Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove is flowing at 101 cfs with a gage height of 4.23 ft, receding 7% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05548280, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove at a glance
How Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove is flowing at 101 cfs, with the water sitting 4.23 ft at the gage. Flow is down 7% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05548280 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 133 cfs, peaking at 165 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove is expected to recede from today's 101 cfs, toward roughly 84 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 36-194 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.
Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove
The flow of the creek is primarily influenced by precipitation, with spring and early summer typically seeing the highest flow rates. The creek is fed by several small tributaries, including the Lily Lake outlet and Spring Grove Slough, and is dammed at several points along its course. One interesting fact about Nippersink Creek is that it is home to a population of freshwater mussels, which are considered a "keystone species" due to their important role in maintaining healthy aquatic ecosystems. Overall, the data collected from the streamgauge helps researchers and resource managers better understand the hydrology of the area and make informed decisions about its management.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove | 101 cfs |
| Nippersink Creek Above Wonder Lake | 18 cfs |
| Boone Creek Near Mc Henry | 5 cfs |
| Fox River Near New Munster | 352 cfs |
| White River At Center Street At Lake Geneva | 0 cfs |
| Mill Creek At Old Mill Creek | 25 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove. 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 |
|---|---|
| Wonder Lake 0.8 Wnw | 0 in |
| Lake Villa 1.1 Ssw | 0 in |
| Lindenhurst 0.7 Nnw | 0 in |
| Bull Valley 2.5 Wnw | 0 in |
| Hebron | 0 in |
| Cary 0.3 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 Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove
Where does the streamflow data for Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05548280. 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 Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove 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 Nippersink Creek Near Spring Grove report
Create your free account to track this river — and everything else you love on the water.
- Flow alerts — get pinged the moment this river hits your range
- Save favorites — every river, lake & snowpack in one place
- Full history & forecasts — plus the free iPhone app