North Branch Chicago River at Niles
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Cook County, Illinois on the North Branch Chicago River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05536000, 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
12 ft
Moderate Flood
11 ft
Minor Flood
10 ft
Action Stage
7 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
13.5 ft
Howard Avenue is threatened in Niles.
12 ft
Widespread flooding of wooded areas along the river including numerous trails and recreation areas.
11 ft
Structures are threatened near the river in Niles.
10 ft
Riverside Drive, Harts Road, and Jarvis Avenue are threatened near the river in Niles.
8 ft
Low-lying areas in Bunker Hill Woods, Caldwell Woods, and multiple golf courses are inundated.
7 ft
Sections of the North Branch Trail are inundated near Cicero Avenue in Chicago. Trails are threatened at Tam O'Shanter Golf Course in Niles.
6.5 ft
Water overtops low-lying banks in Niles.
6 ft
Water overtops low-lying banks near the gauge.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
1.0
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 13, 2008 | 12.13 ft | 3,340 cfs |
| Sep 13, 2008 | 12.13 ft | 3,340 cfs |
| Apr 17, 2013 | 12.12 ft | 3,330 cfs |
| Apr 17, 2013 | 12.12 ft | 3,330 cfs |
| Aug 13, 1987 | 11.35 ft | 2,590 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
NILI2
River
North Branch Chicago River
County
Cook, IL
Coordinates
42.0094°N, 87.7968°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 Niles?
The North Branch Chicago River at Niles gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05536000) 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 Niles?
The NWS-defined flood stage for North Branch Chicago River at Niles is 10 feet. Action stage begins at 7 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 11 feet, and major flooding at 12 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 Niles 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 Niles gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cook County, Illinois at coordinates 42.0094°N, 87.7968°W. USGS site number: 05536000. 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