Lower Kaskaskia

Watershed Hydrology

The Lower Kaskaskia Watershed (HUC 07140204) covers a land area of approximately 2,540 square miles and is located in southern Illinois. The watershed is predominantly rural, with agriculture being the primary land use. The hydrology of the watershed is characterized by the Kaskaskia River, which flows through the area before eventually emptying into the Mississippi River. The Lower Kaskaskia Watershed receives an average annual precipitation of around 40 inches, with much of this falling as snow during the winter months. The snowpack in the watershed can vary greatly from year to year, with some years seeing significant accumulation while others see very little. Surface water in the watershed is influenced by agricultural runoff, which can contain high levels of nutrients and other pollutants. The watershed is also home to several reservoirs, which are used for recreation, hydroelectric power generation, and water supply. In recent years, the Lower Kaskaskia Watershed has experienced a trend towards warmer temperatures and more frequent extreme weather events, including heavy rainfall and flooding. These trends are likely to continue in the future, with potential impacts on water resources and ecosystem health.


Surface Flows

Lower Kaskaskia Watershed

Snowpack Depths

Lower Kaskaskia Watershed

Dams & Reservoirs

Lower Kaskaskia Watershed

Groundwater Levels

Lower Kaskaskia Watershed

Lower Kaskaskia Rivers

Rivers of the Watershed