Spoon River At London Mills Flow Report
As of August 25, 2026, Spoon River At London Mills is flowing at 924 cfs with a gage height of 5.02 ft, receding 21% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05569500, refreshed throughout the day.
Spoon River At London Mills at a glance
Live reading, 10-day trend, and the key gauge stats — how Spoon River At London Mills is running right now.
Spoon River At London Mills is flowing at 924 cfs, with the water sitting 5.02 ft at the gage. Flow is down 21% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05569500 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 4,185 cfs, peaking at 10,800 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Illinois flow report, or open Spoon River At London Mills on the interactive map.
Streamgage details
Historical Data
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Spoon River At London Mills is expected to recede from today's 924 cfs, toward roughly 556 cfs by 2026-08-30 (likely range 224-1377 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
Forecast vs seasonal normal
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #05569500).
Flow-duration & observed peak context
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.
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.
Spoon River At London Mills
There are several small dams in the area that may impact flow. The river experiences seasonal variations in flow, with high flows typically occurring in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation. Interesting fact: the Spoon River is the subject of a famous collection of poems by Edgar Lee Masters, in which each poem is written from the perspective of a deceased resident of the town of Spoon River, which is located along the river.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Spoon River At London Mills's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Spoon River At London Mills | 924 cfs |
| Spoon River At Seville | 1,460 cfs |
| Illinois River At Kingston Mines | 30,900 cfs |
| Indian Creek Near Wyoming | 76 cfs |
| Henderson Creek Near Oquawka | 545 cfs |
| Mackinaw River Near Green Valley | 1,320 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Spoon River At London Mills. 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 |
|---|---|
| Avon | 0 in |
| Knoxville | 0 in |
| Knoxville 0.7 Nw | 0 in |
| Galesburg | 0 in |
| Altona | 0 in |
| Colchester 3.5 Ne | 0 in |
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 Spoon River At London Mills in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Spoon River At London Mills crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Spoon River At London Mills
What is the Spoon River At London Mills flow rate right now?
As of August 25, 2026, Spoon River At London Mills is flowing at 924 cfs. The live value, gage height, and 24-hour trend are shown at the top of this page.
Is the Spoon River At London Mills running high or low right now?
Check the percent of median figure on this page: above 100% means Spoon River At London Mills 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 Spoon River At London Mills come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05569500. 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 Spoon River At London Mills 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.
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Get the free Spoon River At London Mills report — flow alerts, favorites, and history & forecasts, plus the free iPhone app.