Rivers in Oklahoma
Illinois River (AR OK) near Watts
Below flood stage
2.10ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 3:30 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 13.00 ft
- Record crest
- 30.12 ft2017
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 23.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 17.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 13.00 ft |
| Action | 13.00 ft |
- 29.00 ftdisastrous flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Many permanent campgrounds and cabins are overtopped, particularly in the Fidler's Bend area. River Valley Raceway is inundated by several feet, with water approaching the roof of the permanent building. This exceeds the floods of record of 28.6 feet that occurred December 28, 2015 and April 26, 2011. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 27.00 ftdisastrous flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Many permanent campgrounds and cabins are overtopped, particularly in the Fidler's Bend area. River Valley Raceway is inundated by several feet. This will approach the floods of record of 28.6 feet that occurred December 28, 2015 and April 26, 2011. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 25.00 ftvery severe flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Severe flooding of the River Valley Raceway, including the permanent building, occurs. Many cabins in the Fidler's Bend area are severely flooded. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 23.00 ftvery severe flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. The permanent building at River Valley Raceway is flooded to a depth of a couple of feet. Numerous cabins in the Fidler's Bend area are flooded to a depth of several feet. This is a very dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 21.00 ftsevere flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Water will reach the base of the building at River Valley Raceway. Farmlands and permanent campgrounds are inundated. Numerous cabins in the Fidler's Bend area are flooded. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating.
- 19.00 ftmoderate flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Farmlands and permanent campgrounds are affected. Several cabins in the Fidler's Bend area may be flooded. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating.
- 17.00 ftmoderate flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Farmlands and permanent campgrounds are affected. A few cabins in the Fidler's Bend area may have minor flooding. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating.
- 15.00 ftminor flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to near Fidler's Bend. Permanent campgrounds are affected. Extreme turbulence makes the river unsafe for floating.
- 13.00 ftminor flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to near Fidler's Bend. Extreme turbulence makes the river unsafe for floating.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 19% |
| Moderate flooding | 8% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.
Crest history
199 crests on NOAA’s list since 1956.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 30, 2017 | 30.12 ft |
| 2 | December 28, 2015 | 28.64 ft |
| 3 | April 26, 2011 | 28.60 ft |
| 4 | May 5, 2022 | 27.50 ft |
| 5 | July 25, 1960 | 25.96 ft |
| 6 | May 24, 2011 | 25.19 ft |
| 7 | May 3, 1990 | 25.08 ft |
| 8 | March 19, 2008 | 24.73 ft |
| 9 | April 3, 1957 | 24.73 ft |
| 10 | October 1, 1986 | 24.47 ft |
| 11 | May 7, 1961 | 24.32 ft |
| 12 | October 6, 2019 | 24.11 ft |
| 13 | April 28, 2021 | 23.98 ft |
| 14 | November 25, 1973 | 23.96 ft |
| 15 | June 16, 1982 | 22.91 ft |
| 16 | April 10, 2008 | 22.77 ft |
| 17 | April 24, 2004 | 22.73 ft |
| 18 | April 20, 1976 | 22.38 ft |
| 19 | March 20, 2020 | 22.00 ft |
| 20 | June 22, 2000 | 22.00 ft |
| 21 | October 9, 2009 | 22.00 ft |
| 22 | June 9, 1974 | 21.99 ft |
| 23 | November 19, 1985 | 21.94 ft |
| 24 | May 23, 1957 | 21.93 ft |
| 25 | January 30, 1969 | 21.90 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 9, 2026: 13.37 ft
- September 24, 2025: 14.42 ft
- June 7, 2025: 18.09 ft
- May 26, 2025: 13.52 ft
- May 20, 2025: 13.42 ft
- April 20, 2025: 16.76 ft
- April 20, 2025: 13.30 ft
- April 6, 2025: 19.48 ft
- April 5, 2025: 17.71 ft
- November 5, 2024: 13.44 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Arkansas-Red Basin RFC. Forecasts are issued routinely year-round. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
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.