Major Flood
21 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
20 ft
Minor Flood
18 ft
Action Stage
16.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
27.5 ft
Structures are threatened at North Park University.
26 ft
Low-lying property at North Park University is threatened. Low-lying areas in River Park are threatened.
24 ft
Widespread inundation of structures and roadways reaches up to 1 block from the river in the Albany Park neighborhood. Low-lying sections of St. Luke Cemetery are inundated.
23 ft
Intersection of Pulaski Road and Foster Avenue is threatened.
22 ft
Low-lying sections of Bohemian National Cemetery are inundated.
21 ft
Numerous structures and roadways impacted in the Albany Park neighborhood.
20 ft
Water begins to impact structures in the Albany Park neighborhood. Foster Avenue is threatened east of Pulaski Road.
19 ft
Water may impact the Eugene Field Park foot bridge. Foster Avenue flow diversion tunnel reaches capacity.
18 ft
Portions of Eugene Field Park are inundated.
17 ft
Trails in Gompers Park are inundated.
16.5 ft
Water impacts low-lying trails in Eugene Field Park.
16 ft
Low-lying areas of Gompers Park are inundated.
14.5 ft
Water begins to be diverted through the Foster Avenue flow diversion tunnel.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
10.5
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 17, 2013 | 23.5 ft | — |
| Sep 13, 2008 | 22.9 ft | — |
| Aug 13, 1987 | 22.5 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
NBPI2
River
North Branch Chicago River
County
Cook, IL
Coordinates
41.9747°N, 87.7283°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 (Pulaski Rd)?
The North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Pulaski Rd) gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05536085) 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 (Pulaski Rd)?
The NWS-defined flood stage for North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Pulaski Rd) is 18 feet. Action stage begins at 16.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 20 feet, and major flooding at 21 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 (Pulaski Rd) 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 (Pulaski Rd) gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cook County, Illinois at coordinates 41.9747°N, 87.7283°W. USGS site number: 05536085. 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 Niles
Downstream: North Branch Chicago River at Chicago (Grand Ave)
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. The stages/flows that will occur may be different if future rainfall is different than forecast.