Floods of October 1954 

in the Chicago Area 

Illinois and Indiana 

By WARREN S. DANIELS and MALCOLM D. HALE 

FLOODS OF 1954 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY WATER-SUPPLY PAPER 1370-B 

Prepared in cooperation with the States 

of Illinois and Indiana 

UNITED STATES GOVE'RNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, WASHINGTON : 1958 
UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR 

FRED A. SEATON, Secretary 

GEOLOGICAL SURVEY 

Thomas B. Nolan, Director 

For sale by the Superintendent of Documents, U.S. Government Printing Office 

Washington 25, D. C. - Price 35 cents 
PREFACE 

This report on the floods of October 1954 in the Chicago area, 

Illinois and Indiana, was prepared by the U. S. Geological Survey, 

Water Resources Division, C. G. Paulsen, chief, under the general 

direction of J. V. B. Wells, chief, Surface Water Branch. 

Basic records of stage and discharge were collected in cooperation with the following agencies: Illinois Department of Public 

Works and Buildings, Division of Waterways; Illinois Department 

of Registration and Education, Water Survey Division; Department 

of Highways, Cook County, Ill. Indiana Flood Control and Water 

Resources Commission; and Indiana Department of Conservation, 

Division of Water Resources. 

The flood profile data were furnished by the Illinois Division of 

Waterways and by the Corps of Engineers. 

The records of stage and discharge were collected and computed 

under the direction of J. H. Morgan, district engineer. Champaign, 

Ill .• and D. M. Corbett. district engineer. Indianapolis. Ind. 

The Illinois part of the report was prepared by W. S. Daniels. the 

Indiana part by M.D. Hale. each being assisted by personnel in his 

respective district. The short section on flood frequency was prepared by the special studies unit of the Champaign district. W. D. 

Mitchell, in charge. 

III 

Abstract ........... . 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . 

General description of floods . 

Location .......... . 

Precipitation. . . . . . . . . 

Little Calumet River basin . 

Kankakee River basin .. 

Des Plaines River basin . . 

Chicago River basin. . . . . 

Du Page and Fox River basins 

Flood damages ......... . 

CONTENTS 

Stages and discharges at stream-gaging stations. 

Explanation of data .............. . 

Streams tributary to Lake Michigan: 

Little Calumet River (western part, head of Calumet River): 

Hart ditch at Munster, Ind . . . . . . . . 

Thorn Creek at Glenwood, Ill . . . . . . 

Deer Creek near Chicago Heights, Ill. 

Butterfield Creek at Flossmoor, Ill 

North Creek: 

Lansing ditch near Lansing, Ill. 

North Creek near Lansing, Ill .. 

Thorn Creek at Thornton, Ill. .... 

Little Calumet River at South Holland, Ill . 

Midlothian Creek at Oak Forest, Ill. 

Calumet River: 

Wolf Lake at Chicago, Ill ..... . 

Burns ditch: 

Deep River at Lake George outlet at Hobart, Ind . 

Burns ditch at Gary, Ind ........... . 

Little Calumet River (eastern part) at Porter, Ind . 

Salt Creek near McCool, Ind ....... . 

Illinois River basin: 

Kankakee River (head of Illinois River) near North Liberty, Ind 

Kankakee River at Davis, Ind .. 

Yellow River at Plymouth, Ind .. . 

Yellow River at Knox, lnd .... . 

Kankakee River at Dunns Bridge, Ind 

Kankakee River at Shelby, Ind ... 

Singleton ditch at Schneider, Ind . 

West Creek at Schneider, Ind 

Singleton ditch at lllinoi, Ill . . . 

Kankakee River at Momence, Ill . . 

Kankakee River near Wilmington, Ill. 

Des Plaines River near Gurnee, Ill 

Buffalo Creek near Wheeling, Ill 

Des Plaines River near Des Plaines, Ill. 

McDonald Creek n~ar Mt. Prospect, Ill. 

Weller Creek at Des Plaines, Ill ... 

Willow Creek near Park Ridge, Ill. .. 

Salt Creek near Arlington Heights, Ill. 

Salt Creek at Western Springs, Ill. 

Addison Creek at Bellwood, Ill .• 

Des Plaines River at Riverside, Ill .. 

Flag Creek near Willow Springs, Ill. 

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal: 

North Branch Chicago River at Deerfield, Ill. 

Skokie River at Lake Forest, Ill ..... . 

West Fork of North Branch Chicago River at Northbrook, Ill . 

North Branch C.hicago Riverat Niles, Ill ............ . 

Page 

107 

108 

108 

108 

113 

113 

117 

117 

118 

123 

123 

126 

126 

128 

129 

130 

131 

132 

133 

134 

135 

136 

137 

138 

139 

140 

141 

142 

143 

144 

145 

146 

147 

148 

149 

150 

151 

151 

152 

152 

153 

154 

155 

156 

157 

158 

159 

160 

161 

162 

163 

164 

165 

v 
VI CONTENTS 

Stages and discharges at stream-gaging stations -- Continued 

Illinois River basin -- Continued 

Kankakee Rher --Continued 

Des Plaines River --Continued 

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal -- Continued 

Calumet Sag Channel: 

Tinley Creek near Palos Park, Ill .... 

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport, Ill. 

Illinois and Michigan Canal: 

Long Run near Lemont, Ill 

Hickory Creek at Joliet, Ill . 

Du Page River at Troy, Ill .. 

Mazon River near Coal City, Ill. 

Illinois River at Marseilles, Ill . 

Fox River at Algonquin, Ill . 

Poplar Creek at Elgin, Ill. . 

Fox River at Dayton, Ill. . . . 

Summary of flood stages and discharges. 

Flood-crest stages ........... . 

Flood frequency . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

Comparisons and other interesting features 

Index ..................... . 

ILLUSTRATIONS 

Figure 30. Map showing area covered by this report . . . . . . . . . . . . . 

31. Map of flood area showing location of flood-determination points. 

32. Map of Chicago area, Cook County, and environs, showing 

location of flood-determination points ......•......... 

33. Isohyetal map, Oct. 9 to 11, 1954 ............... . 

34. View of flooding of Highway 45 and State Highway 83 near Palos 

Park, Ill ................. . 

