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Weather Forecast Office Chicago, IL

North Central River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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Inundation
Mapping

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About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (CDT)

Datum: NGVD29

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 Illinois River at Ottawa 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:	471
Moderate Flood Stage:	467
Flood Stage:	463
Action Stage:	461
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 473.72 ft on 04/19/2013
(2) 472.21 ft on 09/16/2008
(3) 471.49 ft on 02/22/2018 (P)
(4) 470.83 ft on 05/02/2019
(5) 470.23 ft on 03/11/2009
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 470.83 ft on 05/02/2019
(2) 471.49 ft on 02/22/2018 (P)
(3) 463.65 ft on 10/16/2017 (P)
(4) 464.10 ft on 07/23/2017
(5) 466.46 ft on 05/02/2017
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

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

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:16

	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
476	Water reaches the top of the levee at Ottawa High School.
475.5	Backwater causes the Fox River to reach the top of the flood protection wall south of Main Street near Ottawa High School. Water inundates lower-level of residences at Heritage Harbor east of Ottawa.
474.5	Backwater causes the Fox River to reach the top of the levee at Ottawa High School.
474	Structures threatened at Shoreline Boat Club in Ottawa. Main Street at Fox River in Ottawa is threatened and may be closed, blocking the last primary evacuation route for east Ottawa. Water overtops the berm at Waste Water Treatment Plant.
472	West parking lot of St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa is inundated.
471.5	Water reaches top of levee at Ottawa Waste Water Treatment Plant. Backwater causes the Fox River to inundate the YMCA parking lot in Ottawa.
470	Shabbona Street near Ottawa High School is inundated. St. Elizabeth Medical Center property in Ottawa is threatened including the loading dock areas.
469	Backwater causes the Fox River to reach bankfull near the YMCA in Ottawa.
468	River Rescue structure threatened in Ottawa.
467	Green Street near Shoreline Boat Club in Ottawa is inundated, blocking a primary evacuation route for east Ottawa.
466.5	Low-lying sections of Fox River Park in Ottawa are inundated including Hudson Street River Walk. St. Clair Street is threatened in Ottawa.
465.5	Low-lying property near St. Elizabeth Medical Center is threatened. Marquette High School football threatened.
465	Harbor Walk in Heritage Harbor east of Ottawa is inundated.
464	Backwater causes the Fox River to reach bankfull near St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.
462.5	Roadway entrance to Allen Park threatened in Ottawa. Allen Park west boat ramp inundated in Ottawa.
461	River Rescue boat dock inundated in Ottawa.
Photos (1) Gage equipment located on top of levee near mouth of Fox River. (2) Levee at Ottawa High School. (3) Looking downstream from atop levee 9/3/2009. Gage height 459.80 ft. (4) Looking upstream from atop levee 9/3/2009. Gage height 459.80 ft.

About This Location

Latitude: 41.344444° N, Longitude: 88.839167° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	463 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	Not Available	Not Available	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	Not Available	463	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:

Corps of Engineers (COE) Info for Ottawa

Additional Information

How much forecast precipitation was used for the current river forecast?

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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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