Major Flood
5 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
4 ft
Minor Flood
3 ft
Action Stage
1 ft
What Floods at Each Level
6 ft
Numerous structures flooded near the river in the River West, River North, and West Loop neighborhoods.
5 ft
Lower level of office towers may be threatened near the river. Low-lying sections of River Esplanade Park are threatened including Centennial Fountain.
4 ft
Lower Wacker Drive is threatened.
3.5 ft
Commercial areas of the Chicago Riverwalk are threatened.
3 ft
Numerous 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 ft
Low-lying sections of the Chicago Riverwalk are threatened.
1 ft
City of Chicago considers closure of the Chicago Riverwalk.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
-4
Low water levels begin to impact shipping interests along the river.
What happens as water levels drop, per the National Weather Service.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 9, 1954 | 5.5 ft | — |
| May 16, 2020 | 5.12 ft | — |
| Jul 23, 2010 | 4.72 ft | — |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Chicago River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Chicago River at Chicago (Columbus Dr)?
The Chicago River at Chicago (Columbus Dr) gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05536123) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Chicago River at Chicago (Columbus Dr)?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Chicago River at Chicago (Columbus Dr) is 3 feet. Action stage begins at 1 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 4 feet, and major flooding at 5 feet.
How do I get alerts when Chicago River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Chicago River at Chicago (Columbus Dr) to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Chicago River at Chicago (Columbus Dr) gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cook County, Illinois at coordinates 41.8883°N, 87.6211°W. USGS site number: 05536123. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey