Little Wabash River Flow Today
As of October 2, 2026 at 1:30 AM, the Little Wabash River is flowing at 74 cfs at Carmi, IL — 54% of normal for the date and down 17% in 24 hours. 3 of 3 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 22 to 74 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Little Wabash River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Little Wabash River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Carmi, the Little Wabash River is running 74 cfs — 54% of normal, down 17% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 3 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 125% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Carmi (-17%).
Highest against normal: Effingham at 539%. Lowest: Carmi at 54%.
How the Little Wabash River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Effingham542 ft 22 cfs539%
- Clay City477 ft 33 cfs125%
- Carmi419 ft 74 cfs54%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Little Wabash River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (125%).
Little Wabash River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Little Wabash River Near Effingham IL
Oct 2, 1:30 AM · USGS 03378635 |
22 cfs | 539% | 0% | 10.66 ft | · | 542 ft |
|
Little Wabash River Below Clay City IL
Oct 2, 1:30 AM · USGS 03379500 |
33 cfs | 125% | -2% | 4.27 ft | 13.7 ft below | 477 ft |
|
Little Wabash River At Carmi IL
Oct 2, 1:30 AM · USGS 03381500 |
74 cfs | 54% | -17% | 2.50 ft | · | 419 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Little Wabash River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Little Wabash River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Little Wabash River
The Little Wabash River is a tributary of the Wabash River in southern Illinois, stretching 240 miles from its source to its confluence with the Wabash River. The river has a rich history, as it was used for transportation and trade by Native Americans and European settlers in the 1800s. It is also a vital source of water for agriculture in the region, with many farmers relying on it for irrigation. The river has several reservoirs and dams, including the Lake Sara Dam, which is used for flood control and recreation. The river's hydrology has been impacted by human activities, including agriculture and urbanization, leading to issues with water quality and sedimentation. Despite this, the Little Wabash River remains a popular destination for fishing, boating, and other recreational activities.
About the Little Wabash River
How is the Little Wabash River flowing right now?
As of October 2, 2026, the Little Wabash River is flowing at 74 cfs at Carmi, IL, about 54% of normal for the date. Across its 3 USGS gauges, current flows range from 22 to 74 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Little Wabash River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Little Wabash River is at 125% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Little Wabash River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Clay City (18.0 ft), . The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.