Major Flood
8 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
7 ft
Minor Flood
5 ft
Action Stage
3 ft
What Floods at Each Level
12.5 ft
North Central Service railroad tracks threatened near the creek in Mt Prospect.
11.5 ft
Numerous residences threatened along the creek near Burning Bush Lane. Structures threatened at River Trails School in Mt Prospect.
9 ft
Mt Prospect Fire Station 14 threatened in Mt Prospect. Numerous commercial and industrial structures threatened along Foster Avenue in Wheeling. Parking lots threatened at River Trails School in Mt Prospect.
8.5 ft
Burning Bush Lane threatened in Mt Prospect.
8 ft
Athletic fields are inundated at Tamarack Trails Park in Mt Prospect.
7.5 ft
Camp McDonald Road threatened in Prospect Heights and Wheeling. US-45 (Des Plaines River Road) and Kensington Road are threatened in Mt Prospect.
7 ft
A few residences threatened along the creek between Willow Road and Euclid Avenue in Prospect Heights and Wheeling. Euclid Avenue and Wolf Road threatened in Mt Prospect.
6 ft
Trails inundated at Woodland Trails in Mt Prospect.
3 ft
Water overtops low-lying banks near the gauge in Prospect Heights and Wheeling.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 1987 | 8.08 ft | 806 cfs |
| Jul 12, 1957 | 8.04 ft | 430 cfs |
| Jun 10, 1967 | 7.73 ft | 618 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for McDonald Creek
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 McDonald Creek near Mount Prospect?
The McDonald Creek near Mount Prospect gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05529500) 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 McDonald Creek near Mount Prospect?
The NWS-defined flood stage for McDonald Creek near Mount Prospect is 5 feet. Action stage begins at 3 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 7 feet, and major flooding at 8 feet.
How do I get alerts when McDonald Creek rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add McDonald Creek near Mount Prospect 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 McDonald Creek near Mount Prospect gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cook County, Illinois at coordinates 42.0953°N, 87.9128°W. USGS site number: 05529500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey