Little Calumet River At South Holland Flow Report
As of July 25, 2026, Little Calumet River At South Holland is flowing at 63 cfs with a gage height of 5.44 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05536290, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Little Calumet River At South Holland at a glance
How Little Calumet River At South Holland is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Little Calumet River At South Holland is flowing at 63 cfs, with the water sitting 5.44 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05536290 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 91 cfs, peaking at 147 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Illinois flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #05536290).
Estimate flows at an ungauged site
Drainage-area ratio transfer from this gauge . Most reliable for hydrologically similar sites in the same watershed with area ratios between roughly 0.5 and 1.5.
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Little Calumet River At South Holland is expected to recede from today's 63 cfs, toward roughly 48 cfs by 2026-07-30 (likely range 19-122 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
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.
Little Calumet River At South Holland
The river is part of a larger watershed that includes several tributaries, including Thorn Creek, Halsted Creek, and Stony Creek. There are several dams located along the river, including the Burnham Dam and the West Pullman Dam. Seasonal trends in the river's flow are influenced by snowmelt in the spring and increased rainfall in the summer months. Interestingly, the Little Calumet River was the site of a major environmental disaster in 2005, when a train carrying hazardous materials derailed and spilled chemicals into the river, causing widespread contamination.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Little Calumet River At South Holland's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Little Calumet River At South Holland | 63 cfs |
| Thorn Creek At Thornton | 33 cfs |
| Grand Calumet River At Hohman Ave. At Hammond | 137 cfs |
| Little Calumet River At Munster | 16 cfs |
| Butterfield Creek At Flossmoor | 3 cfs |
| Thorn Creek At Glenwood | 35 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Little Calumet River At South Holland. 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 |
|---|---|
| Homewood 0.1 Ese | 0 in |
| Chicago Heights 2.4 Nnw | 0 in |
| Dyer 1.0 Wnw | 0 in |
| Oak Forest 0.6 N | 0 in |
| Crete 2.6 E | 0 in |
| Chicago Ridge 0.2 Wsw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Little Calumet River At South Holland.
Boat launches
See all →
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 Little Calumet River At South Holland in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Little Calumet River At South Holland crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Little Calumet River At South Holland
What is the Little Calumet River At South Holland flow rate right now?
As of July 25, 2026, Little Calumet River At South Holland is flowing at 63 cfs. The live value, gage height, and 24-hour trend are shown at the top of this page.
Is the Little Calumet River At South Holland running high or low right now?
Check the percent of median figure on this page: above 100% means Little Calumet River At South Holland is running higher than normal for the date, below 100% means lower. The 24-hour trend shows whether it's rising or falling.
Where does the streamflow data for Little Calumet River At South Holland come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05536290. 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 Little Calumet River At South Holland 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 Little Calumet River At South Holland report
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