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SwedenSouth Fork Licking River near Buckeye Lake OH water level
River gauge, South Fork Licking River, Ohio, United States
Right now
Below flood stage
Water level
History
Not enough readings for a chart yet. History builds up with every update.
The forecast expects the river to fall to 871.50 ft by Wednesday, October 21 at 01:00 PM. Issued Tuesday, October 20 at 08:49 AM by NOAA National Weather Service.
What this means
The gauge at South Fork Licking River near Buckeye Lake OH reads 871.61 ft, a normal level.
It is 8.39 ft below the flood stage of 880.00 ft.
The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. The forecast expects the river to fall to 871.50 ft by Wednesday, October 21 at 01:00 PM.
Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Highest on record
- 882.89 ftMarch 21, 2020
- Forecast peak
- 871.60 ftWednesday, October 21 at 01:00 AM
What the stage means on the water
A normal level is usually prime time for floating and wade fishing, as long as the weather holds upstream.
The National Weather Service puts flood stage for this gauge at 880.00 ft, still 8.39 ft away.
What happens at each level
- 884.50 ft
- This is about the FEMA 1 percent flood. Numerous homes and businesses are flooded near the river channel, especially along and west of route 79. Interstate 70 is covered by water as deep as 2 feet in areas between Route 79 and Route 37.
- 884.00 ft
- Widespread major flooding occurs in communities of Buckeye lake near the river channel, generally along and west of route 79. Interstate 70 is completely covered in water by a foot or more between route 79 and route 37.
- 883.00 ft
- Both eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 70 are closed from flooding, with over a foot of water likely on both eastbound and westbound lanes. Significant flooding of the KOA campground occurs, as well as Buckeye Lake Estates and other homes and businesses near the river channel in the village of Buckeye Lake.
- 881.70 ft
- Both eastbound and westbound lanes of Interstate 70 are likely flooded, which may result in complete shutdown of the interstate, detouring highway traffic through communities near Ohio Routes 13, 40 and 37. Significant flooding of the KOA campground occurs, as well as Buckeye Lake Estates and other homes and businesses near the river channel in the village of Buckeye Lake.
- 881.50 ft
- Water covers eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 near route 79, likely shutting down eastbound interstate traffic. Detours may be set up in the region. Water surrounds homes in Buckeye Lake estates, with much of the KOA campground flooded.
- 881.30 ft
- Water begins to spill onto eastbound lanes of Interstate 70 in the area of Exit 129 near Buckeye Lake. The KOA campground floods, as well as Buckeye Lake Estates.
- 881.00 ft
- The Route 79 eastbound exit is likely closed due to high water, with water also encroaching onto the edge of eastbound outer lane of Interstate 70. Flooding also affects the KOA campground and the village of Buckeye Lake.
- 880.50 ft
- Water extends onto the 129A exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 to Route 79 near Buckeye Lake. Widespread flooding occurs through Buckeye Lake Estates.
- 880.00 ft
- Water nearly extends onto the 129A exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 to Route 79 near Buckeye Lake. Floodingalso affects Buckeye Lake Estates.
- 879.00 ft
- Water would approach the 129A exit ramp from eastbound Interstate 70 to Route 79 near Buckeye Lake.
- 871.61 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 882.89 ft | March 21, 2020 |
| 2 | 882.82 ft | August 21, 2026 |
| 3 | 881.82 ft | July 14, 2017 |
| 4 | 881.37 ft | April 3, 2024 |
| 5 | 880.86 ft | August 17, 2026 |
| 6 | 880.63 ft | May 7, 2022 |
| 7 | 880.45 ft | February 18, 2022 |
| 8 | 880.44 ft | May 20, 2020 |
| 9 | 880.06 ft | February 20, 2026 |
| 10 | 879.50 ft | December 22, 2013 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the South Fork Licking River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Fork Licking River at Kirkersville OHRiver gauge, South Fork Licking River | 11.0 cfs | Normal | −1.4 cfs | 5.8 mi |
| South Fork Licking River near Hebron OHRiver gauge, South Fork Licking River | 2.17 ft | Below flood stage | −0.04 ft | 3.2 mi |
| South Fork Licking River at Heath OHRiver gauge, South Fork Licking River | 5.02 ft | Below flood stage | −0.04 ft | 8 mi |
| South Fork Licking River at CynthianaRiver gauge, South Fork Licking River | 4.98 ft | Below flood stage | −0.05 ft | 145 mi |
| South Fork Licking River at HayesRiver gauge, South Fork Licking River | 105 cfs | Normal | −24.0 cfs | 133 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon Cr. below Wilson Street at Newark OHRiver gauge, Raccoon Cr. | 5.25 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 9 mi |
| Raccoon Creek near Granville OHRiver gauge, Raccoon Creek | 2.94 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 9 mi |
| North Fork Licking River at Ohio Street, Newark OHRiver gauge, North Fork Licking River | 3.43 ft | High | −0.01 ft | 9 mi |
| N. Fk. Licking River at E. Main St. at Newark OHRiver gauge, N. Fk. Licking River | 2.65 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 9 mi |
| North Fork Licking River at Newark OHRiver gauge, North Fork Licking River | 0.35 ft | Normal | −0.02 ft | 11 mi |
| Licking River near Newark OHRiver gauge, Licking River | 3.20 ft | Below flood stage | −0.04 ft | 11 mi |
| Blacklick Creek near Pickerington OHRiver gauge, Blacklick Creek | 9.3 cfs | Normal | −8.6 cfs | 16 mi |
Questions and answers
What is flood stage for the South Fork Licking River near Buckeye Lake OH?
The official flood stage is 880.00 ft. The level is currently 8.39 ft below it.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of South Fork Licking River near Buckeye Lake OH today?
On Oct 16, 2026, 10:45 AM EDT, the water level was 871.61 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is South Fork Licking River near Buckeye Lake OH rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is the level of South Fork Licking River near Buckeye Lake OH normal?
Below flood stage. Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at South Fork Licking River near Buckeye Lake OH?
The highest level on record is 882.89 ft on March 21, 2020.
Is South Fork Licking River near Buckeye Lake OH expected to rise?
The forecast expects the river to fall to 871.50 ft by Wednesday, October 21 at 01:00 PM.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:03144950(Agency page)- Coordinates
39.94417, -82.49139(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 871.61 ft | 2026-10-16 14:45 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: South Fork Licking River near Buckeye Lake OH (usgs:03144950). Accessed October 21, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/ohio/south-fork-licking-river-near-buckeye-lake-oh
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer