Mad River

Type: Freestone river, Ohio (Midwest)
Designation: Special-regulation trout water
USGS gauges: 4 live
Guides: None listed
Shops: 1 nearby

Today on the Mad River

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

No water temperature here.

Flow now: 38.5 ft³/s
Vs normal for Nov 5: Above normal
Trend: Falling over 24 h
Last reading: Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST

At Mad River at West Liberty OH - 03266560 (USGS 03266560) · 1 of 4 gauges below Provisional USGS data

The Mad River is a freestone river in Ohio, listed as Special-regulation trout water by Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife.

More about the Mad River

4 USGS gauges on the water report flow. 1 shop nearby are listed here.

Updated 5 Nov 2026 · Sources: Site-Specific Waters: trout (2 daily; 12-inch minimum on the Mad River and the Richland County Clear Fork), USGS Water Data

Representative photograph of similar water; not a photograph of this place. — Representative photograph, not this water.

Where it is

Mad River is a freestone river in Ohio.

Flow now at 4 gauges

Mad River at West Liberty OH - 03266560

USGS 03266560 · NWS WLBO1

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

Flow 38.5 ft³/s: above normal for Nov 5, over 32 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
Falling: discharge down 21.1% in 24 hours (48.8 to 38.5 ft³/s). Our rule of thumb: more than 10% (or 0.2 ft) in 24 hours, not a USGS class.

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 38.5 ft³/s
Gauge height: 2.83 ft

Reading Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Above normal for Nov 5 Falling · 24 h

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 38.5 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST	38.5	2.83
Nov 5, 4:45 PM EST	37.4	2.82
Nov 5, 3:45 PM EST	37.4	2.82
Nov 5, 2:45 PM EST	35.1	2.8
Nov 5, 1:45 PM EST	35.1	2.8
Nov 5, 12:45 PM EST	35.1	2.8
Nov 5, 11:45 AM EST	36.2	2.81
Nov 5, 10:45 AM EST	36.2	2.81
Nov 5, 9:45 AM EST	36.2	2.81
Nov 5, 8:45 AM EST	37.4	2.82
Nov 5, 7:45 AM EST	37.4	2.82
Nov 5, 6:45 AM EST	38.5	2.83
Nov 5, 5:45 AM EST	39.7	2.84
Nov 5, 4:45 AM EST	39.7	2.84
Nov 5, 3:45 AM EST	40.9	2.85
Nov 5, 2:45 AM EST	42.2	2.86
Nov 5, 1:45 AM EST	42.2	2.86
Nov 5, 12:45 AM EST	43.5	2.87
Nov 4, 11:45 PM EST	44.8	2.88
Nov 4, 10:45 PM EST	46.1	2.89
Nov 4, 9:45 PM EST	46.1	2.89
Nov 4, 8:45 PM EST	46.1	2.89
Nov 4, 7:45 PM EST	47.4	2.9
Nov 4, 6:45 PM EST	48.8	2.91
Nov 4, 5:45 PM EST	48.8	2.91
Nov 4, 4:45 PM EST	42.2	2.86
Nov 4, 3:45 PM EST	34	2.79
Nov 4, 2:45 PM EST	31.9	2.77
Nov 4, 1:45 PM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 4, 12:45 PM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 4, 11:45 AM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 4, 10:45 AM EST	28	2.73
Nov 4, 9:45 AM EST	28	2.73
Nov 4, 8:45 AM EST	28	2.73
Nov 4, 7:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 4, 6:45 AM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 4, 5:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 4, 4:45 AM EST	30.9	2.76
Nov 4, 3:45 AM EST	30.9	2.76
Nov 4, 2:45 AM EST	30.9	2.76
Nov 4, 1:45 AM EST	30.9	2.76
Nov 4, 12:45 AM EST	30.9	2.76
Nov 3, 11:45 PM EST	31.9	2.77
Nov 3, 10:45 PM EST	31.9	2.77
Nov 3, 9:45 PM EST	31.9	2.77
Nov 3, 8:45 PM EST	32.9	2.78
Nov 3, 7:45 PM EST	32.9	2.78
Nov 3, 6:45 PM EST	34	2.79
Nov 3, 5:45 PM EST	35.1	2.8
Nov 3, 4:45 PM EST	36.2	2.81
Nov 3, 3:45 PM EST	38.5	2.83
Nov 3, 2:45 PM EST	39.7	2.84
Nov 3, 1:45 PM EST	37.4	2.82
Nov 3, 12:45 PM EST	28	2.73
Nov 3, 11:45 AM EST	27	2.72
Nov 3, 10:45 AM EST	27	2.72
Nov 3, 9:45 AM EST	26.1	2.71
Nov 3, 8:45 AM EST	27	2.72
Nov 3, 7:45 AM EST	27	2.72
Nov 3, 6:45 AM EST	27	2.72
Nov 3, 5:45 AM EST	27	2.72
Nov 3, 4:45 AM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 3, 3:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 3, 2:45 AM EST	31.9	2.77
Nov 3, 1:45 AM EST	31.9	2.77
Nov 3, 12:45 AM EST	32.9	2.78
Nov 2, 11:45 PM EST	32.9	2.78
Nov 2, 10:45 PM EST	34	2.79
Nov 2, 9:45 PM EST	34	2.79
Nov 2, 8:45 PM EST	35.1	2.8
Nov 2, 7:45 PM EST	36.2	2.81
Nov 2, 6:45 PM EST	37.4	2.82
Nov 2, 5:45 PM EST	38.5	2.83
Nov 2, 4:45 PM EST	42.2	2.86
Nov 2, 3:45 PM EST	44.8	2.88
Nov 2, 2:45 PM EST	35.1	2.8
Nov 2, 1:45 PM EST	27	2.72
Nov 2, 12:45 PM EST	27	2.72
Nov 2, 11:45 AM EST	27	2.72
Nov 2, 10:45 AM EST	28	2.73
Nov 2, 9:45 AM EST	28	2.73
Nov 2, 8:45 AM EST	28	2.73
Nov 2, 7:45 AM EST	28	2.73
Nov 2, 6:45 AM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 2, 5:45 AM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 2, 4:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 2, 3:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 2, 2:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 2, 1:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 2, 12:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 11:45 PM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 10:45 PM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 9:45 PM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 8:45 PM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 7:45 PM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 6:45 PM EST	30.9	2.76
Nov 1, 5:45 PM EST	31.9	2.77
Nov 1, 4:45 PM EST	31.9	2.77
Nov 1, 3:45 PM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 2:45 PM EST	28	2.73
Nov 1, 1:45 PM EST	28	2.73
Nov 1, 12:45 PM EST	28	2.73
Nov 1, 11:45 AM EST	28	2.73
Nov 1, 10:45 AM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 1, 9:45 AM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 1, 8:45 AM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 1, 7:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 6:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 5:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 4:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 3:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 2:45 AM EST	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 1:45 AM EST	28.9	2.74
Nov 1, 1:45 AM EDT	29.9	2.75
Nov 1, 12:45 AM EDT	29.9	2.75
Oct 31, 11:45 PM EDT	29.9	2.75
Oct 31, 10:45 PM EDT	30.9	2.76
Oct 31, 9:45 PM EDT	31.9	2.77
Oct 31, 8:45 PM EDT	31.9	2.77
Oct 31, 7:45 PM EDT	32.9	2.78
Oct 31, 6:45 PM EDT	34	2.79
Oct 31, 5:45 PM EDT	35.1	2.8
Oct 31, 4:45 PM EDT	35.1	2.8
Oct 31, 3:45 PM EDT	29.9	2.75
Oct 31, 2:45 PM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 1:45 PM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 12:45 PM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 11:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 10:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 9:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 8:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 7:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 6:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 5:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 4:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 3:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 2:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 31, 1:45 AM EDT	28.9	2.74
Oct 31, 12:45 AM EDT	28	2.73
Oct 30, 11:45 PM EDT	28.9	2.74
Oct 30, 10:45 PM EDT	28.9	2.74
Oct 30, 9:45 PM EDT	28.9	2.74
Oct 30, 8:45 PM EDT	28.9	2.74
Oct 30, 7:45 PM EDT	29.9	2.75
Oct 30, 6:45 PM EDT	29.9	2.75
Oct 30, 5:45 PM EDT	30.9	2.76
Oct 30, 4:45 PM EDT	30.9	2.76
Oct 30, 3:45 PM EDT	29.9	2.75
Oct 30, 2:45 PM EDT	28.9	2.74
Oct 30, 1:45 PM EDT	28.9	2.74
Oct 30, 12:45 PM EDT	28.9	2.74
Oct 30, 11:45 AM EDT	29.9	2.75
Oct 30, 10:45 AM EDT	29.9	2.75
Oct 30, 9:45 AM EDT	29.9	2.75
Oct 30, 8:45 AM EDT	30.9	2.76
Oct 30, 7:45 AM EDT	30.9	2.76
Oct 30, 6:45 AM EDT	30.9	2.76
Oct 30, 5:45 AM EDT	30.9	2.76
Oct 30, 4:45 AM EDT	30.9	2.76
Oct 30, 3:45 AM EDT	31.9	2.77
Oct 30, 2:45 AM EDT	31.9	2.77
Oct 30, 1:45 AM EDT	32.9	2.78
Oct 30, 12:45 AM EDT	34	2.79
Oct 29, 11:45 PM EDT	35.1	2.8
Oct 29, 10:45 PM EDT	36.2	2.81
Oct 29, 9:45 PM EDT	38.5	2.83
Oct 29, 8:45 PM EDT	40.9	2.85
Oct 29, 7:45 PM EDT	32.9	2.78
Oct 29, 7:30 PM EDT	30.9	2.76

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 18.4–33.9 ft³/s (middle half of 32 years of record). Now: 38.5 ft³/s, above normal.

Above normal for this date. 38.5 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 32 years of record: 10th 15.2, 25th 18.4, median 24.3, 75th 33.9, 90th 38.8 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 14 ft³/s, highest 54.2 ft³/s.

Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).

Falling over 24 hours: discharge down 21.1%, from 48.8 to 38.5 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

NWS observed 2.83 ft stage at Nov 5, 5:45 PM EST (NWS gauge WLBO1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

NWS has not set flood categories for this gauge.

Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Ohio Division of Wildlife publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Ohio rule: 68°F.

Species

This gauge is on our page for Mad River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

Mad River near Urbana OH

USGS 03267000 · NWS UBNO1

Caution: High water: fish the edges; wading risky

Flow 151 ft³/s: much above normal (over the 90th percentile) for Nov 5, over 89 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey

What the agencies suggest

Fish the softer water along the banks. During periods of high water, fish move towards the banks to find calmer water and lower velocities Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Don't wade where you can't see the bottom. Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visible Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Or fish a lake instead. If stream conditions are not favorable, consider fishing at a lake Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 151 ft³/s
Gauge height: 3.22 ft

Reading Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Much above normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 151 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST	151	3.22
Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST	155	3.23
Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST	155	3.23
Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST	158	3.24
Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST	158	3.24
Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST	162	3.25
Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST	169	3.27
Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST	169	3.27
Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST	162	3.25
Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST	162	3.25
Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST	165	3.26
Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST	165	3.26
Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST	165	3.26
Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST	165	3.26
Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST	169	3.27
Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST	169	3.27
Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST	165	3.26
Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST	162	3.25
Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST	162	3.25
Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST	155	3.23
Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST	151	3.22
Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST	148	3.21
Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST	148	3.21
Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST	148	3.21
Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST	148	3.21
Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST	145	3.2
Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST	145	3.2
Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST	145	3.2
Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST	141	3.19
Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST	138	3.18
Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST	138	3.18
Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST	138	3.18
Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST	135	3.17
Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST	135	3.17
Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST	135	3.17
Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST	132	3.16
Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 3, 5:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 3, 4:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 3, 3:30 PM EST	132	3.16
Nov 3, 2:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 3, 1:30 PM EST	126	3.14
Nov 3, 12:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 3, 11:30 AM EST	129	3.15
Nov 3, 10:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 3, 9:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 3, 7:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 3, 6:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 3, 5:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 3, 4:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 3, 3:30 AM EST	138	3.18
Nov 3, 2:30 AM EST	138	3.18
Nov 3, 1:30 AM EST	138	3.18
Nov 3, 12:30 AM EST	138	3.18
Nov 2, 11:30 PM EST	141	3.19
Nov 2, 10:30 PM EST	141	3.19
Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST	138	3.18
Nov 2, 8:30 PM EST	132	3.16
Nov 2, 7:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 2, 6:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 2, 5:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 2, 4:30 PM EST	132	3.16
Nov 2, 3:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 2, 2:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 2, 1:30 PM EST	132	3.16
Nov 2, 12:30 PM EST	129	3.15
Nov 2, 11:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 2, 9:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 2, 8:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 2, 7:30 AM EST	141	3.19
Nov 2, 6:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 2, 5:30 AM EST	129	3.15
Nov 2, 4:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 2, 3:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 2, 2:30 AM EST	141	3.19
Nov 2, 1:30 AM EST	138	3.18
Nov 2, 12:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST	135	3.17
Nov 1, 10:30 PM EST	138	3.18
Nov 1, 9:30 PM EST	132	3.16
Nov 1, 8:30 PM EST	141	3.19
Nov 1, 7:30 PM EST	135	3.17
Nov 1, 6:30 PM EST	138	3.18
Nov 1, 5:30 PM EST	138	3.18
Nov 1, 4:30 PM EST	138	3.18
Nov 1, 3:30 PM EST	138	3.18
Nov 1, 2:30 PM EST	132	3.16
Nov 1, 1:30 PM EST	141	3.19
Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST	145	3.2
Nov 1, 11:30 AM EST	141	3.19
Nov 1, 10:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 1, 9:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 1, 8:30 AM EST	135	3.17
Nov 1, 7:30 AM EST	138	3.18
Nov 1, 6:30 AM EST	141	3.19
Nov 1, 5:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 1, 4:30 AM EST	141	3.19
Nov 1, 3:30 AM EST	132	3.16
Nov 1, 2:30 AM EST	141	3.19
Nov 1, 1:30 AM EST	138	3.18
Nov 1, 1:30 AM EDT	135	3.17
Nov 1, 12:30 AM EDT	141	3.19
Oct 31, 11:30 PM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 31, 10:30 PM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 31, 9:30 PM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 31, 8:30 PM EDT	138	3.18
Oct 31, 7:30 PM EDT	138	3.18
Oct 31, 6:30 PM EDT	138	3.18
Oct 31, 5:30 PM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 31, 4:30 PM EDT	141	3.19
Oct 31, 3:30 PM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 31, 2:30 PM EDT	138	3.18
Oct 31, 1:30 PM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 31, 12:30 PM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 31, 11:30 AM EDT	129	3.15
Oct 31, 10:30 AM EDT	141	3.19
Oct 31, 9:30 AM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 31, 8:30 AM EDT	141	3.19
Oct 31, 7:30 AM EDT	129	3.15
Oct 31, 6:30 AM EDT	138	3.18
Oct 31, 5:30 AM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 31, 4:30 AM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 31, 3:30 AM EDT	145	3.2
Oct 31, 2:30 AM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 31, 1:30 AM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 31, 12:30 AM EDT	138	3.18
Oct 30, 11:30 PM EDT	158	3.24
Oct 30, 10:30 PM EDT	145	3.2
Oct 30, 9:30 PM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 30, 8:30 PM EDT	141	3.19
Oct 30, 7:30 PM EDT	145	3.2
Oct 30, 6:30 PM EDT	138	3.18
Oct 30, 5:30 PM EDT	138	3.18
Oct 30, 4:30 PM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 30, 3:30 PM EDT	145	3.2
Oct 30, 2:30 PM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 30, 1:30 PM EDT	138	3.18
Oct 30, 12:30 PM EDT	145	3.2
Oct 30, 11:30 AM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 30, 10:30 AM EDT	148	3.21
Oct 30, 9:30 AM EDT	141	3.19
Oct 30, 8:30 AM EDT	151	3.22
Oct 30, 7:30 AM EDT	151	3.22
Oct 30, 6:30 AM EDT	145	3.2
Oct 30, 5:30 AM EDT	151	3.22
Oct 30, 4:30 AM EDT	148	3.21
Oct 30, 3:30 AM EDT	148	3.21
Oct 30, 2:30 AM EDT	145	3.2
Oct 30, 1:30 AM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 30, 12:30 AM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 29, 10:30 PM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 29, 9:30 PM EDT	135	3.17
Oct 29, 8:30 PM EDT	132	3.16
Oct 29, 7:30 PM EDT	132	3.16

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 59.5–112 ft³/s (middle half of 89 years of record). Now: 151 ft³/s, much above normal.

Much above normal for this date. 151 ft³/s is above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 89 years of record: 10th 49, 25th 59.5, median 80, 75th 112, 90th 139 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 31 ft³/s, highest 420 ft³/s.

Steady over 24 hours (+2% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

NWS observed 3.22 ft stage, 152 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST (NWS gauge UBNO1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

NWS has not set flood categories for this gauge.

Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

This gauge is on our page for Mad River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Flow far above normal. Above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for this date (USGS class “much above normal”), from 89 years of record. Expect higher, faster water than usual for the season.
hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) Statistics documentation (percentiles of daily mean discharge) (U.S. Geological Survey)
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

Mad River at St Paris Pike at Eagle City OH

USGS 03267900 · NWS EAGO1

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

Flow 245 ft³/s: above normal for Nov 5, over 58 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 245 ft³/s
Gauge height: 6.37 ft

Reading Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Above normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 245 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST	245	6.37
Nov 5, 4:30 PM EST	248	6.38
Nov 5, 3:30 PM EST	252	6.39
Nov 5, 2:30 PM EST	252	6.39
Nov 5, 1:30 PM EST	248	6.38
Nov 5, 12:30 PM EST	248	6.38
Nov 5, 11:30 AM EST	252	6.39
Nov 5, 10:30 AM EST	252	6.39
Nov 5, 9:30 AM EST	252	6.39
Nov 5, 8:30 AM EST	255	6.4
Nov 5, 7:30 AM EST	252	6.39
Nov 5, 6:30 AM EST	248	6.38
Nov 5, 5:30 AM EST	245	6.37
Nov 5, 4:30 AM EST	245	6.37
Nov 5, 3:30 AM EST	241	6.36
Nov 5, 2:30 AM EST	241	6.36
Nov 5, 1:30 AM EST	241	6.36
Nov 5, 12:30 AM EST	245	6.37
Nov 4, 11:30 PM EST	252	6.39
Nov 4, 10:30 PM EST	262	6.42
Nov 4, 9:30 PM EST	285	6.48
Nov 4, 8:30 PM EST	297	6.51
Nov 4, 7:30 PM EST	266	6.43
Nov 4, 6:30 PM EST	274	6.45
Nov 4, 5:30 PM EST	262	6.42
Nov 4, 4:30 PM EST	234	6.34
Nov 4, 3:30 PM EST	234	6.34
Nov 4, 2:30 PM EST	228	6.32
Nov 4, 1:30 PM EST	215	6.28
Nov 4, 12:30 PM EST	212	6.27
Nov 4, 11:30 AM EST	206	6.25
Nov 4, 10:30 AM EST	200	6.23
Nov 4, 9:30 AM EST	197	6.22
Nov 4, 8:30 AM EST	197	6.22
Nov 4, 7:30 AM EST	197	6.22
Nov 4, 6:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 4, 5:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 4, 4:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 4, 3:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 4, 2:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 4, 1:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 4, 12:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 3, 11:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 3, 10:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 3, 9:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 3, 8:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 3, 7:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 3, 6:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 3, 5:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 3, 4:30 PM EST	191	6.2
Nov 3, 3:30 PM EST	191	6.2
Nov 3, 2:30 PM EST	191	6.2
Nov 3, 1:30 PM EST	191	6.2
Nov 3, 12:30 PM EST	191	6.2
Nov 3, 11:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 3, 10:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 3, 9:30 AM EST	194	6.21
Nov 3, 8:30 AM EST	194	6.21
Nov 3, 7:30 AM EST	194	6.21
Nov 3, 6:30 AM EST	194	6.21
Nov 3, 5:30 AM EST	194	6.21
Nov 3, 4:30 AM EST	194	6.21
Nov 3, 3:30 AM EST	194	6.21
Nov 3, 2:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 3, 1:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 3, 12:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 11:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 10:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 9:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 8:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 7:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 6:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 5:30 PM EST	191	6.2
Nov 2, 4:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 3:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 2:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 1:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 12:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 11:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 10:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 9:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 8:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 7:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 6:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 2, 5:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 2, 4:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 2, 3:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 2:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 1:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 2, 12:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 11:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 10:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 9:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 8:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 7:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 6:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 5:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 4:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 3:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 2:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 1:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 12:30 PM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 11:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 10:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 9:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 8:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 7:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 6:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 5:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 1, 4:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 1, 3:30 AM EST	191	6.2
Nov 1, 2:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 1:30 AM EST	188	6.19
Nov 1, 1:30 AM EDT	188	6.19
Nov 1, 12:30 AM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 11:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 10:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 9:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 8:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 7:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 6:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 5:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 4:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 3:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 2:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 1:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 12:30 PM EDT	188	6.19
Oct 31, 11:30 AM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 31, 10:30 AM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 31, 9:30 AM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 31, 8:30 AM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 31, 7:30 AM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 31, 6:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 31, 5:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 31, 4:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 31, 3:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 31, 2:30 AM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 31, 1:30 AM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 31, 12:30 AM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 30, 11:30 PM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 30, 10:30 PM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 30, 9:30 PM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 30, 8:30 PM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 30, 7:30 PM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 30, 6:30 PM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 30, 5:30 PM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 4:30 PM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 3:30 PM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 2:30 PM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 1:30 PM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 12:30 PM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 11:30 AM EDT	197	6.22
Oct 30, 10:30 AM EDT	197	6.22
Oct 30, 9:30 AM EDT	197	6.22
Oct 30, 8:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 7:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 6:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 5:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 4:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 3:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 2:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 1:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 30, 12:30 AM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 29, 11:30 PM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 29, 10:30 PM EDT	191	6.2
Oct 29, 9:30 PM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 29, 8:30 PM EDT	194	6.21
Oct 29, 7:30 PM EDT	191	6.2

