Major Flood
544 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
543 ft
Minor Flood
541 ft
Action Stage
540.5 ft
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.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
536.5
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 30, 1957 | 542 ft | — |
| Sep 13, 2008 | 541.22 ft | 33,100 cfs |
| Mar 4, 1985 | 541 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
JRSI2
River
Des Plaines River
County
Will, IL
Coordinates
41.5365°N, 88.0837°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 Joliet?
The Des Plaines River at Joliet gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05537980) 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 Joliet?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Des Plaines River at Joliet is 541 feet. Action stage begins at 540.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 543 feet, and major flooding at 544 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 Joliet 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 Des Plaines River at Joliet gauge located?
The gauge is located in Will County, Illinois at coordinates 41.5365°N, 88.0837°W. USGS site number: 05537980. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Des Plaines River
On This River
Upstream: Des Plaines River near Lemont
Downstream: Des Plaines River at Brandon Road Lock (tailwater)
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers