Major Flood
10 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
9 ft
Minor Flood
7 ft
Action Stage
6.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
16 ft
Commercial parking lots threatened along Skokie Highway (US-41).
15 ft
Kilbourne Road threatened. Commercial parking lots threatened along Dilleys Road.
13.5 ft
Wadsworth Road threatened in Wadsworth.
13 ft
Skokie Highway (US-41) threatened south of Wadsworth Road in Wadsworth. Widespread inundation reaches up to a half mile from the river in Russell and Wadsworth.
12.5 ft
Rosecrans Road (IL-173) threatened near Wadsworth.
12 ft
Residential structures threatened along Ingram Drive. Russell Road threatened. Roadways and trails threatened at Van Patten Woods Forest Preserve.
9.5 ft
Residential structures threatened along Russell Road between the river and Kilbourne Road. Industrial parking lots threatened along Kilbourne Road.
8 ft
Agricultural and park land is inundated near the river. Residential property is threatened near the river.
7 ft
Low-lying wetlands and agricultural land is inundated near the river.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
1.0
River nears zero flow.
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 13, 2017 | 12.11 ft | 2,830 cfs |
| May 23, 2004 | 11.09 ft | 3,500 cfs |
| Sep 26, 1986 | 10.75 ft | 1,640 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
RUSI2
River
Des Plaines River
County
Lake, IL
Coordinates
42.4892°N, 87.9264°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 near Russell?
The Des Plaines River near Russell gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05527800) 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 near Russell?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Des Plaines River near Russell is 7 feet. Action stage begins at 6.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 9 feet, and major flooding at 10 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 near Russell 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 near Russell gauge located?
The gauge is located in Lake County, Illinois at coordinates 42.4892°N, 87.9264°W. USGS site number: 05527800. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Des Plaines River
On This River
Downstream: Des Plaines River near Gurnee
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. The stages/flows that will occur may be different if future rainfall is different than forecast.