White River (IN) at Ravenswood
No watches, warnings or advisories are in effect for this area.
Future / Actual / Minor
OWP 2.0 WWA Modal Title
01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC through 01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC
Sender
Sent
- Warning: no valid ratings curve available. Transformations to and from FEET/CFS/KCFS will not happen.No secondary data available. Transformations for Flow data and a secondary Y axis cannot be made at this time.
Traces and Thresholds Click to turn on/off display
CATEGORY STAGE 
Major Flooding 12 ft Moderate Flooding 10 ft Minor Flooding 6 ft Action 4 ft Reliability of the Forecast: Based on current and forecast river, weather and reservoir conditions
NOTE: Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Gauge reading only in high-water situations.
Stage measured manually and reported by river observer. No automated gauge on-site.
National Water Model Hydrograph
Official NWS streamflow forecasts are produced by NWS hydrologic forecasters for river gauge locations using hydrologic models which are calibrated to that location. This process considers additional guidance and information, including local expertise and experience, to produce the best forecast possible. The NWM output provides supplemental guidance to NWS forecasters and should not be considered an official NWS river forecast.
Flood Impacts
- 14.5 - Approaching record flood level. Worst flooding in nearly 100 years. Major destruction in Ravenswood and likely failing of levee at Rocky Ripple. Nearing first floor flooding in Mystic Bay area. Critical stage on Warfleigh levee in Broad Ripple. Numerous local roads on north side of Indianapolis flooded.
- 13.5 - Flood levels at the highest level since March 1913 and just above the May 1943 flood. Extensive flooding with many evacuations in the Ravenswood area. Possible breaching of levee in the Rocky Ripple Area.
- 12.5 - Major flooding in Ravenswood. Evacuations ordered for all residents in Ravenswood west of Crittenden Avenue. Water near the top of levee protecting Rocky Ripple. Water at critical levels for Warfleigh levee in Broad Ripple. Numerous local roads extensively flooded on the north side of Indianapolis.
Gauge Location
Recent Crests
| 1. | 8.75 ft | on 04-05-2018 |
| 2. | 9.90 ft | on 05-06-2017 |
| 3. | 7.56 ft | on 12-29-2015 |
| 4. | 9.10 ft | on 06-29-2015 |
| 5. | 8.50 ft | on 04-05-2014 |
Recent Crests
| 1. | 8.75 ft | on 04-05-2018 |
| 2. | 9.90 ft | on 05-06-2017 |
| 3. | 7.56 ft | on 12-29-2015 |
| 4. | 9.10 ft | on 06-29-2015 |
| 5. | 8.50 ft | on 04-05-2014 |
| 6. | 9.10 ft | on 12-24-2013 |
| 7. | 11.50 ft | on 04-20-2013 |
| 8. | 9.95 ft | on 01-15-2013 |
| 9. | 10.20 ft | on 03-02-2011 |
| 10. | 8.10 ft | on 06-24-2010 |
| 11. | 7.55 ft | on 02-13-2009 |
| 12. | 9.40 ft | on 02-07-2008 |
| 13. | 10.60 ft | on 03-25-2007 |
| 14. | 8.00 ft | on 01-16-2007 |
| 15. | 8.20 ft | on 12-03-2006 |
| 16. | 11.80 ft | on 01-14-2005 |
| 17. | 10.60 ft | on 01-07-2005 |
| 18. | 6.80 ft | on 06-12-2004 |
| 19. | 7.90 ft | on 01-06-2004 |
| 20. | 9.50 ft | on 09-04-2003 |
| 21. | 11.30 ft | on 07-11-2003 |
| 22. | 8.50 ft | on 07-07-2003 |
| 23. | 10.30 ft | on 05-14-2002 |
| 24. | 10.80 ft | on 01-24-1999 |
| 25. | 7.00 ft | on 03-15-1997 |
| 26. | 8.50 ft | on 03-01-1997 |
| 27. | 7.00 ft | on 04-30-1996 |
| 28. | 7.00 ft | on 04-13-1994 |
| 29. | 7.10 ft | on 01-30-1994 |
| 30. | 9.90 ft | on 11-17-1993 |
| 31. | 7.00 ft | on 01-05-1993 |
| 32. | 5.90 ft | on 11-24-1992 |
| 33. | 8.50 ft | on 11-14-1992 |
| 34. | 6.00 ft | on 11-03-1992 |