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 129–226 ft³/s (middle half of 58 years of record). Now: 245 ft³/s, above normal.

Above normal for this date. 245 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 58 years of record: 10th 118, 25th 129, median 160, 75th 226, 90th 352 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 101 ft³/s, highest 666 ft³/s.

Steady over 24 hours (−6.5% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

NWS observed 6.37 ft stage, 244 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:30 PM EST (NWS gauge EAGO1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

NWS has not set flood categories for this gauge.

Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

This gauge is on our page for Mad River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

Mad River near Springfield OH

USGS 03269500 · NWS SGFO1

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

Flow 444 ft³/s: above normal for Nov 5, over 112 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
Falling: discharge down 14.1% in 24 hours (517 to 444 ft³/s). Our rule of thumb: more than 10% (or 0.2 ft) in 24 hours, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage (official NWS category). That is not a statement that wading is safe. National Weather Service

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 444 ft³/s
Gauge height: 3.56 ft

Reading Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Above normal for Nov 5 Falling · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 444 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST	444	3.56
Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST	416	3.5
Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST	402	3.47
Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST	407	3.48
Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST	407	3.48
Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST	416	3.5
Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST	426	3.52
Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST	440	3.55
Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST	444	3.56
Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST	435	3.54
Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST	416	3.5
Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST	402	3.47
Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST	384	3.43
Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST	384	3.43
Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST	411	3.49
Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST	407	3.48
Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST	411	3.49
Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST	421	3.51
Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST	435	3.54
Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST	449	3.57
Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST	459	3.59
Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST	492	3.66
Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST	522	3.72
Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST	522	3.72
Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST	517	3.71
Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST	478	3.63
Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST	407	3.48
Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST	384	3.43
Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST	370	3.4
Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST	374	3.41
Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST	379	3.42
Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST	356	3.37
Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST	356	3.37
Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST	307	3.26
Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST	268	3.17
Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST	252	3.13
Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST	264	3.16
Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST	236	3.09
Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST	236	3.09
Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST	236	3.09
Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST	232	3.08
Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST	232	3.08
Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST	240	3.1
Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST	244	3.11
Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST	256	3.14
Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST	277	3.19
Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST	311	3.27
Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST	334	3.32
Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST	334	3.32
Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST	338	3.33
Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST	338	3.33
Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST	338	3.33
Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST	320	3.29
Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST	334	3.32
Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST	334	3.32
Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT	334	3.32
Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT	320	3.29
Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT	316	3.28
Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT	303	3.25
Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT	248	3.12
Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT	236	3.09
Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT	240	3.1
Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT	240	3.1
Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT	244	3.11
Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT	240	3.1
Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT	236	3.09
Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT	224	3.06
Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT	232	3.08
Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT	232	3.08
Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 29, 11:15 PM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 29, 10:15 PM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 29, 8:15 PM EDT	232	3.08
Oct 29, 7:30 PM EDT	228	3.07

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 198–355 ft³/s (middle half of 112 years of record). Now: 444 ft³/s, above normal.

Above normal for this date. 444 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 112 years of record: 10th 168, 25th 198, median 261, 75th 355, 90th 561 ft³/s.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 123 ft³/s, highest 1,820 ft³/s.

Falling over 24 hours: discharge down 14.1%, from 517 to 444 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 3.56 ft stage, 408 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST (NWS gauge SGFO1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 9 ft
Minor flood: 12 ft
Moderate flood: 16 ft
Major flood: 18 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:38 AM EST. Highest point: 3.6 ft, 427 ft³/s on Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	3.6 ft	427 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	3.4 ft	337 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	3.4 ft	337 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	3.3 ft	298 ft³/s
Mon, Nov 9	3.3 ft	298 ft³/s
Tue, Nov 10	3.2 ft	262 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

This gauge is on our page for Mad River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page

Checked Nov 5, 6:18 PM EST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.

Reading the gauges…

Check any river's flow

Follow Mad River for flow alerts

Pick one of its USGS gauges and hear from us when the flow moves into or out of its usual range for the date, or crosses a flow you set. We check the public USGS reading every 2 hours and email only when it crosses, at most once every 6 hours. Flow alone is not a fishing forecast or a safety call.

Follow this water

Signed in: one step. Otherwise we email a confirmation link first. Every alert has one-click links to stop it.

Where to fish

Start from the agency's public access map. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Lake Erie fishing guide (public access sites)

Mad River on the map

Gauges, shops and guides within 40 miles

Restrooms Access map

Map of Mad River with 4 USGS gauges, and shops and guides with an exact address within 40 miles.

Map: © OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenFreeMap · © OpenMapTiles

Restrooms near Mad River

Restrooms within 2 miles of Mad River in a straight line, nearest first, with what anglers found when they went. The map says a restroom is there, not whether it is clean or open today.

No restroom mapped within 2 mi yet — add one you know.

Campgrounds, fishing access sites and boat ramps often have one that isn't on the map yet.

Restroom locations and map details: © OpenStreetMap contributors, Open Database License, read Oct 24, 2026. Ratings, answers and photos are members' own; who shared them is never shown, and every photo is reviewed before it appears. Visits older than 18 months no longer count. Distances are straight-line miles, not driving. Nothing here grants access to private land. Community guidelines.

More water near Mad River

Special-regulation trout water
Photo credit
The Clear Fork Mohican River in Mohican State Park, Ashland County, Ohio. Photo: Tim Kiser ( w:User:Malepheasant ), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Clear Fork Mohican River
Ohio · about 77 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Clear Creek
Photo credit
The Chagrin River west of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, December 2024. Photo: EF5, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Clear Creek.
Clear Creek
Ohio · about 74 mi
115cfsFlow now · much above normal for the date
Steelhead / salmon waterRepresentative photo · not Vermilion River
Photo credit
The Huron River at Ann Arbor, Michigan, from the Broadway Street bridge. Photo: Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Vermilion River.
Vermilion River
Ohio · about 117 mi
Steelhead
33.5cfsFlow now · normal for the date

Special-regulation trout water
Photo credit
The Clear Fork Mohican River in Mohican State Park, Ashland County, Ohio. Photo: Tim Kiser ( w:User:Malepheasant ), CC BY-SA 2.5, via Wikimedia Commons
Clear Fork Mohican River
Ohio · about 77 mi
Special-regulation trout waterRepresentative photo · not Clear Creek
Photo credit
The Chagrin River west of Chagrin Falls, Ohio, December 2024. Photo: EF5, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Clear Creek.
Clear Creek
Ohio · about 74 mi
Steelhead / salmon waterRepresentative photo · not Vermilion River
Photo credit
The Huron River at Ann Arbor, Michigan, from the Broadway Street bridge. Photo: Chris Rycroft from Madison, Wisconsin, United States, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons Not Vermilion River.
Vermilion River
Ohio · about 117 mi
Steelhead

Regulations

Seasons, limits, special regulations and closures for each reach are on the agency pages below. Read them before you go.

Official designation: Special-regulation trout water

Each comes from the agency's own published list; where the list names a reach it is quoted. A designation applies to the listed reach, not necessarily the whole water. Listed in the finder under trout.

Special-regulation trout water
On the Site-Specific Waters: trout (2 daily; 12-inch minimum on the Mad River and the Richland County Clear Fork) list (Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Wildlife, read 2026-10-24). All waters with this designation
- Mad River and its tributaries: 2 trout daily, 12-inch minimum

The water on the map

Measured from the NHDPlus High Resolution (flowlines and waterbodies) (U.S. Geological Survey, read 2026-11-04) for this water’s own mapped feature. Rounded figures; they describe the channel, not today’s conditions.

Length: 66 mi (64.6 in OH)
Drains: 611 sq mi
Drop: 742 ft · 11.2 ft/mi
Flows into: Great Miami River
Watershed: Upper Great Miami, Indiana, Ohio

Public land along it

Areas the Protected Areas Database of the United States (PAD-US), public access (U.S. Geological Survey, Gap Analysis Project, read 2026-11-05) lists as owned or held in easement and open to the public, crossed by the mapped channel. Boundaries are mapped, not surveyed. Nothing on this page grants or implies access: check the agency map, posted signs and landowner permission before you fish.

6.5 of 64.6 mi on public land

Mad River Wildlife AreaState Department of Natural Resources · 1.6 mi · restricted
Dayton WellfieldCity Land · 1.3 mi
Hilltop Concrete - Fairborn QuarryPrivate · 1.2 mi
Eastwood MetroparkCity Land · 1.1 mi
Huffman MetroparkCity Land · 0.8 mi
Enon Beach Recreation ParkPrivate · 0.2 mi
Mad River Sportsman ClubPrivate · 0.2 mi
Hosterman LakePrivate · 0.1 mi

Nothing on this page grants or implies access.

Guides and shops near Mad River

Listings marked Unclaimed are built from open map records and the business's own website: confirm licensing, rates, dates and hours directly.

Guides

No guide within 40 miles yet.

