Skokie River Flow Today
As of October 6, 2026 at 1:40 AM, the Skokie River is flowing at 12 cfs near Highland Park, IL — 194% of normal for the date and down 45% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 7.7 to 12 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Skokie River map
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Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Skokie 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 Highland Park, the Skokie River is running 12 cfs — 194% of normal, down 45% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 164% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Highland Park (-45%) and Lake Forest (-44%).
How the Skokie 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
- Lake Forest664 ft 7.7 cfs133%
- Highland Park632 ft 12 cfs194%
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 Skokie River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (164%).
Skokie River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Skokie River At Lake Forest IL
Oct 6, 1:25 AM · USGS 05535000 |
7.7 cfs | 133% | -44% | 2.17 ft | 664 ft |
|
Skokie River Near Highland Park IL
Oct 6, 1:40 AM · USGS 05535070 |
12 cfs | 194% | -45% | 2.95 ft | 632 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 Skokie River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Skokie River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Skokie River
The Skokie River is a 20-mile-long tributary of the Chicago River that flows through Lake County, Illinois. The name "Skokie" is believed to have derived from the Potawatomi word for "swampy place," reflecting the river's marshy surroundings. In the early 20th century, several dams and reservoirs were constructed along the river to control flooding and provide water for agriculture and industry. The Skokie Lagoons, a series of seven interconnected reservoirs, are now a popular recreational area for fishing, boating, and hiking. The Skokie River is also a valuable source of water for nearby communities, and is protected through various conservation efforts to maintain its ecology and prevent pollution.
Fishing near the Skokie River
About the Skokie River
How is the Skokie River flowing right now?
As of October 6, 2026, the Skokie River is flowing at 12 cfs near Highland Park, IL, about 194% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 7.7 to 12 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Skokie River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Skokie River is at 164% 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.
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.