RIVER GAUGE · DES PLAINES RIVER
Des Plaines River at Joliet
Will County, Illinois
Water level538.94 ft
Flow—
Last readingSep 16, 2026, 4:30 PM UTC (last recorded)
Action540.5 ft
Minor flood541 ft
Moderate flood543 ft
Major flood544 ft
The past week
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What floods at each level
- 545.5 ft
Water reaches the top of the flood wall in downtown Joliet.
- 545 ft
Without flood protection, widespread inundation of structures and roadways in the floodplain reaches up to half mile from the river near downtown Joliet.
- 544 ft
Without flood protection, water begins to overtop the embankment upstream of Ruby Street along east bank of the river.
- 543.5 ft
A few structures near the river upstream of Ruby Street are threatened.
- 542 ft
North Bluff Street in threatened. Low-lying property near Ruby Street inundated.
Highest crests on record
| Date | Level | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 30, 1957 | 542 ft | — |
| Sep 13, 2008 | 541.22 ft | 33,100 cfs |
| Mar 4, 1985 | 541 ft | — |
When the water runs low
- 536.5
Low water levels begin to impact shipping interests along the river.
More on Des Plaines River
UpstreamDes Plaines River near Lemont
Des Plaines River at Des Plaines (Algonquin Road)
Des Plaines River near Des Plaines
Des Plaines River near Gurnee
Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater)
Des Plaines River at Lincolnshire
Des Plaines River near Lemont
Des Plaines River at Lyons
Des Plaines River near Russell
Des Plaines River at River Forest
Des Plaines River at Riverside
Get an alert when Des Plaines River rises
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