USGS 05537980 · Illinois · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductance
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 37 readings from Oct 30, 2:00 AM CDT to Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST; ranging 93.9 to 4,190 ft³/s; latest 2,700 ft³/s; 2 gaps in the record; 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) | Water temp (°F) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST | 2,700 | 539 | 61.9 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST | 2,560 | 539 | 62.1 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM CST | 1,380 | 539 | 62.1 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM CST | 1,440 | 539 | 62.1 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM CST | 2,170 | 539 | 62.2 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM CST | 2,550 | 539 | 62.4 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM CST | 1,430 | 539 | 62.1 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM CST | 2,030 | 539 | 61.7 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM CST | 1,400 | 539 | 61.7 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM CST | 1,710 | 539 | 61.5 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM CST | 2,080 | 539 | – | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM CST | 1,520 | 539 | – | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM CST | 1,280 | 539 | – | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM CST | 2,250 | 539 | – | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM CST | 1,680 | 539 | – | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM CST | 366 | 539 | 62.8 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM CST | 830 | 539 | 63 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM CST | 1,260 | 539 | 63.3 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM CST | 93.9 | 539 | 63.5 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM CST | 366 | 539 | 63.7 | 1,630–4,010 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM CST | 3,050 | 539 | 63.7 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM CST | 1,200 | 539 | 63.9 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM CST | 1,430 | 539 | 63.7 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM CST | 2,380 | 539 | 63.7 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM CST | 863 | 539 | 63.7 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM CST | 894 | 539 | 63.9 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM CST | 1,020 | 539 | 64 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM CST | 1,750 | 539 | 64 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM CST | 2,820 | 539 | 64 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM CST | 1,950 | 539 | 63.7 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 1:35 PM CST | 1,830 | 539 | 63.7 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Nov 4, 12:40 PM CST | 1,650 | 539 | 63.7 | 1,530–3,330 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM CDT | 1,850 | – | 62.8 | 1,740–3,660 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM CDT | 3,300 | 539 | 63 | 1,740–3,660 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM CDT | 2,620 | 539 | 63.1 | 1,740–3,660 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM CDT | 4,190 | – | 63.7 | 1,740–3,660 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM CDT | 2,970 | 539 | – | 1,740–3,660 |
Water temperature, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 10:30 PM CDT to Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST; ranging 61.2 to 64.2 °F; latest 61.9 °F.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Water temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST | 61.9 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 PM CST | 62.1 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM CST | 62.1 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM CST | 62.1 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 PM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 PM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 PM CST | 62.1 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM CST | 61.7 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM CST | 61.7 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM CST | 61.2 |
| Nov 5, 8:30 AM CST | 61.7 |
| Nov 5, 7:30 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 5, 6:30 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 5, 4:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 5, 3:30 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 2:30 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 AM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 AM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 PM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 PM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 PM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 PM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 PM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 11:30 AM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 10:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 9:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 8:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 7:30 AM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 4, 6:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 5:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 4:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 3:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 2:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 1:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 12:30 AM CST | 64 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 PM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 PM CST | 64 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 PM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 PM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 PM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 PM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 11:30 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 10:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 3, 8:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 3, 7:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 3, 6:30 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 5:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 3, 4:30 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 3:30 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 2:30 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 1:30 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 12:30 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 PM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 2, 11:30 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 2, 10:30 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 9:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 6:30 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 5:30 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 