BIG BUREAU CREEK AT PRINCETON, IL
USGS 05556500 · Illinois · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading BIG BUREAU CREEK AT PRINCETON, IL…
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USGS 05556500 · Illinois · reports discharge (live), gauge height
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, 5:45 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Above normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 168 readings from Oct 29, 7:45 PM CDT to Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST; ranging 79.9 to 206 ft³/s; latest 186 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 | 186 | 3.28 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 PM CST | 190 | 3.29 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 PM CST | 190 | 3.29 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM CST | 198 | 3.31 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 PM CST | 194 | 3.3 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 PM CST | 194 | 3.3 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 11:45 AM CST | 198 | 3.31 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 10:45 AM CST | 198 | 3.31 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 9:45 AM CST | 198 | 3.31 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 8:45 AM CST | 198 | 3.31 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 7:45 AM CST | 206 | 3.33 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 6:45 AM CST | 202 | 3.32 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 5:45 AM CST | 202 | 3.32 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 4:45 AM CST | 202 | 3.32 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 3:45 AM CST | 194 | 3.3 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 AM CST | 182 | 3.27 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 1:45 AM CST | 186 | 3.28 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 5, 12:45 AM CST | 182 | 3.27 | 5.6–113 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 PM CST | 174 | 3.25 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 PM CST | 156 | 3.2 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 PM CST | 156 | 3.2 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 PM CST | 156 | 3.2 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 PM CST | 146 | 3.17 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 PM CST | 143 | 3.16 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 PM CST | 139 | 3.15 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 PM CST | 139 | 3.15 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 PM CST | 139 | 3.15 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 PM CST | 139 | 3.15 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 PM CST | 136 | 3.14 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 PM CST | 133 | 3.13 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 11:45 AM CST | 136 | 3.14 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 10:45 AM CST | 125 | 3.11 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM CST | 130 | 3.12 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM CST | 130 | 3.12 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM CST | 133 | 3.13 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM CST | 130 | 3.12 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM CST | 130 | 3.12 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM CST | 133 | 3.13 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM CST | 133 | 3.13 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM CST | 133 | 3.13 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM CST | 143 | 3.16 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM CST | 146 | 3.17 | 5.3–101 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM CST | 156 | 3.2 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM CST | 139 | 3.15 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM CST | 120 | 3.1 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM CST | 110 | 3.08 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM CST | 120 | 3.1 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM CST | 120 | 3.1 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM CST | 130 | 3.12 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM CST | 133 | 3.13 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM CST | 143 | 3.16 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM CST | 143 | 3.16 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 PM CST | 115 | 3.09 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 PM CST | 110 | 3.08 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 AM CST | 101 | 3.06 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 AM CST | 110 | 3.08 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 AM CST | 115 | 3.09 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM CST | 105 | 3.07 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 AM CST | 110 | 3.08 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM CST | 105 | 3.07 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM CST | 105 | 3.07 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM CST | 101 | 3.06 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM CST | 101 | 3.06 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM CST | 96.1 | 3.05 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM CST | 105 | 3.07 | 5–104 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 5–104 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM CST | 105 | 3.07 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM CST | 101 | 3.06 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM CST | 105 | 3.07 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM CST | 101 | 3.06 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM CST | 101 | 3.06 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM CST | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM CST | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM CST | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM CST | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM CST | 101 | 3.06 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM CST | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM CST | 101 | 3.06 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 AM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 AM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 AM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 AM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 AM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 AM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 AM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 AM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 AM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.9–103 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 PM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 PM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 PM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 PM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 PM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 PM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 PM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 PM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 PM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 PM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 PM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 PM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 11:45 AM CST | 79.9 | 3.01 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 10:45 AM CST | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 9:45 AM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 8:45 AM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 7:45 AM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 6:45 AM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 5:45 AM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 4:45 AM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 3:45 AM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 2:45 AM CST | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM CST | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 1:45 AM CDT | 105 | 3.07 | 4.7–93 |
| Nov 1, 12:45 AM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 PM CDT | 105 | 3.07 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 PM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 PM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 PM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 PM CDT | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 PM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 PM CDT | 83.7 | 3.02 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 PM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 PM CDT | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 PM CDT | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 PM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 PM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 11:45 AM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 10:45 AM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 9:45 AM CDT | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 8:45 AM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 7:45 AM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 6:45 AM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 5:45 AM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 4:45 AM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 3:45 AM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 2:45 AM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 1:45 AM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.4–76 |
| Oct 31, 12:45 AM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 PM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 PM CDT | 87.7 | 3.03 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 PM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 PM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 PM CDT | 91.8 | 3.04 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 PM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 PM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 PM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 PM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 PM CDT | 105 | 3.07 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM CDT | 105 | 3.07 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 PM CDT | 105 | 3.07 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 11:45 AM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 10:45 AM CDT | 105 | 3.07 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 9:45 AM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 8:45 AM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 7:45 AM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 6:45 AM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 5:45 AM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 4:45 AM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 3:45 AM CDT | 105 | 3.07 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 2:45 AM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 AM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.7–67 |
| Oct 30, 12:45 AM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.8–68 |
| Oct 29, 11:45 PM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.8–68 |
| Oct 29, 10:45 PM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.8–68 |
| Oct 29, 9:45 PM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.8–68 |
| Oct 29, 8:45 PM CDT | 101 | 3.06 | 4.8–68 |
| Oct 29, 7:45 PM CDT | 96.1 | 3.05 | 4.8–68 |
Map of USGS gauge 05556500 and the river around it
Where BIG BUREAU CREEK AT PRINCETON, 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: 5.6–113 ft³/s (middle half of 90 years of record). Now: 186 ft³/s, above normal.
Above normal for this date. 186 ft³/s is between the 75th and 90th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 90 years of record (1937–2026): 10th 2.3, 25th 5.6, median 26, 75th 113, 90th 296 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 0 ft³/s, highest 437 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 33.8%, from 139 to 186 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)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 33.8%). 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)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 3.28 ft stage, 168 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:45 PM CST (NWS gauge PINI2; 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, 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.