South Fork Licking River (OH) near Heath, OH
River level and flood forecast · Licking County
Normal5.1 ftas of Mon 3:15 PM
The river is 10.9 ft below flood stage (16 ft).
Flow: 18 cubic feet per second (USGS).
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
| Major flood stage | 20 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 18 ft |
| Flood stage | 16 ft |
| Action stage | 14 ft |
| Record crest (March 20, 2020) | 21.06 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 22 ftWidespread flooding of homes occurs along Licking View Drive and several adjacent subdivisions, as well as some flooding of homes along and near Irving Wick Drive East. Significant flooding of homes along and near Amber Lane occurs. Flooding of about half of Holly Park Estates occurs.
- 21 ftWater at least one foot deep affects all but the northern extent of Glenwood subdivision, as well as Huron Drive West, Livingston Court, with some water affecting Huron Drive. Most of Licking View Drive is under water with several homes along Licking View near Creekview Drive flooded. Homes along Hopewell are flooded. Homes along and near Amber Lane are flooded, with water approaching homes from a flooded Irving Wick Drive East. Homes along Holly Park Drive and Roberston Drive Southeast are flooded.
- 20 ftThis is very close to the FEMA 1 percent flood. Extensive flooding along Licking View Drive, with water reaching to several homes within the Glenwood subdivision area along Woodsedge Circle, Hillview and Wildwood Courts. Most of Huron Drive West, some of Huron Drive, and Creekview Drives are affected. Homes along Hopewell Drive incur flooding, as well as Roberston Drive SE and Holly Park Estates. Water covers portions of Irving Wick Drive East and the southeast side of the Heath High Stadium.
- 19 ftMuch of Licking View Drive is flooded, with water approaching homes along Licking View near Creekview Drive. Homes are impacted near Hillview Court, Huron Drive West, Livingston Court and Wildwood Court. Irving Wick Drive East is flooded near the river. Hoback Park and Forry Reserve are covered by several feet of water. Robertson Drive Southeast is flooded, as well as Holly Park Estate.
- 18 ftWater covers properties along Licking View Drive, especially near Hopewell Drive. Several properties along Licking View Drive are flooded, though no structures are flooded. Portions of South Fork Road near Irving Wick Drive are flooded, as well as Hobak Park and Forry Preserve, with water crossing Licking View Drive and approaching the football stadium behind Heath High School.
- 17 ftSome areas of Licking View Drive near Livingston Court are flooded. The soccer and baseball fields of Hobak Park are also flooded.
- 16 ftWater inundates low areas of Hobak Park and approaches portions of Licking View Drive.
Highest crests on record
- 21.06 ft — March 20, 2020
- 19.01 ft — August 20, 2026
- 18.7 ft — April 3, 2024
- 17.79 ft — July 13, 2017
- 17.59 ft — March 15, 2012
Recent crests: 19.01 ft (August 20, 2026) · 16.46 ft (August 17, 2026) · 18.7 ft (April 3, 2024) · 16.52 ft (February 18, 2022) · 21.06 ft (March 20, 2020)
Up and down the river, and nearby
- UpstreamSouth Fork Licking River (OH) near Hebron, OH
- DownstreamLicking River (OH) near Newark (Stadden Bridge), 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
- North Fork Licking River (OH) at Newark Water Plant, OH
- Raccoon Creek near Granville, OH
- South Fork Licking River (OH) at Interstate 70 near Buckeye Lake, OH
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (SFHO1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.