Kaskaskia River At Chesterville flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Kaskaskia River At Chesterville is flowing at 492 cfs with a gage height of 34.45 ft, receding 9% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05590950, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Kaskaskia River At Chesterville at a glance
How Kaskaskia River At Chesterville is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Kaskaskia River At Chesterville is flowing at 492 cfs, with the water sitting 34.45 ft at the gage. Flow is down 9% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05590950 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,045 cfs, peaking at 2,040 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Illinois flow report.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Kaskaskia River At Chesterville
The river's watershed covers over 14,000 square miles and is home to various constituents such as fish, wildlife, and plants. The river is fed by many tributaries, including the Little Wabash River and the South Fork Kaskaskia River. There are also several dams along the river, such as the Carlyle Dam, which helps regulate water levels for navigation and flood control. Seasonally, the river experiences high flows in the spring due to snowmelt and rain, while low flows occur in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the Kaskaskia River was once a major trade route in the early 1800s, and now serves as a popular spot for fishing and boating.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Kaskaskia River At Chesterville's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River At Chesterville | 436 cfs |
| Kaskaskia River At Cooks Mills | 300 cfs |
| Lake Fork At Atwood | 40 cfs |
| Embarras River Near Camargo | 78 cfs |
| West Okaw River Near Lovington | 65 cfs |
| Whitley Creek Near Allenville | 16 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Kaskaskia River At Chesterville. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Tuscola 0.5 Wsw | 0 in |
| Broadlands 0.1 Ssw | 0 in |
| Champaign 2.5 S | 0 in |
| Cisco | 0 in |
| Urbana 4.2 Ese | 0 in |
| Homer 2.0 N | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Kaskaskia River At Chesterville.
River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Kaskaskia River At Chesterville in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Kaskaskia River At Chesterville crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Kaskaskia River At Chesterville
Where does the streamflow data for Kaskaskia River At Chesterville come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05590950. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Kaskaskia River At Chesterville rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Kaskaskia River At Chesterville report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
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- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app