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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: River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.

NOTE: Forecasts for the Rock River at Latham Park are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

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Upstream Gauge

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	13.5
Moderate Flood Stage:	11
Flood Stage:	9
Action Stage:	8
Low Stage (in feet):	1

Historic Crests
(1) 14.70 ft on 03/26/1975
(2) 14.44 ft on 03/17/2019 (P)
(3) 14.30 ft on 06/18/2008
(4) 13.30 ft on 04/23/1973
(5) 13.22 ft on 10/07/2018
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 14.44 ft on 03/17/2019 (P)
(2) 13.22 ft on 10/07/2018
(3) 11.48 ft on 09/09/2018
(4) 12.80 ft on 02/26/2018
(5) 12.41 ft on 07/28/2017
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 2.75 ft on 07/13/2005
(2) 3.12 ft on 11/30/2013
(3) 3.15 ft on 09/20/2012
(4) 3.37 ft on 12/30/2013
(5) 3.44 ft on 08/17/2015
Show More Low Water Records

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

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:15

	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
21	Bauer Parkway is threatened in Machesney Park. Riverside Boulevard is threatened in Loves Park.
18.5	Ralston Road/Latham Road is threatened near the river in Machesney Park. Widespread inundation of structures and roadways reaches up to half mile from the river in Machesney Park.
17	Gleasman Road is threatened east of Old River Road north of Machesney Park. Evelyn Avenue and Forest Grove Street are threatened in Loves Park.
16	Numerous structures are threatened along Park Ridge Road in Loves Park.
15.5	Park Ridge Road is threatened in Loves Park.
14.5	Numerous residences are threatened along Queen Oaks Drive in Machesney Park.
13.5	Numerous residences are threatened along Ritter Drive, along Ventura Boulevard north of Ralston Road, and along Shore Drive south of Bauer Parkway in Machesney Park. Residences are threatened along Browns Beach Road in north Rockford. Low-lying structures are threatened along Park Ridge Road in Loves Park.
13	Ventura Boulevard is threatened north of Ralston Road in Machesney Park.
12.5	Residences threatened along Harbor Oaks Drive north of Machesney Park. Numerous residences are threatened near the river and Shore Drive. Low-lying sections of Rockford Country Club are inundated.
12	Low-lying sections of Shorewood Park are inundated in Loves Park.
11.5	Queen Oaks Drive is threatened in Machesney Park. Lower-level of elevated structures threatened along Harbor Lights Court west of Machesney Park. Ritter Drive is threatened north of Baldwin Drive in Machesney Park.
11	Low-lying sections of Harbor Oaks Drive are threatened in north Machesney Park. Low-lying residences are threatened along Queen Oaks Drive in Machesney Park. Browns Beach Road is threatened in north Rockford. Lower parking lot of Sportscore One is inundated in north Rockford.
10.5	Low-lying sections of Shore Drive are threatened between Wilson Avenue and Park Road in Machesney Park. Water overflows low-lying river banks along East Drive in Loves Park. Low-lying areas of Martin Memorial Park are inundated.
10	Property and trails near the boat ramp at Bauer Parkway are threatened. Illinois DNR considers closure of the Rock River.
9.5	Low-lying areas of Sportscore One are inundated in north Rockford.
9	Boathouses threatened along the river in Machesney Park.
8	Water overflows low-lying river banks along Baldwin Drive and North Pier Drive in Machesney Park. Winnebago County considers "no wake" order for the Rock River.
7.5	Low-lying agricultural land is inundated in north Machesney Park.
7	Water overflows low-lying river banks along Ventura Boulevard in Machesney Park.
Photos (1) Looking upstream. Stage 3.69 ft. (2) Looking downstream. Stage 3.69 ft.

Low Water Impacts

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster

1.0	Rock River begins to become impassable to some boats.

About This Location

Latitude: 42.368611° N, Longitude: 89.058333° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	9 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	698.66	707.66	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	698.85	707.85	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	Not Available	Not Available

Current/Historical Observations:

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for Latham Park

Additional Information

How much forecast precipitation was used for the current river forecast?
How low could the river get?

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: 1-Mar-2019 12:34 AM

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