Illinois River (AR OK) near Watts, OK
River level and flood forecast · Adair County
Normal2.0 ftas of Mon 2:30 PM
The river is 11.0 ft below flood stage (13 ft).
Forecast to hold near 2.0 ft through Sat, Oct 17, 7 AM.
Flow: 179 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Mon, Oct 12, 8:10 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 23 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 17 ft |
| Flood stage | 13 ft |
| Action stage | 13 ft |
| Record crest (April 30, 2017) | 30.12 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 29 ftdisastrous flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Many permanent campgrounds and cabins are overtopped, particularly in the Fidler's Bend area. River Valley Raceway is inundated by several feet, with water approaching the roof of the permanent building. This exceeds the floods of record of 28.6 feet that occurred December 28, 2015 and April 26, 2011. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 27 ftdisastrous flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Many permanent campgrounds and cabins are overtopped, particularly in the Fidler's Bend area. River Valley Raceway is inundated by several feet. This will approach the floods of record of 28.6 feet that occurred December 28, 2015 and April 26, 2011. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 25 ftvery severe flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Severe flooding of the River Valley Raceway, including the permanent building, occurs. Many cabins in the Fidler's Bend area are severely flooded. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 23 ftvery severe flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. The permanent building at River Valley Raceway is flooded to a depth of a couple of feet. Numerous cabins in the Fidler's Bend area are flooded to a depth of several feet. This is a very dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 21 ftsevere flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Water will reach the base of the building at River Valley Raceway. Farmlands and permanent campgrounds are inundated. Numerous cabins in the Fidler's Bend area are flooded. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating.
- 19 ftmoderate flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Farmlands and permanent campgrounds are affected. Several cabins in the Fidler's Bend area may be flooded. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating.
- 17 ftmoderate flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Farmlands and permanent campgrounds are affected. A few cabins in the Fidler's Bend area may have minor flooding. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating.
- 15 ftminor flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to near Fidler's Bend. Permanent campgrounds are affected. Extreme turbulence makes the river unsafe for floating.
- 13 ftminor flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to near Fidler's Bend. Extreme turbulence makes the river unsafe for floating.
Highest crests on record
- 30.12 ft — April 30, 2017
- 28.64 ft — December 28, 2015
- 28.6 ft — April 26, 2011
- 27.5 ft — May 5, 2022
- 25.96 ft — July 25, 1960
Recent crests: 13.37 ft (June 9, 2026) · 14.42 ft (September 24, 2025) · 18.09 ft (June 7, 2025) · 13.52 ft (May 26, 2025) · 13.42 ft (May 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 (WTTO2); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.