Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater)
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Will County, Illinois on the Des Plaines River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05538020, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Minor Flood
507 ft
Action Stage
506.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
539.4 ft
High water levels cause Brandon Road Lock to shut down.
512 ft
High water levels begin to impact shipping interests along the river.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
502.5
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 12, 1957 | 513.3 ft | — |
| Jul 12, 1957 | 513.3 ft | — |
| May 17, 2020 | 513.25 ft | — |
| May 17, 2020 | 513.25 ft | — |
| Jul 17, 1996 | 513.12 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
JOLI2
River
Des Plaines River
County
Will, IL
Coordinates
41.5022°N, 88.1051°W
Get Flood Alerts for Des Plaines 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 Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater)?
The Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater) gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05538020) 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 Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater)?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater) is 507 feet. Action stage begins at 506.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at N/A feet, and major flooding at N/A feet.
How do I get alerts when Des Plaines River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater) to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater) gauge located?
The gauge is located in Will County, Illinois at coordinates 41.5022°N, 88.1051°W. USGS site number: 05538020. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Geological Survey