Olentangy River Near Worthington flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Olentangy River Near Worthington is flowing at 147 cfs with a gage height of 2.04 ft, receding 37% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03226800, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Olentangy River Near Worthington at a glance
How Olentangy River Near Worthington is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Olentangy River Near Worthington is flowing at 147 cfs, with the water sitting 2.04 ft at the gage. Flow is down 37% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #03226800 in Ohio. Over the past 10 days the average has been 254 cfs, peaking at 976 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Ohio flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Olentangy River Near Worthington Oh is expected to recede from today's 237 cfs, toward roughly 131 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 22-762 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Olentangy River Near Worthington
The flow is influenced by precipitation, snowmelt, and groundwater inputs. The river's main constituents are urban and agricultural runoff, which can lead to water quality issues. The river has several tributaries, including Big Walnut Creek and Alum Creek. There are no major dams on the Olentangy, but there are several small low-head dams used for recreation and water flow management. The river experiences seasonal flow variations, with peak flows occurring in early spring due to snowmelt and heavy precipitation. Interesting facts about the Olentangy include its use as a drinking water source for the city of Columbus and its role as a habitat for several fish species, including the endangered Scioto madtom.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Olentangy River Near Worthington's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Olentangy River Near Worthington Oh | 147 cfs |
| Scioto River Below O Shaughnessy Dam Nr Dublin Oh | 155 cfs |
| Alum Creek At Africa Oh | 11 cfs |
| Olentangy River At J H Herrick Dr At Columbus Oh | 188 cfs |
| Big Walnut Creek At Central College Oh | 151 cfs |
| Scioto River At 5th Ave At Columbus Oh | 178 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Olentangy River Near Worthington. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Columbus Wcmh | 0 in |
| John Glenn Columbus Intl Ap | 0 in |
| Centerburg | 0 in |
| Circleville | 0 in |
| Lexington 1.4 Ene | 0 in |
| 1 Ene Lexington Cocorahs (Oh-Rc-15) | 0 in |
River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Olentangy River Near Worthington in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Olentangy River Near Worthington crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Olentangy River Near Worthington
Where does the streamflow data for Olentangy River Near Worthington come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03226800. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Olentangy River Near Worthington rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Olentangy River Near Worthington report
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