River stage
Pontiac, Vermilion River
- River level
- 2.89 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.22 ft
- Recent high
- 9.56 ft
- Recent low
- 2.71 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS PNTI2
- 30-day change
- +0.10 ft
- Average
- 3.75 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 19.18 ft
In brief
The Vermilion River at Pontiac, IL read 2.89 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 10.11 ft below action stage. That is 0.10 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge PNTI2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19.18 ft | 2008-01-09 |
| 2 | 19.16 ft | 1982-12-04 |
| 3 | 18.12 ft | 1980-06-03 |
| 4 | 17.90 ft | 1951-07-10 |
| 5 | 17.46 ft | 1970-05-14 |
| 6 | 17.27 ft | 2015-12-29 |
| 7 | 17.23 ft | 2005-01-14 |
| 8 | 17.20 ft | 1957-04-28 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 8.00 ft
Trails along the river in Humiston-Riverside Park are threatened in Pontiac.
- 10.00 ft
Low-lying sections of Play Park are inundated in Pontiac.
- 12.00 ft
Low-lying sections of Humiston-Riverside Park are inundated in Pontiac.
- 13.00 ft
Park Street is threatened in Pontiac. Low-lying sections of Chautauqua Park are inundated in Pontiac.
- 14.00 ft
Widespread areas of Chatauqua Park are inundated in Pontiac.
- 15.00 ft
Low-lying sections of Pontiac Golf Course are inundated.
- 16.50 ft
Low-lying residences threatened along the river between Mill Street and Chataqua Park. Low-lying sections of Southside Cemetery are inundated in Pontiac.
- 17.00 ft
Numerous residences threatened along Grove Street south of the river in Pontiac. Washington Elementary School is threatened in Pontiac.
- 18.00 ft
IL-116 is threatened east of Pontiac. Inundation of Humiston-Riverside Park reaches Water Street north of the river in Pontiac.
- 18.50 ft
Mockingbird Lane and Meadowlark Drive are threatened in Fairway View west of Pontiac.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Vermilion River flooding at Pontiac?
No. The Vermilion River at Pontiac is at 2.89 ft, 10.11 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Pontiac?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 13 ft, minor flooding 14 ft, moderate flooding 15 ft and major flooding 18 ft.
What is the highest the Vermilion River has been at Pontiac?
The highest crest on record is 19.18 ft, on 2008-01-09.
Is the Vermilion River high or low right now at Pontiac?
At 2.89 ft it is higher than 16% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge PNTI2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05554500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.