TOTAL RIVER DISCHARGE
Total streamflow across the
Kaskaskia River
was last observed at
7,863
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
15,595
acre-ft of water today; about 64%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
12,381 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 2,620 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Kaskaskia River, with a gauge stage of
69.11 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.
The Kaskaskia River flows for a length of 325 miles through central and southern Illinois before joining the Mississippi River. The river is known for its role in early French exploration and settlement in the area. It has a drainage area of 5,746 square miles and is heavily utilized for agricultural purposes. The Kaskaskia River is also home to several reservoirs and dams, including Carlyle Lake, which is the largest man-made lake in Illinois with a surface area of 26,000 acres. The lake is utilized for recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and camping. The river also provides water for municipal, industrial, and agricultural use. The Kaskaskia River has played a significant role in the history and development of Illinois and remains an important natural resource for the state.
| Last Updated | 2024-12-21 |
| Discharge Volume | 15,595 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
7,862.7 cfs
-1968.3 cfs (-20.02%) |
| Percent of Normal | 63.5% |
| Maximum |
129,500.0 cfs
2015-12-30 |
| Seasonal Avg | 12,381 cfs |
YEAR OVER YEAR DISCHARGE (CFS)
Streamflow Conditions
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kaskaskia River At Chesterville
USGS 05590950 |
16 cfs | 29.6 ft | 15.33 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At Cooks Mills
USGS 05591200 |
95 cfs | 2.73 ft | -9.81 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At Shelbyville
USGS 05592000 |
261 cfs | 7.3 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River Near Cowden
USGS 05592100 |
291 cfs | 3.7 ft | -1.69 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At Vandalia
USGS 05592500 |
406 cfs | 4.5 ft | -7.52 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At Carlyle
USGS 05593000 |
1570 cfs | 10.55 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River At New Athens
USGS 05595000 |
2620 cfs | 69.11 ft | -34.99 | |||||
|
Kaskaskia River Near Venedy Station
USGS 05594100 |
2620 cfs | 8.77 ft | -16.29 |
History of the River
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.