Mississippi River at Chester
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Randolph County, Illinois on the Mississippi River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 07020500, 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
40 ft
Moderate Flood
35 ft
Minor Flood
27 ft
Action Stage
25 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
53 ft
Near this height, the Ste. Genevieve County levee #3 is overtopped.
51 ft
The Health Care Unit of the Menard Correctional Center begins flooding near this height. Also at this height, the Grand Tower levee is overtopped. This levee protects 14,800 acres.
50 ft
Ste. Genevieve, Ft. Chartres, Ivy Landing, and Kaskaskia Island levees overtopped.
49.5 ft
Near this height, the Bois Brule, Degognia, and Fountain Bluff levees are overtopped. The Bois Brule levee protects 26,060 acres. The Degognia and Fountain Bluff levees protect 36,200 acres.
49.4 ft
Stringtown and Prairie DuRocher levees overtopped.
49 ft
Degognia and Fountain Bluff Levee overtopped.
47.5 ft
The Ardent Mills Chester Mill begins flooding near this height.
45.5 ft
Near this height, Missouri Route H will be closed in both directions from U.S. Highway 61 to Route M.
45.1 ft
Near this height, Missouri Route M is closed in both directions at River Aux Vases.
45 ft
At this height, the Chester waterworks pumphouse floods.
44 ft
At this height, Missouri State Highway 51 is closed from Perry County Road 944 to the Illinois State Line at the bridge into Chester.
42.4 ft
Near this height, Missouri Route H is closed between Route M and Missouri Highway 51.
42.3 ft
Near this height, Missouri State Route U will be closed in both directions from U.S. Highway 61 to the Illinois State line at the Kaskaskia Island bridge.
42 ft
Four cottage units at the Menard Correctional Center begin flooding near this height.
41.1 ft
Near this height, Missouri Route V southeast of Bloomsdale is closed between Highway 61 and North White Sands Road.
40.79 ft
Main Street in Evansville inundated.
40 ft
A hunting lodge near the mouth of the Kaskaskia River begins flooding.
39 ft
Railroad tracks in St. Mary, Missouri begin flooding.
38.7 ft
Illinois State Highway 155 at Prairie du Rocher begins flooding near this height.
38.4 ft
At this level IL Route 3 at levee east of Cora inundated.
38.1 ft
Near this level, Illinois Route 3 near the Mary's River bridge is closed.
37.7 ft
Near this height, Route J is closed in both directions at U.S. Highway 61.
37.6 ft
At this height, Missouri Route M between Route H and Perry County Road 924 is closed.
37.5 ft
The southbound lane on Kaskaskia Street and the south parking lot at Menard Correctional Center begins flooding.
37.2 ft
Near this height, U.S. Highway 61 is closed between Ste. Genevieve and Route J.
37 ft
Union Pacific property along Water Street begins to flood.
36.9 ft
Near this height, U.S. Highway 61 is closed from Route J to St. Mary.
36.5 ft
Chester water intake house is flooded... damage begins to occur to 4 homes and administration buildings at Menard State Prison. Prairie DuRocher pump station damaged and road to Kaskaskia Lock inundated.
36 ft
Chester water works pumphouse is threatened by flood waters. Highway 61 is closed at the bend at St. Mary and a detour is set up through town. Near this height, St. Genevieve County levee #2 is overtopped. This levee protects 7000 acres.
35.2 ft
In Perry County, Highway C is closed between County Roads 352 and 354 (the Levee Road) near Menfro.
35 ft
Ste. Genevieve flood gates are closed at this level.
34.79 ft
Kaskaskia Street near the Menard Prison begins flooding near this height.
34.7 ft
The north parking lot at Menard Correctional Center begins flooding.
33.5 ft
Water Street in Chester begins flooding.
33 ft
Within a foot of this height, Highway A is closed between County Roads 448 and 460 at Wittenberg in southern Perry County.
32.5 ft
The Road at Fort Gage Farm begins flooding at Menard Correctional Center.
31.5 ft
In Perry County, Highway E is closed between County Road 322 and Levee Road (County Road 354) at Bois Brule Creek.
28 ft
Unleveed islands near Chester and the prison farm floods.
27 ft
Flood Stage. Unprotected farmland on right bank begins to flood.
25 ft
Degognia Fountain Bluff Levee gates are closed.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 6, 1993 | 49.74 ft | 1,000,000 cfs |
| Aug 6, 1993 | 49.74 ft | 1,000,000 cfs |
| Jun 10, 2019 | 46.52 ft | 974,000 cfs |
| Jun 10, 2019 | 46.52 ft | 974,000 cfs |
| Jan 1, 2016 | 45.99 ft | 953,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
CHSI2
River
Mississippi River
County
Randolph, IL
Coordinates
37.9007°N, 89.8302°W
Get Flood Alerts for Mississippi 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 Mississippi River at Chester?
The Mississippi River at Chester gauge is maintained by USGS (site 07020500) 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 Mississippi River at Chester?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Mississippi River at Chester is 27 feet. Action stage begins at 25 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 35 feet, and major flooding at 40 feet.
How do I get alerts when Mississippi River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Mississippi River at Chester 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 Mississippi River at Chester gauge located?
The gauge is located in Randolph County, Illinois at coordinates 37.9007°N, 89.8302°W. USGS site number: 07020500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations from USACE - St. Louis District, 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.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- For the latest navigation status update from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers-St. Louis District, <a href="http://www.mvs.usace.army.mil/Missions/Navigation/Status-Reports/">click here.</a>