DES PLAINES RIVER AT ROCKDALE, IL
USGS 05538010 · Illinois · reports water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductance
Reading DES PLAINES RIVER AT ROCKDALE, IL…
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USGS 05538010 · Illinois · reports water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductance
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
No flow at this gauge. USGS does not publish discharge here, so there are no flow statistics either; it reports what is shown. Flow on the same river: DES PLAINES RIVER AT ROUTE 53 AT JOLIET, IL (USGS 05537980, 2.3 miles away).
Water temperature, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 7:45 PM CDT to Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST; ranging 62.2 to 64.6 °F; latest 62.8 °F.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Water temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM CST | 63.9 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM CDT | 62.2 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM CDT | 62.4 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM CDT | 62.4 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM CDT | 62.4 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM CDT | 62.4 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM CDT | 62.8 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM CDT | 63 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM CDT | 63.1 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM CDT | 63.3 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM CDT | 63.3 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM CDT | 63.5 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM CDT | 63.5 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM CDT | 63.7 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM CDT | 63.7 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM CDT | 63.7 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM CDT | 63.9 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM CDT | 63.9 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM CDT | 63.9 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM CDT | 64 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM CDT | 63.9 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM CDT | 63.7 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM CDT | 63.5 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM CDT | 63.3 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM CDT | 63.5 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM CDT | 63.7 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM CDT | 63.7 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM CDT | 63.7 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM CDT | 63.9 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM CDT | 63.9 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM CDT | 64 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM CDT | 64 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM CDT | 64.2 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM CDT | 64.2 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM CDT | 64.4 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM CDT | 64.4 |
| Oct 29, 7:45 PM CDT | 64.6 |
Map of USGS gauge 05538010 and the river around it
Where DES PLAINES RIVER AT ROCKDALE, IL sits, with 6 other gauges on the same river.
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 62.8°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).
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 7.6 mg/L at Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST; 7-day range 7–9 mg/L
Enough oxygen for coldwater fish: 7.6 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 7.5 at Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST; 7-day range 7.3–7.5
Within EPA's freshwater range: pH 7.5 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 4.3 FNU at Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST; 7-day range 3.3–16.8 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 1,050 µS/cm at Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST; 7-day range 953–1,060 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.
The National Weather Service has no flood-stage gauge here, so no official flood category is shown.
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.