River stage
Chillicothe, Scioto River
- River level
- 2.71 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.63 ft
- Recent high
- 14.00 ft
- Recent low
- 2.30 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS CHCO1
- 30-day change
- -3.99 ft
- Average
- 4.48 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 39.80 ft
In brief
The Scioto River at Chillicothe, OH read 2.71 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 11.29 ft below action stage. That is 3.99 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge CHCO1
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 39.80 ft | 1913-03-26 |
| 2 | 32.50 ft | 1959-01-23 |
| 3 | 28.30 ft | 1898-03-24 |
| 4 | 27.80 ft | 1937-01-23 |
| 5 | 26.80 ft | 1952-01-28 |
| 6 | 26.00 ft | 1929-02-28 |
| 7 | 25.70 ft | 1945-03-08 |
| 8 | 25.20 ft | 1963-03-06 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 16.00 ft
Kellenberger Road near Yellowbud is flooded. Flooding occurs along stretches of the recreational bike trail, with water possibly encroaching along Stewart Road.
- 17.00 ft
Lowland areas flood along the Scioto River in Ross County. Backwater flooding from the Scioto River affects Yellowbud Creek, with lowland flooding near Yellowbud.
- 19.30 ft
Significant lowland flooding occurs along the Scioto River in Ross County. While Chillicothe itself has only minimal flooding, backwater flooding along Yellowbud Creek results in significant flooding near Yellowbud.
- 22.00 ft
Lowland flooding continues near Chillicothe. In Yellowbud, several homes are inundated due to backwater flooding from the Scioto River into Yellowbud Creek.
- 23.00 ft
Flooding is widespread through lowland areas of Ross County. Some roadways are flooded, with numerous homes inundated in Yellowbud. Extensive crop losses occur during the growing season.
- 25.00 ft
Extensive lowland flooding occurs along the Scioto River throughout Ross County, with evacuations continuing for residents in low areas along the river.
- 30.50 ft
This is similar to the FEMA 1 percent flood. Flooding occurs on North Bridge Street and Eastern Avenue near the river in Chillicothe. Portions of State Route 207 and State Route 205 are flooded. Extensive lowland flooding occurs along the river throughout Ross County.
- 36.00 ft
Water flows onto the Paint Street Bridge and will already be across the railroad bridge in the southeast part of Chillicothe and the South Bridge Street Bridge. Extensive lowland flooding occurs along the river throughout Ross County.
- 40.00 ft
Water begins to flow onto High Street and will already be across the Paint Street Bridge, the railroad bridge and the Bridge Street Bridge. Extensive lowland flooding occurs along the river throughout Ross County.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Scioto River flooding at Chillicothe?
No. The Scioto River at Chillicothe is at 2.71 ft, 11.29 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Chillicothe?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 14 ft, minor flooding 16 ft, moderate flooding 22 ft and major flooding 31 ft.
What is the highest the Scioto River has been at Chillicothe?
The highest crest on record is 39.8 ft, on 1913-03-26.
Is the Scioto River high or low right now at Chillicothe?
At 2.71 ft it is higher than 15% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge CHCO1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03231500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.