Kishwaukee River Flow Today
As of October 4, 2026 at 1:30 AM, the Kishwaukee River is flowing at 3,110 cfs near Perryville, IL — 1,000% of normal for the date and down 5% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 1,240 to 3,110 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Kishwaukee River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Kishwaukee River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Perryville, the Kishwaukee River is running 3,110 cfs — 1,000% of normal, down 5% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 883% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Belvidere (-14%).
How the Kishwaukee River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Belvidere740 ft 1,240 cfs765%
- Perryville701 ft 3,110 cfs1,000%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Kishwaukee River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (883%).
Kishwaukee River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Kishwaukee River At Belvidere IL
Oct 4, 1:30 AM · USGS 05438500 |
1,240 cfs | 765% | -14% | 3.89 ft | · | 740 ft |
|
Kishwaukee River Near Perryville IL
Oct 4, 1:30 AM · USGS 05440000 |
3,110 cfs | 1,000% | -5% | 8.93 ft | 3.1 ft below | 701 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Kishwaukee River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Kishwaukee River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Kishwaukee River
The Kishwaukee River is a 63-mile-long river in northern Illinois that flows through Winnebago, Boone, McHenry, and DeKalb counties. The river was historically used for transportation and water power for mills. It is a tributary of the Rock River, which eventually flows into the Mississippi River.
There are several reservoirs and dams along the Kishwaukee River, including the Pierce Lake Dam, Lake Sule Dam, and the Lake Geneva Dam. These dams help regulate the river's flow and provide important recreational opportunities, such as boating and fishing.
The river is also used for agricultural purposes, with many farms located along its banks. However, agricultural runoff can lead to water pollution and harm the river's ecosystem.
Overall, the Kishwaukee River is an important natural resource for northern Illinois, providing opportunities for recreation, agriculture, and local industry.
Fishing near the Kishwaukee River
About the Kishwaukee River
How is the Kishwaukee River flowing right now?
As of October 4, 2026, the Kishwaukee River is flowing at 3,110 cfs near Perryville, IL, about 1,000% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 1,240 to 3,110 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Kishwaukee River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Kishwaukee River is at 883% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Kishwaukee River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Perryville (12.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.