About Rain Gages

About Our Rain Gage Network


SMC’s rain gage network currently consists of 13 gages located throughout the county. The average distance between the gages is 5 miles.

USGS Rain & Stream Gages


The U.S Geological Survey (USGS) maintains over a dozen stream gages in Lake County. SMC cost-shares operational funding for 4 of these gages located at:
  • Russell Road at Des Plaines River
    (USGS Site No. 05527800, Rain Data, Stream Discharge and Water Level Monitoring)
  • Gurnee - Route 120 at Des Plaines River
    (USGS Site No. 05528000, Rain Data, Stream Discharge and Water Level Monitoring)
  • Hunt Club Road at Mill Creek
    (USGS Site No. 05527950, Stream Discharge and Water Level Monitoring)
  • Lincolnshire - Route 22 at Des Plaines River
    (USGS Site No. 05528100, Stream Discharge and Water Level Monitoring)
For information on all Illinois USGS-operated stream gages, click here.

SMC Staff Gauge at Route 173 & Fox River


Readings available on NWS website.

SMC and the Fox Waterway Agency (FWA) obtained and installed a staff gage located on the bridge at Route 173 and the Fox River. The gage provides a safe and efficient method of obtaining current water surface elevations at a point in between the USGS gages at New Munster, WI and the Stratton Lock and Dam near McHenry, IL.

Local Partners


All rain gages in the network are operated with local municipal partners who agree to provide AC power and a telephone line for the gage. SMC is seeking additional sites to expand the network and if your community is interested in sponsoring the operating costs, please contact Bob Gardiner or call 847-377-7704.

Disclaimer


LCSMC gage 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.