TIPPECANOE RIVER

40.83, -86.79
Last Updated: December 7, 2024

TOTAL DISCHARGE (CFS)

Total streamflow across the Tippecanoe River was last observed at 1,185 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 2,349 acre-ft of water today; about 34% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 3,489 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2018-02-22 when daily discharge volume was observed at 33,670 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Tippecanoe River At Buffalo reporting a streamflow rate of 563 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Tippecanoe River, with a gauge stage of 7.5 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 6 different streamgauging stations along the Tippecanoe River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 852 ft, the Tippecanoe River At North Webster.

The Tippecanoe River is a 225-mile-long river that flows through northern Indiana, originating from the wetlands in Tippecanoe Lake. The river has a rich history, playing a significant role in transportation, trade, and the fur trapping industry during the early 19th century. It is also known for its connection to the famous Battle of Tippecanoe, fought between the Shawnee and US forces in 1811. The river flows through several reservoirs, including the Norway, Oakdale, Winona, and Dewart Lake reservoirs, which are used for flood control, water supply, and recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and camping. The Tippecanoe River is also critical for agriculture, supplying water for crop irrigation in the surrounding areas. The river is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna, providing habitat for various species of fish, birds, and mammals.

Last Updated 2024-12-07
Discharge Volume 2,349 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 1,184.5 cfs
-32.0 cfs (-2.63%)
Percent of Normal 33.95%
Maximum 33,670.0 cfs
2018-02-22
Seasonal Avg 3,489 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Tippecanoe River At North Webster
USGS 03330241
37 cfs 3.5 ft 3.08
Tippecanoe River At Oswego
USGS 03330500
36 cfs 5.18 ft 0
Tippecanoe River Near Ora
USGS 03331500
413 cfs 6.27 ft -8.02
Tippecanoe River At Winamac
USGS 03331753
372 cfs 4.21 ft 13.41
Tippecanoe River At Buffalo
USGS 03332345
563 cfs 7.5 ft 110.07
Tippecanoe River Near Delphi
USGS 03333050
364 cfs 1.83 ft -9.9
History of the River

The Tippecanoe River ( TIP-ee-kə-NOO) is a gentle, 182-mile-long (293 km) river in northern Indiana that flows from Big Lake in Noble County to the Wabash River near what is now Battle Ground, about 12 miles (19 km) northeast of Lafayette. The name "Tippecanoe" was derived from a Miami-Illinois word for buffalo fish, reconstructed as */kiteepihkwana/ or as kiteepihkwana siipiiwi.The Tippecanoe River is fed by 88 natural lakes and has a drainage area of 1,250,000 acres (5,100 km2), spanning 14 counties. It supports more numerous imperiled species and overall species diversity than most streams of the upper Midwest. The Nature Conservancy has identified it as one of the top ten rivers in the United States to preserve due to its ecological diversity and the high proportion of endangered species found in it.

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