Major Flood
11 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
10 ft
Minor Flood
8 ft
Action Stage
6.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
11.5 ft
Extensive flooding occurred along Sugar Creek during December 2013. Local road to the Waste Water Treatment Plant and a few other roads nearby closed by high water. Water 8 inches below the bridge deck on US Hwy 52 on the east side of New Palestine. Flooding of at least one home downstream in Johnson County. This was the highest level for this site since establishment in October 1967.
11 ft
Major flood in progress. Flooding of a few homes in the New Palestine area begins. Sugar Creek is extensively flooding. Some local river roads flooded by a few feet of water. Shelby CR 700N may be flooded east of the bridge over Sugar Creek especially if Buck Creek at Acton is 13 feet or higher. Several homes possibly damaged in western Shelby County.
9.5 ft
Extensive lowland flooding in progress along Sugar Creek in New Palestine area. Local river roads closed by high water. Flooding of some residential property and backyards begins.
9 ft
Extensive flooding along Sugar Creek in southern Hancock and western Shelby Counties. After reaching this level, and when the Big Blue River was near 16.5 feet, one day later several homes along the creek west of Shelbyville were evacuated.
8 ft
Lowland flooding in progress along Sugar Creek in New Palestine area. Some local roads may be affected by high water.
7.5 ft
Lowland flooding south in Johnson County along the creek.
6.5 ft
Lowest areas along Sugar Creek begin to flood in New Palestine area.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 22, 2013 | 11.58 ft | 5,020 cfs |
| Jan 5, 2005 | 10.8 ft | 3,400 cfs |
| Apr 5, 2025 | 10.35 ft | 2,668 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
NPLI3
River
Sugar Creek (central)
County
Hancock, IN
Coordinates
39.7142°N, 85.8856°W
Get Flood Alerts for Sugar Creek (central)
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Sugar Creek (central) at New Palestine?
The Sugar Creek (central) at New Palestine gauge is maintained by USGS (site 03361650) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Sugar Creek (central) at New Palestine?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Sugar Creek (central) at New Palestine is 8 feet. Action stage begins at 6.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 10 feet, and major flooding at 11 feet.
How do I get alerts when Sugar Creek (central) rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Sugar Creek (central) at New Palestine to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Sugar Creek (central) at New Palestine gauge located?
The gauge is located in Hancock County, Indiana at coordinates 39.7142°N, 85.8856°W. USGS site number: 03361650. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Sugar Creek (central)
On This River
Downstream: Sugar Creek (central) near Boggstown
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Stage may be affected by ice.