DES PLAINES RIVER AT RUSSELL, IL
USGS 05527800 · Illinois · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading DES PLAINES RIVER AT RUSSELL, IL…
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USGS 05527800 · 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, 7:30 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 9:45 PM CDT to Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST; ranging 27.8 to 53.1 ft³/s; latest 53.1 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, 7:30 PM CST | 53.1 | 4.09 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM CST | 53.1 | 4.09 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM CST | 52.5 | 4.08 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM CST | 51.8 | 4.07 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM CST | 51.8 | 4.07 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM CST | 51.8 | 4.07 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM CST | 51.8 | 4.07 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM CST | 51.8 | 4.07 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM CST | 51.8 | 4.07 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM CST | 51.2 | 4.06 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM CST | 51.2 | 4.06 | 9.2–97 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM CST | 51.2 | 4.06 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM CST | 50.5 | 4.05 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM CST | 50.5 | 4.05 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM CST | 49.9 | 4.04 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM CST | 49.9 | 4.04 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM CST | 49.3 | 4.03 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM CST | 49.3 | 4.03 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM CST | 48.6 | 4.02 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM CST | 48.6 | 4.02 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM CST | 48.6 | 4.02 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM CST | 48 | 4.01 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM CST | 48 | 4.01 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM CST | 47.4 | 4 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM CST | 47.4 | 4 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM CST | 47.4 | 4 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM CST | 47.4 | 4 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM CST | 46.8 | 3.99 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM CST | 46.8 | 3.99 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM CST | 46.2 | 3.98 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM CST | 45.6 | 3.97 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM CST | 45.6 | 3.97 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM CST | 45 | 3.96 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM CST | 45 | 3.96 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM CST | 45 | 3.96 | 9.8–113 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM CST | 45 | 3.96 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM CST | 44.4 | 3.95 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 8.3–105 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM CST | 43.8 | 3.94 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM CST | 43.2 | 3.93 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM CST | 43.2 | 3.93 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM CST | 43.2 | 3.93 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM CST | 43.2 | 3.93 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM CST | 43.2 | 3.93 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM CST | 43.2 | 3.93 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM CST | 43.2 | 3.93 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM CST | 42.7 | 3.92 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM CST | 42.7 | 3.92 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM CST | 42.7 | 3.92 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM CST | 42.7 | 3.92 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM CST | 42.7 | 3.92 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM CST | 42.7 | 3.92 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM CST | 42.7 | 3.92 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM CST | 42.7 | 3.92 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM CST | 42.7 | 3.92 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM CST | 42.1 | 3.91 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM CST | 42.1 | 3.91 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM CST | 41.5 | 3.9 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM CST | 41.5 | 3.9 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM CST | 41.5 | 3.9 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM CST | 41 | 3.89 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM CST | 41 | 3.89 | 7.7–77 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM CST | 41 | 3.89 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM CST | 40.4 | 3.88 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM CST | 40.4 | 3.88 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM CST | 40.4 | 3.88 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM CST | 39.9 | 3.87 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM CST | 39.9 | 3.87 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM CST | 39.9 | 3.87 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM CST | 39.9 | 3.87 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM CST | 39.3 | 3.86 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM CST | 39.3 | 3.86 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM CST | 39.3 | 3.86 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM CST | 39.3 | 3.86 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM CST | 39.3 | 3.86 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM CST | 38.8 | 3.85 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM CST | 38.8 | 3.85 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM CST | 38.8 | 3.85 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM CST | 38.8 | 3.85 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM CST | 38.3 | 3.84 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM CST | 37.7 | 3.83 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM CST | 37.7 | 3.83 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM CST | 37.2 | 3.82 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM CST | 37.2 | 3.82 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM CST | 36.7 | 3.81 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM CDT | 36.7 | 3.81 | 6.8–52 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM CDT | 36.2 | 3.8 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM CDT | 36.2 | 3.8 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM CDT | 36.2 | 3.8 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM CDT | 35.7 | 3.79 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM CDT | 35.7 | 3.79 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM CDT | 35.7 | 3.79 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM CDT | 35.1 | 3.78 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM CDT | 35.1 | 3.78 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM CDT | 34.6 | 3.77 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM CDT | 34.6 | 3.77 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM CDT | 34.1 | 3.76 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM CDT | 34.1 | 3.76 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM CDT | 33.7 | 3.75 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM CDT | 33.7 | 3.75 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM CDT | 33.7 | 3.75 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM CDT | 33.2 | 3.74 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM CDT | 33.2 | 3.74 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM CDT | 32.6 | 3.73 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM CDT | 32.1 | 3.72 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM CDT | 32.1 | 3.72 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM CDT | 32.1 | 3.72 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM CDT | 31.6 | 3.71 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM CDT | 31.6 | 3.71 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM CDT | 31.1 | 3.7 | 5.5–57 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM CDT | 31.1 | 3.7 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM CDT | 31.1 | 3.7 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM CDT | 31.1 | 3.7 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM CDT | 30.6 | 3.69 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM CDT | 30.6 | 3.69 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM CDT | 30.6 | 3.69 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM CDT | 30.6 | 3.69 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM CDT | 30.1 | 3.68 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM CDT | 30.1 | 3.68 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM CDT | 30.1 | 3.68 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM CDT | 30.1 | 3.68 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM CDT | 30.6 | 3.69 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM CDT | 30.5 | 3.69 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM CDT | 30 | 3.68 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM CDT | 30 | 3.68 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM CDT | 30 | 3.68 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM CDT | 30 | 3.68 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM CDT | 29.9 | 3.68 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM CDT | 29.4 | 3.67 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM CDT | 29.4 | 3.67 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM CDT | 29.4 | 3.67 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM CDT | 29.4 | 3.67 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM CDT | 28.9 | 3.66 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM CDT | 28.8 | 3.66 | 5.5–54 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM CDT | 28.3 | 3.65 | 5.3–44 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM CDT | 28.3 | 3.65 | 5.3–44 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM CDT | 27.8 | 3.64 | 5.3–44 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM CDT | 27.8 | 3.64 | 5.3–44 |
Map of USGS gauge 05527800 and the river around it
Where DES PLAINES RIVER AT RUSSELL, IL sits, with 3 other gauges on the same river.
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.
Normal for Nov 5: 9.2–97 ft³/s (middle half of 59 years of record). Now: 53.1 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 53.1 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 59 years of record (1968–2026): 10th 2.6, 25th 9.2, median 29, 75th 97, 90th 207 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 0.84 ft³/s, highest 474 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.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources: Illinois fish stocking · Illinois Fishing Information 2026 (regulations).
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)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.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 4.09 ft stage, 17 ft³/s at Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST (NWS gauge RUSI2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 8:32 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.