River Conditions
Illustrated map of Lake Michigan at Chicago

River stage

Ottawa, Illinois River

River level
458.69 ft
Status
Below flood stage
Action stage
461.00 ft
Flood stage
463.00 ft
Record crest
473.72 ft

Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS OTWI2

Record crest
473.72 ft
Flood stage
463.00 ft
Moderate flood
467.00 ft
Major flood
471.00 ft
Crest date
2013-04-19

In brief

The Illinois River at Ottawa, IL read 458.69 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 2.31 ft below action stage.

Source: National Weather Service gauge OTWI2

Stage threshold profile

Action stage 461.00 ftMinor flooding 463.00 ftModerate flooding 467.00 ftMajor flooding 471.00 ft CURRENT 458.69 ft

Highest crests on record

RankCrestDate
1 473.72 ft 2013-04-19
2 472.59 ft 2020-05-19
3 472.21 ft 2008-09-16
4 471.49 ft 2018-02-22
5 470.83 ft 2019-05-02
6 470.23 ft 2009-03-11
7 468.87 ft 2008-12-29
8 468.06 ft 2015-12-30

Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.

What happens at each level

  1. 461.00 ft

    River Rescue boat dock inundated in Ottawa.

  2. 462.50 ft

    Roadway entrance to Allen Park threatened in Ottawa. Allen Park west boat ramp inundated in Ottawa.

  3. 464.00 ft

    Backwater causes the Fox River to reach bankfull near St. Elizabeth Medical Center in Ottawa.

  4. 465.00 ft

    Harbor Walk in Heritage Harbor east of Ottawa is inundated.

  5. 465.50 ft

    Low-lying property near St. Elizabeth Medical Center is threatened. Marquette High School football field threatened.

  6. 466.50 ft

    Low-lying sections of Fox River Park in Ottawa are inundated including Hudson Street River Walk. St. Clair Street is threatened in Ottawa.

  7. 467.00 ft

    Green Street near Shoreline Boat Club in Ottawa is inundated, blocking a primary evacuation route for east Ottawa.

  8. 468.00 ft

    River Rescue structure threatened in Ottawa.

  9. 469.00 ft

    Backwater causes the Fox River to reach bankfull near the YMCA in Ottawa.

  10. 470.00 ft

    Shabbona Street near Ottawa High School is inundated. St. Elizabeth Medical Center property in Ottawa is threatened including the loading dock areas.

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Illinois River flooding at Ottawa?

No. The Illinois River at Ottawa is at 458.69 ft, 2.31 ft below action stage.

What is the flood stage at Ottawa?

The National Weather Service sets action stage 461 ft, minor flooding 463 ft, moderate flooding 467 ft and major flooding 471 ft.

What is the highest the Illinois River has been at Ottawa?

The highest crest on record is 473.72 ft, on 2013-04-19.

Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge OTWI2). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.