| 35. | 9.00 ft | on 06-20-1992 |
| 36. | 7.20 ft | on 04-19-1992 |
| 37. | 12.50 ft | on 01-01-1991 |
| 38. | 7.60 ft | on 06-11-1990 |
| 39. | 5.80 ft | on 05-17-1990 |
| 40. | 7.00 ft | on 03-12-1990 |
| 41. | 7.00 ft | on 02-17-1990 |
| 42. | 5.30 ft | on 09-16-1989 |
| 43. | 5.40 ft | on 09-11-1989 |
| 44. | 8.40 ft | on 09-03-1989 |
| 45. | 7.50 ft | on 05-28-1989 |
| 46. | 5.90 ft | on 04-06-1989 |
| 47. | 6.50 ft | on 04-08-1988 |
| 48. | 6.00 ft | on 03-20-1986 |
| 49. | 8.00 ft | on 12-13-1985 |
| 50. | 6.10 ft | on 11-28-1985 |
| 51. | 6.00 ft | on 04-02-1985 |
| 52. | 10.90 ft | on 02-25-1985 |
| 53. | 6.40 ft | on 03-18-1984 |
| 54. | 5.80 ft | on 01-31-1983 |
| 55. | 4.50 ft | on 01-05-1982 |
| 56. | 9.70 ft | on 06-04-1980 |
| 57. | 8.00 ft | on 03-05-1979 |
| 58. | 6.70 ft | on 02-25-1979 |
| 59. | 7.60 ft | on 03-23-1978 |
| 60. | 7.90 ft | on 03-17-1978 |
| 61. | 6.20 ft | on 12-17-1977 |
| 62. | 7.80 ft | on 02-25-1975 |
| 63. | 7.30 ft | on 01-21-1974 |
| 64. | 7.10 ft | on 12-28-1973 |
| 65. | 6.50 ft | on 11-16-1972 |
| 66. | 7.50 ft | on 04-22-1972 |
| 67. | 6.50 ft | on 02-21-1971 |
| 68. | 8.10 ft | on 01-31-1969 |
| 69. | 7.90 ft | on 12-11-1966 |
| 70. | 12.90 ft | on 04-23-1964 |
| 71. | 6.80 ft | on 03-12-1964 |
| 72. | 10.70 ft | on 03-07-1963 |
| 73. | 5.95 ft | on 03-23-1962 |
| 74. | 6.55 ft | on 02-28-1962 |
| 75. | 10.00 ft | on 01-28-1962 |
| 76. | 7.50 ft | on 04-27-1961 |
| 77. | 6.62 ft | on 03-15-1961 |
| 78. | 7.50 ft | on 04-30-1959 |
| 79. | 8.04 ft | on 02-12-1959 |
| 80. | 8.90 ft | on 01-24-1959 |
| 81. | 12.30 ft | on 06-15-1958 |
| 82. | 12.60 ft | on 06-30-1957 |
| 83. | 8.50 ft | on 04-15-1948 |
| 84. | 13.30 ft | on 05-19-1943 |
| 85. | 12.00 ft | on 01-16-1937 |
| 86. | 16.00 ft | on 03-26-1913 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 16.00 ft | on 03-26-1913 |
| 2. | 13.30 ft | on 05-19-1943 |
| 3. | 12.90 ft | on 04-23-1964 |
| 4. | 12.60 ft | on 06-30-1957 |
| 5. | 12.50 ft | on 01-01-1991 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 16.00 ft | on 03-26-1913 |
| 2. | 13.30 ft | on 05-19-1943 |
| 3. | 12.90 ft | on 04-23-1964 |
| 4. | 12.60 ft | on 06-30-1957 |
| 5. | 12.50 ft | on 01-01-1991 |
| 6. | 12.30 ft | on 06-15-1958 |
| 7. | 12.00 ft | on 01-16-1937 |
| 8. | 11.80 ft | on 01-14-2005 |
| 9. | 11.50 ft | on 04-20-2013 |
| 10. | 11.30 ft | on 07-11-2003 |
| 11. | 10.90 ft | on 02-25-1985 |
| 12. | 10.80 ft | on 01-24-1999 |
| 13. | 10.70 ft | on 03-07-1963 |
| 14. | 10.60 ft | on 03-25-2007 |
| 15. | 10.60 ft | on 01-07-2005 |
| 16. | 10.30 ft | on 05-14-2002 |
| 17. | 10.20 ft | on 03-02-2011 |
| 18. | 10.00 ft | on 01-28-1962 |
| 19. | 9.95 ft | on 01-15-2013 |
| 20. | 9.90 ft | on 05-06-2017 |
| 21. | 9.90 ft | on 11-17-1993 |
| 22. | 9.70 ft | on 06-04-1980 |
| 23. | 9.50 ft | on 09-04-2003 |
| 24. | 9.40 ft | on 02-07-2008 |
| 25. | 9.10 ft | on 12-24-2013 |
| 26. | 9.10 ft | on 06-29-2015 |
| 27. | 9.00 ft | on 06-20-1992 |
| 28. | 8.90 ft | on 01-24-1959 |
| 29. | 8.75 ft | on 04-05-2018 |
| 30. | 8.50 ft | on 11-14-1992 |
| 31. | 8.50 ft | on 03-01-1997 |
| 32. | 8.50 ft | on 04-15-1948 |
| 33. | 8.50 ft | on 07-07-2003 |
| 34. | 8.50 ft | on 04-05-2014 |
| 35. | 8.40 ft | on 09-03-1989 |
| 36. | 8.20 ft | on 12-03-2006 |
| 37. | 8.10 ft | on 06-24-2010 |
| 38. | 8.10 ft | on 01-31-1969 |
| 39. | 8.04 ft | on 02-12-1959 |
| 40. | 8.00 ft | on 03-05-1979 |
| 41. | 8.00 ft | on 01-16-2007 |
| 42. | 8.00 ft | on 12-13-1985 |
| 43. | 7.90 ft | on 03-17-1978 |
| 44. | 7.90 ft | on 12-11-1966 |
| 45. | 7.90 ft | on 01-06-2004 |
