South Fork Licking River At Heath flow report
As of July 13, 2026, South Fork Licking River At Heath is flowing at 76 cfs with a gage height of 5.48 ft, rising 6% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #03145173, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
South Fork Licking River At Heath at a glance
How South Fork Licking River At Heath is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
South Fork Licking River At Heath is flowing at 76 cfs, with the water sitting 5.48 ft at the gage. Flow is up 6% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #03145173 in Ohio. Over the past 10 days the average has been 81 cfs, peaking at 206 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, South Fork Licking River At Heath Oh is expected to recede from today's 76 cfs, toward roughly 63 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 27-150 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
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
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
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.
South Fork Licking River At Heath
Its flow is primarily provided by surface runoff and groundwater from surrounding areas. The river's main tributaries are the North Fork and the Middle Fork Licking River. The river experiences seasonal variations, with the highest flows typically occurring in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation. There are no significant dams on the river. One quirky fact about the South Fork Licking River is that it was previously known as the "Licking River South Fork" but was renamed in 2008 to avoid confusion with the main stem of the Licking River.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check South Fork Licking River At Heath's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| South Fork Licking River At Heath Oh | 76 cfs |
| Raccoon Cr. Bl. Wilson Street At Newark Oh | 46 cfs |
| N. Fk. Licking River At E. Main St. At Newark Oh | 48 cfs |
| Licking River Near Newark Oh | 88 cfs |
| South Fork Licking River Near Hebron Oh | 50 cfs |
| Raccoon Creek Near Granville Oh | 12 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near South Fork Licking River At Heath. 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 |
|---|---|
| Centerburg | 0 in |
| John Glenn Columbus Intl Ap | 0 in |
| Columbus Wcmh | 0 in |
| Glouster 5.7 Ne | 0 in |
| Circleville | 0 in |
| Lexington 1.4 Ene | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of South Fork Licking River At Heath.
Boat launches
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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 South Fork Licking River At Heath in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when South Fork Licking River At Heath crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About South Fork Licking River At Heath
Where does the streamflow data for South Fork Licking River At Heath come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 03145173. 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 South Fork Licking River At Heath 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 South Fork Licking River At Heath report
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