Major Flood
17 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
15 ft
Minor Flood
14.5 ft
Action Stage
14 ft
What Floods at Each Level
18 ft
Railroad tracks threatened in downtown Elgin.
16 ft
Structures threatned along Riverside Drive and Grove Avenue in Elgin.
15.5 ft
Structures are threatened just upstream of the dam in South Elgin.
15 ft
Fox River Trail threatened south of downtown Elgin.
14.5 ft
Low-lying areas of Panton Mill Park in South Elgin are inundated.
14 ft
Water overflows low-lying river banks near the dam in South Elgin. Water overflows low-lying river banks in Elgin.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
12.0
Approximate stage of the 1-in-10 annual chance flow (7-day average).
11.5
River reaches crest elevation of South Elgin Dam. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2013 | 15.04 ft | 9,280 cfs |
| Jul 21, 2017 | 14.93 ft | 9,740 cfs |
| May 17, 2020 | 14.92 ft | 9,160 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Fox 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 Fox River at South Elgin Dam?
The Fox River at South Elgin Dam gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05551000) 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 Fox River at South Elgin Dam?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Fox River at South Elgin Dam is 14.5 feet. Action stage begins at 14 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 15 feet, and major flooding at 17 feet.
How do I get alerts when Fox River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Fox River at South Elgin Dam 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 Fox River at South Elgin Dam gauge located?
The gauge is located in Kane County, Illinois at coordinates 41.9961°N, 88.2950°W. USGS site number: 05551000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey