FERSON CREEK NEAR ST. CHARLES, IL
USGS 05551200 · Illinois · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading FERSON CREEK NEAR ST. CHARLES, IL…
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USGS 05551200 · 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, 8:15 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Above normal for Nov 5 Falling · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 10:30 PM CDT to Nov 5, 8:15 PM CST; ranging 26.8 to 98.6 ft³/s; latest 54.2 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, 8:15 PM CST | 54.2 | 2.12 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 PM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 PM CST | 54.2 | 2.12 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 PM CST | 54.2 | 2.12 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM CST | 54.2 | 2.12 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM CST | 55.2 | 2.13 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM CST | 56.1 | 2.14 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM CST | 57.2 | 2.15 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM CST | 58.2 | 2.16 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM CST | 60.2 | 2.18 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM CST | 61.3 | 2.19 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM CST | 62.4 | 2.2 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM CST | 63.4 | 2.21 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM CST | 64.5 | 2.22 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM CST | 65.6 | 2.23 | 11–42 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM CST | 67.8 | 2.25 | 11–42 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM CST | 67.8 | 2.25 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM CST | 98.6 | 2.5 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM CST | 98.6 | 2.5 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM CST | 97.4 | 2.49 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM CST | 97.4 | 2.49 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM CST | 97.4 | 2.49 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM CST | 96.1 | 2.48 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM CST | 96.1 | 2.48 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM CST | 94.9 | 2.47 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM CST | 93.6 | 2.46 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM CST | 90 | 2.43 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM CST | 83.4 | 2.38 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM CST | 76 | 2.32 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM CST | 77.2 | 2.33 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM CST | 74.8 | 2.31 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM CST | 73.6 | 2.3 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM CST | 73.6 | 2.3 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM CST | 72.4 | 2.29 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM CST | 70.1 | 2.27 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM CST | 67.8 | 2.25 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM CST | 67.8 | 2.25 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM CST | 69 | 2.26 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM CST | 70.1 | 2.27 | 11–44 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM CST | 70.1 | 2.27 | 11–44 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM CST | 70.1 | 2.27 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM CST | 70.1 | 2.27 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM CST | 71.3 | 2.28 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM CST | 73.6 | 2.3 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM CST | 77.2 | 2.33 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM CST | 79.7 | 2.35 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM CST | 83.4 | 2.38 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM CST | 84.7 | 2.39 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM CST | 73.6 | 2.3 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM CST | 56.1 | 2.14 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 AM CST | 49.4 | 2.07 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 AM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 AM CST | 52.2 | 2.1 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 AM CST | 56.1 | 2.14 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 AM CST | 57.2 | 2.15 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 AM CST | 57.2 | 2.15 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 AM CST | 58.2 | 2.16 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 AM CST | 59.2 | 2.17 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 AM CST | 59.2 | 2.17 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 AM CST | 60.2 | 2.18 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM CST | 60.2 | 2.18 | 9.7–38 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 PM CST | 61.3 | 2.19 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 PM CST | 60.2 | 2.18 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 PM CST | 56.1 | 2.14 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 PM CST | 49.4 | 2.07 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 PM CST | 50.3 | 2.08 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 PM CST | 49.4 | 2.07 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 PM CST | 49.4 | 2.07 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 PM CST | 48.5 | 2.06 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 PM CST | 47.6 | 2.05 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 PM CST | 47.6 | 2.05 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM CST | 46.7 | 2.04 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 PM CST | 46.7 | 2.04 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM CST | 47.6 | 2.05 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM CST | 47.6 | 2.05 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM CST | 48.5 | 2.06 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM CST | 47.6 | 2.05 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM CST | 48.5 | 2.06 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM CST | 48.5 | 2.06 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM CST | 48.5 | 2.06 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM CST | 49.4 | 2.07 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM CST | 49.4 | 2.07 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM CST | 49.4 | 2.07 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM CST | 50.3 | 2.08 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM CST | 50.3 | 2.08 | 9.3–49 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM CST | 51.3 | 2.09 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM CST | 52.2 | 2.1 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM CST | 53.2 | 2.11 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM CST | 52.2 | 2.1 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM CST | 48.5 | 2.06 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM CST | 44.9 | 2.02 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM CST | 43.2 | 2 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM CST | 41.5 | 1.98 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM CST | 40.7 | 1.97 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM CST | 39.8 | 1.96 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM CST | 40.7 | 1.97 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM CST | 40.7 | 1.97 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM CST | 41.5 | 1.98 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM CST | 42.3 | 1.99 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM CST | 43.2 | 2 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM CST | 44 | 2.01 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM CST | 44 | 2.01 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM CST | 44 | 2.01 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM CST | 44 | 2.01 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM CST | 44.9 | 2.02 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM CST | 44.9 | 2.02 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM CST | 45.8 | 2.03 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CST | 45.8 | 2.03 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CDT | 44.9 | 2.02 | 9.5–40 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM CDT | 44.9 | 2.02 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM CDT | 45.8 | 2.03 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM CDT | 46.7 | 2.04 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM CDT | 45.8 | 2.03 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM CDT | 40.7 | 1.97 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM CDT | 35.9 | 1.91 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM CDT | 34.4 | 1.89 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM CDT | 33.7 | 1.88 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM CDT | 32.2 | 1.86 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM CDT | 30.8 | 1.84 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM CDT | 30.1 | 1.83 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM CDT | 29.4 | 1.82 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM CDT | 29.4 | 1.82 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM CDT | 29.4 | 1.82 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM CDT | 30.8 | 1.84 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM CDT | 32.2 | 1.86 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM CDT | 33.7 | 1.88 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM CDT | 33.7 | 1.88 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM CDT | 33.7 | 1.88 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM CDT | 34.4 | 1.89 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM CDT | 35.9 | 1.91 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM CDT | 36.7 | 1.92 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM CDT | 38.2 | 1.94 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM CDT | 39.8 | 1.96 | 9.3–35 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM CDT | 39.8 | 1.96 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM CDT | 40.7 | 1.97 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM CDT | 42.3 | 1.99 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM CDT | 44 | 2.01 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM CDT | 46.7 | 2.04 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM CDT | 49.4 | 2.07 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM CDT | 52.2 | 2.1 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM CDT | 51.3 | 2.09 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM CDT | 32.9 | 1.87 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM CDT | 27.5 | 1.79 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM CDT | 26.8 | 1.78 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM CDT | 27.5 | 1.79 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM CDT | 28.8 | 1.81 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM CDT | 30.1 | 1.83 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM CDT | 31.5 | 1.85 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM CDT | 32.9 | 1.87 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM CDT | 35.1 | 1.9 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM CDT | 36.7 | 1.92 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM CDT | 39 | 1.95 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM CDT | 39.8 | 1.96 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM CDT | 41.5 | 1.98 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM CDT | 43.2 | 2 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM CDT | 44 | 2.01 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM CDT | 50.3 | 2.08 | 7.6–32 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM CDT | 54.2 | 2.12 | 7.6–33 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM CDT | 46.7 | 2.04 | 7.6–33 |
| Oct 29, 10:30 PM CDT | 44.9 | 2.02 | 7.6–33 |
Map of USGS gauge 05551200 and the river around it
Where FERSON CREEK NEAR ST. CHARLES, 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: 11–42 ft³/s (middle half of 65 years of record). Now: 54.2 ft³/s, above normal.
Above normal for this date. 54.2 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 65 years of record (1962–2026): 10th 4, 25th 11, median 21, 75th 42, 90th 81 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 1.7 ft³/s, highest 208 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).
Falling over 24 hours: discharge down 44.4%, from 97.4 to 54.2 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.
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 2.12 ft stage, 54 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:15 PM CST (NWS gauge SCHI2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
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, 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.