ELKHORN CREEK NEAR PENROSE, IL
USGS 05444000 · Illinois · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 05444000 · Illinois · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h
Discharge, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 7:45 PM CDT to Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST; ranging 79.2 to 97.3 ft³/s; latest 91.1 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST | 91.1 | 3.24 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM CST | 91.1 | 3.24 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM CST | 91.1 | 3.24 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM CST | 94.2 | 3.26 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM CST | 94.2 | 3.26 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM CST | 94.2 | 3.26 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM CST | 94.2 | 3.26 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM CST | 95.7 | 3.27 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM CST | 95.7 | 3.27 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 36–93 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 36–93 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM CST | 97.3 | 3.28 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM CST | 95.7 | 3.27 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM CST | 94.2 | 3.26 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM CST | 94.2 | 3.26 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM CST | 94.2 | 3.26 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM CST | 94.2 | 3.26 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 35–91 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM CST | 92.6 | 3.25 | 35–91 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM CST | 91.1 | 3.24 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM CST | 89.6 | 3.23 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM CST | 88.1 | 3.22 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM CST | 86.6 | 3.21 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM CST | 86.6 | 3.21 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM CST | 86.6 | 3.21 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM CST | 86.6 | 3.21 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM CST | 86.6 | 3.21 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM CST | 86.6 | 3.21 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM CST | 86.6 | 3.21 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM CST | 85.1 | 3.2 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM CST | 85.1 | 3.2 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM CST | 83.6 | 3.19 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 38–93 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–100 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM CST | 80.7 | 3.17 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM CST | 85.1 | 3.2 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM CST | 85.1 | 3.2 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM CST | 83.6 | 3.19 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM CST | 82.1 | 3.18 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM CST | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–98 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–77 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM CDT | 79.2 | 3.16 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM CDT | 80.7 | 3.17 | 35–78 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM CDT | 82.1 | 3.18 | 36–77 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM CDT | 82.1 | 3.18 | 36–77 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM CDT | 82.1 | 3.18 | 36–77 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM CDT | 82.1 | 3.18 | 36–77 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM CDT | 82.1 | 3.18 | 36–77 |
| Oct 29, 7:45 PM CDT | 82.1 | 3.18 | 36–77 |
Map of USGS gauge 05444000 and the river around it
Where ELKHORN CREEK NEAR PENROSE, IL sits.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Illinois DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Illinois rule: 68°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Illinois fish stocking · Illinois Fishing Information 2026 (regulations).
Normal for Nov 5: 36–93 ft³/s (middle half of 87 years of record). Now: 91.1 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 91.1 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 87 years of record (1940–2026): 10th 25, 25th 36, median 55, 75th 93, 90th 149 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 16 ft³/s, highest 263 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (−6.4% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
NWS observed 3.24 ft stage, 90 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST (NWS gauge PENI2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS has not set flood categories for this gauge.
Forecasts are not available. Only observed stages are available for this point.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 6:38 PM CST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.