Overview
Record-setting rainfall of 6-12 inches (and more in a few areas) along the headwaters of the Kickapoo River near and north of Ontario, Wisconsin produced a major flood down the entire span of the river between August 28th and 30th, 2018. In most areas, this flood exceeded the previous record flood of June 9-10th, 2008, with new flood crest records being established in many areas. Please note that as of September 7th, 2018, we are still awaiting final flood crests from the United States Geological Survey for Ontario and La Farge, Wisconsin as those river gauges failed during the flood. Also, this information should be considered preliminary and could change if new data are received regarding the highest river levels.Record River Crest Information
Record crests have been established at Viola, Readstown, Gays Mills, and Steuben. Soldiers Grove fell short of the 1951 crest, but that record flood occurred before the current levee system was put into place.
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| Graphical look at the record crests established along the Kickapoo River from the August 29-30, 2018 flood |
Kickapoo River at Ontario, WI
Ontario established a new record crest from this flood event
Preliminary 2018 Crest: 28.5' on 8/28/2018 (via USGS)
Previous Record Crest: 21.96 feet from 6/8/2008
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Trace of water levels before the river gauge failed. |
Kickapoo River at La Farge, WI
La Farge established a new record crest from this flood event
2018 Crest: 19.42' on 8/28/2018 (via USGS)
Previous Record Crest: 15.78 feet from 6/8/2008
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| Trace of water levels before the river gauge failed. Note the magenta color depicts "Major Flood" stage. |
Kickapoo River at Viola, WI
Viola established a new record crest from this flood event
2018 Crest: 23.72 feet
Old Record Crest: 21.25 feet from 6/8/2008
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Trace of water levels at Viola, Wisconsin.
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Kickapoo River at Readstown, WI
Readstown established a new record crest from this flood event
2018 Crest: 23.17 feet
Old Record Crest: 19.65 feet from 6/8/2008
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Trace of water levels at Readstown, Wisconsin.
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Kickapoo River at Soldiers Grove, WI
Soldiers Grove DID NOT establish a new record crest from this flood event. The previous record from 1951 (well before the current levee system around town was built) still stands.
2018 Crest: 21.06 feet
Old Record Crest: 21.63 feet from 7/22/1951
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Trace of water levels at Soldiers Grove, Wisconsin.
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Kickapoo River at Gays Mills, WI
Gays Mills established a new record crest from this flood event
2018 Crest: 22.31 feet
Old Record Crest: 20.44 feet from 6/9/2008
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Trace of water levels at Gays Mills, Wisconsin.
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Kickapoo River at Steuben, WI
Steuben established a new record crest from this flood event
Preliminary 2018 Crest: 19.84' (by USGS)
Previous Record Crest: 19.16 feet from 6/10/2008
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| Trace of water levels at Steuben, Wisconsin. Note the magenta color depicts "Major Flood" stage. |
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