River stage
Columbus, East Fork White River
- River level
- -3.39 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.09 ft
- Recent high
- 9.02 ft
- Recent low
- -3.40 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS BAKI3
- 30-day change
- -1.85 ft
- Average
- -0.54 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 18.61 ft
In brief
The East Fork White River at Columbus, IN read -3.39 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.89 ft below action stage. That is 1.85 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge BAKI3
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 18.61 ft | 2008-06-08 |
| 2 | 17.90 ft | 1913-03-27 |
| 3 | 17.09 ft | 2025-04-06 |
| 4 | 17.05 ft | 2005-01-07 |
| 5 | 16.23 ft | 1963-03-06 |
| 6 | 16.13 ft | 2013-12-23 |
| 7 | 16.00 ft | 1952-01-28 |
| 8 | 15.67 ft | 1991-01-01 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 6.00 ft
Backwater from the East Fork White River begins to affect (slow) the water flow of Haw and Clifty Creeks in the city of Columbus around this level.
- 8.00 ft
The river is at an unusually high level. Tellman Road begins to flood just southwest of Indianapolis Road. High water begins to affect Mill Race Park.
- 8.80 ft
Flooding occurs along portions of the East Fork White River in the Columbus area including Mill Race Park.
- 9.00 ft
Cabins begin to flood south of Tellman Road. Mill Race Park floods. Lowland flooding begins. State Road 11 between Southern Crossing and CR 550 S is closed.
- 10.00 ft
Every Bartholomew county road that approaches or crosses the East Fork White River including Southern Crossing is affected by flood waters. County Road 800 S is extensively flooded in southern Bartholomew County. Mill Race Park in Columbus is extensively flooded. Flood waters on SR 11 in the southbound lane about 1 mile north of CR 800 S.
- 10.10 ft
The lowest portions of the parking lot for the Holiday Inn Express near I-65 was extensively flooded in March 2008. Also flooded were the nearby walking trails and the basketball goal.
- 11.20 ft
State Road 11 in the Garden City area closed at this level during March 2008 flood. Every road leading to or crossing the East Fork White River in Bartholomew County except for State Road 46 was flooded during the bigger March 2008 flood.
- 11.60 ft
Water is very close to CR 325 W just south of Lowell Rd. Mill Race Park flooded as is the area behind West Hill Shopping Center and portions of the Holiday Inn Express parking lot. Tellman Road is flooded.
- 12.00 ft
Extensive agricultural flooding is in progress north of SR 46 and along right bank downstream of gage. Flood begins to go over CR 325 W south of Lowell Rd.
- 12.50 ft
SR 11 north of CR 200 S flooded. This occurs about once every 1 to 2 years.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the East Fork White River flooding at Columbus?
No. The East Fork White River at Columbus is at -3.39 ft, 7.89 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Columbus?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 4.5 ft, minor flooding 9 ft, moderate flooding 14 ft and major flooding 16 ft.
What is the highest the East Fork White River has been at Columbus?
The highest crest on record is 18.61 ft, on 2008-06-08.
Is the East Fork White River high or low right now at Columbus?
At -3.39 ft it is higher than 1% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge BAKI3); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03364000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.