Kishwaukee River River Levels

Last Updated: December 4, 2025

The Kishwaukee River is a 63-mile-long river in northern Illinois that flows through Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, and DeKalb counties.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Kishwaukee River was last observed at 318 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 630 acre-ft of water today; about 18% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,720 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2013-04-20 when daily discharge volume was observed at 22,020 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Kishwaukee River Near Perryville reporting a streamflow rate of 218 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Kishwaukee River, with a gauge stage of 5.34 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Kishwaukee River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 740 ft, the Kishwaukee River At Belvidere.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-04
Discharge Volume 630 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 317.5 cfs
-27.5 cfs (-7.97%)
Percent of Normal 18.46%
Maximum 22,020.0 cfs
2013-04-20
Seasonal Avg 1,720 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Kishwaukee River At Belvidere
USGS 05438500
100 cfs 1.03 ft -14.22
Kishwaukee River Near Perryville
USGS 05440000
218 cfs 5.34 ft -4.8
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

The Kishwaukee River, locally known as simply "The Kish", is a 63.4-mile-long (102.0 km) river in the U.S. state of Illinois.