River stage
Bowling Green, Eel River
- River level
- 2.54 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.12 ft
- Recent high
- 14.78 ft
- Recent low
- 2.29 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS BOLI3
- 30-day change
- -0.13 ft
- Average
- 4.62 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 30.00 ft
In brief
The Eel River at Bowling Green, IN read 2.54 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 9.46 ft below action stage. That is 0.13 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge BOLI3
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 30.00 ft | 1875-08-01 |
| 2 | 24.80 ft | 1913-03-26 |
| 3 | 23.53 ft | 1950-01-04 |
| 4 | 23.48 ft | 2008-06-07 |
| 5 | 23.39 ft | 1957-06-29 |
| 6 | 22.56 ft | 2013-04-19 |
| 7 | 22.19 ft | 1961-05-08 |
| 8 | 22.04 ft | 1963-03-05 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 14.00 ft
The Eel River is at bankfull levels in northeast Clay County. This level does not bother anyone if the river goes down in 1 to 2 days.
- 15.00 ft
Lowland flooding begins along portions of the Eel River. Water approaches and may be on Sonnefield Road at McIntyre Creek. Lowest campgrounds along the river begin to flood.
- 16.00 ft
Lowland flooding is occurring along portions of the river. Sonnefield Road at McIntyre Creek is impassable. Water is on portions of Pioneer Road in the vicinity of CR 50 N. This level threatens campers.
- 17.00 ft
Flood water covers considerable bottomlands and floods a few county roads including the Poland-Bowling Green Road.
- 18.00 ft
Typical high water after heavy rains. This causes extensive flooding of bottomlands and floods many county roads. Persons living in river cabins are inconvenienced. Campers must move from low ground. Poland-Bowling Green road is impassable.
- 19.10 ft
Flood water covers both lanes of SR 42 just east of the Eel River. Several county roads are flooded. Persons in river cabins may move cars and possibly belongings to high ground. Poland-Bowling Green Road is impassable on the northeast outskirts of Bowling Green.
- 20.00 ft
Flood water, possibly a foot deep, covers SR 42 just east of the Eel River. Several county roads flood extensively. Persons in river cabins move cars and possibly belongings to high ground. Agricultural levees are threatened. Poland-Bowling Green Road is impassable in several places.
- 22.00 ft
An unusual flood is in progress. Water covers both lanes of SR 42 east of the Eel River. Many county roads flood extensively. Flood water isolates some farm houses. Water is near the top of most agricultural levees.
- 23.00 ft
A large and unusual flood is in progress. Persons living in river cabins need to evacuate. SR 42 east of the Eel River extensively flooded. All county roads in the flood plain are underwater. Some residents on high ground need boats to reach or leave their homes. Levees protecting agricultural lands downstream failed or were overtopped in June 2008.
- 24.00 ft
A very unusual flood. With Cagles Mill Reservoir in full operation since 1953, floods have not reached this level.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Eel River flooding at Bowling Green?
No. The Eel River at Bowling Green is at 2.54 ft, 9.46 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Bowling Green?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 12 ft, minor flooding 15 ft, moderate flooding 20 ft and major flooding 23 ft.
What is the highest the Eel River has been at Bowling Green?
The highest crest on record is 30.0 ft, on 1875-08-01.
Is the Eel River high or low right now at Bowling Green?
At 2.54 ft it is higher than 14% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge BOLI3); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 03360000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.