Major Flood
5 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
4 ft
Minor Flood
3 ft
Action Stage
1 ft
What Floods at Each Level
6 ft
Numerous structures flooded near the river in the Chicago Loop, Near North Side, West Town, Near West Side, Lower West Side, and Armour Square areas of Chicago.
5.5 ft
Railroad tracks near Lake and Canal Streets are threatened.
5 ft
Lower level of residences threatened along Wells Street near Polk Street. A few residences threatened along the river near Grand Avenue. Railroad tracks near Union Station are threatened. Lower level of office towers may be threatened near the river. Low-lying parking lots are threatened between Grand Avenue and Chicago Avenue.
4 ft
Lower Wacker Drive is threatened.
3.5 ft
Commercial areas of the Chicago Riverwalk are threatened.
3 ft
Numerous stretches of the Chicago Riverwalk are inundated. USACE and MWRD consider opening of Chicago Lock to reduce flood impacts, depending on the water level of Lake Michigan.
2 ft
Low-lying sections of the Chicago Riverwalk are threatened. Low-lying sections of Ping Tom Park are inundated.
1 ft
City of Chicago considers closure of the Chicago Riverwalk.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
-4
Low water levels begin to impact shipping interests along the river.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Oct 9, 1954 | 5.7 ft | — |
| May 16, 2020 | 5.32 ft | — |
| Jul 23, 2010 | 5 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
NBGI2
River
North Branch Chicago River
County
Cook, IL
Coordinates
41.8917°N, 87.6419°W
Get Flood Alerts for North Branch Chicago 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 North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Grand Ave)?
The North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Grand Ave) gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05536118) 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 North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Grand Ave)?
The NWS-defined flood stage for North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Grand Ave) is 3 feet. Action stage begins at 1 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 4 feet, and major flooding at 5 feet.
How do I get alerts when North Branch Chicago River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Grand Ave) 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 North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Grand Ave) gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cook County, Illinois at coordinates 41.8917°N, 87.6419°W. USGS site number: 05536118. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on North Branch Chicago River
On This River
Upstream: North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Pulaski Rd)
Downstream: Chicago River at Chicago (Columbus Dr)
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey