Scioto River at Frank Road, OH
River level and flood forecast · Franklin County
Normal5.5 ftas of Mon 4:45 PM
The river is 18.5 ft below flood stage (24 ft).
Forecast to hold near 5.5 ft through Sat, Oct 17, 8 AM.
Flow: 250 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 | 27 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 25 ft |
| Flood stage | 24 ft |
| Action stage | 16 ft |
| Record crest (January 22, 1959) | 27.22 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 30 ftWidespread flooding near the river outside the Franklinton flood wall protection occurs. The flood wall protects the west bank of the river to 30.9 feet, with flooding in the Brewery District along and west of Short Street, and the Arena District closest to the river along West Spring and West Long Streets. Flooding in this area is confined to west of Neil Avenue. Extensive flooding occurs along and west of Riverside. Much of Jackson Pike floods, as well as areas of West Mound Street and Frank Road.
- 28.8 ftThis is approximately equivalent to the FEMA 1 percent flood. Portions of Greenlawn Avenue flood, as well as Lou Berliner Park and some businesses in the Brewery District along Short Street. Portions of the Jackson Pike Wastewater treatment plant are flooded. In addition, some businesses are flooded in the River South District near West Mound Street west of Front Street.
- 28.5 ftPortions of Greenlawn Avenue flood, as well as Lou Berliner Park and some businesses in the Brewery District along Short Street. Floodwall closures shut down Route 315, Greenlawn, Harmon and McKinley Roads. Portions of the Jackson Pike Wastewater treatment plant are flooded. In addition, some businesses are flooded in the River South District near West Mound Street west of Front Street.
- 27.2 ftMajor river flooding outside the City of Columbus occurs. While the city itself is protected at stages above this level, the Franklinton flood wall closes off several roadways, including potentially Route 315.
- 27 ftMajor river flooding outside the City of Columbus occurs. While the city itself is protected at stages above this level, the Franklinton flood wall closes off several roadways, including McKinley, Harmon and Greenlawn Avenues.
- 26 ftLowland flooding worsens, especially in Marion Township near the Scioto River. The City of Columbus continues to erect the Franklinton flood wall to protect the city itself from flooding. The Franklinton flood wall and levee system protects the city to a stage of 30.9 feet. Outside the flood wall, moderate flooding occurs, with high water throughout Franklin County.
- 24 ftWhile much of the city remains protected at this stage, flooding occurs along the river outside the City of Columbus. A stage of this level will cause flooding along the Scioto River in southern Franklin County, mainly in Franklin and Jackson townships, as well as areas near Haul Road in south Columbus. McKinley Avenue is closed at 24.2 feet due to floodgate closure. Route 23 High Street is flooded near I-270.
- 22 ftU.S. 23 is flooded near I-270.
- 21 ftHigh water impacts the ramp from Interstate 270 east to Route 23 north on the south side of Columbus.
Highest crests on record
- 27.22 ft — January 22, 1959
- 26.61 ft — January 6, 2005
- 24.88 ft — February 24, 1975
- 24.78 ft — June 2, 1997
- 24.7 ft — January 27, 1952
Recent crests: 22.37 ft (April 6, 2025) · 24.2 ft (May 19, 2020) · 22.22 ft (March 20, 2020) · 19.7 ft (June 20, 2019) · 23.95 ft (April 4, 2018)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (COLO1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.