By Earl E. Webber
The flood of June 13-15, 1981, in the Blanchard River basin in northwestern Ohio caused major damage in Findlay, Ottawa, and adjacent rural areas. Approximately 25 percent of Findlay and 55 percent of Ottawa were flooded. Estimated crop damage was $12 million in Hancock Country, $7 million in Wyandot Country, and $3 million in Putnam Country.
During the flood, the maximum gage height of the Blanchard River at the U.S. Geological Survey gaging station near Findlay was 17.43 feet, gage datum. This was 0.67 foot higher than the previous peak of 16.76 feet, February 11, 1959. The corresponding peak discharge, 13,000 cubic feet per second, was estimated to have a recurrence interval of 50 years. Recurrence intervals of peak flows at other locations on the Blanchard River and on tributary streams were estimated to range from 25 to more than 100 years.
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