Des Plaines River at Riverside
Critical Stages
7' - Action
7.5' - Flood
8' - Moderate
9' - Major
Latest Observation
Updated: 10:45 AM CST 12/6/25
Status: No Flooding
Stage: 1.94 ft
Flow: 0.227 kcfs
Forecast
Forecast not available for this location.
| Time | Stage (ft) | Flow (kcfs) |
|---|---|---|
| 10:45 AM 12/6 | 1.94 | 0.227 |
| 10:30 AM 12/6 | 1.95 | 0.23 |
| 10:15 AM 12/6 | 1.94 | 0.227 |
| 10:00 AM 12/6 | 1.96 | 0.233 |
| 9:45 AM 12/6 | 1.96 | 0.233 |
| 9:30 AM 12/6 | 1.97 | 0.236 |
| 9:15 AM 12/6 | 1.98 | 0.239 |
| 9:00 AM 12/6 | 1.96 | 0.233 |
| 8:45 AM 12/6 | 1.95 | 0.23 |
| 8:30 AM 12/6 | 1.94 | 0.227 |
| 8:15 AM 12/6 | 1.93 | 0.224 |
| 8:00 AM 12/6 | 1.93 | 0.224 |
| 7:45 AM 12/6 | 1.93 | 0.224 |
| 7:30 AM 12/6 | 1.91 | 0.218 |
| 7:15 AM 12/6 | 1.9 | 0.215 |
| 7:00 AM 12/6 | 1.9 | 0.215 |
| 6:45 AM 12/6 | 1.9 | 0.215 |
| 6:30 AM 12/6 | 1.9 | 0.215 |
| 6:15 AM 12/6 | 1.89 | 0.212 |
| 6:00 AM 12/6 | 1.88 | 0.209 |
| 5:45 AM 12/6 | 1.88 | 0.209 |
| 5:30 AM 12/6 | 1.87 | 0.206 |
| 5:15 AM 12/6 | 1.87 | 0.206 |
| 5:00 AM 12/6 | 1.86 | 0.204 |
| 4:45 AM 12/6 | 1.85 | 0.201 |
| 4:30 AM 12/6 | 1.85 | 0.201 |
| 4:15 AM 12/6 | 1.85 | 0.201 |
| 4:00 AM 12/6 | 1.85 | 0.201 |
| 3:45 AM 12/6 | 1.85 | 0.201 |
| 3:30 AM 12/6 | 1.84 | 0.198 |
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.
| Date | Stage (ft) |
|---|---|
| Apr 18, 2013 | 11.28 |
| May 18, 2020 | 10 |
| Aug 15, 1987 | 9.9 |
| Sep 14, 2008 | 9.87 |
| Jan 26, 1969 | 9.82 |
| Jul 24, 2010 | 9.24 |
| Feb 21, 2014 | 9.15 |
| Jan 25, 1960 | 8.89 |
| Oct 4, 1986 | 8.8 |
| Oct 15, 2017 | 8.6 |
| Jul 24, 2011 | 8.47 |
| Feb 22, 1997 | 8.45 |
| May 1, 2019 | 8.37 |
| Feb 20, 1966 | 8.3 |
| Mar 20, 1948 | 8.28 |
| Apr 26, 1950 | 8.15 |
| Jan 11, 2014 | 8.15 |
| Oct 11, 1954 | 8.15 |
| Jun 16, 2015 | 8.1 |
| Jul 22, 2017 | 8.07 |
Data provided by the National Weather Service.
