Driftwood River near Edinburgh, IN
River level and flood forecast · Bartholomew County
Normal2.0 ftas of Mon 3:30 PM
The river is 9.0 ft below flood stage (11 ft).
Forecast to hold near 2.0 ft through Sat, Oct 17, 8 AM.
Flow: 259 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 10:10 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 17 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 14 ft |
| Flood stage | 11 ft |
| Action stage | 9 ft |
| Record crest (March 28, 1913) | 20.3 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 20 ftNear record flooding along the Driftwood River. Several residences and seasonal homes along CR 330W and CR 325W destroyed. Flooding of additional residences possible along CR 330W and CR 325W. Residences at the west end of CR 500N on the east side of the river may flood. Possible flooding of Tannehill Rd on east side of bridge. Extensive flooding of portions of CR 330W both north and south of Tannehill Rd. Water over CR 250W just west of I-65 rest stop. CR 325W south of Lowell Rd flooded.
- 17 ftHighest level since June 2008 for the Driftwood River. Flooding of several residences and seasonal homes along CR 330W and CR 325W very likely. Lowell Rd flooded at CR 250W just east of the bridge. Flooding occurs along several portions of CR 330W and CR 325W including north of Tannehill Rd. Extensive flooding of Tannehill Rd west of bridge and CR 500N east of river. Water within a few feet of CR 250W just west of I-65 rest stop. Water near top of levee on the west side of the river at gage site.
- 16.3 ftExtensive flooding in progress. At this level in December 2013...US Highway 31 was closed by high water just north of SR 252 at Edinburgh. The Big Blue River was flooding the road. Big Blue River had crested at Shelbyville slightly over 18 feet and Sugar Creek near Edinburgh had reached 16.8 feet.
- 16 ftExtensive flooding along Driftwood River in northern Bartholomew County and of Double Y Saddle Club area. Tannehill Rd west of bridge and CR 325W south of Lowell Rd are flooded. Water is on or very close to Lowell Rd and the CR 250W intersection east of the bridge. Water is very close or possibly in several residences and seasonal homes along CR 330W and CR 325W. Water is deeper on CR 330W just south of Ohio Ridge Rd and CR 500N west of CR 250W.
- 14.9 ftExtensive flooding along Driftwood River in northern Bartholomew County on March 7, 2011. Double Y Saddle Club area extensively flooded. Water flowing over CR 950N to Club. CR 330W is flooded just south of its intersection with Ohio Ridge Rd. CR 500N west of CR 250W is flooded blocking vehicular access to residences near the river bank. Lowell Public Access site is completely flooded. Water very near several residences and seasonal homes along CR 330W and CR 325W.
- 14 ftExtensive flooding along Big Blue River in Edinburgh area. In Johnson County CR 650S between CR 700E and CR 800E flooded. Water approaching or on CR 700E near CR 775S. Irwin Park in Edinburgh extensively flooded. Water affecting one residence in Shelby County at CR 900W and CR 1000S.
- 13.2 ftLowland flooding in progress along Driftwood River in northern Bartholomew County on April 6, 2011. Double Y Saddle Club area flooded. At least 6 inches of water flowing over CR 950N to Club. Water is less than one foot away from CR 330W just south of its intersection with Ohio Ridge Rd. CR 500N west of CR 250W is flooded blocking vehicular access to residences near the river bank. Lowell Public Access site is open but ramp is totally flooded. Water close to one residence at Shelby CR 1000S and CR 900W.
- 12 ftLowland flooding reported along Sugar Creek and Big Blue River in southern Johnson County in March 2011. Lowland flooding begins along portions of the Driftwood River in northern Bartholomew County. Water is near CR 950N to Double Y Saddle Club.
Highest crests on record
- 20.3 ft — March 28, 1913
- 17.28 ft — June 7, 2008
- 16.57 ft — April 6, 2025
- 16.53 ft — December 23, 2013
- 15.67 ft — April 21, 2011
Recent crests: 12.3 ft (August 16, 2026) · 12.41 ft (May 21, 2026) · 15.21 ft (March 6, 2026) · 16.57 ft (April 6, 2025) · 13.49 ft (April 13, 2024)
Up and down the river, and nearby
- UpstreamBig Blue River (IN) at Shelbyville, IN
- DownstreamEast Fork White River at Columbus, IN
- Sugar Creek (central) near Edinburgh, IN
- Youngs Creek at Amity, IN
- Flatrock River at Columbus, IN
- Haw Creek (IN) near Clifford, IN
- Haw Creek (IN) at East Columbus, IN
- Haw Creek (IN) at Hope, IN
- Clifty Creek near Columbus, IN
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (DREI3); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.