All Ohio guides

1 shop nearby

Fisherman's Headquarters
Dayton, OH · 32 mi
Fishing shop
- Unclaimed
View shop

All Ohio shops

Plan your stay

Getting there

DAY · Dayton · 26 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
CMH · Columbus · 49 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)
LCK · Columbus · 50 mi straight-lineFlights (opens in a new tab)

About this

Miles are straight-line distances, not drive times.
Airports: scheduled passenger service, from OurAirports (public domain) (2026-11-04).
Lodges are listed when their own website talks about fishing. Prices and availability are the lodge's own.

Plan a trip here

None of our destination hubs is within 40 miles in a straight line. The trip planner builds a trip around the water itself: the guides and shops listed within 40 miles of it, its gauges and its nearest towns and airports.

No hub within 40 miles

Plan a trip here

Gear checklist

A practical checklist for fly fishing small mountain trout streams: a short 3–4 weight rod, light line, a few buoyant dries and simple wet-wading gear, with estimated prices and where to buy.

An angler stands on a boulder at the edge of a fast forest stream and fishes the run

Small mountain streams

7′6″–8′6″ rod, 3–4 weight, floating line · Brook, cutthroat, rainbow and brown trout

Open the checklist

Videos for this water (5)

Watch: reading a trout stream

Seams, shelves and soft water, shown on real rivers.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

How I Learned to Read Water (Fly Fishing)Embedded from YouTube · Mad River Outfitters · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
How To Read The Water with Tom RosenbauerEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Reading the Water to Successfully Locate TroutEmbedded from YouTube · Orvis Guide to Fly Fishing · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on reading water

Watch: nymphing basics

Indicator rigs, depth and detecting the take.

Public YouTube videos from established channels, chosen by us to support this page. Not sponsored; the creators are not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear.

90° Nymph RigEmbedded from YouTube · Huge Fly Fisherman · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube
Casting with an Indicator & Better Nymphing TechniquesEmbedded from YouTube · The New Fly Fisher · not affiliated with Legendary Fly Gear. Watch on YouTube

Not sponsored All videos on nymphing

Fish Tales

Trip stories anglers chose to share publicly and tagged with Mad River.

No stories from here yet.

Write the first story Share your day

Sources for this page

Not a statement of access, fish presence or conditions.

Something wrong?

All 14 sources and dates

A water page organises discovery. It does not assert public access, legal access, current fish presence, guide availability or fishing conditions.

Flows, gauge statistics and flood stages come from USGS and the National Weather Service when the page is shown. Regulations, stocking, species and season statements link to the agency that publishes them; this page copies only the species names and the quoted sentences. Guide and shop listings come from the Legendary directories. Position: the USGS gauge Mad River near Urbana OH. Water type is our own classification.

Mad River near Springfield OH

USGS 03269500 · NWS SGFO1

Limited data: Normal flow for the date: no water temperature here

Flow 444 ft³/s: above normal for Nov 5, over 112 years of USGS record. U.S. Geological Survey
No water-temperature reading at this gauge: take a stream thermometer.
Falling: discharge down 14.1% in 24 hours (517 to 444 ft³/s). Our rule of thumb: more than 10% (or 0.2 ft) in 24 hours, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage (official NWS category). That is not a statement that wading is safe. National Weather Service

What the agencies suggest

Carry a stream thermometer. Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature National Park Service

General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.

Discharge: 444 ft³/s
Gauge height: 3.56 ft

Reading Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST · provisional USGS data

Above normal for Nov 5 Falling · 24 h Below NWS action stage

Discharge · last 7 days

Discharge, about hourly
Latest: 444 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST

USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS Water Data API continuous values.

