USGS 05599490 · Illinois · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature, dissolved oxygen, pH, turbidity, specific conductance
What the agencies suggest
Approach the stream carefully and with a low profileIowa Department of Natural Resources
Fishing upstream will usually spook fewer fish than working downstreamIowa Department of Natural Resources
Deep pools and undercut banks provide refuge during sunny days and low waterMinnesota Department of Natural Resources
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 6:30 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Lowest for this date on record for Nov 5 Falling · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 160 readings from Oct 29, 9:15 PM CDT to Nov 5, 6:30 PM CST; ranging 0.98 to 133 ft³/s; latest 5.76 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) | Water temp (°F) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 6:30 PM CST | 5.76 | 3.26 | – | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 5:30 PM CST | 15.2 | 3.26 | – | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM CST | 72.1 | 3.26 | 63.5 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 2:45 PM CST | 38.6 | 3.25 | 63.3 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 1:30 PM CST | 57.6 | 3.23 | – | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 12:30 PM CST | 19.9 | 3.24 | – | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 11:30 AM CST | 10.4 | 3.22 | – | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 10:30 AM CST | 38.7 | 3.23 | – | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 9:30 AM CST | 24.6 | 3.23 | – | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM CST | 1.02 | 3.24 | 61.9 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM CST | 34 | 3.23 | 61.9 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM CST | 57.4 | 3.22 | 62.1 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM CST | 90.4 | 3.23 | 62.2 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM CST | 81 | 3.21 | 62.2 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM CST | 10.4 | 3.21 | 62.4 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM CST | 43.2 | 3.21 | 62.4 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM CST | 85.3 | 3.2 | 62.4 | 91–782 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM CST | 52.6 | 3.2 | 62.8 | 91–782 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM CST | 66.5 | 3.2 | 62.8 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM CST | 71.2 | 3.19 | 63 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM CST | 71.2 | 3.19 | 63.1 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM CST | 66.5 | 3.19 | 63.1 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM CST | 33.7 | 3.19 | 63.3 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM CST | 38.4 | 3.19 | 63.5 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM CST | 24.4 | 3.19 | 63.5 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM CST | 28.9 | 3.18 | 63.5 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM CST | 24.3 | – | 63.7 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM CST | 38.2 | – | 64 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM CST | 24.4 | – | 63.5 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM CST | 1 | – | 63.1 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM CST | 15 | – | 63 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 9:45 AM CST | 29 | 3.18 | 63 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 8:45 AM CST | 38.4 | 3.18 | 63 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 7:45 AM CST | 29 | 3.19 | 63 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 6:45 AM CST | 47.7 | 3.18 | 63 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 5:45 AM CST | 57 | 3.18 | 63.1 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 4:45 AM CST | 43 | 3.18 | 63.1 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 3:45 AM CST | 85 | 3.18 | 63.3 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 2:45 AM CST | 66.4 | 3.17 | 63.3 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 1:45 AM CST | 71 | 3.17 | 63.3 | 92–934 |
| Nov 4, 12:45 AM CST | 52.2 | 3.16 | 63.3 | 92–934 |
| Nov 3, 11:45 PM CST | 33.4 | 3.14 | 63.3 | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 10:45 PM CST | 70.4 | 3.1 | 63.3 | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 9:45 PM CST | 24.1 | 3.11 | 63.3 | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 PM CST | 42.3 | 3.11 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 7:45 PM CST | 74.2 | 3.07 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 PM CST | 55.9 | 3.07 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 PM CST | 65 | 3.06 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 PM CST | 78.3 | 3.04 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 PM CST | 77.7 | 2.99 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 PM CST | 28.3 | 3.03 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM CST | 46.3 | – | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM CST | 32.5 | – | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM CST | 14.5 | – | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 8:45 AM CST | 19.2 | 3.03 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 6:45 AM CST | 0.98 | 3.03 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 5:45 AM CST | 64.5 | 3.03 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 4:45 AM CST | 69.1 | 3.03 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 3:45 AM CST | 55.5 | 3.03 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 2:45 AM CST | 60 | 3.03 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 1:45 AM CST | 23.7 | 3.02 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 3, 12:45 AM CST | 64.4 | 3.02 | – | 82–606 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 PM CST | 64.5 | 3.03 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 PM CST | 41.8 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 PM CST | 23.6 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 8:45 PM CST | 37.2 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 7:45 PM CST | 64.4 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 6:45 PM CST | 101 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 5:45 PM CST | 55.4 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 4:45 PM CST | 64.4 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 3:45 PM CST | 68.9 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 2:45 PM CST | 78 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 1:45 PM CST | 46.3 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 12:45 PM CST | 87.1 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 11:45 AM CST | 28.2 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 10:45 AM CST | 28.2 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 9:45 AM CST | 37.2 | 3.03 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 8:30 AM CST | 32.7 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 7:30 AM CST | 14.6 | 3.03 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM CST | 41.8 | 3.03 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM CST | 5.52 | 3.03 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM CST | 41.8 | 3.02 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM CST | 46.3 | 3.03 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM CST | 82.7 | 3.03 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM CST | 82.7 | 3.03 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM CST | 46.4 | 3.03 | – | 84–855 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM CST | 50.9 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM CST | 101 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM CST | 78.2 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM CST | 32.8 | 3.04 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM CST | 73.8 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM CST | 41.8 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM CST | 91.8 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM CST | 10.1 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM CST | 91.8 | 3.04 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM CST | 46.5 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM CST | 5.53 | 3.04 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM CST | 37.4 | 3.04 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM CST | 28.3 | 3.04 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM CST | 14.6 | 3.04 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM CST | 37.4 | 3.04 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM CST | 23.7 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM CST | 32.8 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM CST | 55.4 | 3.03 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM CST | 41.8 | 3.02 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM CST | 64.4 | 3.02 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM CST | 59.9 | 3.02 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM CST | 55.4 | 3.02 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CST | 55.3 | 3.02 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CDT | 55.3 | 3.02 | – | 92–988 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM CDT | 64.3 | 3.01 | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM CDT | 55.3 | 3.01 | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM CDT | 91.4 | 3.01 | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM CDT | 19.1 | 3.02 | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM CDT | 23.6 | 3.01 | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM CDT | 55.3 | 3.01 | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM CDT | 59.8 | 3.01 | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM CDT | 105 | 3.01 | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM CDT | 59.9 | 3.01 | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM CDT | 14.6 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM CDT | 82.5 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM CDT | 10 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM CDT | 59.9 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM CDT | 68.9 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM CDT | 50.8 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM CDT | 55.4 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM CDT | 37.3 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM CDT | 55.5 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM CDT | 91.8 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM CDT | 46.4 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM CDT | 60 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM CDT | 37.3 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM CDT | 78.2 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM CDT | 78.2 | – | – | 93–487 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM CDT | 82.7 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM CDT | 55.5 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM CDT | 110 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM CDT | 82.7 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM CDT | 60 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM CDT | 50.9 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM CDT | 133 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM CDT | 46.4 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM CDT | 101 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM CDT | 5.53 | – | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 1:45 PM CDT | 82.9 | 3.04 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 11:30 AM CDT | 23.8 | 3.05 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM CDT | 10.1 | 3.05 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM CDT | 19.2 | 3.05 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM CDT | 19.2 | 3.06 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM CDT | 32.9 | 3.05 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM CDT | 28.3 | 3.05 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM CDT | 10.1 | 3.05 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM CDT | 60.2 | 3.05 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM CDT | 55.7 | 3.05 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM CDT | 37.4 | 3.06 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM CDT | 42.1 | 3.05 | – | 93–536 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM CDT | 51.2 | 3.05 | – | 95–566 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM CDT | 42 | 3.06 | – | 95–566 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM CDT | 46.6 | – | – | 95–566 |
| Oct 29, 9:15 PM CDT | 73.9 | 3.05 | – | 95–566 |
Water temperature, last 7 days: 46 readings from Nov 3, 9:30 PM CST to Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST; ranging 61.9 to 64.2 °F; latest 63.1 °F.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Water temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM CST | 64.2 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM CST | 62.1 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM CST | 61.9 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM CST | 61.9 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM CST | 62.1 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM CST | 63.7 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM CST | 64 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM CST | 63.5 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM CST | 63 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM CST | 63.1 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM CST | 63.3 |
| Nov 3, 9:30 PM CST | 63.3 |
Map of USGS gauge 05599490 and the river around it
Where BIG MUDDY RIVER AT RTE 127 AT MURPHYSBORO, IL sits, with 2 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 63.1°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 64.2°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.”
Normal for Nov 5: 91–782 ft³/s (middle half of 56 years of record). Now: 5.76 ft³/s, lowest for this date on record.
Lowest for this date on record for this date. 5.76 ft³/s is below the lowest daily mean recorded on this date of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 56 years of record (1971–2026): 10th 58, 25th 91, median 203, 75th 782, 90th 3,050 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 27 ft³/s, highest 9,290 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 85%, from 38.4 to 5.76 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.
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)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 6.5 mg/L at Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST; 7-day range 4.4–9.1 mg/L
Enough oxygen for coldwater fish: 6.5 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 7.4 at Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST; 7-day range 7.2–7.7
Within EPA's freshwater range: pH 7.4 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 21.2 FNU at Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST; 7-day range 9.5–29.2 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 1,210 µS/cm at Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST; 7-day range 646–1,220 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 3.26 ft stage, 118 ft³/s at Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST (NWS gauge MURI2; 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, 7:16 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.
