Illinois River Crests At All Gages, Scenic Rivers Commission Says

The Oklahoma Scenic River Commission says all gages on the Illinois River show the water has crested or is cresting.

Ed Fite with the OSRC says water levels at Watts, Chewey and Tahlequah gage sites reached "flood of record levels" and have either crested or are in the process of cresting as of 3 p.m. on Monday, December 28, 2015.

Fite said the conditions on the river remain extremely dangerous with widespread catastrophic damage that has occurred to property and roads in the area.

Highway 10 north from Tahlequah to Little Kansas is closed by flood waters covering the roadway in vary locations.

US 62/SH 51 bridge located just east of Tahlequah is open.

Watts (US 59 bridge) gage site crested midnight at 28.52 feet with water levels falling.

Chewey (Hampton Bridge) gage site crested 6:00am at 31.78 feet with water levels falling.

Tahlequah (US 62 bridge) gage site is presently cresting at 30.70 feet and will remain at that approximate level for a short period before beginning to fall.

Flint Creek at Kansas (US 412) gage site crested midnight at 16.03 feet with water levels falling.

Barren Fork Creek at Eldon (SH 51) gage site crested 9 p.m. Sunday evening at 25.40 feet with water levels falling.

Present conditions:

Illinois River – Watts 23.12 feet/39,300 cfs

Illinois River – Chewey 27.19 feet/72,100 cfs

Illinois River – Tahlequah 30.70 feet/131,000 cfs

Flint Creek - Kansas 9.46 feet/4,540 cfs

Barren Fork Creek - Eldon 15.25 feet/14,400 cfs