Major Flood
22 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
19 ft
Minor Flood
18 ft
Action Stage
16 ft
What Floods at Each Level
24 ft
Widespread inundation of industrial property and structures north of the river in McCook. Numerous residences threatened near the river in Lyons.
23.5 ft
Water reaches the top of the west bank levees in Lyons and McCook.
22 ft
Water reaches the top of the east bank levee in Lyons, Stickney, and Forest View.
21 ft
Without flood protection from levees, widespread inundation of industrial property and structures would occur north of the river in McCook.
20 ft
Structures are threatened along River Road near the river in Hodgkins.
19 ft
Industrial parking area near the river and I-55 is threatened.
14 ft
Without flood protection from levees, water would begin to bypass the main river channel through Chicago Portage toward the Chicago River Basin and areas once covered by Mud Lake.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2013 | 22.87 ft | — |
| May 17, 2020 | 22.71 ft | — |
| Oct 14, 2017 | 20.75 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
LYNI2
River
Des Plaines River
County
Cook, IL
Coordinates
41.8061°N, 87.8112°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 Lyons?
The Des Plaines River at Lyons gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05532600) 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 Lyons?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Des Plaines River at Lyons is 18 feet. Action stage begins at 16 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 19 feet, and major flooding at 22 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 Lyons 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 Lyons gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cook County, Illinois at coordinates 41.8061°N, 87.8112°W. USGS site number: 05532600. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey