National Weather Service Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service

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Web Portal Changes: The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) hosted at https://water.weather.gov will be replaced by the National Water Prediction Service (NWPS), with a target of March 2024. Existing AHPS content and features will be preserved and expanded within NWPS.

Experimental National Water Center Products: The National Hydrologic Discussion, Area Hydrologic Discussion, and Flood Hazard Outlook, and real-time geospatial services depicting River Forecast Center and National Water Model forecasts, continue to be accessible via https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations, as described in the StoryMap here.

Weather Forecast Office Wilmington, OH

Ohio River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (EDT)

Datum: NGVD29

Metadata

NOTE: River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from forecast issuance time (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.

Reliability of the Forecast: Based on current and forecast river, weather and reservoir conditions

NOTE: Forecasts for the Ohio River at Portsmouth are issued routinely year-round.

Vertical datum height estimated from NGVD29 to NAVD88 using the NGS VERTCON conversion program

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Upstream Gauge

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	66
Moderate Flood Stage:	57
Flood Stage:	50
Action Stage:	35
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 74.23 ft on 01/27/1937
(2) 67.90 ft on 03/31/1913
(3) 66.26 ft on 02/12/1884
(4) 64.90 ft on 03/09/1945
(5) 64.10 ft on 04/17/1948
(6) 61.20 ft on 01/03/1943
(7) 60.80 ft on 03/18/1907
(8) 60.80 ft on 03/12/1964
(9) 60.60 ft on 03/09/1955
(10) 59.80 ft on 03/04/1997
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 56.09 ft on 03/04/2021 (P)
(2) 53.26 ft on 02/15/2020 (P)
(3) 51.80 ft on 02/26/2019
(4) 51.01 ft on 02/15/2019
(5) 50.71 ft on 04/07/2018
(6) 52.70 ft on 02/26/2018
(7) 55.30 ft on 02/20/2018
(8) 44.36 ft on 02/14/2018
(9) 53.36 ft on 03/15/2015
(10) 52.14 ft on 03/07/2015
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 0.90 ft on 10/21/1920
(2) 1.20 ft on 10/29/1895
(3) 1.30 ft on 09/15/1881

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:14

	Gauge Location	Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Flood Impacts & Photos

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
74.23	This flood will exceed the highest stage on record. Widespread damage occurs. Backwater flooding along the Scioto River produces additional damage to homes, farms and businesses. Most of the City of Portsmouth is protected to a stage of 77 feet by the flood walls. Inundation of homes and businesses east of Portsmouth and elsewhere along the Ohio River within Scioto County occurs.
72	Major flooding occurs in Wheelersburg, with hundreds of homes and businesses along Route 52 flooded. Backwater flooding inundates nearly all of Garrison, Vanceburg, and Buena Vista Ohio. Low areas of West Portsmouth flood, with backwater route 104 flooded in some stretches.
66	This is approximately the FEMA 1 percent flood. Route 52 is under water through much of the region, with homes flooded along 52 and between 52 and the river. Backwater flooding also affects low areas of Friendship and West Portsmouth, Ohio. Structures in the bottom land of Kentucky between Route 8 and the river flood. Backwater flooding up Kinney Creek floods low areas near Garrison KY, with nearly all of Vanceburg flooded.
62	Water rises onto the east end of the Scioto River Bridge, and significant flooding occurs in many areas outside of Portsmouth in Scioto and Adams Counties along the Ohio River. Areas hardest hit include South Portsmouth, Fullerton and low-lying areas near Friendship.
60	The low area along Main Street in Fullerton, Ohio becomes flooded. More homes are affected by flood waters in South Portsmouth. Long stretches of Route 52 are flooded.
56	Flooding through Scioto County continues, with water entering lower levels of homes in Fullerton. Portions of Route 52 are closed due to flooding.
55	Backwater flooding affects portions of Sciotoville, New Boston and other sections outside of the flood wall area. Backwater flooding along Pond Creek near West Portsmouth floods some county roads.
53	Backwater flooding on tributaries occurs, with low lying impacts and flooding of some county roads. Riverfront homes near Shannoah Lane near Ziegler Lane become surrounded by water with some homes flooded by several feet of water.
51	Low-lying flooding occurs along the southern border of Scioto County, as well as in South Portsmouth. Routes 73 and 239 are closed near the Ohio River. Much of Portsmouth itself is protected by flood walls.
50	Lowland flooding affects southern Scioto County. Backwater flooding occurs into the Scioto River, as well as along smaller creeks flowing into the Ohio River. Flood waters expand across route 73, as well as State Route 239. Much of Portsmouth itself is protected by flood walls.
49	Lowland flooding affects southern Scioto County. Backwater flooding begins into the Scioto River, as well as along smaller creeks and streams. State Route 73 is closed near the river.
42	Lane restrictions and closings occur at the ramp to west Route 52 from State Route 239, with flooding possibly made worse if the Scioto River is also flooded. High water also affects eastbound Route 73 between Second Street and Route 852.

About This Location

Latitude: 38.729132° N, Longitude: 82.996869° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	50 ft	Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum	Elevation (gauge height = 0)	Elevation (gauge height = flood stage)	Elevation information source
NAVD88	469.468	519.468	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	470.43	520.43	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	470.9 ft	520.9 ft	NAVD88 datum from DEM and hydraulic assessment.

Current/Historical Observations:

Additional Information

Potential River Levels - Used to

Potential River Levels Used to Estimate the Chance of Flooding and the Range of Possible River Levels
10 Day (HEFS)	10 Day (NAEFS)	River Forecast VS. River Potential

Note: Use the official hydrograph at the top of this web page for river levels within the next 72 hours.

See the Product Description Document link for more details on the interpretation of the 10 day graphics.

Click individual graphics to enlarge.

'Normal' pool elevation is 14.2'

Resources

Hydrologic Resources

Additional Resources

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.

NWS Information

National Weather Service
Wilmington Weather Forecast Office
1901 South State Route 134
Wilmington, OH 45177
(937) 383-0031
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:30 PM

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