River stage
Des Plaines River
- River level
- Normal
- Status
- Below flood stage
Latest readings 2026-10-13 | NWS · USGS
- Gauges reporting
- 11 of 11
- Above flood stage
- 0
- Above action stage
- 0
- Overall
- Below flood stage
- Publisher
- NWS · USGS
In brief
On Oct 13, 2026, 11 of 11 gauges on the Des Plaines River reported, and none was above flood stage.
Source: National Weather Service and USGS gauges
Des Plaines River levels, gauge by gauge
The Des Plaines River is measured at 11 gauges. Flood stages are set per gauge, so the same river is "high" at one town and normal at the next.
| Location | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|
| Brandon Road Lock (tailwater) | 505.17 ft | below flood stage |
| Des Plaines | 9.80 ft | normal, falling |
| Des Plaines (Algonquin Road) | 9.50 ft | below flood stage |
| Gurnee | 3.53 ft | normal, falling |
| Joliet | 539.09 ft | normal, falling |
| Lemont | 6.47 ft | normal, falling |
| Lincolnshire | 8.14 ft | normal, falling |
| Lyons | 11.40 ft | normal, falling |
| River Forest | 5.42 ft | normal, falling |
| Riverside | 2.79 ft | normal, falling |
| Russell | 4.77 ft | normal, falling |
Recent levels on the Des Plaines River
The gauge with the fullest recent record on this river is Des Plaines, IL, with 122 days of readings.
Other rivers nearby
- Salt Creek (IL, IN) 7 gauges
- Buffalo Creek (IL) 1 gauge
- Mill Creek (IL) 2 gauges
- Nippersink Creek 2 gauges
- Kankakee River 8 gauges
- Fox River (IL, WI) 25 gauges
- Rock River (IL, WI) 18 gauges
- Deer Creek (IL, IN) 2 gauges
Frequently asked questions
Is the Des Plaines River flooding right now?
No. Every one of the 11 reporting gauges on the Des Plaines River is below flood stage as of 2026-10-13.
How high is the Des Plaines River?
The river is measured at several points and each reads a different height. Des Plaines is at 9.80 ft; Gurnee is at 3.53 ft; Joliet is at 539.09 ft; Lemont is at 6.47 ft.
Where is the Des Plaines River measured?
The National Weather Service and USGS operate 11 gauges on the Des Plaines River in Illinois.
What does flood stage mean?
Flood stage is the height at which a river begins to cause problems at that specific location. It is set per gauge, so the same river can be above flood stage in one town and normal a few miles downstream. Action stage is the lower level at which forecasters start watching closely.
River stages and flood categories from the NOAA National Weather Service; daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.