StormCast — Weather & Emergency Alerts

Illinois River at Dresden Lock (tailwater)
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage

Located in Grundy County, Illinois on the Illinois River. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.

Current Water Level

Gage Height

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Streamflow

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Last Reading

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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: CDII2). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →

Flood Stages

Action Stage

491 ft

Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.

What Floods at Each Level

505.4 ft

High water levels cause Dresden Lock to shut down.

494.5 ft

High water levels begin to impact shipping interests along the river.

Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.

Low-Water Impacts

481.2

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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View Official NWS Hydrograph →

Historic Crests

Date Stage Flow
May 17, 2020506.44 ft
May 17, 2020506.44 ft
Apr 18, 2013506.38 ft
Apr 18, 2013506.38 ft
Sep 14, 2008506.35 ft

About This Gauge

NWS LID

CDII2

River

Illinois River

County

Grundy, IL

Coordinates

41.3981°N, 88.2792°W

Get Flood Alerts for Illinois 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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is the current water level of Illinois River at Dresden Lock (tailwater)?

The Illinois River at Dresden Lock (tailwater) gauge is maintained by USGS 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 Illinois River at Dresden Lock (tailwater)?

This gauge has NWS-defined flood categories. Check the flood stages section above for current thresholds.

How do I get alerts when Illinois River rises?

Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Illinois River at Dresden Lock (tailwater) to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.

Where is the Illinois River at Dresden Lock (tailwater) gauge located?

The gauge is located in Grundy County, Illinois at coordinates 41.3981°N, 88.2792°W. 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