 14.13 ft
- April 22, 2024: 9.30 ft
- April 2, 2024: 9.36 ft
- March 25, 2023: 9.76 ft
- March 4, 2023: 10.95 ft
- June 13, 2022: 8.11 ft
- March 7, 2022: 10.81 ft
- February 22, 2022: 9.77 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. Stage may be affected by ice. Due to a gage move, all flood stages/categories will change at this location effective September 16, 2025 -- see <a href='https://partnerservices.nws.noaa.gov/products/cache/237-2025/PNSILN/081a4e96e995353642c49a0ccb678b12'>HERE</a> for details. 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.