2, 4:30 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 2, 3:30 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 2:30 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 2, 1:30 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 2, 12:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 1, 11:30 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 1, 10:30 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 1, 9:30 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 1, 8:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 7:30 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 6:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 5:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 4:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 3:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 2:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 1:30 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 12:30 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 PM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 PM CDT | 63.3 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 PM CDT | 63.3 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 PM CDT | 63.3 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 PM CDT | 63.3 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 PM CDT | 63.1 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 PM CDT | 63.1 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 PM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 PM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 PM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 PM CDT | 62.4 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 PM CDT | 62.1 |
| Oct 31, 11:30 AM CDT | 61.9 |
| Oct 31, 10:30 AM CDT | 61.7 |
| Oct 31, 9:30 AM CDT | 61.9 |
| Oct 31, 8:30 AM CDT | 62.2 |
| Oct 31, 7:30 AM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 6:30 AM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 5:30 AM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 4:30 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 3:30 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 2:30 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 1:30 AM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 12:30 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 PM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 PM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 PM CDT | 63.1 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 PM CDT | 63.1 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 PM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 PM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 PM CDT | 62.2 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 PM CDT | 62.2 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 PM CDT | 62.4 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 PM CDT | 62.4 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 PM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 PM CDT | 63.1 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM CDT | 63.1 |
| Oct 30, 10:30 AM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 30, 9:30 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 30, 8:30 AM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 30, 7:30 AM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 30, 6:30 AM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 30, 5:30 AM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 30, 4:30 AM CDT | 63.1 |
| Oct 30, 3:30 AM CDT | 63.5 |
| Oct 30, 2:30 AM CDT | 63.7 |
| Oct 30, 1:30 AM CDT | 63.7 |
| Oct 30, 12:30 AM CDT | 63.9 |
| Oct 29, 11:30 PM CDT | 64.2 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM CDT | 64.2 |
Map of USGS gauge 05537980 and the river around it
Where DES PLAINES RIVER AT ROUTE 53 AT JOLIET, IL sits, with 6 other gauges on the same river.
Normal for Nov 5: 1,630–4,010 ft³/s (middle half of 21 years of record). Now: 2,700 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 2,700 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 21 years of record (2006–2026): 10th 1,210, 25th 1,630, median 2,350, 75th 4,010, 90th 4,990 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 1,040 ft³/s, highest 5,680 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).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 13.4%, from 2,380 to 2,700 ft³/s. 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.
Federal guidance. 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:
Under the federal 68°F line. Water 61.9°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 63.9°F. That is under the 68°F at which the National Park Service, at Grand Teton National Park, recommends anglers stop fishing in the afternoon (“cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F”). Water warms through the afternoon, so check again later in the day: “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature.”
High water temperatures prompt fishing advisory in Grand Teton National Park (29 July 2022) (National Park Service)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)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 13.4%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS 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)Dissolved oxygen 9.4 mg/L at Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST; 7-day range 7.3–10.4 mg/L
Enough oxygen for coldwater fish: 9.4 mg/L meets the 6.5 mg/L EPA sets for coldwater fish (other life stages; eggs and fry need a 8 mg/L minimum).
Quality Criteria for Water 1986 (“Gold Book”): dissolved oxygen, Table 1; pH (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)pH 7.7 at Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST; 7-day range 7.5–7.9
Within EPA's freshwater range: pH 7.7 is within the 6.5–9 range EPA gives for freshwater aquatic life.
Quality Criteria for Water 1986 (“Gold Book”): dissolved oxygen, Table 1; pH (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)Turbidity 4.2 FNU at Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST; 7-day range 1.4–16.2 FNU
Water clarity: Turbidity measures the relative clarity of water: higher means murkier. No agency publishes a fishing threshold for it; compare with this gauge's own recent readings.
Turbidity and Water (U.S. Geological Survey)Specific conductance 1,070 µS/cm at Nov 5, 8:30 PM CST; 7-day range 960–1,100 µS/cm
Dissolved ions: Specific conductance rises with the ions dissolved in the water. No fishing threshold is published for it; compare with this gauge's own recent readings.
Conductivity (Electrical Conductance) and Water (U.S. Geological Survey)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 539 ft stage at Nov 5, 7:45 PM CST (NWS gauge JRSI2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Graphical forecasts are not available during times of high water, forecast crest information can be found in the local WFO web page.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:15 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.
