River stage
Valley City, Illinois River
- River level
- 7.17 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -1.11 ft
- Recent high
- 17.95 ft
- Recent low
- 2.55 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS VALI2
- 30-day change
- +4.21 ft
- Average
- 8.95 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 27.00 ft
In brief
The Illinois River at Valley City, IL read 7.17 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 3.83 ft below action stage. That is 4.21 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge VALI2
At this level: At and below this height, barge traffic will need to consider lowering tonnage to avoid grounding.
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27.00 ft | 1943-05-26 |
| 2 | 26.99 ft | 2019-06-04 |
| 3 | 26.85 ft | 2015-07-02 |
| 4 | 26.63 ft | 2013-04-27 |
| 5 | 26.56 ft | 1995-05-30 |
| 6 | 25.95 ft | 1993-07-27 |
| 7 | 25.72 ft | 2016-01-05 |
| 8 | 25.60 ft | 1985-03-11 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 0.90 ft
At and below this height, barge traffic will need to consider lowering tonnage to avoid grounding.
- 14.00 ft
The road to Norbut Fish and Wildlife area is flooded.
- 21.50 ft
Commercial Building is flooded on Railroad Street (or County Highway 21).
- 22.50 ft
Bottom of 365th Avenue (gravel road - 2650N) becomes flooded.
- 23.00 ft
Westfall Antiques and More building is flooded.
- 23.50 ft
Mobile home and garage just west of County Highway 21 (Railroad Street) in Valley City is surrounded by water.
- 23.60 ft
Buildings and main access roads in Florence are flooded.
- 24.00 ft
Buildings in Montezuma are flooded.
- 24.50 ft
County Highway 21 flooded 3/4 mile north of Valley City.
- 28.00 ft
Warehouse on County Highway 2 (2100W) is flooded. Another house a half mile north of Valley City on County Road 21 is flooded. Also, the U.S. Coast Guard will consider closing the river to all vessels above this height.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Illinois River flooding at Valley City?
No. The Illinois River at Valley City is at 7.17 ft, 3.83 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Valley City?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 11 ft, minor flooding 14 ft, moderate flooding 21 ft and major flooding 23 ft.
What is the highest the Illinois River has been at Valley City?
The highest crest on record is 27.0 ft, on 1943-05-26.
Is the Illinois River high or low right now at Valley City?
At 7.17 ft it is higher than 41% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge VALI2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05586100). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.