Web Portal Changes: The Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service (AHPS) hosted at https://water.weather.gov will be replaced by the National Water Prediction Service (NWPS), with a target of Spring 2024. Existing AHPS content and features will be preserved and expanded within NWPS. The NWS is now accepting feedback on NWPS. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations for more information.

Experimental National Water Center Products: Flood Inundation Mapping services are now available for 10% of the U.S. population. Please visit https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations for more information. The National Hydrologic Discussion, Area Hydrologic Discussion, Flood Hazard Outlook, and real-time geospatial services depicting River Forecast Center and National Water Model forecasts, continue to be accessible via the URL above, as described in the StoryMap here.

Weather Forecast Office Chicago, IL

North Central River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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Probability Information Chance of Exceeding Levels During Entire Period Weekly Chance of Exceeding Levels Short-term Probabilistic Guidance (Experimental)

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Printable Image About this graph Tabular Data (UTC) Tabular Data (CST) 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 North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Pulaski Rd) 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: 21 Moderate Flood Stage: 20 Flood Stage: 18 Action Stage: 16.5 Low Stage (in feet): 10.5 Historic Crests (1) 23.50 ft on 04/18/2013 (P) (2) 22.90 ft on 09/14/2008 (3) 22.00 ft on 07/24/2010 (P) (4) 21.50 ft on 02/21/1997 (P) (5) 21.50 ft on 06/19/2009 (P) Show More Historic Crests (P): Preliminary values subject to further review. Recent Crests (1) 17.90 ft on 05/18/2020 (2) 17.03 ft on 05/22/2018 (3) 23.50 ft on 04/18/2013 (P) (4) 22.00 ft on 07/24/2010 (P) (5) 21.50 ft on 06/19/2009 (P) Show More Recent Crests (P): Preliminary values subject to further review. Low Water Records (1) 10.53 ft on 06/12/2021 (2) 10.62 ft on 08/23/2020 (3) 10.75 ft on 07/31/2018

Zoom Level:16 Legend FEMA Layer 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

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27.5	Structures are threatened at North Park University.
26	Low-lying property at North Park University is threatened. Low-lying areas in River Park are threatened.
24	Widespread inundation of structures and roadways reaches up to 1 block from the river in the Albany Park neighborhood. Low-lying sections of St. Luke Cemetery are inundated.
23	Intersection of Pulaski Road and Foster Avenue is threatened.
22	Low-lying sections of Bohemian National Cemetery are inundated.
21	Numerous structures and roadways impacted in the Albany Park neighborhood.
20	Water begins to impact structures in the Albany Park neighborhood. Foster Avenue is threatened east of Pulaski Road.
19	Water may impact the Eugene Field Park foot bridge. Foster Avenue flow diversion tunnel reaches capacity.
18	Portions of Eugene Field Park are inundated.
17	Trails in Gompers Park are inundated.
16.5	Water impacts low-lying trails in Eugene Field Park.
16	Low-lying areas of Gompers Park are inundated.
14.5	Water begins to be diverted through the Foster Avenue flow diversion tunnel.

Low Water Impacts

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10.5	River nears zero flow.

About This Location

Latitude: 41.974720° N, Longitude: 87.728330° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84 River Stage Reference Frame Gauge Height Flood Stage Uses NWS stage 0 ft 18 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 575.33 593.33 Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps NGVD 29 Not Available Not Available 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 Chicago (Pulaski Rd)

Additional Information

Flood impact categories (minor/moderate/major) are estimated and subject to future adjustment.

Resources

Hydrologic Resources Text Products Past Precipitation Forecast Precipitation River Forecast Centers River Stage Summary USGS WaterAlert Gauge Notifications Drought Information Snow Cover Information Flood Safety NWS Chicago Hydrology Program Hydrology of North Illinois and Northwest Indiana

Additional Resources Area Hydrographs NWS Precipitation and River Forecasting AHPS Iframes for Developers Mobile iNWS for emergency management

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 Ask Questions/Webmaster Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:29 PM Disclaimer Credits Glossary Privacy Policy About Us Career Opportunities