Wabash River at Riverton, IN
River level and flood forecast · Sullivan County
Normal7.2 ftas of Mon 4 PM
The river is 7.8 ft below flood stage (15 ft).
Forecast to fall to 4.1 ft by Thu, Oct 22, 8 AM.
Flow: 9,060 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 10:11 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 26 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 22 ft |
| Flood stage | 15 ft |
| Action stage | 10 ft |
| Record crest (May 21, 1943) | 29.36 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 30 ftRecord stage. A repeat of March 1913 flood flow would reach an estimated 31.5 feet.
- 29 ftFailure of Gill Township levee would flood thousands of acres including State Road 58 in western Sullivan County and railroad from Riverton to Merom Station.
- 28 ftWater level is nearing a record stage. The top of all levees is reached. Failure of a levee causes widespread flooding of rural areas and the towns of Russellville, Illinois and eastern portion of Palestine, Illinois. Illinois 33 about 2 miles south of Heathsville, Illinois begins to flood. River cabins are washing away. Many evacuations are necessary.
- 26 ftMajor flood in progress. Sandbagging possible in Hutsonville and on local levees. Gill Township Flood Gage at Riverton is installed. State Road 154 between Hutsonville and Graysville is closed. All river roads improved or otherwise are flooded, some by several feet of water. East side of Palestine extensively flooded including all of Leaverton Park. Wabash River levees on the Illinois side in Lawrence County Illinois may fail.
- 25.5 ftApproaching major flooding with sandbagging possible in Hutsonville and on local levees. Installation of Gill Township Flood Gage at Riverton is necessary if river continues to rise. State Road 154 between Hutsonville and Graysville is closed. All river roads improved or otherwise are flooded, some by several feet of water. East side of Palestine extensively flooded including all of Leaverton Park.
- 24 ftExtensive flooding is in progress. Most levees are at critical levels. Water level near the top of a few levees. High water begins to affect residences in eastern Palestine, Illinois and those along East River Road just southeast of Palestine. Some evacuations are necessary. Rodeo area in Leaverton Park begins to flood. Water near or over East River Road south of Palestine.
- 22 ftFlooding becomes more serious. Water is approaching critical levels on most levees. Flooding enters some river cabins. Flooding is at the outskirts of Palestine and Russellville, Illinois. Flood waters near Illinois 33 between Palestine and Hutsonville, Illinois. Many local river roads are flooded.
- 21 ftShortcut (gravel road) to Riverton floods at 20 to 21 feet as Wabash River backs up Turtle Creek a few miles south of Merom.
- 20.7 ftLeaverton Park at Palestine, Illinois extensively floods including the campground area. Rodeo area still dry at this level. Most if not all local unimproved roads leading to the Wabash River in the Palestine area are impassable by any land vehicle. Extensive backwater flooding of Minnow Slough, Sugar Creek and Lamotte Creek in Palestine area. Numerous river cabins surrounded by water across the river from Merom Bluff. Backyards of a few residences southeast of Palestine along East River Road flood.
- 20 ftExtensive flooding is in progress. Higher rural roads begin to flood. High water isolates many river cabins. Seep water becomes a problem.
- 18.5 ftHigh water surrounds elevated river cabins. County roads to these cabins are impassable. Agricultural flooding is in progress. Seep water develops behind levees.
- 18 ftExtensive lowland flooding is in progress. High water surrounds many river cabins. Access to most river cabins is by boat only. Levees begin to protect farmland. Extensive flooding of Leaverton Park occurs in Palestine, Illinois.
- 16 ftSome agricultural lands underwater. A few rural roads in Crawford County, Illinois close as water backs up Minnow Slough. High water affects campground at Leaverton Park in Palestine. A few private roads near the Gill Township levee in Sullivan County may flood. Water level is at the top of most makeshift levees.
- 14 ftLowest agricultural lands begin to flood. Makeshift levees offer some protection. Lowest rural roads flood.
- 10 ftRiver flap gates close and pumping operations begin.
Highest crests on record
- 29.36 ft — May 21, 1943
- 27.2 ft — April 26, 2013
- 26.56 ft — June 10, 2008
- 26.4 ft — March 28, 1913
- 26.11 ft — January 17, 2005
Recent crests: 21.32 ft (August 24, 2026) · 18.39 ft (June 23, 2026) · 16.61 ft (May 1, 2026) · 18.09 ft (April 10, 2026) · 15.48 ft (June 20, 2025)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (RVTI3); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.