ILLINOIS RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
December 21, 2024
35.87, -94.31


TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE

Total streamflow across the Illinois River was last observed at 23,592 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 46,793 acre-ft of water today; about 54% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 43,471 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2015-12-28 when daily discharge volume was observed at 632,800 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Illinois River At Kingston Mines reporting a streamflow rate of 6,390 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Illinois River At Henry with a gauge stage of 14.3 ft. This river is monitored from 12 different streamgauging stations along the Illinois River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,202 ft, the Illinois River Near Kerby.

The Illinois River is a 273-mile-long tributary of the Mississippi River that flows through the state of Illinois. It was an important trade route for Native American tribes and European explorers, serving as a vital transportation artery for the region. The river's hydrology is heavily managed through a series of reservoirs and dams, including the Dresden, Marseilles, Peoria, and LaGrange Locks and Dams. These structures help to regulate water levels for navigation and flood control. The river is also used for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and camping, and it supports a variety of agricultural uses in the surrounding areas. In recent years, efforts have been made to improve water quality and protect the ecosystem of the Illinois River.

Last Updated 2024-12-21
Discharge Volume 46,793 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 23,591.6 cfs
-2408.4 cfs (-9.26%)
Percent of Normal 54.27%
Maximum 632,800.0 cfs
2015-12-28
Seasonal Avg 43,471 cfs

YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)

Streamflow Conditions
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Illinois River Near Kerby
USGS 14377100
3120 cfs 8.75 ft -19.17
Illinois River At Savoy
USGS 07194800
77 cfs 2.64 ft -49.27
Illinois River At Hwy. 16 Near Siloam Springs Ar
USGS 07195400
445 cfs 6.54 ft -16.51
Illinois River South Of Siloam Springs
USGS 07195430
514 cfs 3.39 ft -12.59
Illinois River Near Watts
USGS 07195500
586 cfs 3.42 ft -14.08
Illinois River At Chewey
USGS 07196090
632 cfs 3.13 ft -18.66
Illinois River Near Tahlequah
USGS 07196500
780 cfs 5.71 ft -17.98
Illinois River Near Gore
USGS 07198000
798 cfs 8.29 ft 0
Illinois River At Marseilles
USGS 05543500
3890 cfs 11.2 ft 5.71
Illinois River At Kingston Mines
USGS 05568500
6390 cfs 2.85 ft 33.13
Illinois River At Henry
USGS 05558300
3970 cfs 14.3 ft -40.66
Illinois River At Valley City
USGS 05586100
5510 cfs 2.2 ft -13.23
History of the River

The Illinois River (Miami-Illinois: Inoka Siipiiwi) is a principal tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 273 miles (439 km) long, in the U.S. state of Illinois. The river drains a large section of central Illinois, with a drainage basin of 28,756.6 square miles (74,479 km2). The drainage basin extends into Wisconsin, Indiana, and a very small area of southwestern Michigan. This river was important among Native Americans and early French traders as the principal water route connecting the Great Lakes with the Mississippi. The French colonial settlements along the rivers formed the heart of the area known as the Illinois Country. After the construction of the Illinois and Michigan Canal and the Hennepin Canal in the 19th century, the role of the river as link between Lake Michigan and the Mississippi was extended into the era of modern industrial shipping. It now forms the basis for the Illinois Waterway.

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