Pecatonica River At Freeport flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Pecatonica River At Freeport is flowing at 1,100 cfs with a gage height of 5.85 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05435500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Pecatonica River At Freeport at a glance
How Pecatonica River At Freeport is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Pecatonica River At Freeport is flowing at 1,100 cfs, with the water sitting 5.85 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05435500 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,311 cfs, peaking at 1,490 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Pecatonica River At Freeport is expected to hold near today's 1140 cfs, toward roughly 1057 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 692-1614 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.
Pecatonica River At Freeport
The river is influenced by multiple tributaries including Yellow Creek and Richland Creek, and there are several dams along the river that can impact the flow. Seasonal trends show that the river experiences high flow in the spring and low flow in the summer and fall. Interestingly, the Pecatonica River is home to a variety of fish species, including smallmouth bass, channel catfish, and northern pike. It also provides habitat for waterfowl and other wildlife.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Pecatonica River At Freeport's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Pecatonica River At Freeport | 1,100 cfs |
| Pecatonica River At Martintown | 855 cfs |
| Rock River At Byron | 5,210 cfs |
| Sugar River Near Brodhead | 275 cfs |
| Pecatonica River Nr Shirland | 1,980 cfs |
| Elkhorn Creek Near Penrose | 85 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Pecatonica River At Freeport. 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 |
|---|---|
| Pecatonica River | 0 in |
| Freeport 1.7 Nw | 0 in |
| Freeport 2.0 Nw | 0 in |
| Stockton 3.4 Nne | 0 in |
| Brodhead | 0 in |
| New Millford 3.3 W | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Pecatonica River At Freeport.
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 Pecatonica River At Freeport in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Pecatonica River At Freeport crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Pecatonica River At Freeport
Where does the streamflow data for Pecatonica River At Freeport come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05435500. 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 Pecatonica River At Freeport 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 Pecatonica River At Freeport report
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