Summary
Total streamflow across the
Little Wabash River
was last observed at
158
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
314
acre-ft of water today; about 3%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
4,842 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 114 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Little Wabash River Near Effingham
with a gauge stage of 10.52 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.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-04 |
| Discharge Volume | 314 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
158.43 cfs
-85.7 cfs (-35.1%) |
| Percent of Normal | 3.27% |
| Maximum |
68,271.0 cfs
2011-05-03 |
| Seasonal Avg | 4,842 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 |
6 cfs | 10.52 ft | -30.34 | |||||
|
Little Wabash River Below Clay City
USGS 03379500 |
38 cfs | 4.57 ft | -4.76 | |||||
|
Little Wabash River At Carmi
USGS 03381500 |
114 cfs | 2.87 ft | -41.54 |
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.