2026-02-16T18:00:00-07:00
...PROLONGED PERIOD OF CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EARLY TO MID NEXT WEEK... .Recent dry conditions combining with above normal temperatures and much stronger winds early next week will bring potentially critical fire weather conditions Monday and Tuesday, possibly lasting into Wednesday. There is potential for extreme fire weather conditions on Tuesday as widespread strong and gusty winds to around 60 mph are expected. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Monday morning through Monday afternoon. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 216, 240, 241, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 249. * TIMING...For the first Fire Weather Watch, from late Monday morning through Monday afternoon. For the second Fire Weather Watch, from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph on Monday. On Tuesday, west winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 11 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire. There is potential for extreme fire weather conditions on Tuesday.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Mackinaw River
was last observed at
123
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
243
acre-ft of water today; about 11%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
1,147 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2019-05-04 when daily discharge volume was observed at
26,190 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Mackinaw River Near Green Valley
reporting a streamflow rate of 54.1 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Mackinaw River, with a gauge stage of
13.04 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Mackinaw River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 611 ft, the
Mackinaw River Near Congerville.
15-Day Weather Outlook
River Details
| Last Updated | 2026-01-19 |
| Discharge Volume | 243 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
122.5 cfs
-12.8 cfs (-9.46%) |
| Percent of Normal | 10.68% |
| Maximum |
26,190.0 cfs
2019-05-04 |
| Seasonal Avg | 1,147 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mackinaw River Near Congerville
USGS 05567500 |
30 cfs | 0.93 ft | -8.31 | |||||
|
Mackinaw River Near Green Valley
USGS 05568000 |
54 cfs | 13.04 ft | 3.44 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Mackinaw River is a 130-mile-long (210 km) tributary of the Illinois River in the U.S. state of Illinois. Its watershed covers approximately 1,136 square miles (3,000 km2), and contains some of the most productive agricultural land in the United States. The river itself maintains some of the highest quality streams in the state and provides habitat for 60-70 native fish species and 25-30 species of mussels. Its name, also spelled Mackinac, is derived from the Ojibwe word mikinaak meaning "turtle".