Illinois River at Watts
Oklahoma · Tubing & floating
Measured at USGS 07195500 — Illinois River near Watts, OK · NWS forecast point WTTO2
Reading taken Jul 28, 11:30 PM UTC
Up and moving — a faster float than usual
At 295 CFS, this gauge is running 141% of normal for late July — above the 209 CFS median USGS has recorded for this date across 70 years of record (1956–2026).
Data-derived guidance from USGS and NWS published values — not official advice, and not a safety assessment.
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Flood stages at Watts
Official National Weather Service categories for gauge WTTO2, issued by WFO TSA. Impact statements are the NWS's own wording for this location, reproduced 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 2.43 ft
NWS forecast: 2.40 ft by Jul 29, 12:00 AM UTC.
12 months of flow at Watts
Daily values from USGS gauge 07195500. Provisional data, subject to revision.
Highest crests on record at Watts
| 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 |
Historical crests published by the National Weather Service for this gauge.
About Illinois River at Watts
This gauge measures Illinois River at Watts, Oklahoma — the reading paddlers, anglers and outfitters on this stretch check before committing to a shuttle.
12-18 hour lead indicator for Tahlequah water.
Raw CFS means little on its own, so every reading on this page is shown against the USGS median for the same calendar day — 209 CFS for late July, from 70 years of record.
Because the National Weather Service also operates a forecast point here, the page carries the official flood-category ladder and the NWS's own stage-by-stage impact statements.
Illinois River at Watts — common questions
What is the current flow on Illinois River at Watts?
As of the last reading on this page, Illinois River at Watts was running 295 CFS at a gage height of 2.43 ft, or 141% of the USGS median for this date. The number updates automatically from USGS gauge 07195500, which reports every 15 to 60 minutes.
Is that high or low for this time of year?
The USGS median flow for late July at this gauge is 209 CFS, calculated from 70 years of record (1956–2026). Comparing today's reading against that median is the only way a raw CFS number tells you anything — 200 CFS is a drought on one river and a flood on another.
How often does this reading update?
USGS transmits from this gauge every 15 to 60 minutes. This page bakes in the most recent reading when it is rebuilt, then refreshes live from USGS when you open it. Readings are provisional and subject to revision by USGS.
What flow is good for tubing Illinois River?
riverlvl does not publish a recommended tubing range — that call belongs to the outfitters and the local authorities who know this stretch. What this page gives you is the objective input: today's flow, the seasonal median for the same date, and where the reading sits in the 12-month record. Local outfitters generally publish their own cutoffs, and they close when the river is up.
Does rain upstream change this reading quickly?
Yes. This is a free-flowing gauge, so it responds directly to rain in the basin upstream. Flashy rises of several feet in a few hours are normal on rivers like this after a heavy storm, which is why the reading is worth checking the morning you go.
What does gage height mean versus CFS?
Gage height is how high the water surface is above the gauge's own zero point, in feet — a local measure, not depth and not elevation. CFS is cubic feet per second, the volume of water moving past the gauge. Flood stages are set in gage height; float and paddling conditions are usually discussed in CFS.