River stage
Carthage, Big Blue River
- River level
- 0.72 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.01 ft
- Recent high
- 11.64 ft
- Recent low
- 0.41 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS CARI3
- 30-day change
- -0.08 ft
- Average
- 1.23 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 14.62 ft
In brief
The Big Blue River at Carthage, IN read 0.72 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 4.28 ft below action stage. That is 0.08 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge CARI3
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14.62 ft | 1963-03-04 |
| 2 | 13.28 ft | 1959-01-21 |
| 3 | 12.91 ft | 1993-11-15 |
| 4 | 12.42 ft | 1958-06-14 |
| 5 | 12.31 ft | 1990-12-30 |
| 6 | 12.30 ft | 2026-08-13 |
| 7 | 12.08 ft | 1961-04-25 |
| 8 | 11.96 ft | 2013-12-22 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 5.00 ft
CR800N begins to flood at its lowest point where it crosses the Big Blue River in northwest Rush County.
- 7.00 ft
Lowland flooding begins.
- 8.50 ft
A frequent high water level. This occurs about two or three times a year. Local roads near the Big Blue River flood. Water surrounds a few homes in Carthage, enters dog houses in southern Carthage and affects used auto parts yard in Carthage. Water is in yards in the southern outskirts of Knightstown and extreme eastern Raysville.
- 11.00 ft
Extensive flooding is in progress. Many local roads flood and are impassable to most vehicles. A few evacuations are necessary in southern parts of Carthage, extreme southern sections of Knightstown, eastern Raysville and a few rural areas of northwest Rush County. Used auto parts yard in Carthage is flooded.
- 13.00 ft
A serious flood in progress. Many local roads are impassable. Some evacuations occur in southern parts of Carthage, extreme southern sections of Knightstown, eastern Raysville and rural areas of northwest Rush County. Used auto parts yard in Carthage is extensively flooded.
- 14.00 ft
Near record to record flood along the Big Blue River. Many county and some city streets impassable. Eastern and southern parts of Carthage, extreme southern sections of Knightstown and extreme eastern Raysville flood extensively. Many evacuations occur in Knightstown, Carthage and rural northwest Rush county.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Big Blue River flooding at Carthage?
No. The Big Blue River at Carthage is at 0.72 ft, 4.28 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Carthage?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 5 ft, minor flooding 7 ft, moderate flooding 10 ft and major flooding 13 ft.
What is the highest the Big Blue River has been at Carthage?
The highest crest on record is 14.62 ft, on 1963-03-04.
Is the Big Blue River high or low right now at Carthage?
At 0.72 ft it is higher than 41% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge CARI3); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03361000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.