South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester flow report
As of July 13, 2026, South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester is flowing at 396 cfs with a gage height of 10.34 ft, receding 18% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05576000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester at a glance
How South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester is flowing at 396 cfs, with the water sitting 10.34 ft at the gage. Flow is down 18% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05576000 in Illinois. Over the past 10 days the average has been 293 cfs, peaking at 483 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, South Fork Sangamon River Nr Rochester is expected to recede from today's 483 cfs, toward roughly 293 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 28-3055 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.
South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester
The river's flow is influenced by agricultural runoff and precipitation, and there are no significant dams or tributaries in the immediate area. Seasonal trends show higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation, while summer and fall tend to have lower flows. The hydrology of the South Fork Sangamon River is not particularly quirky or interesting, but it is an important water source for nearby communities and a popular spot for fishing and river recreation.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| South Fork Sangamon River Nr Rochester | 396 cfs |
| Sangamon River At Riverton | 3,150 cfs |
| Spring Creek At Springfield | 75 cfs |
| Lake Fork Near Cornland | 118 cfs |
| Sangamon River At Petersburg | 3,540 cfs |
| Salt Creek Near Greenview | 1,370 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester. 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 |
|---|---|
| Edinburg 3.0 W | 0 in |
| Buffalo | 0 in |
| Lincoln 4.6 W | 0 in |
| Central Illinois | 0 in |
| Jacksonville | 0 in |
| Jacksonville 2 | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester.
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 South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester
Where does the streamflow data for South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05576000. 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 South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester 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 South Fork Sangamon River Near Rochester report
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