North Branch Chicago River at Deerfield
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Lake County, Illinois on the North Branch Chicago River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05534500, 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
13.5 ft
Moderate Flood
11.5 ft
Minor Flood
9.5 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
15.5 ft
Residences threatened along Red Coach Lane and Williamsburg Drive in Northbrook.
13.5 ft
Structures threatened at Northbrook Court in Northbrook. Residences threatened along River Road in Deerfield. Residences threatened along Rosemary Lane and Waters Edge Lane in Northbrook.
12.5 ft
Residences threatened along Tanglewood Court and Red Oak Lane in Highland Park. Parking lots at Northbrook Court threatened in Northbrook.
11.5 ft
Lake Cook Road threatened at Northbrook Court. Rosemary Lane and Waters Edge Lane threatened in Northbrook.
11 ft
Tanglewood Court threatened in Highland Park. Carriage Way threatened in Deerfield.
9.5 ft
Lee Road threatened at Dundee Road in Northbrook.
9 ft
Water overtops low-lying banks in Chipilly Woods and Somme Woods in Northbrook.
8.5 ft
Water overtops low-lying banks in Trail Tree Park and Briarwood Park in Deerfield.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
3.5
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 12, 2017 | 12.75 ft | 1,460 cfs |
| Jul 12, 2017 | 12.75 ft | 1,460 cfs |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 12.1 ft | 694 cfs |
| Sep 2, 2018 | 12.1 ft | 694 cfs |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 11.88 ft | 586 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
DRFI2
River
North Branch Chicago River
County
Lake, IL
Coordinates
42.1528°N, 87.8186°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 Deerfield?
The North Branch Chicago River at Deerfield gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05534500) 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 Deerfield?
The NWS-defined flood stage for North Branch Chicago River at Deerfield is 9.5 feet. Action stage begins at 8.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 11.5 feet, and major flooding at 13.5 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 Deerfield 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 North Branch Chicago River at Deerfield gauge located?
The gauge is located in Lake County, Illinois at coordinates 42.1528°N, 87.8186°W. USGS site number: 05534500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey