West Okaw River Near Lovington flow report
As of July 12, 2026, West Okaw River Near Lovington is flowing at 92 cfs with a gage height of 5.29 ft, rising 71% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05591700, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
West Okaw River Near Lovington at a glance
How West Okaw River Near Lovington is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
West Okaw River Near Lovington is flowing at 92 cfs, with the water sitting 5.29 ft at the gage. Flow is up 71% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #05591700 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 124 cfs, peaking at 179 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, West Okaw River Near Lovington is expected to recede from today's 92 cfs, toward roughly 43 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 9-201 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Illinois flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
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.
West Okaw River Near Lovington
There are no major tributaries or dams in the immediate vicinity, but the river flows into the larger Okaw River system. Seasonally, the river experiences higher flow rates during the spring and summer due to increased rainfall and agricultural runoff. Interestingly, the West Okaw River is known for its unique blue-green algae bloom, which occurs in late summer and early fall. This bloom is caused by excess nutrients in the water, primarily from agricultural runoff, and can lead to water quality issues.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check West Okaw River Near Lovington's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| West Okaw River Near Lovington | 92 cfs |
| Lake Fork At Atwood | 39 cfs |
| Kaskaskia River At Chesterville | 436 cfs |
| Kaskaskia River At Cooks Mills | 326 cfs |
| Whitley Creek Near Allenville | 18 cfs |
| Sangamon River At Rt 48 At Decatur | 2,030 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near West Okaw River Near Lovington. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cisco | 0 in |
| Tuscola 0.5 Wsw | 0 in |
| Champaign 2.5 S | 0 in |
| Clinton 0.4 Wsw | 0 in |
| Broadlands 0.1 Ssw | 0 in |
| Urbana 4.2 Ese | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of West Okaw River Near Lovington.
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 West Okaw River Near Lovington in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when West Okaw River Near Lovington crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About West Okaw River Near Lovington
Where does the streamflow data for West Okaw River Near Lovington come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05591700. 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 West Okaw River Near Lovington 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 West Okaw River Near Lovington report
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