Risk Levels

Fast flowing water can be dangerous even to the most experienced angler or paddler. It’s important to know and understand that what is normal for one river in terms of streamflow maybe dangerously fast for another. Streamflow is how fast a river or stream is flowing and is measured in cubic feet per second (CFS). The USGS (a federal agency) monitors stream and river conditions all over the U.S., including several locations in Indiana on the White River. We are using their live stream gauge data to show the flow of the River in several locations and color-code this flow (red, yellow, or green) to provide you some content for the real-time risk that may be present. Please take a minute and check current river conditions before you head out and end up in a potentially dangerous situation.

The White River flows through six primary counties in central Indiana and receives direct point source pollution and indirect non-point source runoff pollution from 1.7 million acres of land. The diverse land use across this watershed results in many pollution risks along the River’s length. In fact, due to routine pollution loads, the White River in central Indiana is on the State’s list of impaired waters (i.e. waters that do not meet State water quality standards). For this reason, and until we can shift its fate, it is important to always take precautions during and after recreating in the River (e.g. never drink river water while recreating, be sure to wash your hands and body after recreating, etc.).

Many of the pollution sources to the River are intensified by rain events, particularly stormwater (storm drain outfalls), septic systems, and combined sewer systems (CSS). A CSS collects rainwater runoff, domestic sewage, and industrial wastewater into one pipe. Under normal conditions, these systems transport all of the wastewater it collects to a sewage treatment plant for treatment, then discharges to a water body. However, during heavy rainfalls or snow melt the volume of wastewater can often exceed the capacity of the CSS or treatment plant. When this occurs, untreated stormwater and wastewater discharges directly to nearby streams, rivers, and other water bodies. This is known as a combined sewer overflow (CSO). CSOs contain untreated or partially treated human and industrial waste, toxic materials, and debris. CSO events are a serious threat to human health and the environment. The main stem of the White River is impacted by 4 CSO communities – Muncie, Anderson, Noblesville, and Indianapolis – each containing numerous discharge points. To help you gauge your risk to these CSO events, we’ve assigned a red flag warning to the River’s current conditions when enough rain has occurred to trigger a nearby or upstream CSO.