Illinois River level at Watts
Oklahoma · Tubing & floating
Measured at USGS 07195500 — Illinois River near Watts, OK · NWS forecast point WTTO2
Reading taken · as of 33 min ago
Running high and pushy for a tube or an inner-tube crowd
At 318 CFS, this gauge is running 206% of normal for mid-September — above the 154 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 70 years of record (1956–2026).
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Flood stages at Watts
National Weather Service categories for gauge WTTO2, WFO TSA. Impact wording is the NWS's own, verbatim.
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Major flood 23.0 ft
- 23.0 ft very severe flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. The permanent building at River Valley Raceway is flooded to a depth of a couple of feet. Numerous cabins in the Fidler's Bend area are flooded to a depth of several feet. This is a very dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 25.0 ft very severe flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Severe flooding of the River Valley Raceway, including the permanent building, occurs. Many cabins in the Fidler's Bend area are severely flooded. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 27.0 ft disastrous flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Many permanent campgrounds and cabins are overtopped, particularly in the Fidler's Bend area. River Valley Raceway is inundated by several feet. This will approach the floods of record of 28.6 feet that occurred December 28, 2015 and April 26, 2011. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
- 29.0 ft disastrous flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Many permanent campgrounds and cabins are overtopped, particularly in the Fidler's Bend area. River Valley Raceway is inundated by several feet, with water approaching the roof of the permanent building. This exceeds the floods of record of 28.6 feet that occurred December 28, 2015 and April 26, 2011. This is an extremely dangerous and life threatening situation.
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Moderate flood 17.0 ft
- 17.0 ft moderate flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Farmlands and permanent campgrounds are affected. A few cabins in the Fidler's Bend area may have minor flooding. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating.
- 19.0 ft moderate flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Farmlands and permanent campgrounds are affected. Several cabins in the Fidler's Bend area may be flooded. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating.
- 21.0 ft severe flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to Fidler's Bend. Water will reach the base of the building at River Valley Raceway. Farmlands and permanent campgrounds are inundated. Numerous cabins in the Fidler's Bend area are flooded. Extreme turbulence makes the river too hazardous for floating.
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Minor flood 13.0 ft
- 13.0 ft minor flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to near Fidler's Bend. Extreme turbulence makes the river unsafe for floating.
- 15.0 ft minor flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to near Fidler's Bend. Permanent campgrounds are affected. Extreme turbulence makes the river unsafe for floating.
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Action 13.0 ft
- 13.0 ft minor flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to near Fidler's Bend. Extreme turbulence makes the river unsafe for floating.
- 15.0 ft minor flooding occurs from the Arkansas border to near Fidler's Bend. Permanent campgrounds are affected. Extreme turbulence makes the river unsafe for floating.
- Right now 2.51 ft
NWS forecast: 2.10 ft by .
Flow history at Watts
Daily values from USGS 07195500, updated every 15 to 60 minutes; NWS forecast for WTTO2 reissued through the day. Provisional.
Highest crests on record at Watts
12 on record
| Stage | Flow | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 30.12 ft | 128,000 CFS | Apr 30, 2017 |
| 28.64 ft | 110,000 CFS | Dec 28, 2015 |
| 28.60 ft | 97,400 CFS | Apr 26, 2011 |
| 27.50 ft | 87,251 CFS | May 5, 2022 |
| 25.96 ft | 68,000 CFS | Jul 25, 1960 |
| 25.19 ft | 56,700 CFS | May 24, 2011 |
| 25.08 ft | 58,500 CFS | May 3, 1990 |
| 24.73 ft | 53,200 CFS | Mar 19, 2008 |
| 24.73 ft | 53,000 CFS | Apr 3, 1957 |
| 24.47 ft | 42,300 CFS | Oct 1, 1986 |
Crests published by the National Weather Service.
About Illinois River at Watts
In Oklahoma — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters here check before committing to a shuttle. 12-18 hour lead indicator for Tahlequah water.
Illinois River at Watts — common questions
3 questions
Does rain upstream change Illinois River at Watts quickly?
Yes. It is free-flowing, so rain upstream moves it directly. Several feet in a few hours is normal after a heavy storm.
Is Illinois River at Watts high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for mid-September here is 154 CFS, from 70 years of record (1956–2026). Today is 206% of it. The comparison is what makes the raw number mean anything: the same reading is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from gauge 07195500 every 15 to 60 minutes, and the National Weather Service reissues the flood forecast for WTTO2 a few times a day — more often when the river is rising. This page refreshes from both when you open it. The timestamp is in the gauge's local time.