Nippersink Creek at Wonder Lake
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in McHenry County, Illinois on the Nippersink Creek. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05548105, 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
13 ft
Moderate Flood
11 ft
Minor Flood
9 ft
Action Stage
8.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
16 ft
Wonder Lake Road threatened along Wonder Lake.
15 ft
Numerous sections of West Lake Shore Drive, East Lake Shore Drive, and nearby side streets threatened in Wonder Lake. Greenwood Road threatened near the creek in Greenwood.
14 ft
Water may near the top of Wonder Lake Dam. Numerous residences threatened along Wonder Lake.
13.5 ft
A few residences threatened along West Lake Shore Drive near Sunset Drive and near Nundra Drive in Wonder Lake. A few residences threatened along East Lake Shore Drive near Deep Spring Road in Wonder Lake. Thompson Road threatened near the creek in Wonder Lake.
13 ft
A few residences threatened along West Lake Shore Drive and Westwood Drive in Wonder Lake. West Lake Shore Drive threatened near Sunset Drive and Nundra Drive in Wonder Lake. East Lake Shore Drive threatened near Nantucket Drive in Wonder Lake.
12.5 ft
East Lakeshore Drive threatened near Lakeview Drive in Wonder Lake.
11 ft
A few low-lying residences threatened along East Lake Shore Drive near Nantucket Drive in Wonder Lake.
9 ft
Water overtops low-lying banks along Wonder Lake. Low-lying portions of Jacobson Park threatened in Wonder Lake.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
4.7
Approximate stage of the 1-in-10 annual chance flow (7-day average).
4.6
River reaches crest elevation of Wonder Lake Dam. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 10, 1967 | 14.3 ft | — |
| Jun 10, 1967 | 14.3 ft | — |
| Jun 12, 1999 | 11.63 ft | 3,690 cfs |
| Jun 12, 1999 | 11.63 ft | 3,690 cfs |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 11.16 ft | 2,180 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
WNNI2
River
Nippersink Creek
County
McHenry, IL
Coordinates
42.3853°N, 88.3694°W
Get Flood Alerts for Nippersink 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 Nippersink Creek at Wonder Lake?
The Nippersink Creek at Wonder Lake gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05548105) 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 Nippersink Creek at Wonder Lake?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Nippersink Creek at Wonder Lake is 9 feet. Action stage begins at 8.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 11 feet, and major flooding at 13 feet.
How do I get alerts when Nippersink Creek rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Nippersink Creek at Wonder Lake 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 Nippersink Creek at Wonder Lake gauge located?
The gauge is located in McHenry County, Illinois at coordinates 42.3853°N, 88.3694°W. USGS site number: 05548105. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey