2. After Reading Forecast, Remember: Weathermen predict weather, and when predicting weather three days from now, they are only right 1/2 the time.

3. Depending on exact areas and quantities of rainfall the river level can go up or down drastically in just a few hours. Here is a link to the USGSWebsite where you can, via satellite, check out the most up to date river readings.

4. The Illinois is a River not a lake.  Flooding comes quickly and usually goes quickly.  If you’re concerned call us at 1-800-OK-River and we will share current conditions, and our best guesses based on decades of experience.

River Level

Safety Guidelines

At 5’-6”     Recommended that

                  All Children 10 and

                  Under Float in Rafts

At 6’-0”     Recommended that

                  All Switch to Rafts

At 7’-0”     Recommend that No

                  Children Float

At 9’-6”     Recommend that all

                  Floating Cease

For those rare occasions when the Illinois is flexing her muscle, the float operators have set safety guidelines for ALL River Floaters:

     On a beautiful summer day there is no better place to be than on the banks of the Illinois River.  There are some advantages to an overcast day and sprinkles can actually feel good.  So we float rain or shine.   Remember the reason for coming to the River is to enjoy nature, and well, weather is part of nature.  So embrace it!  Bring a slicker if you want, but don’t forget your sunscreen, sun glasses and big hat.  Here’s some helpful pointers concerning “The Prediction of River Weather”-

1. Look at a Weather forecast like this five day one from Accuweather.

River Weather