Mississippi River At Chester flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Mississippi River At Chester is flowing at 341,000 cfs with a gage height of 21.69 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #07020500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Mississippi River At Chester at a glance
How Mississippi River At Chester is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Mississippi River At Chester is flowing at 341,000 cfs, with the water sitting 21.69 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #07020500 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 302,900 cfs, peaking at 349,000 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Mississippi River At Chester is expected to recede from today's 349000 cfs, toward roughly 310802 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 162249-595368 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.
Mississippi River At Chester
The river is fed by numerous tributaries, including the Ohio and Missouri Rivers. During the summer, the flow decreases due to lower precipitation and increased evaporation, while winter brings increased precipitation and snowmelt, leading to higher flows. The Kaskaskia Lock and Dam, located upstream from Chester, helps regulate the flow of the river. Interestingly, the Mississippi River at Chester was the site of a world record-breaking catfish catch in 1957, weighing in at 124 pounds.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Mississippi River At Chester's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Mississippi River At Chester | 341,000 cfs |
| South Fork Saline Creek Near Perryville | 77 cfs |
| Big Muddy River At Rte 127 At Murphysboro | 6,180 cfs |
| Kaskaskia River At New Athens | 6,820 cfs |
| Richland Creek Near Hecker | 77 cfs |
| Silver Creek Near Freeburg | 987 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Mississippi River At Chester. 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 |
|---|---|
| Chester | 0 in |
| Kaskaskia River Navigation Lock | 0 in |
| De Soto 0.3 Ese | 0 in |
| Festus | 0 in |
| Mascoutah 1.5 Sse | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Mississippi River At Chester.
Boat launches
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River runs
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Nearby fishing
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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 Mississippi River At Chester in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Mississippi River At Chester crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Mississippi River At Chester
Where does the streamflow data for Mississippi River At Chester come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 07020500. 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 Mississippi River At Chester 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 Mississippi River At Chester report
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