SMC’s rain gauge network currently consists of 16 gauges located throughout the county. The average distance between rain gauges is 5 miles.
USGS Rain/Stream Gauges
The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) maintains over a dozen stream gauges in Lake County. SMC cost-shares operational funding for 4 of these gauges located at:
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Russell Road at Des Plaines River
(USGS Site # 05527800, Rain Data, Stream Discharge and Water Level Monitoring)
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Gurnee – Route 120 at Des Plaines River
(USGS Site # 05528000, Rain Data, Stream Discharge and Water Level Monitoring)
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Hunt Club Road at Mill Creek
(USGS Site # 05527950, Stream Discharge and Water Level Monitoring)
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Lincolnshire - Rt. 22 at Des Plaines River
(USGS Site #05528100, Stream Discharge and Water Level Monitoring)
For information on all Illinois USGS-operated stream gauges, click here.
SMC Staff Gauge at Route 173 and the Fox River
Readings available on NWS website. 
SMC and the Fox Waterway Agency (FWA) obtained and installed a staff gauge located on the bridge at Rt. 173 and the Fox River. The gauge provides a safe and efficient method of obtaining current water surface elevations at a point in between the USGS gauges at New Munster, WI and the Stratton Lock and Dam near McHenry, IL.
Local Partners
All rain gauges in the network are operated with local municipal partners who agree to provide AC power and a telephone line for the rain gauge. SMC is seeking additional sites to expand the network, and if your community is interested in sponsoring the operating costs, please email Bob Gardiner or call 847.377.7704.
SMC Stream Gauges
SMC has installed over 40 manual stream gauges in areas prone to flooding. These gauges are periodically monitored and the recorded data complements the rain gauge network.
For more information, please email Brian Cook or call 847.377.7702.
Disclaimer: LCSMC gauge data to be included on this page has not received Director's approval and as such is provisional and subject to revision. The data is released on the condition that neither the LCSMC nor the Lake County Government may be held liable for any damages resulting from their use. Some data collected during cold weather may be affected by snow, and errors in water-equivalent values may result.