| 46. | 7.80 ft | on 02-25-1975 |
| 47. | 7.60 ft | on 03-23-1978 |
| 48. | 7.60 ft | on 06-11-1990 |
| 49. | 7.56 ft | on 12-29-2015 |
| 50. | 7.55 ft | on 02-13-2009 |
| 51. | 7.50 ft | on 05-28-1989 |
| 52. | 7.50 ft | on 04-30-1959 |
| 53. | 7.50 ft | on 04-22-1972 |
| 54. | 7.50 ft | on 04-27-1961 |
| 55. | 7.30 ft | on 01-21-1974 |
| 56. | 7.20 ft | on 04-19-1992 |
| 57. | 7.10 ft | on 12-28-1973 |
| 58. | 7.10 ft | on 01-30-1994 |
| 59. | 7.00 ft | on 04-13-1994 |
| 60. | 7.00 ft | on 02-17-1990 |
| 61. | 7.00 ft | on 04-30-1996 |
| 62. | 7.00 ft | on 03-12-1990 |
| 63. | 7.00 ft | on 01-05-1993 |
| 64. | 7.00 ft | on 03-15-1997 |
| 65. | 6.80 ft | on 03-12-1964 |
| 66. | 6.80 ft | on 06-12-2004 |
| 67. | 6.70 ft | on 02-25-1979 |
| 68. | 6.62 ft | on 03-15-1961 |
| 69. | 6.55 ft | on 02-28-1962 |
| 70. | 6.50 ft | on 11-16-1972 |
| 71. | 6.50 ft | on 04-08-1988 |
| 72. | 6.50 ft | on 02-21-1971 |
| 73. | 6.40 ft | on 03-18-1984 |
| 74. | 6.20 ft | on 12-17-1977 |
| 75. | 6.10 ft | on 11-28-1985 |
| 76. | 6.00 ft | on 11-03-1992 |
| 77. | 6.00 ft | on 03-20-1986 |
| 78. | 6.00 ft | on 04-02-1985 |
| 79. | 5.95 ft | on 03-23-1962 |
| 80. | 5.90 ft | on 04-06-1989 |
| 81. | 5.90 ft | on 11-24-1992 |
| 82. | 5.80 ft | on 05-17-1990 |
| 83. | 5.80 ft | on 01-31-1983 |
| 84. | 5.40 ft | on 09-11-1989 |
| 85. | 5.30 ft | on 09-16-1989 |
| 86. | 4.50 ft | on 01-05-1982 |
Vertical Datum Table
| type | NGVD29 |
|---|---|
| major Flooding | 724.50 ft |
| moderate Flooding | 722.50 ft |
| minor Flooding | 718.50 ft |
| action | 716.50 ft |
| Latest Value | N/A |
| Gauge Zero | 712.50 ft |
Unique Local Info
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Potential River Levels Used to Estimate the Chance of Flooding and the Range of Possible River Levels |
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| 10 Day (HEFS) | 10 Day (NAEFS) | 10 Day (GEFS) |
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Note: Use the official hydrograph at the top of this web page for river levels within the next 72 hours.
Click individual graphics to enlarge.
Current river trends are available at the Keystone Ave Bridge site located just upstream of the old Ravenswood staff gage.This river site is operated solely by the National Weather Service at Indianapolis and currently there is no observer.
Detailed stream discharges and gage heights as archived by the U.S. Geological Survey are not available. Much of the data that is available is displayed on this page.
If you have questions please call the National Weather Service at 317–856–0360 or e–mail us at: nws.indianapolis@noaa.gov.
Collaborative Agencies
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
Resources
Hydrologic Resource Links
- River Forecast Centers
- Text Products
- Forecast Precipitation
- US Geological Survey Surface Water
- How to Use US Geological Survey Water Alert Feature
- Water Resources Outlook
- Wabash River Conservation Area
- Water flow from Norway and Oakdale Dams
- Indianapolis Reservoir Levels
- Midwest Region U.S. Drought Monitor
- Indianapolis Museum of Art: FLOW Can You See the River?
- The Flood of 1913 - Remembered
- Friends of the White River
Additional Resource Links
- NWS Precipitation and River Forecasting
- Area Hydrographs
- Zoomable RFC Hourly Precipitation Maps
- Zoomable Snowfall Maps
- Indiana State Climate Office
- Community Collaborative Rain, Hail & Snow Network in Indiana
- Snow Information
- Midwestern Regional Climate Center
- Indiana Precipitation Frequencies
- Drainage Areas of Indiana Streams
- Ensemble River Forecasts
- Ohio River Forecast Center