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Weather Forecast Office Chicago, IL

North Central River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (CDT)

Datum: NAVD88

Metadata

NOTE: Graphical forecasts are not available for the Lake Michigan at Chicago (Chicago Lock). During times of high water, forecast crest information can be found in the text products.

Return to Area Map

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	7
Moderate Flood Stage:	6
Flood Stage:	4
Action Stage:	2.5
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 5.98 ft on 04/29/2020
(2) 5.48 ft on 01/11/2020
(3) 5.07 ft on 06/03/2020 (P)
(4) 4.95 ft on 08/11/2020 (P)
(5) 4.77 ft on 07/20/2019
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 4.95 ft on 08/11/2020 (P)
(2) 4.14 ft on 07/10/2020 (P)
(3) 5.07 ft on 06/03/2020 (P)
(4) 5.98 ft on 04/29/2020
(5) 4.64 ft on 03/06/2020
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) -4.07 ft on 01/18/2013

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:14

	Gauge Location	Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Flood Impacts & Photos

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
9	Lakefront Trail threatened near Marovitz Golf Course.
8.5	Structures threatened at 41st Street Beach. Foster Beach parking lot is threatened. Foster Avenue underpass is threatened at Foster Beach. Lake Shore Drive is threatened between Belmont Avenue and Irving Park Road, near Division Street, and at Oak Street Beach.
8	Structures are threatened at Montrose Beach. Lakefront Trail is threatened at Montrose Harbor.
7.5	Lane Park playground is threatened in the Edgewater neighborhood. Lakefront Trail is threatened at Oak Street Beach. Lake Shore Drive onramps are threatened at Oak Street Beach. Structures are threatened at 57th Street Beach.
7	Montrose Dog Beach parking lot is threatened. Lake Shore Drive is threatened at 57th Drive.
6.5	Sheridan Road is threatened near Lake Shore Drive. Lakefront Trail is threatened at the Ardmore Avenue trailhead. Low-lying areas of Jane Addams Park are threatened. Paths and roadways are threatened at Navy Pier. Multiple trails are threatened at 57th Street Beach. Lake Shore Drive is threatened at Jackson Park Harbor.
6	Structures are threatened at North Avenue Beach and Queens Landing in Grant Park.
5.5	Roadways are threatened at Belmont Harbor. Lakefront Trail is threatened at North Avenue Beach and near Morgan Point. Low-lying areas of Jackson Park along the lagoon are threatened.
5	Lakefront Trail is threatened at Chicago Yacht Club. The Chicago Yacht Club parking lot is threatened. Low-lying trails near Lincoln Park Zoo are threatened. Park Drive is threatened near Navy Pier. Roadways and parking lots are threatened at Illinois Beach State Park north of Waukegan.
4.5	Lakefront Trail is threatened at Ohio Street Beach and at Grant Park. Breakwater paths at DuSable Harbor are threatened.
2.5	Lowest sections of the waterfront at Grant Park are inundated.

About This Location

Latitude: 41.889280° N, Longitude: 87.607940° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD27

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	4 ft	Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum	Elevation (gauge height = 0)	Elevation (gauge height = flood stage)	Elevation information source
NAVD88	579.19	583.19	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	579.48	583.48	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	578.65; 0.0	582.65; 4.0	IGLD85; Chicago City Datum

Current/Historical Observations:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for Chicago (Chicago Lock)

Additional Information

Forecasts from the National Ocean Service (NOS) Lake Michigan and Huron Operational Forecast System (LMHOFS)
Forecasts from the Great Lakes Environmental Research Laboratory (GLERL) Great Lakes Coastal Forecasting System (GLCFS)

Resources

Hydrologic Resources

Additional Resources

Collaborative Agencies

The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.

NWS Information

National Weather Service
Chicago Weather Forecast Office
333 W. University Dr.
Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 834-1435
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:29 PM

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