Wabash River at Mount Carmel

The past week

What floods at each level

• 38 ft

  An unbelievable flood. Water 4 feet above May 2011 flood. Levee at Mt. Carmel overtopped. Great flood destruction in both Indiana and Illinois affecting major power plant, residential and business areas. Indiana State Road 64 and nearby railroad flooded. Possible flooding to I-64.

• 35 ft

  Flood waters threaten Gibson Generating Station located in Gibson County Indiana just across the river from Mt. Carmel. In June 2008...it was the third largest power plant in the nation according to the Indianapolis Star. Its generated power went to 79 Indiana counties including the Indianapolis Area. Wabash River is at a record level...about one foot above the January 2005 flood and the local levees in the East Mount Carmel...Indiana area. Levee Unit #5 overtopped. A serious flood is in progress.

• 34 ft

  Flood of near record height is in progress. Flood destruction could be great in much of western Gibson County Indiana and eastern Wabash County Illinois if agricultural levees fail.

• 33 ft

  The Wabash River is at the flood crest of the Great March 1913 flood. All unprotected flood plain areas are flooded to within one foot of January 2005 flood. This includes the northern outskirts of Mount Carmel, Illinois, western Gibson County Indiana and eastern Wabash County Illinois. Extensive flood damage in unprotected flood areas. A flood with the flow of March 1913 would reach an estimated 36 feet and cause failure of agricultural levees and widespread rural flood destruction.

• 32 ft

  Beginning of a major flood. Extensive flooding of western Gibson County Indiana, eastern Wabash County Illinois and the northern outskirts of Mount Carmel. Numerous local roads are impassable. Some evacuations are necessary. Some agricultural levees fail.

• 31 ft

  Much of Western Gibson County is underwater. Some evacuations are necessary. New Baltimore (Black Hawk River Camp) about 1 1/2 miles south of Griffin floods extensively. Extensive flooding on the northern outskirts of Mount Carmel, Illinois. Numerous local river roads are underwater, some by a few feet. A few agricultural levees fail. River is 3 miles wide at I-64.

• 30.5 ft

  Extensive flooding in East Mt. Carmel Indiana. The road through East Mount Carmel is impassable. Most structures in this area are elevated 2 to 3 feet above current flood waters. Vehicles must be parked on higher ground.

• 30.1 ft

  Old Illinois 1 north of Mt. Carmel begins to flood around this level. Water overtops the Wabash District #1 levee located in the New Harmony area.

• 30 ft

  Extensive flooding in progress on the northern outskirts of Mount Carmel and in western Gibson County Indiana with some evacuations needed. Flooding may cause some evacuations and relocation of motorized land vehicles. Numerous local river roads are flooded. Beall Woods State Park has 160-200 acres flooded. High water backs up into Bon Pas Creek. Browns, Illinois may be surrounded by water if heavy local rain occurs. River is 3 miles wide at I-64.

• 28.5 ft

  Extensive flooding in progress. Some residents along South Division Street in the Mt. Carmel area and in the Keensburg area must relocate. Several local roads are flooded, some by several feet of water. These include South Division Street, CR 1280 E, three township roads south of Illinois 1 near Keensburg in Illinois, and Wabash River Road and Wilson Road near Little Rock in Indiana.

• 28 ft

  Critical Stage of Rochester-Mcleary Bluff Levee. Cattle and farm equipment must be moved. Most roads along river or near river are now impassible. Agricultural losses 100 percent in areas that are not protected by levees. The Wabash River is more than 2 miles wide at I-64.

• 27.5 ft

  In the City of Mt. Carmel, all local roads flooded east of the levee except for South Division.

• 26.7 ft

  Wilson Road, a north-south road in Knox County near the confluence of the White and Wabash Rivers, is flooded in the Little Rock area in 2 or 3 places. One location the water is too deep for vehicles. Extensive agricultural flooding progress in areas that are not protected by levees. Three Illinois township roads south of Illinois 1 between Keensburg and Grayville are flooded for a total of 10 miles. Access to oil fields in the Keensburg and Grayville are blocked by high water.

• 26 ft

  Relocation to higher ground of cattle and some farm equipment is necessary. Agricultural losses are near 100 percent in areas that are not protected by levees. Extensive lowland flooding in western Gibson County Indiana.

• 25.5 ft

  Extensive lowland flooding in progress. Much of the flood plain activity is affected by high water. Numerous local river roads flood.

• 24 ft

  Extensive lowland flooding in progress. Some mobile homes must be moved if water rises higher. Installation of flood gate A at Mount Carmel is necessary. Access to local camp sites are blocked, but minimal impact to commercial activities because of gate closure. In Wabash County Illinois, CR 1280 E and South Division Street are flooded.

• 23.9 ft

  Extensive lowland flooding in progress. In Wabash County Illinois, South Division Street and 1.5 miles of CR 1280 E remain flooded. High water blocks access to cabins along South Division Street and some nearby oil fields.

• 22.9 ft

  Water begins to flow over River Road just north of Fifth Street in the Mount Carmel area.

• 22 ft

  Flood waters begin to affect residents of East Mt. Carmel, Indiana. Fifth Street that parallels river closes. Twin restaurant along the river also closes. Several local river roads flood.

• 21 ft

  River Road in the Mount Carmel, Illinois area begins to flood. Lowland flooding in progress. A few local river roads are closed by high water.

• 20 ft

  River is bankfull in all locations. All oil field production ceases with the exception of pumping units on substructures. Access to these are by boat only. Agricultural losses increase dramatically. Farmers move livestock to higher ground. City of Mount Carmel leaves flood gates B and C in year round.

• 18.39 ft

  Pumping started at Mt. Carmel.

• 18 ft

  River is bankfull in nearly all locations. Many river cabins become inaccessible. Oil field producers stop most production where pumping units are not on substructures. Agricultural losses become more extensive. County road along the river settlement Pulleyville north of Mount Carmel floods.

• 17 ft

  Additional low crop land downstream of Mount Carmel begins to flood. Backwater from the Wabash River may begin to affect gage readings on Bon Pas Creek near Browns Illinois.

• 16 ft

  Agricultural flooding becomes more extensive. Water depth is now sufficient to result in some damage to crops. A few oil wells become isolated with access by boat only. Isolated roads near river become impassible.

Highest crests on record

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