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Chicago River at Chicago Lock at Chicago water level

River gauge, Chicago River, Illinois, United States

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Right now

Normal for mid-October

Water level

-1.98ft Up 0.05 ft over the last 24 hours

-2.3 -2.0 -1.8

History

History
-2.5-2.0ftOct 16Oct 17Oct 18Oct 19Oct 20-2.5-2.0ftOct 16Oct 18Oct 20
-3-2-1ftSep 21Sep 28Oct 5Oct 12Oct 20-3-2-1ftSep 21Oct 5Oct 20
-3-2-1ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026-3-2-1ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026
-3-2-1ftJanMarMayJulSepNov2026-3-2-1ftJanAprJulOct2026

20252026

Water level Normal range (10–90 %)

What this means

Water levels are unremarkable at Chicago River at Chicago Lock at Chicago, where the gauge shows −1.98 ft.

That puts it 0.15 ft above the median of −2.14 ft for mid-October, based on 24 years of readings. A year ago it stood at −2.14 ft (+0.16 ft).

It is on the way up, by 0.05 ft over the past 24 hours. The 30-day range is −3.32 ft – −1.58 ft.

Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.

Compared with 24 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels

Key numbers

Median for this date
−2.14 ft0.15 ft above the median for this date
Normal for this date
−2.42 ft – −1.79 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (24 years of records)
Same day last year
−2.14 ft+0.16 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days
−3.32 ft – −1.58 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
−3.68 ft – −1.42 ft

Paddling and fishing conditions

Most paddlers and anglers will find the river in good shape at this stage.

Weather at the gauge

No rain in the last 3 days.

19 Mon 66° 41° – Wind 8 mph
20 Tue 62° 41° – Wind 7 mph
21 Wed 65° 42° – Wind 7 mph
22 Thu 70° 58° – Wind 7 mph
23 Fri 71° 58° – Wind 7 mph
24 Sat 72° 59° – Wind 10 mph
25 Sun 67° 62° 0.02 in Wind 9 mph

Forecast: Open-Meteo

Sunrise 07:09 AM Sunset 06:03 PM Daylight 10 hr, 54 min First quarter 65%

Map

Other gauges on the Chicago River

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Chicago River at Columbus Drive at ChicagoRiver gauge, Chicago River −2.07 ft Normal +0.04 ft 0.7 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Lake Michigan at Chicago Lock at ChicagoLake, Lake Michigan 0.34 ft Normal +0.63 ft 0.0 mi
Nb Chicago River at Grand Avenue at ChicagoRiver gauge, Nb Chicago River −1.96 ft Very high −0.13 ft 1.8 mi
Chicago S & South Canal at Western Ave at ChicagoRiver gauge, Chicago S & South Canal −2.00 ft High +0.06 ft 5.4 mi
Nb Chicago River at N Pulaski Road at ChicagoRiver gauge, Nb Chicago River 10.95 ft Below flood stage −0.11 ft 9 mi
Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at StickneyRiver gauge, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal −2.07 ft Very high +0.03 ft 9 mi
Des Plaines River at River ForestRiver gauge, Des Plaines River 4.73 ft Normal −0.12 ft 12 mi
Des Plaines River at LyonsRiver gauge, Des Plaines River 10.88 ft Normal −0.17 ft 12 mi
Des Plaines River at RiversideRiver gauge, Des Plaines River 2.52 ft Normal −0.07 ft 12 mi

Questions and answers

How does the Chicago River at Chicago Lock at Chicago compare with last year?

It is 0.16 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was −2.14 ft.

What is a normal level for the Chicago River at Chicago Lock at Chicago in mid-October?

The median for mid-October is −2.14 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between −2.42 ft and −1.79 ft, based on 24 years of records.

Is gage height the same as water depth?

No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.

What is the water level of Chicago River at Chicago Lock at Chicago today?

On Oct 19, 2026, 10:27 PM CDT, the water level was −1.98 ft. Up 0.05 ft over the last 24 hours.

Is Chicago River at Chicago Lock at Chicago rising or falling?

Up 0.05 ft over the last 24 hours. Up 0.05 ft over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Chicago River at Chicago Lock at Chicago normal?

Normal for mid-October. Compared with 24 years of daily readings for this time of year.

How often is this data updated?

The U.S. Geological Survey publishes a new reading every 15 minutes. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.

For specialists

Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
Operator
U.S. Geological Survey
Station code
usgs:05536121 (Agency page)
Coordinates
41.88928, -87.60794 (WGS84)
Vertical datum
NAVD88
Update interval
every 15 minutes
Licence
Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision

Published series

ParameterLast valueTime (UTC)Quality
Water level −1.98 ft 2026-10-20 03:27 Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Chicago River at Chicago Lock at Chicago (usgs:05536121). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/illinois/chicago-river-at-chicago-lock-at-chicago

How we check values

Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.