Hickory Creek At Joliet flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Hickory Creek At Joliet is flowing at 108 cfs with a gage height of 11.22 ft, receding 19% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05539000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Hickory Creek At Joliet at a glance
How Hickory Creek At Joliet is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Hickory Creek At Joliet is flowing at 108 cfs, with the water sitting 11.22 ft at the gage. Flow is down 19% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05539000 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 712 cfs, peaking at 2,660 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Hickory Creek At Joliet is expected to recede from today's 134 cfs, toward roughly 76 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 23-247 cfs) -- drier than 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.
Hickory Creek At Joliet
The creek's primary constituent is stormwater runoff from urban and agricultural areas. The tributaries flowing into the creek include Spring Creek, Butcher Creek, and Hickory Creek East Branch. There are no dams along the creek. Seasonal trends show higher flows during the spring due to snowmelt and rainfall, while lower flows occur in the summer and fall. The hydrology of the creek is also affected by land use changes, including urbanization and agricultural practices. Quirky or interesting facts about the creek's hydrology are not readily available.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Hickory Creek At Joliet's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Hickory Creek At Joliet | 108 cfs |
| Du Page River At Shorewood | 577 cfs |
| Long Run Near Lemont | 6 cfs |
| Kankakee River Near Wilmington | 4,360 cfs |
| East Branch Du Page River At Bolingbrook | 130 cfs |
| Sawmill Creek Near Lemont | 6 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Hickory Creek At Joliet. 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 |
|---|---|
| Des Plaines River At Brandon Lock & Dam | 0 in |
| Joliet | 0 in |
| Lockport 1.3 Se | 0 in |
| New Lenox 1.8 Se | 0 in |
| New Lenox 3.3 E | 0 in |
| Manhattan 0.8 Ese | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Hickory Creek At Joliet.
Boat launches
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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 Hickory Creek At Joliet in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Hickory Creek At Joliet crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Hickory Creek At Joliet
Where does the streamflow data for Hickory Creek At Joliet come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05539000. 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 Hickory Creek At Joliet 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 Hickory Creek At Joliet report
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