35. Floodwater in streets of Alsip, Ill .............. . 

36. Aerial view of inundation of Robbins, Ill ........... . 

37. View of flooded railroad tracks near Chicago Rfver, Chicago. 

38. Floodwater over loading ramp at Union Station, Chicago . . . 

39. Basement and subbasement flooded at the Fisk station, Consolidated 

Edison Co ....................... . 

40. Relation of unit discharge to size of drainage basin . . . . . . . . . . 

Table 1. 

2. 

3. 

4. 

TABLES 

Summary of damages caused by flood of October. 1954 . . 

Summary of flood stages and discharges . . . . . . . . . . 

Flood-crest stages on streams tributary to Lake Michigan 

Flood-crest stages on streams in Illinois River basin. . . 

Page 

166 

167 

168 

169 

170 

171 

172 

173 

173 

174 

175 

181 

181 

195 

199 

Page 

109 

110 

111 

112 

114 

115 

116 

119 

120 

122 

180 

Page 

124 

176 

182 

185 
FLOODS OF 1954 

FLOODS OF OCTOBER 1954 IN THE CHICAGO 

AREA, ILLINOIS AND INDIANA 

By WarrenS. Daniels and Malcolm D. Hale 

ABSTRACT 

The floods of October 9-11, 1954 in the Chicago area of Illinois and Indiana were 

the greatest in the history of the region. The 24-hour rainfall of 5. 63 inches on 

October 9-10 and the 48-hour total rainfall of 6. 72 inches were the greatest recorded 

at the Chicago Weather Bureau station in 69 and 84 years respectively. Unofficial 

measurements in the southern suburbs of the city indicate that nearly 11 inches of 

rain fell in 48 hours. 

These intense rainfalls on the flat areas of the Little Calumet, Kankakee, and 

Chicago Rivers caused the streams to overflow their banks flooding heavily industrialized and densely populated parts of the city. Slow drainage of flood waters in large 

areas along these rivers resulted in a prolonged period of inundation. On the Kankakee 

River at Shelby, Ind., the crest of the flood occurred 17 days after the rain. 

The flow of South Branch Chicago River has been diverted by locks into the Des 

Plaines River since 1900. The elevation at the mouth of the South Branch is held 

usually about 3 feet below lake level. During the flood the river rose about 3. 4 feet 

above lake level. To relieve flooding, the lock gates were opened allowing the river 

to discharge into the lake for the first time in 54 years. 

Notable rates of discharge occurred in the Des Plaines River basin, where Long 

Run had a unit discharge of 152 cfs per square mile from a drainage area of 20. 8 

square miles, and Flag Creek had 80. 2 cfs per square mile from a drainage area of 

16. 2 square miles. 

Flood damages in Chicago and its suburbs have been estimated by the U.S. Weather 

Bureau to be about $25 million. 

Included herein, for the Chicago area in Illinois and Indiana are general descriptions of the floods, an isohyetal map showing the amounts and areal distribution of 

the storm rainfall, detailed stage and discharge data at 49 gaging stations, peak discharges at 4 miscellaneous sites, and water-surface elevations at 1 lake site. Floodcrest stages collected by other agencies are also presented. 

107 
108 FLOODS OF 1954 

INTRODUCTION 

The greatest flood in the history of Chicago resulted from heavy 

showers and thunderstorms from October 9 to 11, 1954. The 24-

hour rainfall on October 9 and 10 was the greatest in 69 years, and 

the 48-hour total was the greatest in the 84-year record of the 

Chicago weather station. The storms and floods extended into Indiana 

where previous records were broken. At 24 gaging stations in the 

area, peak discharges exceeded previously recorded maxima. 

Occurring in a region that is densely populated and highly industrialized, the floods caused unprecedented damage. A dozen or 

more persons were killed in accidents indirectly associated with 

the storms and floods. 

Data presented in this report include records of stage and discharge at 49 gaging stations, records of stage at 1 lake station, and 

peak discharges at 4 miscellaneous sites in Illinois and Indiana. 

GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF FLOODS 

Location 

The area associated with the floods discussed in this report is 

centered about Chicago, the Nation's second largest city, and the 

southern tip of Lake Michigan, including parts of northwestern 

Indiana and northeastern Illinois. It extends about 140 miles east 

and west, from South Bend and Plymouth, Ind., to Ottawa, Ill., and 

about 90 miles north and south from the north edge of Cook County 

(Chicago metropolitan area) to Kankakee, Ill. Much of the region 

in each State is densely populated and highly industrialized. Figure 30 is a map showing the general area of flooding. 

A narrow belt of heavy rainfall and high runoff in Illinois extended from Chicago to the Mississippi River in the vicinity of 

Rock Island, Ill.. and Muscatine, Iowa. West of the Fox River basin 

the floods were not severe and damage was comparatively small. 

This area farther west has, therefore, been considered outside the 

scope of this report. 

The streams affected by the storm and flood include (a) all those 

tributaries to Lake Michigan in Illinois and Indiana, lying in a relatively narrow area along the lakeshore; (b) the headwaters of the 

Kankakee River in Indiana; (c) the entire Des Plaines River basin, 

and in the Du Page and Fox River basins, which are tributaries of 

the Illinois River on the north side. 
40° 

FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHIC !\GO AREA 109 

' ,w I s c o 

"--

' \ 

I 0 WA , 

I 

,__/ 

I 

) 

, 

I' I L L I 

' \ 

EXPLANATION 

Outline of area covered 

by this report 

'7/////////h 

Area in which major 

floods occurred 

"' MISSOURI t 

goo 

50 

W?P 

N 0 I 

I 

I 

,_) 

l 

,'~ 

!,370-8 

---,.-I 

I 

' I /'-

,..,.....) I 

I 

A' 

s I I I 

I 

AI I I N D I A N I 

I I J·· J 

~ I ;-' I 

I , , 

KENTUCKY 

88° 86° 

0 160 Miles 

Figure 30. --Map showing area covered by this report. 

42° 

40°. 

38° 

Figure 31 is a map of northeastern Illinois and northwestern 

Indiana showing flood-determination points. As 26 gaging stations 

are operated in Cook County. figure 32 has been drawn to show 

that area in greater detail. 
10 

ar 

EXPLANATION 

e23 

Stream-gaging stations at which systematic records of stage only or stage and discharge are available 

ol 

Point at which determination of maximum discharge only is available 

LAKE MICHIGAN 

40 Miles 

Figure 31. --Map of flood area showing location of flood-determination points. 

....... 

....... 

0 

~ 

~ 

0 

0 

0 

en 

0 

~ 
88.15' 

FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 

88·oo· 87"45' 

e48 

Stream-gaging stations at which systematic records of stage only or stage and discharge are available 

o47 

Points at which determinations of maximum discharge only are available 

0 10 Miles 

111 

87"30' 

Figure 32. --Map of Chicago area, Cook County and environs, 

showing location of flood-determination points. 
10 

EXPLANATION 

-6-

Preeipitation in inches 

Figure 33. --Isohyetal map. October 9 to 11. 1954. 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 113 

Precipitation 1/ 

Heavy showers and thunderstorms developed in the Chicago area 

on the evening of October 9, 1954, ·and lasted for 48 hours. After -: 

an all•night deluge during the night of October 9 and the morning 

of October 10, there was a brief respite. However, on the afternoon of October 10, a line of heavy squally thunderstorms moved 

across the area releasing more rain on the already flooded city. 

A small tornado was report.ed near Homewood, Ill., followed by 

high winds eastward into the northern Indiana area. On the afternoon of October 11 a brief period of heavy showers occurred in the 

city again, and as much as 2 inches of rain fell on the south side 

of Chicago in a 2-hour period. 

Chicago's official 5. 63 inches of rain in 24 hours on October 

9-10 was surpassed only by 6. 19 inches on August 2-3, 1885, and 

greatly exceeded the next highest 24-hour amount on record, 4. 34 

inches on August 11-12, 1908. The 6. 72 inches in 48 hours, October 

9-11, 1954 set a new record for that period. Reliable unofficial 

measurements from some of Chicago's southern suburbs indicated 

,that a total of nearly 10 inches fell in 30 hours, and nearly 11 inches 

in a 48-hour period. Figure 33 is an isohyetal map showing the 

total rainfall in the area during October 9-11, 1954. 

Little Calumet River Basin 

The Little Calumet River basin is very flat, and storm drainage has long been recognized as a problem. Not only did the Little 

Calumet River overflow its banks to flood extensive areas, but inundation was severe along all the tributary streams in southern 

Cook County, Ill. It was reported that every house in the village 

of Midlothian was surrounded by water, temporarily marooning 

4,400 families. The industrial city of Harvey, Ill., 22 miles south 

of Chicago, was almost completely inundated south of the Grand 

Trunk railway embankment, including the main business district. 

Steel plants and oil refineries in Blue Island were damaged. Other 

towns, in which heavy damage occurred, were Palos Park, Worth, 

Oak Lawn, Alsip, Crestwood, Robbins, Posen, Markham, Hazel 

Crest, Garden Homes, and Homewood (figs. 34- 36). 

The experience of Geological Survey engineers in traveling to 

gaging stations in this area was described as frustrating, because 

of the many flooded and impassable highways. An ordinary 15-

minute drive became a 2-hour search for an open road. The great 

];_/ Abstracted from Weekly Weather and Crop Bulletin, National 

Summary for week ending Nov. 8, 1954, U.S. Weather Bureau. 
114 FLOODS OF 1954 

Figure 34. --View of flooding of Highway 45 and State Highway 83 

near Palos Park, Ill., just south of Calumet Sag Channel, October 

1954 . Photograph by Chicago Sun Times. 

concentration of railways about Chicago has resulted in construction of hundreds of underpasses to avoid grade crossings. Many of 

these underpasses filled with water and were closed for days after 

the streams had receded. No complete count is available, but at 

least 57 underpasses were closed in Cook County. A summary of 

road conditions onOctober 11 bythe Cook County Highway Department listed 6 7 points as being under water and blocked to traffic. 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 115 

Figure 3 5. --Floodwater cascading over street in residential area 

in the vicinity of 11 7th Street and Karlov Avenue, Alsip, Ill., 

October 1954. Photograph by Chicago Sun Times. 

Dredging has greatly modified the basin characteristics of the 

Little Calumet River. During low flow water from that part of the 

drainage area west of a divide near Georgia Street at Gary, Ind., 

flows west to Lake Michigan or into the Calumet Sag Channel depending on the operation of locks into the channel; flow from that 

part east of Georgia Street is east through Burns ditch to Lake 

Michigan. The Deep River, Salt Creek, and that part of the Little 

Calumet River east of the mouth of the Deep River all flow into 

Lake Michigan through Burns ditch. 
116 FLOODS OF 1954 

Figure 36. --Aerial view of inundation of Robbins, Ill., 

October 1954. Photograph by Chicago American. 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 117 

During the rising stage of this flood, the flow at the mouth of 

Hart ditch was both eastward and westward in the Little Calumet 

River channel. Most of the flow to the east went into storage inundating the large area between Broadway, Gary, Ind., and Hawthorne 

Drive, Hammond, Ind. A small part of the flow was eastward through 

Burns ditch to Lake Michigan. 

At the time of the peak stage at Grant Street, Gary, Ind., the 

discharge through a culvert was 244 cfs flowing east. Flood elevations show the dividing point for the flow at the peak stage to be 

near Calumet Avenue, Hammond, Ind., west of the mouth of Hart 

ditch. 

As the stage of the flood fell the direction of flow near Hart 

ditch reversed; water discharged from storage and flowed west. 

Prolonged inundation occurred throughout a large area in the basin. 

Kankakee River Basin 

Extreme flooding occurred in the upper part of the Kankakee 

River basin. The Yellow River at Knox, Ind., h~d a peak discharge 

80 percent greater than the previous maximum in 12 years of record. 

Because of the flat terrain large areas were flooded when the streams 

overflowed their banks, resulting in some intermingling of flood 

waters across normal drainage divides. Widespread flooding of 

the flat terrain resulted in a large volume of storage and a slowmoving flood crest along the main stem of the Kankakee River. At 

Shelby, Ind., the crest occurred on October 27, 17 days after the 

rain. 

The lower Kankakee River in Illinois flooded only moderately, 

but the peaks occurred earlier. The gaging station at Momence, 

Ill., near the Indiana State line, recorded the crest on October 15. 

Nearer the mouth of the Kankakee River, at the Wilmington station, 

the peak was recorded on October 12. This progressively earlier 

cresting is attributed to heavier flood runoff from the tributary 

area on the right bank between the river and the southern part of 

Cook County. 

Des Plaines River Basin 

Northwest and west of Chicago proper the Des Plaines River 

and tributaries caused considerable damage, although less than the 

Little Calumet River basin streams caused elsewhere. 

Flood stages on Salt and Addison Creeks were higher than previously recorded, although the discharge at Salt Creek at Western 

458079 0 -58 -2 
118 FLOODS OF 1954 

Spring, Ill., was less than for the March 1948 flood. Newspapers 

reported 5,000 basements flooded in La Grange and 600 in Western 

Springs. Thousands of calls for assistance in pumping out cellars 

were received by fire departments throughout the Chicago area. 

Because of the potential hazard of having telephone service disrupted, it was necessary to broadcast radio appeals to the public 

not to call fire departments except for fire emergencies. Higgins 

Road, the Northwest Highway, and North Road -- all major highways -- were flooded and temporarily c.losed. 

Along the Des Plaines River to the southwest the tributaries 

were extremely high, and local damage and blocking of roads resulted. The gently rolling and hilly topography differs from that of 

the flat lowland along the lakeshore. Flag Creek and Long Run had 

the highest unit runoff determined in the flood area, 80. 2 and 152 

cfs per square mile, respectively, at the gaging station on each 

creek. Hickory Creek at Joliet, Ill., did not equal the April 1947 

flood peak, and damage was correspondingly less. However, hundreds of basements were flooded, and the American Steel and Wire 

Co. plant was closed for 2 days. 

Chicago River Basin 

The Chicago River is formed by the confluence of the North and 

South Branches, and reaches Lake Michigan just nprthofthe Chicago 

Loop, heart of the great city. The North Branch Chicago River has 

its headwaters near Lake Michigan, north of the Cook County line, 

and outside the heavier storm area. Flood damage was chiefly in 

the low flat areas of the Skokie Lagoons in Skokie and Evanston, 

Ill. The Edens Expressway and the Skokie Highway, major routes 

to the north, were blocked during the flood. 

The South Branch Chicago River is short and has been developed 

and used as a navigation channel; it forms part of the Chicago 

Sanitary and Ship Canal, which diverts water from Lake Michigan 

to the Des Plaines River at Lockport, Ill., and thence into the 

Illinois and Mississippi Rivers. Since 1900, when a lock was completed at the mouth of the Chicago River, the flow has been diverted 

away from the lake into the Des Plaines River; the Chicago River 

level is usually held about 3 feet below lake level. During this 

flood the river rose to the highest stage on record, 5. 4 feet above 

Chicago city datum or 585. 3 feet above mean sea level, datum of 

1929, at the mouth. This was about 3. 4 feet higher than lake level 

at the time. 

To relieve the flood, which was causing unprecedented damage 

and threatening an even greater disaster, the Sanitary District of 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 119 

Figure 37. --View of flooded railroad tracks near Chicago 

River at Harrison street, Chicago, Ill., October 1954. 

Photograph by Chicago Sun Times. 
120 FLOODS OF 1954 

Figure 38. --Floodwater over loading ramps at Union Station, 

Chicago Ill., October 1954. Photograph by Chicago Tribune. 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 121 

Chicago ordered the lock gates at the mouth of the river to be 

opened on October 10, 1954, allowing the river to discharge into 

Lake Michigan for the first time in 54 years. 

Operation of lock gates on October 10, 19 54 

Opened Closed 

(p.m.) (p.m.) 

6:25 6:55 

7:00 8:31 

8:50 9:20 

9:35 11:15 

The three short periods of closure were for lockage of boats. The 

Sanitary District of Chicago estimated the total discharge at this 

point into Lake Michigan to be about 129.6 million cubic feet. About 

the same time, gates were opened to permit discharge into the lake 

from the North Shore Channel at Wilmette. The discharge here 

was estimated to be about 172. 8 million cubic feet by the Sanitary 

District of Chicago. Normally lake water is pumped into the North 

Shore Channel at Wilmette to flush storm and sanitary sewage from 

the northern district into the North Branch Chicago River and the 

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. 

As the Chicago water supply is taken from Lake Michigan, possible contamination from the polluted river discharge was a grave 

threat. Emergency precautions were taken, including hourly sampling of lake water and increased chlorination at pumping stations. 

The city supply was pronounced safe, but residents in l 7 southern 

and western suburbs depending on well-water supplies were cautioned to boil their drinking water. 

Before the peak was reached the Chicago River had overflowed 

its walled banks and flooded railroad yards and the basements of 

many buildings (fig. 37). All 29 tracks of the Union Station were 

covered (fig. 38); water was 10 feet deep in the baggage room. 

Passengers on trains of the Burlington, Milwaukee, and Pennsylvania 

Railroads, detrained in railroad yards or at outlying points and 

continued their way by streetcar or whatever transportation could 

be improvised. About 40, 000 west-suburban commuters were delayed, and through travelers were advised to make telephone inquiry on how and where to make railroad connections. The post 

office basement was flooded damaging more than 3, 000 pieces of 

parcel-post mail. The Chicago Daily News had 42 feet of water in 

its basement and subbasement, necessitating the use of facilities 

of other newspapers for publication on October 11. 

Floodwaters from the South Branch Chicago River and the Chicago 

Sanitary and Ship Canal stopped operation of the two largest electric 

generating plants of the Commonwealth Edison Co., the Crawford 
122 FLOODS OF 1954 

Figure 39.- -Basement and subbasement flooded at Fisk station electric generating plant of the Consolidated Edison Co., October 

1954. Photograph by Chicago Tribune. 

station on South Pulaski Road and the Fisk station on Cermak Road 

(fig. 39). Loss of the 350,000 kilowatt output of these plants forced 

shutdown of many manufacturing establishments and a 50-percent 

cut in consumption of power over a widespread area including The 

Loop. As an emergency measure the Illinois Bell Telephone Co. 

reduced its power demands by ordering diesel generators into operation at exchange buildings. Streetcar operation was not curtailed because the power company was able to furnish adequate 

power to the Chicago Transit Authority. 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 123 

Du Page and Fox River Basins 

The Du Page River at Troy, Ill., reached a new maximum for 

the 15-year period of record, by exceeding the flood of March 1 948 .. 

State Highways 53, 55, and 59 were blocked by high water near 

Lisle, Warrenville, and Plainfield, Ill., respectively; heavy property damage occurred in each town. 

The Fox River, which has its headwaters in Wisconsin and flows 

through the Fox chain of lakes near the north edge of Illinois, had 

only a small rise at Algonquin, Ill., downstream from the lakes. 

From Aurora, Ill., south on the main stream and on the tributaries 

to the west, the storm caused record -breaking floods. The peak 

discharge at the gaging station at Dayton, Ill., with a drainage area 

not quite double that at Algonquin, was 60 percent greater than the 

previous maximum (March 1948) and the highest in 29 years of 

record. The National Guard was alerted and put on guard duty for 

fear of failure of the powerplant dam at Dayton, which would have 

caused disaster at Ottawa, Ill., only a few miles downstream. It 

was necessary to sandbag the head race to the plant, but the flood 

was passed without damage to the dam. 

Low-lying areas near Ottawa at the mouth of Fox River were 

flooded, both by the Fox River and by the flood crest of the Illinois 

River at about the same time .. Residents were evacuated from the 

area, and an appeal was made for NationalGuard troops to prevent 

looting the waterfront. 

FLOOD DAMAGES 

Despite the widespread inundation and the large population affected, loss of life attributed to the flood was relatively small. One 

boy was drowned in Stony Creek by falling off a raft on which he 

was playing, and a dozen or more persons were killed in accidents 

resulting from the storm and flood. 

The U. S. Weather Bureau has estimated the flood damage in 

Chicago at $10 million and in the suburban areas at $15 million. 

Detailed field surveys of damages were made by the Corps of Engineers and the Illinois Division of Waterways. Table 1 has been 

compiled from data furnished by those agencies. 

The results of a 3-week survey of damages and financial loss 

suffered by Chicago firms was made public by the Chicago Association of Commerce and Industry. The Chicago Daily News story 

on November 5 said in part: 
124 FLOODS OF 1954 

The association's figures 11 dO not reflect losses suffered by many small businesses or damages sustained 

in residential areas during the flood" said Thomas H. 

Coulter. chief executive officer of the association. 

The $6 million figure. officials said. was based on a 

survey of more than 1,000 firms answering the questionnaires sent out to the association's 4. 500 members. 

Approximately a third of those responding said they 

suffered some kind of loss--either water damage or 

production setbacks due to lack of power. 

These losses added up to $6. 084. 444. 

This included production losses caused by 27. 940 

employees thrown out of work from one to five days 

or more. 

"There are approximately 14. 000 industries in the 

Chicago area. " said a CACI statistician. "To figure 

the total losses suffered by them. as well as by thousands and thousands of home owners would require a 

scientific sampling." 

Table l. --Flood damage in Illinois for flood of October 1954 (Data from Corps of Engineers except as noted) 

Stream Location 

North Branch Chicago River-------- Northfield-------------------

Little Calumet River-------------- {

Calumet City-----------------

~~~~~d~~!=:~~:::::::::::::::: 

Thorn Creek-----------------------

Butterfield Creek----------------- Flossmoor--------------------

Calumet Union drainage ditch------ Hazel Crest------------------

{

Oak Forest------------------- Calumet Slough-------------------- Midlothian-------------------

Stony Creek-----------------------

Sewer backup----------------------

Calumet River baein---------------

Little Calumet River and 

tri bu tarie s---------------------

Robbins----------------------

Blue Island------------------

{

Lansing----------------------

Phoenix----------------------

Dixmoor---------------------- Posen------------------------

Garden Homes----------------- Alsip------------------------

Evergreen Park--------------- Oak Lawn---------------------

Chicago area State highways--

Weller Creek---------------------- Des Plaines------------------

Willow Creek---------------------- rMaine Township--------------- \_Leyden Township--------------

4,020 

34,590 

41,160 

ll4,070 

18,660 

94,640 l ,309,000 

290,100 

a 1,680 

a 9,000 

199,850 

331,000 

1,906,150 

a 15,300 

2,878,930 

a 37,370 

a 16,680 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 

Table 1. --Flood damage in Illinois for flood of October 1954--Continued (Data from Corps of Engineers except as noted) 

Stream 

Silver Creek----------------------

Salt Creek------------------------

Addison Creek---------------------

Des Plaines River-----------------

Des Plaines River basin-----------

Location 

Franklin Park, Leyden Town- ship---------------:--------

U

Elmhurst---------------------

Villa Park------------------- Western Springs-------------- La Grange--------------------

Brookfield, Hollywood and Congress Park--------------

North Lake-------------------

Stone Park------------------- Melrose Park----------------- Bellwood---------------------

Broadview--------------------

Westchester------------------

{]

Riverside--------------------

Lyons------------------------

Lemont-----------------------

Romeo------------------------

Chicago area State highwaysG

larendon Hi;Lls--------------

Flag Creek------------------------ insdale----------,-----------

estern Springs--------------

Deep Run Creek-------------------- Lockport---------------------

Hickory Creek--------------------- {~~~:~~~~~:::::::::::::::::::: 

Spring Creek---------------------- Joliet-----------------------

nu Page River--------------------- {~!Eg~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Plainfield-------------------

Troy-------------------------

Channahon--------------------

Aux Sable River-------------------

Fox River-------------------------

Illinois River--------------------

Illinois River and tributaries---------------------

Rural------------------------

rAurora-----------------------

Oswego-----------------------

Yorkville--------------------

Bristol----------------------

Plano------------------------

Millbrook--------------------

Millington-------------------

Sheridan---------------------

Serena-----------------------

Wedron-----------------------

Sulphur Springs--------------

Dayton-----------------------

_ottawa-----------------------

Joliet to Utica--------------

a Data collected. by Illinois Division of. Waterways. 

Amount 

a$ 32,380 

103,000 

21,500 

162,000 

381,000 

a 50,720 

a 23,870 

530,000 

122,000 

600,000 

50,000 

40,000 

24,000 

48,000 

1,000 

a 31,010 a 1,400 a 7,970 

42,000 

12',150 

182,690 

ll2,660 

a 47,960 a 8,550 a 2,400 a 5, 700 a 34,380 a 19,400 a 4,650 

a 22,140 a 10,500 , a 16,100 a 13,400 a 10,000 a 53,600 a 3,600 a 16,050 a 17,200 a 3,800 a 2,600 a 7,550 a 12,500 

125 

Total 

a$142 '720 

699,880 

1,376,590 

113,000 

a 30,700 

a 40,380 

102,500 

349,500 

123,040 

30,250' 

189,040 

317,540 

3,569,190 

The Red Cross in Illinois, aided by the 5th Army, provided 

assistance at 14 shelter stations set up for relief of evacuees at 

Midlothian, Burbank, Markham, Garden Homes, Palos Park, Stone 

Park, Robbins, Summit, Lisle, Oak Lawn, Downers Grove, Justice, 

Worth, and Leyden Township. Community resources were supplemented by the Red Cross to furnish aid to about 550 people during 

the flood. The Red Cross reported expenditures of $1, 587. 97 for 

emergency care and $8, 802. 90 for rehabilitation services to 86 

families. 
126 FLOODS OF 1954 

The Red Cross reported, for the Little Calumet and Kankakee 

River basins in Indiana: no persons killed, 72 injured, 5 requiring 

hospitalization; 5 dwellings destroyed, 1, 717 damaged; 40 farm 

buildings and 74 miscellaneous structures damaged; 1,852 families 

suffered property damage. Red Cross expenditures amounted to 

$67, 520.05. 

Although many highways were flooded, damage due to washouts 

was slight in the Chicago area. Minor washouts on three roads 

and on shoulders at two locations were shown in a Cook County 

Highway Department summary of road conditions on October 11. 

Several bridges in the drainage areas of the Du Page and Fox Rivers 

were washed out, the largest was a 100-foot span of the bridge 

across the Fox River near Millbrook, Ill. According to the Indiana 

State Highway Department, damage to roads and bridges in Indiana 

amounted to $233, 947. 39. 

STAGES AND DISCHARGES AT STREAM-GAGING STATIONS 

Explanation of Data 

This section of the report contains the hydrologic information 

collected by the U.S. Geological Survey during the flood. Records 

of stage and discharge are presented for gaging stations located at 

the flood area. More information is presented here than in the 

regular reports because of the need for detailed flood hydrographs, 

which are useful in hydraulic and hydrologic studies. 

At stream-gaging stations records of stage are computed either 

from the continuous trace of a water-stage recorder or by periodic 

direct readings on a nonrecording gage. Discharge measurements 

are usually obtained by current meter, but indirect methods are 

also used. 

The information presented for each gaging station is: a station 

description, a tabulation of daily discharge for the period encompassing the flood and a tabulation of stage and discharge at selected 

intervals during each day of the period. 

