St. Joseph River (MI/IN) at South Bend
Future / Actual / Minor
OWP 2.0 WWA Modal Title
01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC through 01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC
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Observed (OBS) 04/04/2025 3:15 PM EDTOfficial Forecast (FCST) 04/04/2025 9:52 AM EDTRecord: 12.7 ftCATEGORY STAGE 
Major Flooding 9 ft Moderate Flooding 8 ft Minor Flooding 5.5 ft Action 4.5 ft Reliability of the Forecast:
NOTE: Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
National Water Model Hydrograph
Official NWS streamflow forecasts are produced by NWS hydrologic forecasters for river gauge locations using hydrologic models which are calibrated to that location. This process considers additional guidance and information, including local expertise and experience, to produce the best forecast possible. The NWM output provides supplemental guidance to NWS forecasters and should not be considered an official NWS river forecast.
Flood Impacts
- 11.1 - The river is at the 100 year flood level.
- 11 - Business areas near Indiana University at South Bend campus are flooded. Residents in River Commons, near Keller Park and Riverside Drive between Marion and Bartlett are flooded in their basements. Street flooding closes portions of Northshore Drive and Northside Blvd. Evacuations may be necessary and the wastewater treatment plant will be completely flooded.
- 10 - Flooding affects commercial areas near Indiana University at South Bend campus along Northside Blvd.
Gauge Info
| Coordinates | 41.7203, -86.2678 |
| RFC | NCRFC |
| State | IN |
| WFO | IWX |
| County | St. Joseph |
| Data Provider(s) | |
| USGS 04101225 | Jump to USGS site |
| USGS | 04101225 |
Gauge Location
Recent Crests
| 1. | 5.61 ft | on 03-06-2023 |
| 2. | 5.89 ft | on 02-18-2022 |
| 3. | 6.43 ft | on 06-28-2021 |
| 4. | 6.83 ft | on 05-20-2020 |
| 5. | 7.13 ft | on 05-02-2019 |
Recent Crests
| 1. | 5.61 ft | on 03-06-2023 |
| 2. | 5.89 ft | on 02-18-2022 |
| 3. | 6.43 ft | on 06-28-2021 |
| 4. | 6.83 ft | on 05-20-2020 |
| 5. | 7.13 ft | on 05-02-2019 |
| 6. | 12.70 ft | on 02-22-2018 |
| 7. | 7.80 ft | on 04-20-2013 |
| 8. | 6.10 ft | on 12-16-2011 |
| 9. | 6.90 ft | on 04-29-2011 |
| 10. | 6.00 ft | on 04-07-2009 |
| 11. | 9.00 ft | on 03-12-2009 |
| 12. | 6.00 ft | on 12-28-2008 |
| 13. | 6.70 ft | on 09-16-2008 |
| 14. | 5.50 ft | on 03-04-2008 |
| 15. | 8.90 ft | on 02-07-2008 |
| 16. | 9.60 ft | on 01-09-2008 |
| 17. | 6.10 ft | on 03-14-2006 |
| 18. | 5.50 ft | on 02-21-2005 |
| 19. | 5.90 ft | on 02-16-2005 |
| 20. | 8.00 ft | on 01-14-2005 |
| 21. | 6.40 ft | on 06-13-2004 |
| 22. | 6.90 ft | on 05-14-2002 |
| 23. | 5.90 ft | on 02-26-2001 |
| 24. | 6.50 ft | on 02-10-2001 |
| 25. | 6.60 ft | on 04-24-1999 |
| 26. | 5.60 ft | on 01-26-1999 |
| 27. | 10.90 ft | on 01-06-1993 |
| 28. | 10.70 ft | on 02-24-1985 |
| 29. | 6.30 ft | on 04-15-1983 |
| 30. | 10.90 ft | on 03-15-1982 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 12.70 ft | on 02-22-2018 |
| 2. | 10.90 ft | on 01-06-1993 |
| 3. | 10.90 ft | on 03-15-1982 |
| 4. | 10.70 ft | on 02-24-1985 |
| 5. | 9.60 ft | on 01-09-2008 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 12.70 ft | on 02-22-2018 |
| 2. | 10.90 ft | on 01-06-1993 |
| 3. | 10.90 ft | on 03-15-1982 |
| 4. | 10.70 ft | on 02-24-1985 |
| 5. | 9.60 ft | on 01-09-2008 |
| 6. | 9.00 ft | on 03-12-2009 |
| 7. | 8.90 ft | on 02-07-2008 |
| 8. | 8.00 ft | on 01-14-2005 |
| 9. | 7.80 ft | on 04-20-2013 |
| 10. | 7.13 ft | on 05-02-2019 |
| 11. | 6.90 ft | on 04-29-2011 |
| 12. | 6.90 ft | on 05-14-2002 |
| 13. | 6.83 ft | on 05-20-2020 |
| 14. | 6.70 ft | on 09-16-2008 |
| 15. | 6.60 ft | on 04-24-1999 |
| 16. | 6.50 ft | on 02-10-2001 |
| 17. | 6.43 ft | on 06-28-2021 |
| 18. | 6.40 ft | on 06-13-2004 |
| 19. | 6.30 ft | on 04-15-1983 |
| 20. | 6.10 ft | on 12-16-2011 |
| 21. | 6.10 ft | on 03-14-2006 |
| 22. | 6.00 ft | on 04-07-2009 |
| 23. | 6.00 ft | on 12-28-2008 |
| 24. | 5.90 ft | on 02-16-2005 |
| 25. | 5.90 ft | on 02-26-2001 |
| 26. | 5.89 ft | on 02-18-2022 |
| 27. | 5.61 ft | on 03-06-2023 |
| 28. | 5.60 ft | on 01-26-1999 |
| 29. | 5.50 ft | on 02-21-2005 |
| 30. | 5.50 ft | on 03-04-2008 |
Vertical Datum Table
| type | NAVD88 |
|---|---|
| major Flooding | 665.40 ft |
| moderate Flooding | 664.40 ft |
| minor Flooding | 661.90 ft |
| action | 660.90 ft |
| Latest Value | 661.67 ft |
| Gauge Zero | 656.40 ft |
Unique Local Info
As of July 28, 2021 the data source for this location was transitioned from the manual staff gauge of record to the co-located USGS automated stream gauge which was installed in February 7, 2019. This also included a datum change from NGVD29 to NAVD88. The flood of record (12.70ft) occurred prior to the automated gauge installation and was using the manual staff gauge zero datum of 656.90ft NGVD29.
How low could the river get?
Collaborative Agencies
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.