Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney water level
River gauge, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal, Illinois, United States
Right now
High for mid-October
Water level
History
20252026
What this means
The Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney is above normal at −2.21 ft.
The median for mid-October is −2.35 ft, based on 19 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.14 ft above typical. It is 8.71 ft below the flood stage of 6.50 ft. On the same day last year the reading was −2.29 ft, a difference of +0.08 ft.
It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between −3.40 ft and −1.73 ft.
That stands out in fall, when many rivers are usually near their lowest.
Compared with 19 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- −2.35 ft0.14 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- −2.73 ft – −2.13 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (19 years of records)
- Same day last year
- −2.29 ft+0.08 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- −3.40 ft – −1.73 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- −3.74 ft – −1.74 ft
- Highest on record
- 5.15 ftMay 17, 2020
Floating and fishing near Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney
Experienced paddlers may enjoy higher water, but many outfitters stop rentals once a river runs this high.
Flood stage here is 6.50 ft, 8.71 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 11.00 ft
- The canal reaches top of banks in Forest View and at Chicago Portage.
- 7.00 ft
- Industrial structures are threatened in Cicero, Stickney, and the Brighton Park, Archer Heights, and Garfield Ridge areas of Chicago.
- 6.00 ft
- The canal overflows low-lying banks in Cicero, Stickney, and the Brighton Park, Archer Heights, and Garfield Ridge areas of Chicago.
- −2.21 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 5.15 ft | May 17, 2020 |
| 2 | 4.64 ft | July 24, 2010 |
| 3 | 3.54 ft | July 23, 2011 |
| 4 | 3.35 ft | October 14, 2017 |
| 5 | 3.30 ft | September 14, 2008 |
Weather at the gauge
Rain in the last 3 days: 0.22 in. Rain that falls upstream can take hours or days to show up at a river gauge.
Forecast: Open-Meteo
Map
Other gauges on the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal near LemontRiver gauge, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal | 25.08 ft | Normal | −0.03 ft | 14 mi |
| Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at LemontRiver gauge, Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal | 24.86 ft | Normal | −0.06 ft | 16 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Des Plaines River at LyonsRiver gauge, Des Plaines River | 10.96 ft | Normal | −0.29 ft | 3.1 mi |
| Des Plaines River at RiversideRiver gauge, Des Plaines River | 2.59 ft | Normal | −0.10 ft | 3.5 mi |
| Chicago S & South Canal at Western Ave at ChicagoRiver gauge, Chicago S & South Canal | −2.20 ft | Normal | −0.09 ft | 3.8 mi |
| Des Plaines River at River ForestRiver gauge, Des Plaines River | 4.79 ft | Normal | −0.12 ft | 6 mi |
| Addison Creek at BellwoodRiver gauge, Addison Creek | 1.45 ft | Normal | +0.02 ft | 7 mi |
| Salt Creek at Western SpringsRiver gauge, Salt Creek | 1.82 ft | Normal | −0.12 ft | 8 mi |
| Nb Chicago River at Grand Avenue at ChicagoRiver gauge, Nb Chicago River | −2.12 ft | Normal | −0.06 ft | 8 mi |
| Chicago River at Columbus Drive at ChicagoRiver gauge, Chicago River | −2.31 ft | Normal | −0.19 ft | 8 mi |
Questions and answers
Is the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney higher than last year?
Yes, it is 0.08 ft higher than on the same day last year, when the reading was −2.29 ft.
What is flood stage for the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney?
The official flood stage is 6.50 ft. The level is currently 8.71 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is −2.35 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between −2.73 ft and −2.13 ft, based on 19 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 Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 11:00 AM CDT, the water level was −2.21 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Down 0.12 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney normal?
High for mid-October. Compared with 19 years of daily readings for this time of year.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:05536140(Agency page)- Coordinates
41.81672, -87.75347(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
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | −2.21 ft | 2026-10-19 16:00 | Provisional |
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Stickney (usgs:05536140). Accessed October 19, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/illinois/chicago-sanitary-and-ship-canal-at-stickney
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.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer