Major Flood
7 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
6 ft
Minor Flood
4 ft
Action Stage
2.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
9 ft
Lakefront Trail threatened near Marovitz Golf Course.
8.5 ft
Structures threatened at 41st Street Beach. Foster Beach parking lot is threatened. Foster Avenue underpass is threatened at Foster Beach. Lake Shore Drive is threatened between Belmont Avenue and Irving Park Road, near Division Street, and at Oak Street Beach.
8 ft
Structures are threatened at Montrose Beach. Lakefront Trail is threatened at Montrose Harbor.
7.5 ft
Lane Park playground is threatened in the Edgewater neighborhood. Lakefront Trail is threatened at Oak Street Beach. Lake Shore Drive onramps are threatened at Oak Street Beach. Structures are threatened at 57th Street Beach.
7 ft
Montrose Dog Beach parking lot is threatened. Lake Shore Drive is threatened at 57th Drive.
6.5 ft
Sheridan Road is threatened near Lake Shore Drive. Lakefront Trail is threatened at the Ardmore Avenue trailhead. Low-lying areas of Jane Addams Park are threatened. Paths and roadways are threatened at Navy Pier. Multiple trails are threatened at 57th Street Beach. Lake Shore Drive is threatened at Jackson Park Harbor.
6 ft
Structures are threatened at North Avenue Beach and Queens Landing in Grant Park.
5.5 ft
Roadways are threatened at Belmont Harbor. Lakefront Trail is threatened at North Avenue Beach and near Morgan Point. Low-lying areas of Jackson Park along the lagoon are threatened.
5 ft
Lakefront Trail is threatened at Chicago Yacht Club. The Chicago Yacht Club parking lot is threatened. Low-lying trails near Lincoln Park Zoo are threatened. Park Drive is threatened near Navy Pier. Roadways and parking lots are threatened at Illinois Beach State Park north of Waukegan.
4.5 ft
Lakefront Trail is threatened at Ohio Street Beach and at Grant Park. Breakwater paths at DuSable Harbor are threatened.
2.5 ft
Lowest sections of the waterfront at Grant Park are inundated.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 28, 2020 | 5.98 ft | — |
| Jan 10, 2020 | 5.48 ft | — |
| Jun 2, 2020 | 5.07 ft | — |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Lake Michigan
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 Lake Michigan at Chicago (Chicago Lock)?
The Lake Michigan at Chicago (Chicago Lock) gauge is maintained by USGS (site 04087440) 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 Lake Michigan at Chicago (Chicago Lock)?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Lake Michigan at Chicago (Chicago Lock) is 4 feet. Action stage begins at 2.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 6 feet, and major flooding at 7 feet.
How do I get alerts when Lake Michigan rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Lake Michigan at Chicago (Chicago Lock) 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 Lake Michigan at Chicago (Chicago Lock) gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cook County, Illinois at coordinates 41.8893°N, 87.6079°W. USGS site number: 04087440. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Lake Michigan
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey