West Fork North Branch Chicago River at Northbrook
Illinois — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Cook County, Illinois on the West Fork North Branch Chicago River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05535500, 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
8.5 ft
Moderate Flood
8 ft
Minor Flood
7 ft
Action Stage
6 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
14 ft
Dundee Road (IL-68) threatened in Northbrook.
12.5 ft
Sherman Road threatened in Northbrook.
12 ft
Industrial structures threatened along North Side Drive in Northbrook.
11.5 ft
Northbrook Village Hall threatened.
10.5 ft
A few commercial structures threatened in downtown Northbrook. Numerous commercial structures threatened in downtown Glenview. Commercial parking lots threatened along Ravine Way in Glenview.
10 ft
A few industrial and commercial structures threatened along Old Willow Road in Glenview.
9.5 ft
Northbrook Historical Society threatened. Commercial structures threatened along Glenview Road in Glenview. Fair Lane and Meadow Road threatened in Northbrook. Waukegan Road (IL-43), Ravine Way, Glenview Road, and Golf Road threatened in Glenview. Water overflows into Valley Lo Lake in Glenview.
9 ft
Northbrook Public Library threatened. Residential structures threatened along Fair Lane, Cedar Lane, Spruce Street, Elm Avenue, Maple Avenue, and Oak Avenue in Northbrook. Residential structures threatened at Sunset Village and along Raleigh Road in Glenview. Commercial parking lots and structures threatened in downtown Glenview. Lake Avenue, Pine Street, and River Road, and numerous additional roadways threatened in Glenview. Low-lying portions of Anetsburger Golf Course threatened.
8.5 ft
Industrial structures threatened along Techy Road in Northbrook. Commercial structures threatened along Chestnut Avenue in Glenview. Residential structures threatened along Blackthorn Drive, Sequoia Trail, and Silverwillow Drive in Glenview. Commercial parking lots threatened in downtown Northbrook. Cedar Lane and Chestnut Avenue threatened in Northbrook. Techy Road, Willow Road, and Walters Avenue threatened in Northbrook.
8 ft
Cherry Lane, Spruce Street, Elm Avenue, Maple Avenue, and Oak Avenue threatened in Northbrook. Tanglewood Drive, Blackthorn Drive, Sequoia Trail, Silverwillow Drive, and Raleigh Road threatened in Glenview. Roadways threatened at Sunset Village in Glenview. Athletic fields inundated at Village Green Park in Northbrook.
7 ft
Low-lying portions of Techny Prairie Park threatened in Northbrook.
6 ft
Water begins to be diverted into stormwater detention reservoirs in Northbrook and Glenview. Low-lying portions of Sleepy Hollow Park inundated in Glenview.
4.5 ft
Water overflows low-lying banks in Northbrook and Glenview. Low-lying portions of golf courses along Golf Road inundated.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Aug 13, 1987 | 10.1 ft | 1,190 cfs |
| Aug 13, 1987 | 10.1 ft | 1,190 cfs |
| Jul 21, 1982 | 9.66 ft | 1,070 cfs |
| Jul 21, 1982 | 9.66 ft | 1,070 cfs |
| Jul 12, 1957 | 9.65 ft | 930 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
NBRI2
River
West Fork North Branch Chicago River
County
Cook, IL
Coordinates
42.1383°N, 87.8347°W
Get Flood Alerts for West Fork 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 West Fork North Branch Chicago River at Northbrook?
The West Fork North Branch Chicago River at Northbrook gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05535500) 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 West Fork North Branch Chicago River at Northbrook?
The NWS-defined flood stage for West Fork North Branch Chicago River at Northbrook is 7 feet. Action stage begins at 6 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 8 feet, and major flooding at 8.5 feet.
How do I get alerts when West Fork North Branch Chicago River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add West Fork North Branch Chicago River at Northbrook 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 West Fork North Branch Chicago River at Northbrook gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cook County, Illinois at coordinates 42.1383°N, 87.8347°W. USGS site number: 05535500. 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