Rock River at Byron
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Ogle County, Illinois on the Rock River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05440700, 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
16 ft
Moderate Flood
14 ft
Minor Flood
13 ft
Action Stage
10.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
17 ft
Water threatens structures at the water treatment plant in Byron.
16.5 ft
Numerous residences are threatened between IL-2 and the river just northeast of Byron. River Road is threatened near the river just south of Byron.
16 ft
The MercyHealth Clinic is threatened along Kysor Drive in Byron.
15.5 ft
Water threatens lower sections of the water treatment plant property in Byron. Water threatens IL-2 west of Byron.
13.5 ft
Numerous low-lying structures downstream of Byron are flooded.
13 ft
Low-lying structures downstream of Byron are threatened.
12 ft
Water inundates yards of several houses along River Road near Byron. Low-lying portions of Hamas Park and Sunshine Park are inundated.
10.5 ft
Water begins to affect low-lying areas along the river near Byron.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
4.0
Approximate stage of the 1-in-10 annual chance flow (7-day average).
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 19, 1973 | 17.8 ft | — |
| Apr 19, 1973 | 17.8 ft | — |
| Apr 19, 2013 | 17.08 ft | 40,100 cfs |
| Apr 19, 2013 | 17.08 ft | 40,100 cfs |
| Mar 15, 2019 | 16.64 ft | 38,500 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Rock 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 Rock River at Byron?
The Rock River at Byron gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05440700) 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 Rock River at Byron?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rock River at Byron is 13 feet. Action stage begins at 10.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 14 feet, and major flooding at 16 feet.
How do I get alerts when Rock River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Rock River at Byron 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 Rock River at Byron gauge located?
The gauge is located in Ogle County, Illinois at coordinates 42.1231°N, 89.2558°W. USGS site number: 05440700. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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On This River
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, 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.