Rock River at Rockford (Fordam Dam)
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Winnebago County, Illinois on the Rock River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05437645, 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
6 ft
Moderate Flood
5 ft
Minor Flood
4 ft
Action Stage
3.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
6.5 ft
Structures are threatened at Davis Park in downtown Rockford.
6 ft
Numerous structures are threatened at the river in downtown Rockford.
5 ft
Davis Park is threatened in downtown Rockford. Numerous sections of riverfront trails are inundated in downtown Rockford.
3.5 ft
Lowest sections of riverfront trails are threatened in downtown Rockford.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
Low-Water Impacts
1.0
River reaches zero flow except for any water released manually through gates.
0.5
Boats may be left beached at downtown Rockford marinas.
0.2
Minimum stage reportable by gauge.
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, 1881 | 6.5 ft | — |
| Apr 19, 1881 | 6.5 ft | — |
| Apr 22, 1973 | 5.6 ft | — |
| Apr 22, 1973 | 5.6 ft | — |
| Mar 28, 1916 | 5.5 ft | — |
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 Rockford (Fordam Dam)?
The Rock River at Rockford (Fordam Dam) gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05437645) 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 Rockford (Fordam Dam)?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rock River at Rockford (Fordam Dam) is 4 feet. Action stage begins at 3.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 5 feet, and major flooding at 6 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 Rockford (Fordam Dam) 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 Rockford (Fordam Dam) gauge located?
The gauge is located in Winnebago County, Illinois at coordinates 42.2665°N, 89.0960°W. USGS site number: 05437645. 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