Kaskaskia River below Ficklin water level
River gauge, Kaskaskia River, Illinois, United States
Right now
Normal for mid-October
Water level
- Flow
- 40.8 cfs
History
20252026
What this means
The Kaskaskia River below Ficklin is at 2.64 ft, in the normal range for mid-October.
That puts it 0.55 ft above the median of 2.09 ft for mid-October, based on 14 years of readings. A year ago it stood at 2.81 ft (−0.17 ft).
It has risen 0.45 ft over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between 2.09 ft and 3.34 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.
Compared with 14 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 2.09 ft0.55 ft above the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 1.84 ft – 4.85 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (14 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 2.81 ft−0.17 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 2.09 ft – 3.34 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 1.99 ft – 11.01 ft
- Highest on record
- 14.00 ftDecember 29, 2015
Floating and fishing near Kaskaskia River below Ficklin
Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.
What happens at each level
- 14.80 ft
- Water reaches low steel of bridge on U.S. Route 36.
- 2.64 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14.00 ft | December 29, 2015 |
| 2 | 13.11 ft | April 19, 2013 |
| 3 | 12.58 ft | February 21, 2014 |
| 4 | 12.56 ft | February 22, 2018 |
| 5 | 12.40 ft | June 27, 2013 |
| 6 | 12.34 ft | January 12, 2020 |
| 7 | 12.18 ft | May 5, 2017 |
| 8 | 11.63 ft | May 1, 2017 |
| 9 | 11.62 ft | May 25, 2024 |
| 10 | 11.61 ft | April 30, 2020 |
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 at Cooks MillsRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 1.55 ft | Low | +0.04 ft | 15 mi |
| Kaskaskia River at ShelbyvilleRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 6.42 ft | Normal | ±0 | 35 mi |
| Kaskaskia River near CowdenRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 2.30 ft | Normal | −0.08 ft | 46 mi |
| Kaskaskia River at VandaliaRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 2.96 ft | Normal | −0.01 ft | 69 mi |
| Kaskaskia River at CarlyleRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 5.71 ft | Low | +0.05 ft | 97 mi |
| Kaskaskia River near Venedy StationRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 1.53 ft | Low | +0.12 ft | 115 mi |
| Kaskaskia River at New AthensRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 68.61 ft | Normal | ±0 | 130 mi |
| Kaskaskia River near Red BudRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River | 68.63 ft | Normal | +0.05 ft | 138 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kaskaskia River Inflow at FicklinRiver gauge, Kaskaskia River Inflow | 7.08 ft | Very low | −0.01 ft | 0.7 mi |
| Lake Fork at AtwoodRiver gauge, Lake Fork | 2.97 ft | Normal | ±0 | 5.8 mi |
| Embarras River near CamargoRiver gauge, Embarras River | 3.48 ft | Normal | +0.11 ft | 10 mi |
| West Okaw River near LovingtonRiver gauge, West Okaw River | 2.28 ft | Normal | −0.02 ft | 16 mi |
| Sangamon River at MonticelloRiver gauge, Sangamon River | 5.09 ft | Normal | −0.03 ft | 20 mi |
| Copper Slough at ChampaignRiver gauge, Copper Slough | 9.94 ft | Normal | −0.11 ft | 21 mi |
| Whitley Creek near AllenvilleRiver gauge, Whitley Creek | 2.19 ft | Normal | +0.01 ft | 21 mi |
| Boneyard Creek at UrbanaRiver gauge, Boneyard Creek | 10.25 ft | Normal | −0.10 ft | 23 mi |
Questions and answers
How does the Kaskaskia River below Ficklin compare with last year?
It is 0.17 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 2.81 ft.
What is a normal level for the Kaskaskia River below Ficklin in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 2.09 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 1.84 ft and 4.85 ft, based on 14 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 below Ficklin today?
On Oct 17, 2026, 01:15 PM CDT, the water level was 2.64 ft. Up 0.45 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Kaskaskia River below Ficklin rising or falling?
Up 0.45 ft over the last 24 hours. Up 0.47 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Kaskaskia River below Ficklin normal?
Normal for mid-October. Compared with 14 years of daily readings for this time of year.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Kaskaskia River below Ficklin?
The highest level on record is 14.00 ft on December 29, 2015.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:05590520(Agency page)- Coordinates
39.79172, -88.36775(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 | 2.64 ft | 2026-10-17 18:15 | Provisional |
| Flow | 40.8 cfs | 2026-10-17 18:15 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Kaskaskia River below Ficklin (usgs:05590520). Accessed October 17, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/illinois/kaskaskia-river-below-ficklin
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