Richland Creek Near Hecker flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Richland Creek Near Hecker is flowing at 77 cfs with a gage height of 29.09 ft, receding 81% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05595200, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Richland Creek Near Hecker at a glance
How Richland Creek Near Hecker is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Richland Creek Near Hecker is flowing at 77 cfs, with the water sitting 29.09 ft at the gage. Flow is down 81% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05595200 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 191 cfs, peaking at 1,110 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Richland Creek Near Hecker is expected to recede from today's 419 cfs, toward roughly 162 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 40-662 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.
Richland Creek Near Hecker
The creek is primarily fed by agricultural runoff and precipitation, with potential tributaries including Sugar Creek and Plum Creek. Seasonal trends indicate higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation, while lower flows occur in the summer and fall. No major dams are present along the creek. An interesting fact is that Richland Creek is considered a "high-quality" stream due to its diverse aquatic life and relatively low levels of pollution.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Richland Creek Near Hecker's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Richland Creek Near Hecker | 77 cfs |
| Kaskaskia River At New Athens | 6,820 cfs |
| Silver Creek Near Freeburg | 987 cfs |
| Kaskaskia River Near Venedy Station | 4,460 cfs |
| Martigney Creek Near Arnold | 1 cfs |
| Gravois Creek Near Mehlville | 8 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Richland Creek Near Hecker. 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 |
|---|---|
| Mascoutah 1.5 Sse | 0 in |
| Kaskaskia River Navigation Lock | 0 in |
| Festus | 0 in |
| Chester | 0 in |
| Melvin Price Lock And Dam | 0 in |
| Staunton 4.3 Ssw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Richland Creek Near Hecker.
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 Richland Creek Near Hecker in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Richland Creek Near Hecker crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Richland Creek Near Hecker
Where does the streamflow data for Richland Creek Near Hecker come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05595200. 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 Richland Creek Near Hecker 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 Richland Creek Near Hecker 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