Des Plaines River at Route 53 at Joliet, IL
Is Des Plaines River at Route 53 at Joliet, IL flooding right now?
Des Plaines River at Route 53 at Joliet, IL measured 539.47 ft on 2026-09-22 20:45:00 UTC. That observation was 1.5 ft below its 541 ft flood stage. This is the latest available reading, not a guarantee of current conditions.
Gauge height
539.47 ft
Streamflow
7,580 cfs
Minor flooding here begins at 541 ft, with major flooding at 544 ft. The highest crest on record was 542 ft on Mon, Jul 1, 1957.
Streamflow outlook
Flood stages at this gauge
| Category | Stage | Current distance |
|---|---|---|
| Action | 540.5 ft | 1.0 ft below |
| Minor flood | 541 ft | 1.5 ft below |
| Moderate flood | 543 ft | 3.5 ft below |
| Major flood | 544 ft | 4.5 ft below |
Highest crests on record
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| 542 ft | 1957-07-01 |
| 541.22 ft | 2008-09-14 |
| 541 ft | 1985-03-05 |
| 540.97 ft | 2019-05-01 |
| 540.92 ft | 2013-04-18 |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Distance | County |
|---|---|---|
| Hickory Creek at Joliet, IL | 1.6 mi | Will County |
| Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport, IL | 2.3 mi | Will County |
| Des Plaines River In Lock Channel at Rockdale, IL | 2.8 mi | Will County |
| Des Plaines River at Lockport, IL | 4.2 mi | Will County |
| Chicago Ss Canal at Lockport Controlling Works, IL | 4.3 mi | Will County |
Get a flood alert for this gauge
Free email alerts when this gauge approaches flood stage are coming soon. Leave your email and you'll be first in line.
One email when alerts launch, then only flood notifications. No spam, unsubscribe anytime.
Provisional data: Real-time readings are provisional and subject to revision by the USGS — sensors can be affected by ice, debris, or equipment malfunction. Do not rely on this site for decisions involving personal safety; follow official guidance from the National Weather Service and local authorities.