Des Plaines River at River Forest
Observed Mon, Sep 21, 11:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 16.00 ft
- Record crest
- 18.98 ft2013
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 18.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 17.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 16.00 ft |
| Action | 13.00 ft |
- 20.00 ftMultiple residential structures threatened in River Forest. 1st Avenue threatened in Maywood. Backwater causes Silver Creek to threaten multiple residential structures in Melrose Park.
- 18.00 ftPortions of Forest Home Cemetery and Concordia Cemetery are inundated in Forest Park.
- 17.50 ftNorth Avenue (IL-64) threatened in River Grove and Melrose Park. Residential property threatened along River Oaks Drive.
- 16.00 ftChicago Avenue is threatened.
- 13.00 ftParking lots threatened at Trailside Museum.
- 10.00 ftForest preserve property threatend along the river.
Flood outlook
Significant river flooding is likely here through September 26.
Weather conditions indicate that significant flooding can be expected during the outlook period.
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 6% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The five-day outlook is from the Weather Prediction Center with the River Forecast Centers. The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
14 crests on NOAA’s list since 2008.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 19, 2013 | 18.98 ft |
| 2 | September 14, 2008 | 18.30 ft |
| 3 | May 18, 2020 | 17.50 ft |
| 4 | July 22, 2017 | 15.55 ft |
| 5 | May 1, 2019 | 14.42 ft |
| 6 | October 15, 2017 | 14.12 ft |
| 7 | May 22, 2018 | 14.05 ft |
| 8 | September 15, 2019 | 14.03 ft |
| 9 | February 21, 2018 | 14.00 ft |
| 10 | June 23, 2018 | 13.91 ft |
| 11 | May 2, 2020 | 13.61 ft |
| 12 | June 16, 2015 | 13.42 ft |
| 13 | May 1, 2017 | 13.15 ft |
| 14 | April 6, 2017 | 13.12 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 18, 2020: 17.50 ft
- May 2, 2020: 13.61 ft
- September 15, 2019: 14.03 ft
- May 1, 2019: 14.42 ft
- June 23, 2018: 13.91 ft
- May 22, 2018: 14.05 ft
- February 21, 2018: 14.00 ft
- October 15, 2017: 14.12 ft
- July 22, 2017: 15.55 ft
- May 1, 2017: 13.15 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamDes Plaines River at Des Plaines (Algonquin Road)
- DownstreamDes Plaines River at Riverside
- Addison Creek at Bellwood
- Salt Creek (IL) at Western Springs
- Des Plaines River at Lyons
- Salt Creek (IL) at Oak Brook
- Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney
- Summit Conduit at Summit
- Salt Creek (IL) at Elmhurst
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.