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South Fork Licking River (OH) at Interstate 70 near Buckeye Lake, OH

River level and flood forecast · Licking County

Normal871.6 ftas of Mon 3:45 PM

The river is 8.4 ft below flood stage (880 ft).

Forecast to hold near 871.6 ft through Sat, Oct 17, 8 AM.

The last 7 days and the forecast

870872.5875877.5880882.5TueThuSatMonWedFriAction 879 ftFlood 880 ftModerate 881.3 ftMajor 881.7 ftNowObserved (ft)NWS forecast

NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 10:22 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

Major flood stage881.7 ft
Moderate flood stage881.3 ft
Flood stage880 ft
Action stage879 ft
Record crest (March 21, 2020)882.89 ft

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

  • 884.5 ftThis is about the FEMA 1 percent flood. Numerous homes and businesses are flooded near the river channel, especially along and west of route 79. Interstate 70 is covered by water as deep as 2 feet in areas between Route 79 and Route 37.
  • 884 ftWidespread major flooding occurs in communities of Buckeye lake near the river channel, generally along and west of route 79. Interstate 70 is completely covered in water by a foot or more between route 79 and route 37.
  • 883 ftBoth eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 70 are closed from flooding, with over a foot of water likely on both eastbound and westbound lanes. Significant flooding of the KOA campground occurs, as well as Buckeye Lake Estates and other homes and businesses near the river channel in the village of Buckeye Lake.
  • 881.7 ftBoth eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 70 are likely flooded, which may result in complete shutdown of the interstate, detouring highway traffic through communities near Ohio Routes 13, 40 and 37. Significant flooding of the KOA campground occurs, as well as Buckeye Lake Estates and other homes and businesses near the river channel in the village of Buckeye Lake.
  • 881.5 ftWater covers eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near route 79, likely shutting down eastbound interstate traffic. Detours may be set up in the region. Water surrounds homes in Buckeye Lake estates, with much of the KOA campground flooded.
  • 881.3 ftWater begins to spill onto eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 in the area of Exit 129 near Buckeye Lake. The KOA campground floods, as well as Buckeye Lake Estates.
  • 881 ftThe Route 79 eastbound exit is likely closed due to high water, with water also encroaching onto the edge of eastbound outer lane of Interstate 70. Flooding also affects the KOA campground and the village of Buckeye Lake.
  • 880.5 ftWater extends onto the 129A exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 to Route 79 near Buckeye Lake. Widespread flooding occurs through Buckeye Lake Estates.
  • 880 ftWater nearly extends onto the 129A exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 to Route 79 near Buckeye Lake. Floodingalso affects Buckeye Lake Estates.
  • 879 ftWater would approach the 129A exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 to Route 79 near Buckeye Lake.

Highest crests on record

  1. 882.89 ft — March 21, 2020
  2. 882.82 ft — August 21, 2026
  3. 881.82 ft — July 14, 2017
  4. 881.37 ft — April 3, 2024
  5. 880.86 ft — August 17, 2026

Recent crests: 882.82 ft (August 21, 2026) · 880.86 ft (August 17, 2026) · 880.06 ft (February 20, 2026) · 881.37 ft (April 3, 2024) · 880.63 ft (May 7, 2022)

Up and down the river, and nearby

See it on the live map →Radar & warnings for Licking CountyNWS gauge pageUSGS gauge 03144950

Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (ISVO1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.