River stage
Joliet, Des Plaines River
- River level
- 539.09 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.19 ft
- Recent high
- 539.74 ft
- Recent low
- 538.63 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS JRSI2
- 30-day change
- -0.12 ft
- Average
- 539.08 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 542.00 ft
In brief
The Des Plaines River at Joliet, IL read 539.09 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 1.41 ft below action stage. That is 0.12 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge JRSI2
Water 69 °F (20 °C) · 5 °F warmer than normal for this date
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 542.00 ft | 1957-07-01 |
| 2 | 541.22 ft | 2008-09-14 |
| 3 | 541.00 ft | 1985-03-05 |
| 4 | 540.97 ft | 2019-05-01 |
| 5 | 540.92 ft | 2013-04-18 |
| 6 | 540.64 ft | 2007-08-24 |
| 7 | 540.49 ft | 2008-12-28 |
| 8 | 540.42 ft | 2011-06-09 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 542.00 ft
North Bluff Street in threatened. Low-lying property near Ruby Street inundated.
- 543.50 ft
A few structures near the river upstream of Ruby Street are threatened.
- 544.00 ft
Without flood protection, water begins to overtop the embankment upstream of Ruby Street along east bank of the river.
- 545.00 ft
Without flood protection, widespread inundation of structures and roadways in the floodplain reaches up to half mile from the river near downtown Joliet.
- 545.50 ft
Water reaches the top of the flood wall in downtown Joliet.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Des Plaines River flooding at Joliet?
No. The Des Plaines River at Joliet is at 539.09 ft, 1.41 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Joliet?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 540.5 ft, minor flooding 541 ft, moderate flooding 543 ft and major flooding 544 ft.
What is the highest the Des Plaines River has been at Joliet?
The highest crest on record is 542.0 ft, on 1957-07-01.
Is the Des Plaines River high or low right now at Joliet?
At 539.09 ft it is higher than 58% of readings over the last 122 days.
How warm is the water at Joliet, Des Plaines River?
The water temperature at Joliet, Des Plaines River is 69 °F (20.5 °C), measured 7:00 pm by USGS, which is 5 °F warmer than normal for this date over the past ten years. It has risen 0.9 °F in the last 24 hours.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge JRSI2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05537980). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.