BIG MUDDY RIVER AT PLUMFIELD, IL
USGS 05597000 · Illinois · reports discharge (live), gauge height
USGS 05597000 · 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, 6:00 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 7:45 PM CDT to Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST; ranging 39.2 to 47.8 ft³/s; latest 45.9 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, 6:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM CST | 46.6 | 2.5 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM CST | 46.6 | 2.5 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM CST | 47.2 | 2.51 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM CST | 47.2 | 2.51 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM CST | 47.8 | 2.52 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM CST | 47.8 | 2.52 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM CST | 47.8 | 2.52 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM CST | 47.8 | 2.52 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM CST | 47.8 | 2.52 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM CST | 47.8 | 2.52 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM CST | 47.8 | 2.52 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM CST | 47.8 | 2.52 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM CST | 47.8 | 2.52 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM CST | 47.2 | 2.51 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM CST | 47.2 | 2.51 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM CST | 46.6 | 2.5 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–247 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–247 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM CST | 44.7 | 2.47 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM CST | 43.5 | 2.45 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM CST | 42.2 | 2.43 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM CST | 42.2 | 2.43 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM CST | 42.2 | 2.43 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM CST | 42.2 | 2.43 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM CST | 42.2 | 2.43 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM CST | 41 | 2.41 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM CST | 41 | 2.41 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM CST | 41 | 2.41 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM CST | 41 | 2.41 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM CST | 41 | 2.41 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM CST | 39.8 | 2.39 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM CST | 41 | 2.41 | 40–245 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM CST | 41 | 2.41 | 40–245 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM CST | 39.8 | 2.39 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM CST | 40.4 | 2.4 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM CST | 40.4 | 2.4 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM CST | 40.4 | 2.4 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM CST | 39.8 | 2.39 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM CST | 39.8 | 2.39 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM CST | 41 | 2.41 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM CST | 41 | 2.41 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM CST | 41.6 | 2.42 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM CST | 42.9 | 2.44 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM CST | 42.9 | 2.44 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM CST | 43.5 | 2.45 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM CST | 43.5 | 2.45 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM CST | 44.1 | 2.46 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM CST | 44.1 | 2.46 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM CST | 44.7 | 2.47 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM CST | 44.7 | 2.47 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–198 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–198 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 40–187 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM CST | 46.6 | 2.5 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM CST | 46.6 | 2.5 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM CST | 45.9 | 2.49 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM CST | 45.3 | 2.48 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM CST | 44.7 | 2.47 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM CST | 44.7 | 2.47 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM CDT | 44.1 | 2.46 | 41–172 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM CDT | 44.7 | 2.47 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM CDT | 44.7 | 2.47 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM CDT | 44.1 | 2.46 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM CDT | 43.5 | 2.45 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM CDT | 42.9 | 2.44 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM CDT | 42.9 | 2.44 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM CDT | 42.9 | 2.44 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM CDT | 42.2 | 2.43 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM CDT | 42.2 | 2.43 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM CDT | 41.6 | 2.42 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM CDT | 41.6 | 2.42 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM CDT | 41 | 2.41 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM CDT | 41 | 2.41 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM CDT | 40.4 | 2.4 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM CDT | 40.4 | 2.4 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 41–181 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM CDT | 39.8 | 2.39 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 39–185 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 40–141 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 40–141 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 40–141 |
| Oct 29, 9:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 40–141 |
| Oct 29, 8:00 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 40–141 |
| Oct 29, 7:45 PM CDT | 39.2 | 2.38 | 40–141 |
Map of USGS gauge 05597000 and the river around it
Where BIG MUDDY RIVER AT PLUMFIELD, IL sits, with 2 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.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Illinois Department of Natural Resources: .
Normal for Nov 5: 41–247 ft³/s (middle half of 56 years of record). Now: 45.9 ft³/s, normal.
Normal for this date. 45.9 ft³/s is between the 25th and 75th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 56 years of record (1971–2026): 10th 32, 25th 41, median 56, 75th 247, 90th 643 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 22.3 ft³/s, highest 3,180 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 (+8.8% 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.
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 2.5 ft stage, 46 ft³/s at Nov 5, 5:30 PM CST (NWS gauge PLMI2; 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, 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.