Station descriptions give information concerning the location 

and datum of gage, size of drainage area above the gage, nature of 

gage-height obtained during the flood period, definition of the stagedischarge relation, maximum stage and discharge during the present flood and previous maximum of record, and other pertinent 

information. 

Daily mean discharge is tabulated for October, except for stations in the Kankakee River basin, which also include figures for 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 127 

November. A summary shows the monthly mean discharge in cubic 

feet per second and the runoff in inches except at certain stations 

where the drainage area is indeterminate or diversions are included. 

The tables of stage and discharge at indicated times are in sufficient detail to define the gage-height records and the discharge 

hydrographs during the flood period. 

The sequence of data is as follows: ( 1) streams tributary to Lake 

Michigan--Little Calumet River basin (western part) and Burns 

ditch (including Little Calumet River basin, eastern part); (2) and 

streams in the Illinois River basin--the Kankakee and Des Plaines 

Rivers, Hickory Creek, Chicago, Du Page, Mazon, and Fox Rivers. 

The gaging stations have been numbered in this sequence, and are 

applicable to figures 31 and 32, to the station descriptions, and to 

summary table 2, which also includes four miscellaneous sites 

(Nos. 1, 9, 43 and 47) and 1 lake site (No. 12). 
128 FLOODS OF 1954 

(2) Hart ditch at Munster, Ind. 

Location.--Lat 41°33 1 35", long, S7°2S 1 50", inN~ sec. 20, T. 36 N., R. 9 W., on left ~t city limits of Munster, a quarter of a mile downstream from U. S. Highway 6 

and 0,4 mile upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is 591.21 f't above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929. 

Draina e area.--69.2 sq mi {revised). 

a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph, 

sc ar~ reco • --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

A hac ater loop curve was used for the period 11 p.m. Oct. 10 to Oct. 23. 

~ 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 2,600 cf's 5 to 10 a.m. Oct. 11; gage height, 7.S3 ft 

S p.m. Oct. 11. . 1942 to September 1954: Discharge, 2,490 cfs Apr. 6, 1947; gage height, 7,23' ft 

Mar. 15, 1944. 

Remarks.--Hart ditch is tributary to Little Calumet River. At this point low flow of 

~e Calumet River runs west into Calumet ·sag Channel or into Lake Michigan through 

Calumet River; flood flow at times runs east into channel storage or through Burns 

ditch to Lake Michigan. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

·Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 s.o 7 11 12 1,7SO 17 17S 22 66 27 42 2 6,4 8 9.5 13 763 18 140 23 56 28 42 3 9.6 9 10 14 504 19 117 24 51 29 39 4 s.o 10 1,320 15 3S9 20 94 25 45 30 36 5 14 11 2,570 16 256 21 77 26 43 31 33 6 14 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ..•...•.•••.•• , .•••... , . • • . • • . • . . • • . • 2S2 

Runoff, in inches ......•.••.•...•.•..•• : •.•••.•..•.••••.••• ,....................... 4. 70 

GaJe height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei&:ht height height 

October S 12 1.46 I 2,570 N 7.14 1,770 12 3,3S.I 44S 

12 o.57 I S,7 October 11 2 7 .oo 1,650 October 15 

October 9 1 7.50 2,5SO 4 s.ss 1,540 4 3,31 436 

N 0.571 S.7 2 7.52 2,5SO 6 6,66 1,410 s 3,22 420 

6 .57 S.7 3 7.55 2,590 s 6.4S 1,300 N 3.08 394 

8 .59 10 4 7.57 2,590 10 6.26 l,lSO 4 2,90 364 

10 • 70 21 5 7,5S 2,600 12 6,04 l,OSO 8 2,75 340 

12 .so 33 6 7.60 2,600 October 13 12 2,60 316 

October 10 7 7 .so 2,600 2 5.S2 9SS October 16 

1 0.95 54 s 7.62 2,600 4 5.60 910 4 2.44 291 

2 1,20 105 9 7,66 2,600 6 5,38 850 s 2.30 270 

3 1,42 165 10 7. 71 2,600 s 5.1S S06 N 2,1S 252 

4 1. 78 27S 11 7. 73 2,590 10 5.00 770 4 2.09 238 

5 2,1S 406 N 7.73 2,590 N 4.S2 734 8 1,99 224 

6 2.S2 617 1 7.76 2,5SO 2 4,66 702 12 l.S9 210 

7 3,56 S76 2 7.79 2,570 4 4,52 674 October 17 

s 4.13 1,080 3 7 .S2 2,560 6 4.40 650 4 l.SO 197 

9 4,40 1,190 4 7.83 2,550 8 4,28 626 s 1.71 1S4 

10 4.57 1,260 5 7.83 2,550 10 4.18 606 N 1.65 176 

11 4. 75 1,330 6 7.83 2,550 12 4.10 590 4 1.60 169 

N 4.S4 1,370 7 7 .S3 2,550 October 14 8 1.55 162 

1 4.95 1,410 s 7.S3 2,550 2 4,01 572 12 1,50 154 

2 5,05 1,450 9 7 .S2 2,490 4 3.92 554 October lS 

3 5.14 1,490 10 7 .S2 2,490 6 3.S3 536 6 1.431 144 

4 5,23 1,520 11 7 .so 2,490 s 3.74 51S N 1,41 140 

5 5, 72 1, 720 12 7. 7S 2,460 10 3,65 500 6 l.3S 136 

6 6,35 2,010 October 12 N 3.58 486 12 1,34 129 

7 6,7S 2,220 2 7. 73 2,390 2 3,5S 486 s 7.08 2,370 4 7.66 2,300 4 3.56 4S2 6 1,30 OeT•r 19 122 

9 7.20 2,440 6 7.54 2,150 6 3.52 474 N 1.27 117 

10 7.28 '2,4SO s 7.42 2,020 s 3,45 461 6 1.24 112 

11 7,42 2,560 10 7 .2S l,S90 10 3.41 454 12 1.21 107 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 129 

(3) Thorn Creek at Glenwood, Ill, 

Location.--Lat 41°31'50", long 87°36'20", in swtsEt sec, 9, T. 35 N., R, 14 E., on ~ank 20 ft downstream from Baltimore & Ohio Chicago Terminal Railroad bridge, 

0, 7 mile north of Chicago Heights, 0,8 mile south of Glenwood, and 1 mile upstream 

from Deer Creek, Datum of gage is 610,97 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Drainage area,--25,4 sq mi. Gage-height record,--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record, --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima,--October 1954: Discharge, 1,180 cfs 10 to 11 p.m. Oct, 10 (gage height, 9,88 

1"€). 1949 to September 1954: Discharge, 848 cfs June 10, 1953 (gage height, 9. 63 ft). 

Remarks, --Figures of discharge include about 6 cfs pumped from ground-water sources --rorJmunicipal supply of Chicago Heights and undetermined amount of ground-water pumpage for industrial use above station, Undetermined amount of pumpage diverted 

by commercial livestock feeding pens above station, 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 19 7 19 12 243 17 44 22 30 27 27 

2 17 8 19 13 96 18 40 23 30 28 27 3 18 9 23 14 60 19 39 24 29 29 27 4 21 10 809 15 56 20 34 25 28 30 25 5 36 11 729 16 54 21 30 26 28 31 22 

6 22 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second.................................... 87.1 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 3,93 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time,1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei~ht height height 

