Little Wabash River River Levels

Last Updated: March 10, 2026

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.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Little Wabash River was last observed at 19,477 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 38,632 acre-ft of water today; about 215% of normal. River levels are high. Average streamflow for this time of year is 9,049 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 10,300 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Little Wabash River, with a gauge stage of 24.36 ft at this location. 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.




15-Day Weather Outlook


River Details

Last Updated 2026-03-10
Discharge Volume 38,632 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 19,477.0 cfs
-1969.0 cfs (-9.18%)
Percent of Normal 215.24%
Maximum 68,271.0 cfs
2011-05-03
Seasonal Avg 9,049 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
297 cfs 11.37 ft -45.6
Little Wabash River Below Clay City
USGS 03379500
8880 cfs 20.79 ft -18.53
Little Wabash River At Carmi
USGS 03381500
10300 cfs 24.36 ft 3
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.