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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the North Central River Forecast Center.
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About this graph
Forecasts for the Des Plaines River at Riverside are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
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Upstream Locations Upstream Gauge
Zoom Level:15
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 9
Moderate Flood Stage: 8
Flood Stage: 7.5
Action Stage: 7
Low Stage (in feet): 1.5

Historic Crests
(1) 11.28 ft on 04/18/2013
(2) 10.00 ft on 05/18/2020
(3) 9.90 ft on 08/15/1987
(4) 9.87 ft on 09/14/2008
(5) 9.82 ft on 01/26/1969
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 10.00 ft on 05/18/2020
(2) 7.33 ft on 04/30/2020
(3) 8.37 ft on 05/01/2019
(4) 7.03 ft on 02/04/2019
(5) 7.73 ft on 06/23/2018
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 1.54 ft on 12/01/2012
(2) 1.56 ft on 08/12/2016
(3) 1.57 ft on 08/09/2012
(4) 1.60 ft on 06/11/2021
(5) 1.62 ft on 08/06/2018
Show More Low Water Records
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Gauge LocationGauge Map Marker
 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 Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
11.5 Widespread inundation of industrial property and structures north of the river in McCook. Numerous residences threatened near the river in Lyons.
11 Water reaches the top of the levees in Lyons and McCook. Structures threatened at Brookfield Zoo.
10.5 Residences threatened between river and 39th Street in Riverside. Water reaches the top of the levee in Forest View. Without flood protection from levees, widespread inundation of industrial property and structures would occur north of the river in McCook.
9.5 Parking areas at Brookfield Zoo threatened. Industrial parking area near the river and I-55 is threatened.
9 Residences threatened near the confluence of Des Plaines River and Salt Creek.
8.5 IL-171 (1st Avenue) threatened near Brookfield Zoo. Water may begin to overflow into the Chicago Sanitary & Ship Canal near Willow Springs.
8 Park areas are inundated near Confluence of Des Plaines River and Salt Creek.
7.5 Low-lying sections of Miller Meadow, Indian Gardens, Cermak Woods, Ottawa Trail Woods, and other forest land along the river are inundated.
7 Water begins to overflow banks in adjacent forest preserve areas.
4 Without flood protection from levees, water would begin to bypass the main river channel through Chicago Portage toward the Chicago River Basin and areas once covered by Mud Lake.
Low Water Impacts Collapse
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1.0 River nears zero flow.
1.5 Approximate stage of the 1-in-10 annual chance flow (7-day average).

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:
Additional Information Collapse
How much forecast precipitation was used for the current river forecast?
How low could the river get?
Collaborative Agencies Collapse
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
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Romeoville, IL 60446
(815) 834-1435
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