Kishwaukee River at Belvidere
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Boone County, Illinois on the Kishwaukee River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05438500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
12 ft
Moderate Flood
10 ft
Minor Flood
9 ft
Action Stage
6 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
21 ft
I-90 may be threatened west of Belvidere.
19 ft
Union Pacific Railroad tracks threatened in Cherry Valley.
16.5 ft
Newburg Road threatened west of Belvidere.
16 ft
Inundation of structures and roadways reaches 1-2 blocks from the river in downtown Belvidere. Roadways and structures threatened at Bel Mo Mobile Home Park in Belvidere. US-20 Business and Appleton Road threatened in Belvidere. Residences threatened along East Street and Van Buren Street in Cherry Valley.
15.5 ft
Belvidere Sewage Treatment Plant threatened. US-20 and Union Pacific Railroad tracks threatened east of Belvidere. Main Street threatened in Belvidere.
15 ft
Commercial structures threatened in downtown Belvidere. Widespread inundation of agricultural land and woodland near Belvidere. Water reaches the top of the levee along River Drive in Belvidere. Residential structures threatened along Grove Street and Cherry Street in Cherry Valley. Athletic fields threatened and overflow begins into lake at Baumann Park in Cherry Valley.
14 ft
Parking lots threatened in downtown Belvidere.
12 ft
Parking lots threatened at Baumann Park in Cherry Valley.
11.5 ft
Lawrenceville Road threatened east of Belvidere. Structures in Belvidere Park are threatened. Without flood protection, multiple residential structures threatened along Gaynor Street, Gladys Court, Burgess Road, and River Drive.
11 ft
Industrial structures threatened along Pleasant Street and Meadow Street in Belvidere. Epworth Road threatened east of Belvidere. Widespread inundation in Belvidere Park.
10.5 ft
Water begins to bypass the main channel east of Belvidere toward Coon Creek and Belmar Golf Club. Without flood protection, Gaynor Street threatened in Belvidere. Trails threatened at Baumann Park in Cherry Valley.
10 ft
Trails in Spencer Park threatened. Parking lots threatened in Belvidere Park.
9.5 ft
Holiday Acres Campground threatened east of Belvidere. Northwoods RV Resort is threatened in Garden Prairie.
9 ft
Boone-McHenry County Line Road threatened. Low-lying areas are threatened in Belvidere Park.
8 ft
Trails in Belvidere Park threatened.
6 ft
Water overtops low-lying banks along the river in and near Belvidere.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
0.5
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jan 23, 1938 | 16.9 ft | — |
| Jan 23, 1938 | 16.9 ft | — |
| Feb 19, 1994 | 14.19 ft | 11,900 cfs |
| Feb 19, 1994 | 14.19 ft | 11,900 cfs |
| Jun 13, 1999 | 13.97 ft | 11,400 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
BVDI2
River
Kishwaukee River
County
Boone, IL
Coordinates
42.2561°N, 88.8631°W
Get Flood Alerts for Kishwaukee 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 Kishwaukee River at Belvidere?
The Kishwaukee River at Belvidere gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05438500) 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 Kishwaukee River at Belvidere?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Kishwaukee River at Belvidere is 9 feet. Action stage begins at 6 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 10 feet, and major flooding at 12 feet.
How do I get alerts when Kishwaukee River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Kishwaukee River at Belvidere 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 Kishwaukee River at Belvidere gauge located?
The gauge is located in Boone County, Illinois at coordinates 42.2561°N, 88.8631°W. USGS site number: 05438500. 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
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.