Rock River At Rockton flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Rock River At Rockton is flowing at 4,080 cfs with a gage height of 4.40 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05437500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Rock River At Rockton at a glance
How Rock River At Rockton is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Rock River At Rockton is flowing at 4,080 cfs, with the water sitting 4.40 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05437500 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 4,756 cfs, peaking at 5,500 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Rock River At Rockton is expected to hold near today's 4080 cfs, toward roughly 3818 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 2232-6531 cfs) -- running well below the seasonal normal.
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.
Rock River At Rockton
The river is fed by various tributaries, including the Kishwaukee River, and it passes through several dams along its course. The flow of the river is affected by seasonal trends, with typically higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and rain. However, the river can also experience flooding during heavy rainfall events. One interesting fact about the hydrology of the Rock River is that it is home to various fish species, including smallmouth bass and channel catfish.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Rock River At Rockton's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Rock River At Rockton | 4,080 cfs |
| Pecatonica River Nr Shirland | 1,980 cfs |
| Rock River At Afton | 1,550 cfs |
| Turtle Creek At Carvers Rock Road Near Clinton | 75 cfs |
| Kishwaukee River At Belvidere | 385 cfs |
| Kishwaukee River Near Perryville | 910 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Rock River At Rockton. 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 |
|---|---|
| Beloit | 0 in |
| Roscoe 1.6 Ese | 0 in |
| Rock River | 14 in |
| Capron 0.1 N | 0 in |
| New Millford 3.3 W | 0 in |
| Brodhead | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Rock River At Rockton.
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 Rock River At Rockton in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Rock River At Rockton crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Rock River At Rockton
Where does the streamflow data for Rock River At Rockton come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05437500. 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 Rock River At Rockton 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 Rock River At Rockton 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