Major Flood
30 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
27 ft
Minor Flood
23 ft
Action Stage
20 ft
What Floods at Each Level
29 ft
Widespread major flooding occurs throughout downtown Ottawa.
27 ft
Flooding worsens on the south side of Ottawa, with water on several roads. Flooding also begins in other areas of Ottawa.
26.6 ft
Flood water begins to hit the bottom of the bridge at the gage site.
25 ft
Flooding begins along south Walnut and west Second Streets on the south side of Ottawa.
23 ft
Lowland flooding occurs mainly in south Ottawa. Flood water also gets into low farmlands.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 24, 1913 | 33.3 ft | — |
| Aug 22, 2007 | 31.4 ft | — |
| Jun 14, 1981 | 29.75 ft | — |
Flood Inundation Map
NOAA has mapped what areas flood at different water levels for this gauge. View the interactive flood inundation map →
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
OTTO1
River
Blanchard River
County
Putnam, OH
Coordinates
41.0170°N, 84.0469°W
Get Flood Alerts for Blanchard River
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 Blanchard River at Ottawa?
The Blanchard River at Ottawa gauge is maintained by USGS (site 04189260) 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 Blanchard River at Ottawa?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Blanchard River at Ottawa is 23 feet. Action stage begins at 20 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 27 feet, and major flooding at 30 feet.
How do I get alerts when Blanchard River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Blanchard River at Ottawa 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 Blanchard River at Ottawa gauge located?
The gauge is located in Putnam County, Ohio at coordinates 41.0170°N, 84.0469°W. USGS site number: 04189260. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Blanchard River
On This River
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: the USGS (04189260), Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.