South Fork Licking River (OH) at Buckeye Lake near Watkins Island, OH

The last 7 days and the forecast

NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 7 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

• 892.8 ftIf a crest of at least 10 feet also occurs along the South Fork of the Licking at Kirkersville with this lake elevation, exit ramp and lane restrictions will likely occur along I-70 near the Route 79 exit. Flooding also occurs near Buckeye Lake Estates and the KOA campground. If a crest of at least 11 feet occurs along the South Fork of the Licking at Kirkersvile, the combination of the crest at Kirkersville and a 892.8 foot lake level will likely result in westbound and eastbound lane closures.
• 892.5 ftIf a crest of at least 10 feet was observed at Kirkersville, the combined outflow from Buckeye Lake and the high water at Kirkersville will result in some flooding along I-70 near the Route 79 exit. Mainly eastbound lanes and exit ramps will be impacted. If the Kirkersville crest is greater than 11 feet combined with an 892.5 foot level at the lake, truck traffic may also need to be rerouted off the interstate.
• 892.3 ftIf a crest of at least 10 feet was observed at Kirkersville, the combined outflow from Buckeye Lake and the high water at Kirkersville will result in some flooding along I-70 near the Route 79 exit. Mainly eastbound lanes and exit ramps will be impacted. If the Kirkersville crest is greater than 11 feet combined with an 892.5 foot level at the lake, truck traffic may also need to be rerouted off the interstate.
• 892.1 ftSellers Point Emergency Spillway has begun overtopping its 892.08 elevation. Buckeye Lake beings spilling into the South Fork of the Licking River.

Highest crests on record

1. 892.76 ft — April 3, 2024
2. 892.75 ft — July 14, 2017
3. 892.61 ft — March 21, 2020
4. 892.54 ft — May 20, 2020

Recent crests: 892.76 ft (April 3, 2024) · 892.54 ft (May 20, 2020) · 892.61 ft (March 21, 2020) · 892.75 ft (July 14, 2017)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• DownstreamSouth Fork Licking River (OH) near Hebron, OH
• South Fork Licking River (OH) at Interstate 70 near Buckeye Lake, OH
• South Fork Licking River (OH) at Kirkersville, OH
• South Fork Licking River (OH) near Heath, OH
• Raccoon Creek at Newark below Wilson St., OH
• North Fork Licking River (OH) at Newark (Ohio Street), OH
• North Fork Licking River (OH) at Newark Main Street, OH
• Raccoon Creek near Granville, OH