Vermilion River Flow Today
As of October 5, 2026 at 2:15 AM, the Vermilion River is flowing at 973 cfs at Lafayette, LA — 137% of normal for the date and up 6% in 24 hours. 7 of 7 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 9.6 to 973 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Vermilion River map
See the Vermilion River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
- Dams & paddle runs — storage and what’s in range
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
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Vermilion 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 Lafayette, the Vermilion River is running 973 cfs — 137% of normal, up 6% since yesterday. Along the river, 4 of 7 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 137% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Vermilion Oh (-27%) and Danville (-22%).
Highest against normal: Leonore at 868%. Lowest: Perry at 29%.
Paddlers: 0 of 3 runs on the Vermilion River with a live range are in range, 3 too low.
How the Vermilion 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
- Crane Lake1,183 ft 87 cfs63%
- Pontiac661 ft 113 cfs523%
- Vermilion Oh596 ft 9.6 cfs60%
- Leonore535 ft 330 cfs868%
- Danville517 ft 329 cfs401%
- Lafayette3 ft 973 cfs137%
- Perry1 ft 402 cfs29%
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 Vermilion River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (137%).
Vermilion River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Vermilion River Near Crane Lake MN
Oct 5, 2:30 AM · USGS 05129115 |
87 cfs | 63% | -2% | 4.37 ft | · | 1,183 ft |
|
Vermilion River At Pontiac IL
Oct 5, 1:45 AM · USGS 05554500 |
113 cfs | 523% | -14% | 3.30 ft | 10.7 ft below | 661 ft |
|
Vermilion River Near Vermilion Oh OH
Oct 5, 4:00 AM · USGS 04199500 |
9.6 cfs | 60% | -27% | 2.04 ft | 7.0 ft below | 596 ft |
|
Vermilion River Near Leonore IL
Oct 5, 1:45 AM · USGS 05555300 |
330 cfs | 868% | -10% | 4.48 ft | 11.5 ft below | 535 ft |
|
Vermilion River Near Danville IL
Oct 5, 1:45 AM · USGS 03339000 |
329 cfs | 401% | -22% | 3.00 ft | 15.0 ft below | 517 ft |
|
Vermilion River At Surrey St. At Lafayette LA
Oct 5, 2:15 AM · USGS 07386880 |
973 cfs | 137% | +6% | 6.25 ft | 3.8 ft below | 3 ft |
|
Vermilion River At Perry LA
Oct 5, 2:15 AM · USGS 07386980 |
402 cfs | 29% | · | 5.54 ft | 3.5 ft below | 1 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.
Paddle runs on the Vermilion River
Each run is checked against its runnable range using the gauge it is keyed to (or the nearest gauge on this river).
| Run | Status | Flow now | Runnable range | Class |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Section 26, T65N, R17W To Section 31, T66N, R17W Gauge: Crane Lake |
Too low | 87 cfs | 300–1,000 cfs | I–II |
| Section 31, T66N, R17W To Crane Lake Gauge: Crane Lake |
Too low | 87 cfs | 300–1,000 cfs | II |
| Wolf Bay Of Lake Vermilion To Section 26, T65N, R17W Gauge: Crane Lake |
Too low | 87 cfs | 300–1,000 cfs | II–III |
Dams & reservoirs on the Vermilion River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Vermilion River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Vermilion River
The Vermilion River runs through eastern Illinois for about 90 miles and ultimately flows into the Wabash River. The river has a significant history, having been used by Native American tribes for trade and transportation. Its hydrology is characterized by a combination of flowing water and floodplain wetlands, which support a diverse ecosystem. The river is home to several dams and reservoirs, including Lake Vermilion, which was constructed in the 1970s for flood control and recreation. The river system supports agricultural activity, including corn and soybean farming, and provides recreational opportunities such as boating, fishing, and hiking. The Vermilion River is a vital resource for the region, providing economic and ecological benefits.
Fishing near the Vermilion River
About the Vermilion River
How is the Vermilion River flowing right now?
As of October 5, 2026, the Vermilion River is flowing at 973 cfs at Lafayette, LA, about 137% of normal for the date. Across its 7 USGS gauges, current flows range from 9.6 to 973 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Vermilion River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Vermilion River is at 137% 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 Vermilion River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Pontiac (14.0 ft), Vermilion Oh (9.0 ft), Leonore (16.0 ft), Danville (18.0 ft), Lafayette (10.0 ft), Perry (9.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Is the Vermilion River runnable for paddling today?
Each run in the paddle table is checked against its runnable range using its gauge's live flow.
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.