Rivers in Illinois
Rock River at Rockford (Auburn Street)
Below flood stage
3.06ftStage
Observed Fri, Oct 2, 8:45 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 6.00 ft
- Record crest
- 10.00 ft1881
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 10.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 8.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 6.00 ft |
| Action | 5.50 ft |
- 12.50 ftAuburn Street is threatened near the river in Rockford.
- 10.50 ftStructures are threatened at Davis Park in downtown Rockford.
- 9.50 ftNumerous structures are threatened at the river in downtown Rockford and near Morgan Street and Loomis Street. Davis Park is threatened in downtown Rockford.
- 9.00 ftResidences are threatened along Nelson Boulevard in Rockford. Backwater causes Spring Creek to inundate low-lying areas of Anderson Gardens in Rockford.
- 8.50 ftResidences are threatened along River Bluff Court and River Court in Loves Park. Structures are threatened at Sinnissippi Gardens in Rockford including Nicholas Conservatory. Willoughby Terrace is threatened in Rockford.
- 8.00 ftParking garage threatened at Rockford Public Library.
- 7.50 ftParking lots are threatened along Madison Street in Rockford. Morgan Street and Nelson Boulevard are threatened in Rockford.
- 7.00 ftRiverfront trails and park area threatened at Rockford Public Library.
- 6.50 ftRiver Bluff Court and River Court are threatened in Loves Park. Marinelli Field is threatened in Blackhawk Park.
- 5.50 ftLow-lying sections of the Rock River Recreation Trail are threatened in Rockford. Riverview Mobile Home Park is threatened in Rockford.
- 5.00 ftLow-lying areas of Blackhawk Island are inundated south of Rockford. Low-lying areas of Field Gem Park are inundated south of Rockford.
- 4.50 ftLow-lying areas of Blackhawk Park are inundated in Rockford.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 25, 2026.
Crest history
29 crests on NOAA’s list since 1881.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 20, 1881 | 10.00 ft |
| 2 | March 26, 1975 | 7.80 ft |
| 3 | March 18, 2019 | 7.43 ft |
| 4 | June 21, 2008 | 7.39 ft |
| 5 | April 20, 2013 | 6.93 ft |
| 6 | April 23, 1973 | 6.80 ft |
| 7 | October 7, 2018 | 6.60 ft |
| 8 | February 26, 2018 | 6.37 ft |
| 9 | July 29, 2010 | 6.16 ft |
| 10 | July 28, 2017 | 6.03 ft |
| 11 | January 23, 2018 | 5.96 ft |
| 12 | April 3, 1979 | 5.90 ft |
| 13 | October 8, 2019 | 5.83 ft |
| 14 | April 5, 1959 | 5.80 ft |
| 15 | January 12, 2016 | 5.74 ft |
| 16 | September 10, 2018 | 5.22 ft |
| 17 | June 27, 2013 | 5.00 ft |
| 18 | June 12, 2004 | 4.84 ft |
| 19 | March 29, 2009 | 4.76 ft |
| 20 | August 26, 2007 | 4.68 ft |
| 21 | December 21, 2022 | 4.53 ft |
| 22 | January 1, 2021 | 4.42 ft |
| 23 | March 20, 2014 | 4.15 ft |
| 24 | February 19, 2005 | 4.14 ft |
| 25 | March 29, 2020 | 4.04 ft |
Most recent crests
- December 21, 2022: 4.53 ft
- January 1, 2021: 4.42 ft
- August 11, 2020: 4.01 ft
- March 29, 2020: 4.04 ft
- October 8, 2019: 5.83 ft
- March 18, 2019: 7.43 ft
- October 7, 2018: 6.60 ft
- September 10, 2018: 5.22 ft
- February 26, 2018: 6.37 ft
- January 23, 2018: 5.96 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. The stages/flows that will occur may be different if future rainfall is different than forecast.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.