View data as a table

Discharge, last 7 days: readings, about hourly, newest first. USGS provisional data may be revised. Missing hours or days are not filled in.
Time	Discharge (ft³/s)	Gauge height (ft)
Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST	444	3.56
Nov 5, 4:15 PM EST	416	3.5
Nov 5, 3:15 PM EST	402	3.47
Nov 5, 2:15 PM EST	407	3.48
Nov 5, 1:15 PM EST	407	3.48
Nov 5, 12:15 PM EST	416	3.5
Nov 5, 11:15 AM EST	426	3.52
Nov 5, 10:15 AM EST	440	3.55
Nov 5, 9:15 AM EST	444	3.56
Nov 5, 8:15 AM EST	435	3.54
Nov 5, 7:15 AM EST	416	3.5
Nov 5, 6:15 AM EST	402	3.47
Nov 5, 5:15 AM EST	384	3.43
Nov 5, 4:15 AM EST	384	3.43
Nov 5, 3:15 AM EST	411	3.49
Nov 5, 2:15 AM EST	407	3.48
Nov 5, 1:15 AM EST	411	3.49
Nov 5, 12:15 AM EST	421	3.51
Nov 4, 11:15 PM EST	435	3.54
Nov 4, 10:15 PM EST	449	3.57
Nov 4, 9:15 PM EST	459	3.59
Nov 4, 8:15 PM EST	492	3.66
Nov 4, 7:15 PM EST	522	3.72
Nov 4, 6:15 PM EST	522	3.72
Nov 4, 5:15 PM EST	517	3.71
Nov 4, 4:15 PM EST	478	3.63
Nov 4, 3:15 PM EST	407	3.48
Nov 4, 2:15 PM EST	384	3.43
Nov 4, 1:15 PM EST	370	3.4
Nov 4, 12:15 PM EST	374	3.41
Nov 4, 11:15 AM EST	379	3.42
Nov 4, 10:15 AM EST	356	3.37
Nov 4, 9:15 AM EST	356	3.37
Nov 4, 8:15 AM EST	307	3.26
Nov 4, 7:15 AM EST	268	3.17
Nov 4, 6:15 AM EST	252	3.13
Nov 4, 5:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 4:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 3:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 2:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 1:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 4, 12:15 AM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 11:15 PM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 10:15 PM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 9:15 PM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 8:15 PM EST	264	3.16
Nov 3, 7:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 6:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 5:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 4:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 3:15 PM EST	260	3.15
Nov 3, 2:15 PM EST	252	3.13
Nov 3, 1:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 3, 12:15 PM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 11:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 10:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 9:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 8:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 7:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 6:15 AM EST	236	3.09
Nov 3, 5:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 4:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 3:15 AM EST	232	3.08
Nov 3, 2:15 AM EST	236	3.09
Nov 3, 1:15 AM EST	236	3.09
Nov 3, 12:15 AM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 11:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 10:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 9:15 PM EST	232	3.08
Nov 2, 8:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 7:15 PM EST	232	3.08
Nov 2, 6:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 5:15 PM EST	236	3.09
Nov 2, 4:15 PM EST	240	3.1
Nov 2, 3:15 PM EST	244	3.11
Nov 2, 2:15 PM EST	256	3.14
Nov 2, 1:15 PM EST	277	3.19
Nov 2, 12:15 PM EST	311	3.27
Nov 2, 11:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 2, 10:15 AM EST	334	3.32
Nov 2, 9:15 AM EST	334	3.32
Nov 2, 8:15 AM EST	338	3.33
Nov 2, 7:15 AM EST	338	3.33
Nov 2, 6:15 AM EST	338	3.33
Nov 2, 5:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 2, 4:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 2, 3:15 AM EST	320	3.29
Nov 2, 2:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 2, 1:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 2, 12:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 11:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 10:15 PM EST	334	3.32
Nov 1, 9:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 8:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 7:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 6:15 PM EST	334	3.32
Nov 1, 5:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 4:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 3:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 2:15 PM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 1:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 12:15 PM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 11:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 10:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 9:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 8:15 AM EST	329	3.31
Nov 1, 7:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 6:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 5:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 4:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 3:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 2:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EST	325	3.3
Nov 1, 1:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Nov 1, 12:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 11:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 10:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 9:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 8:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 7:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 6:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 5:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 4:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 3:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 2:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 1:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 12:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 11:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 10:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 9:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 8:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 7:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 6:15 AM EDT	334	3.32
Oct 31, 5:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 4:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 3:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 2:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 31, 1:15 AM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 31, 12:15 AM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 30, 11:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 30, 10:15 PM EDT	329	3.31
Oct 30, 9:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 30, 8:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 30, 7:15 PM EDT	325	3.3
Oct 30, 6:15 PM EDT	320	3.29
Oct 30, 5:15 PM EDT	316	3.28
Oct 30, 4:15 PM EDT	303	3.25
Oct 30, 3:15 PM EDT	248	3.12
Oct 30, 2:15 PM EDT	236	3.09
Oct 30, 1:15 PM EDT	240	3.1
Oct 30, 12:15 PM EDT	240	3.1
Oct 30, 11:15 AM EDT	244	3.11
Oct 30, 10:15 AM EDT	240	3.1
Oct 30, 9:15 AM EDT	236	3.09
Oct 30, 8:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 7:15 AM EDT	224	3.06
Oct 30, 6:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 5:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 4:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 3:15 AM EDT	232	3.08
Oct 30, 2:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 30, 1:15 AM EDT	232	3.08
Oct 30, 12:15 AM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 29, 11:15 PM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 29, 10:15 PM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 29, 9:15 PM EDT	228	3.07
Oct 29, 8:15 PM EDT	232	3.08
Oct 29, 7:30 PM EDT	228	3.07

What this level means general guidance

Normal for Nov 5: 198–355 ft³/s (middle half of 112 years of record). Now: 444 ft³/s, above normal.

Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 123 ft³/s, highest 1,820 ft³/s.

Official flood stage · National Weather Service

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.

NWS observed 3.56 ft stage, 408 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:15 PM EST (NWS gauge SGFO1; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).

Action stage: 9 ft
Minor flood: 12 ft
Moderate flood: 16 ft
Major flood: 18 ft

NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 9:38 AM EST. Highest point: 3.6 ft, 427 ft³/s on Nov 5, 1:00 PM EST (Below NWS action stage).

NWS forecast, highest value each day
Day	Stage	Flow
Thu, Nov 5	3.6 ft	427 ft³/s
Fri, Nov 6	3.4 ft	337 ft³/s
Sat, Nov 7	3.4 ft	337 ft³/s
Sun, Nov 8	3.3 ft	298 ft³/s
Mon, Nov 9	3.3 ft	298 ft³/s
Tue, Nov 10	3.2 ft	262 ft³/s

Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)

Conditions for fishing general guidance

Species

This gauge is on our page for Mad River, but no agency page we read lists its species.

Safety

Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)

Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.

Open the USGS gauge page