Little Wabash River

Last Updated: April 19, 2026

Total streamflow across the Little Wabash River was last observed at 882 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 1,749 acre-ft of water today; about 13% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 6,615 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2011-05-03 when daily discharge volume was observed at 68,271 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Little Wabash River At Carmi reporting a streamflow rate of 507 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Little Wabash River Near Effingham with a gauge stage of 11.51 ft. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Little Wabash River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 542 ft, the Little Wabash River Near Effingham.

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.


15-Day Long Term Forecast


River Details

Last Updated 2026-04-19
Discharge Volume 1,749 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 882.0 cfs
Past 24 Hours: +79.0 cfs (+9.84%)
Percent of Normal 13.33%
Maximum 68,271.0 cfs
2011-05-03
Seasonal Avg 6,615 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Little Wabash River Near Effingham
USGS 03378635
375 cfs 11.51 ft 234.82
Little Wabash River Below Clay City
USGS 03379500
301 cfs 7.19 ft 32.6
Little Wabash River At Carmi
USGS 03381500
507 cfs 4.05 ft 9.27
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Wabash River (French: Ouabache) is a 503-mile-long (810 km) river in Ohio and Indiana, United States, that flows from the headwaters near the middle of Ohio's western border northwest then southwest across northern Indiana turning south along the Illinois border where the southern portion forms the Indiana-Illinois border before flowing into the Ohio River. It is the largest northern tributary of the Ohio River. From the dam near Huntington, Indiana, to its terminus at the Ohio River, the Wabash flows freely for 411 miles (661 km). Its watershed drains most of Indiana. The Tippecanoe River, White River, Embarras River and Little Wabash River are major tributaries. The river's name comes from an Illini Indian word meaning "water over white stones".
The Wabash is the state river of Indiana, and subject of the state song "On the Banks of the Wabash, Far Away" by Paul Dresser. Two counties (in Indiana and Illinois), eight townships in Illinois, Indiana, and Ohio; one Illinois precinct, one city, one town, two colleges, one high school, one canal, one former class I railroad, several bridges and avenues are all named for the river itself while four US Navy warships are either named for the river or the numerous battles that took place on or near it.