Rivers in Illinois
Chicago River at Chicago (Columbus Dr)
Below flood stage
-2.96ftStage
Observed Thu, Oct 1, 2:08 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 3.00 ft
- Record crest
- 5.50 ft1954
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 5.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 4.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 3.00 ft |
| Action | 1.00 ft |
- 6.00 ftNumerous structures flooded near the river in the River West, River North, and West Loop neighborhoods.
- 5.00 ftLower level of office towers may be threatened near the river. Low-lying sections of River Esplanade Park are threatened including Centennial Fountain.
- 4.00 ftLower Wacker Drive is threatened.
- 3.50 ftCommercial areas of the Chicago Riverwalk are threatened.
- 3.00 ftNumerous stretches of the Chicago Riverwalk are threatened. USACE and MWRD consider opening of Chicago Lock to reduce flood impacts, depending on the water level of Lake Michigan.
- 2.00 ftLow-lying sections of the Chicago Riverwalk are threatened.
- 1.00 ftCity of Chicago considers closure of the Chicago Riverwalk.
Crest history
17 crests on NOAA’s list since 1954.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 10, 1954 | 5.50 ft |
| 2 | May 17, 2020 | 5.12 ft |
| 3 | July 24, 2010 | 4.72 ft |
| 4 | August 16, 1997 | 4.20 ft |
| 5 | July 23, 2011 | 3.99 ft |
| 6 | October 14, 2017 | 3.37 ft |
| 7 | April 18, 2013 | 3.18 ft |
| 8 | June 15, 2015 | 3.16 ft |
| 9 | December 27, 2008 | 3.15 ft |
| 10 | September 13, 2008 | 3.06 ft |
| 11 | June 30, 2014 | 2.85 ft |
| 12 | March 8, 2009 | 2.81 ft |
| 13 | May 1, 2019 | 1.93 ft |
| 14 | August 5, 2008 | 1.90 ft |
| 15 | August 26, 2012 | 1.60 ft |
| 16 | June 11, 1967 | 1.50 ft |
| 17 | February 21, 2018 | 1.04 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 17, 2020: 5.12 ft
- May 1, 2019: 1.93 ft
- February 21, 2018: 1.04 ft
- October 14, 2017: 3.37 ft
- June 15, 2015: 3.16 ft
- June 30, 2014: 2.85 ft
- April 18, 2013: 3.18 ft
- August 26, 2012: 1.60 ft
- July 23, 2011: 3.99 ft
- July 24, 2010: 4.72 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamNorth Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Grand Ave)
- Lake Michigan at Chicago (Chicago Lock)
- Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Chicago (Western Ave)
- North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Pulaski Rd)
- Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney
- Des Plaines River at River Forest
- Des Plaines River at Riverside
- Des Plaines River at Lyons
What this means
Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Graphical forecasts are not available during times of high water, forecast crest information can be found in the local WFO web page.
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.