Summary
Total streamflow across the
Kaskaskia River
was last observed at
1,468
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
2,912
acre-ft of water today; about 15%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
9,900 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2015-12-30 when daily discharge volume was observed at
129,500 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Kaskaskia River At New Athens
reporting a streamflow rate of 909 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Kaskaskia River, with a gauge stage of
68.68 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 8 different streamgauging stations along the Kaskaskia River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 650 ft, the
Kaskaskia River At Chesterville.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-04 |
| Discharge Volume | 2,912 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
1,468.36 cfs
+541.51 cfs (+58.42%) |
| Percent of Normal | 14.83% |
| Maximum |
129,500.0 cfs
2015-12-30 |
| Seasonal Avg | 9,900 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kaskaskia River At Chesterville
USGS 05590950 |
436 cfs | 34.15 ft | -9.36 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At Cooks Mills
USGS 05591200 |
5 cfs | 1.39 ft | -42.99 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At Shelbyville
USGS 05592000 |
60 cfs | 6.44 ft | -4.45 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River Near Cowden
USGS 05592100 |
60 cfs | 2.39 ft | -3.09 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At Vandalia
USGS 05592500 |
112 cfs | 3.15 ft | -11.11 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At Carlyle
USGS 05593000 |
77 cfs | 5.69 ft | -9.64 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At New Athens
USGS 05595000 |
909 cfs | 68.68 ft | 172.97 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River Near Venedy Station
USGS 05594100 |
246 cfs | 1.93 ft | -1.6 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Kaskaskia River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 325 miles (523 km) long, in central and southern Illinois in the United States. The second largest river system within Illinois, it drains a rural area of farms, as well as rolling hills along river bottoms of hardwood forests in its lower reaches. The lower reaches of the river have been canalized to allow barge traffic.
"Cascasquia" is an alternative, supposedly more French, spelling of "Kaskaskia" that is sometimes encountered. It was named after a clan of the Illiniwek encountered by the early French Jesuits and other settlers. "Okaw River" was an alternative name for the Kaskaskia that persists in place names along the river, including Okawville, and in a major tributary, the West Okaw River.