Rivers in Illinois
Sangamon River at Petersburg
Below flood stage
4.72ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 5:15 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 23.00 ft
- Record crest
- 33.90 ft1943
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 33.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 24.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 23.00 ft |
| Action | 18.00 ft |
- 29.00 ftRoute 123 is closed. Water overtops Illinois Midland railroad tracks at 4th Street.
- 25.00 ftSome residences on the east side of Petersburg flood.
- 23.00 ftExtensive agricultural and lowland flooding occurs.
- 22.00 ftAltig Bridge Ave. closed due to water over the west approach roadway.
- 21.00 ftPark and recreational land near the river in Petersburg is flooded.
- 15.00 ftWater begins to flood agricultural areas and local parks near the river.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 7% |
| Moderate flooding | 6% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.
Crest history
37 crests on NOAA’s list since 1943.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 20, 1943 | 33.90 ft |
| 2 | May 14, 2002 | 30.75 ft |
| 3 | December 31, 2015 | 30.55 ft |
| 4 | April 14, 1994 | 29.84 ft |
| 5 | May 11, 1996 | 27.45 ft |
| 6 | January 25, 1974 | 26.50 ft |
| 7 | January 17, 2005 | 26.30 ft |
| 8 | May 3, 1970 | 26.10 ft |
| 9 | January 18, 2005 | 26.08 ft |
| 10 | April 23, 2013 | 25.67 ft |
| 11 | November 3, 2009 | 24.24 ft |
| 12 | April 21, 1969 | 24.20 ft |
| 13 | November 21, 2009 | 24.10 ft |
| 14 | June 4, 2013 | 24.05 ft |
| 15 | May 7, 2017 | 23.92 ft |
| 16 | May 20, 2020 | 23.80 ft |
| 17 | June 26, 2010 | 23.71 ft |
| 18 | January 10, 2005 | 23.62 ft |
| 19 | June 25, 2019 | 23.59 ft |
| 20 | December 28, 2009 | 23.40 ft |
| 21 | May 4, 2019 | 23.21 ft |
| 22 | January 12, 1975 | 23.10 ft |
| 23 | June 23, 1990 | 23.04 ft |
| 24 | May 21, 2009 | 22.75 ft |
| 25 | May 3, 2020 | 22.59 ft |
Most recent crests
- January 26, 2024: 18.73 ft
- February 25, 2022: 17.64 ft
- July 4, 2021: 19.30 ft
- May 22, 2021: 18.97 ft
- May 20, 2020: 23.80 ft
- May 3, 2020: 22.59 ft
- March 23, 2020: 17.80 ft
- January 16, 2020: 22.56 ft
- June 25, 2019: 23.59 ft
- May 4, 2019: 23.21 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 precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
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.