Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville water level
River gauge, Kaskaskia River, Illinois, United States
Right now
Normal for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 67.1 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
Water levels are unremarkable at Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville, where the gauge shows 6.42 ft.
The median for mid-October is 6.22 ft, based on 33 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.20 ft above typical. On the same day last year the reading was 6.47 ft, a difference of −0.05 ft.
It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. The 30-day range is 6.39 ft – 6.42 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.
Compared with 33 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 6.22 ft0.20 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 0.54 ft – 9.22 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (33 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 6.47 ft−0.05 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 6.39 ft – 6.42 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 6.34 ft – 12.66 ft
Paddling and fishing conditions
Most paddlers and anglers will find the river in good shape at this stage.
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the Kaskaskia River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River below FicklinRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 2.33 ft | Normal | −0.32 ft | 35 mi |
| Kaskaskia River at Cooks MillsRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 1.52 ft | Low | −0.02 ft | 23 mi |
| Kaskaskia River near CowdenRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 2.25 ft | Normal | −0.05 ft | 13 mi |
| Kaskaskia River at VandaliaRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 2.98 ft | Normal | +0.02 ft | 35 mi |
| Kaskaskia River at CarlyleRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 5.68 ft | Low | −0.03 ft | 63 mi |
| Kaskaskia River near Venedy StationRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 1.36 ft | Low | −0.17 ft | 80 mi |
| Kaskaskia River at New AthensRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 68.64 ft | Normal | +0.03 ft | 96 mi |
| Kaskaskia River near Red BudRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 68.60 ft | Normal | −0.01 ft | 103 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Robinson Creek near ShelbyvilleRiver gauge, Robinson Creek | 2.75 ft | High | −0.04 ft | 6.2 mi |
| Whitley Creek near AllenvilleRiver gauge, Whitley Creek | 2.19 ft | Normal | ±0 | 15 mi |
| Little Wabash River near EffinghamRiver gauge, Little Wabash River | 10.43 ft | Normal | −0.01 ft | 23 mi |
| West Okaw River near LovingtonRiver gauge, West Okaw River | 2.27 ft | Normal | −0.01 ft | 23 mi |
| Sangamon River at Route 48 at DecaturRiver gauge, Sangamon River | 2.06 ft | Low | −0.15 ft | 31 mi |
| Lake Fork at AtwoodRiver gauge, Lake Fork | 2.99 ft | Normal | +0.02 ft | 32 mi |
| Hickory Creek near BrownstownRiver gauge, Hickory Creek | 3.93 ft | Normal | −0.05 ft | 34 mi |
Questions and answers
Is the Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville higher than last year?
No, it is 0.05 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 6.47 ft.
What is a normal level for the Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 6.22 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 0.54 ft and 9.22 ft, based on 33 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 Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville today?
On Oct 18, 2026, 12:30 PM CDT, the water level was 6.42 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Steady over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville normal?
Normal for mid-October. Compared with 33 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:05592000(Agency page)- Coordinates
39.40703, -88.78100(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 | 6.42 ft | 2026-10-18 17:30 | Provisional |
| Flow | 67.1 cfs | 2026-10-18 17:30 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Kaskaskia River at Shelbyville (usgs:05592000). Accessed October 18, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/illinois/kaskaskia-river-at-shelbyville
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