October 8 N 9.40 905 3 8.20 627 10 4.43 104 12 3.08 I 20 1 9.43 918 4 8.00 593 N 4.36 97 

October 9 2 9.43 918 5 7.83 565 2 4.26 89 2 3.06 20 3 9,39 901 6 7,62 531 4 4.15 80 4 3.05 19 4 9.33 877 7 7.41 498 6 4.01 70 6 3.02 18 5 9,34 881 8 7.19 462 8 3.91 62 8 2,98 17 6 9,48 941 9 7.01 434 10 3,85 58 10 2,97 16 7 9.65 1,030 10 6.86 410 12 3.83 57 

N 2.97 16 8 9,76 1,100 11 6.70 384 October 14 2 2.99 17 9 9.85 1,160 12 6.58 365 2 3.80 55 4 2,99 17 10 9.88 1,180 October 12 4 3.80 55 6 3.01 18 11 9.88 1,180 2 6.38 333 6 3.80 55 8 3.05 19 12 .9.84 1,150 4 6.32 324 8 3,80 55 9 3.09 21 October 11 6 6.09 291 10 3.80 55 10 3,49 38 1 9. 78 1,110 8 5.97 274 N 3,80 55 

11 4.00 69 2 9.73 1,080 10 5.84 257 2 4.17 82 12 4.37 98 3 9,66 1,040 N 5,68 237 4 4.00 69 

October 10 4 9,58 990 2 5.52 217 6 3.89 61 1 4.44 105 5 9.49 946 4 5.40 203 8 3,89 61 

2 5.50 215 6 9.41 910 6 5.26 188 10 3,85 58 3 6,83 405 7 9,33 877 8 5.14 174 12 3.83 57 4 7.68 541 8 9.24 844 10 5,00 159 October 15 5 8,30 644 9 9.15 •815 12 4.90 149 4 3.81 56 6 8, 72 719 10 9.03 782 October 13 8 3.81 56 

7 9,01 778 11 8,91 757 2 4.80 139 N 3.80 55 8 9,17 821 N 8. 77 729 4 4.68 127 4 3.80 55 9 9.22 837 1 8,61 697 6 4.58 117 8 3.80 55 10 9.28 858 2 8.41 663 8 4.50 110 12 3.80 55 11 9.34 881 
130 FLOODS OF 1954 

(4) Deer Creek near Chicago Heights, Ill. 

~ 

Location.--Lat 41°31'15", long 87°35'25", 0.1 mile west of center of sec. 14, T. 35 14 E., on left bank at bridge on Joe Orr Road, 0.4 mile east of Cottage Grove Avenue, 1 mile north of u. S. Highway 30, 1.5 miles northeast of Chicago Heights, and 1.6 miles west o.f Torrence Avenue. Datum of 'gage is 615.95 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Drainage area,--24.4 sq mi. Gage-heignt record.--Water-stage recorder graph, 

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-control method used at times. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 637 cfs 11 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 11.19 ft). -----rs48 to September 1954: Discharge, 663 cfs May 10 or 11, 1948 (gage height, 11 • 52 ft, from floodmark) • Remarks.--Undetermined amount of flow diverted for irrigation above station. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 19S4 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

0.3 7 0.9 12 316 17 32 22 11 27 6.4 .3 8 . 7 13 129 18 24 23 9.8 28 5.9 .3 9 1.1 14 75 19 20 24 8.2 29 5.6 .3 10 323 15 72 20 16 25 7.4 30 5.1 .6 11 594 16 44 21 13 26 6.8 31 4.6 1.0 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . • • . 55. 9 Runoff, in inches ....•..............•............•.•.............•.....•...•. ; • . . . . 2. 64 

Ga~e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at,indicated time, 1954 0 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei~rht height height 

October 8 3 10.30 433 5 11.09 607 N 6.62 122 12 1. 771 0.6 4 10.41 452 6 11.06 598 2 6,4( 113 October 9 5 10.61 487 7 11.02 586 4 6.23 106 8 l. 77 0.6 6 10.67 499 8 10.96 568 6 6.0~ 99 10 1.76 .6 7 10.77 519 9 10,89 548 8 5,88 93 N l. 76 .6 8 10.80 525 10 10,85 538 10 5. 72 88 4 l. 76 .6 9 10.82 530 11 10.73 511 12 5,58 82 6 1.77 .6 10 10.83 532 12 10.63 491 October 14 8 1.85 1.1 11 10,86 540 October 12 2 5,45 78 9 2.00 2.1 12 10.88 545 2 10.39 448 4 5,35 74 10 2.20 4.0 October 11 4 10.16 411 6 5.27 72 11 2,22 4,2 1 10,90 550 6 9,95 380 8 5.19 70 12 2.32 5.3 2 10,92 556 8 9,73 351 10 5.12 68 October 10 3 10,97 571 10 9.49 322 N 5.07 66 1 3.97 35 4 11.02 586 N 9.26 297 2 5.19 70 2 4.22 42 5 11.07 601 2 9,08 279 4 5,29 73 3 4,90 31 6 11.12 616 4 8,88 261 6 5.49 80 4 5.30 73 7 11,15 625 6 8. 72 248 8 5,60 83 5 5,93 95 8 11.16 628 8 8,53 232 10 5,66 85 6 6.67 124 9 11.17 631 10 8.31 217 12 5,68 86 7 7.47 164 10 11.18 634 12 8,08 201 October 15 8 8,30 216 11 11.19 637 October 13 4 5,65 85 9 9,00 272 N 11.18 634 2 7.83 185 8 5.49 79 10 9,48 321 1 11.18 634 4 7,59 170 N 5.28 72 11 9,73 351 2 11.17 631 6 7.32 156 4 5.07 65 N 9.92 376 3 11.16 628 8 7,06 143 8 4.90 59 1 10.07 398 4 11.13 619 10 6,84 132 12 4.75 54 2 10.20 417 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 131 

(5) Butterfield Creek at Flossmoor, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°32'25", long 87°38'55", in NEl-NWl- sec. 8, T. 35 N., R. 14 E., on left bank at Reigle Road Bridge at Homewood city limits, 0.1 mile north of Holbrook Road and three-quarters of a mile east of Flossmoor. Datum of gage is 616.80 ft above mean 

sea level, datum of 1929, 

Drainage area.--22,9 sq mi. Gage-height record,--Water-stage recorder graph. Discharge record,--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 1,2oo cis and extended to peak stage by logarithmic plottin~. 

Maxima,--October 1954: Discharge, 1,480 cfs 12 p.m. Oct. 10 (gage height, 10,92 ft). 

-----y949 to September 1954: Discharge, 970 cfs (revised) Mar. 19, 1948, May 10 or 11, 

1948 (gage heights, 10.29 and 10.28 ft, from floodmarks). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 1.7 7 1.7 12 253 17 49 22 22 27 11 2 1.6 8 1.4 13 116 18 39 23 20 28 10 3 1.9 9 2.8 14 87 19 35 24 16 29 10 4 2.4 10 616 15 75 20 30 25 14 30 9.1 5 5.4 11 819 16 59 21 26 26 12 31 8.4 6 3.0 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, ...............•................. , . . 76 ,l 

Runoff, in inches ........•............................•..• , ....... , .......... ·.•.... 3, 83 

Gac>e height, in feet, and discharge in cubic feet per second at indicated time 1954 0 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 3 8.87 460 3 9.67 631 4 6.34 133 

12 3.901 1.3 4 8.90 465 4 9.48 580 6 6.28 127 

October 9 5 9.44 570 5 9.31 542 8 6.22 123 

2 3.91 1.4 6 9.81 685 6 9.14 508 10 6.15 117 

N 3.91 1.4 7 9.97 765 7 8.97 476 N 6.09 112 

2 3,90 1.3 8 10.37 1,020 8 8,80 450 2 6,06 110 

6 3.90 1.3 9 10.73 1,310 9 8.67 430 4 6.01 106 

8 3.94 1.6 10 10.87 1,430 10 8.55 412 6 5.97 103 

10 4.38 10 11 10.91 1,470 11 8.43 394 8 5.94 100 

12 4.60 19 12 10,92 1,480 12 8.32 378 10 5.88 95 

October 10 October 11 October 12 ·12 5.87 95 

1 5,43 63 1 10.90 1,460 2 8.14 352 October 14 

2 6.07 111 2 10.83 1,400 4 7.99 331 2 5.82 91 

3 6.58 154 3 10.69 1,270 6 7.85 311 4 5,80 89 

4 7.28 232 4 10.53 1,140 8 7.72 293 6 5, 78 88 5 8.33 380 5 10.43 1,060 10 7.60 276 8 5.75 86 

6 8. 76 444 6 10.37 1,020 N 7.45 255 10 5.73 84 

7 9.17 514 7 10.33 991 2 7.28 232 N 5. 72 83 

8 9,50 585 8 10.30 970 4 7,09 209 2 5. 77 87 9 9,59 608 9 10.26 942 6 6.90 187 4 5. 77 87 

10 9.59 608 10 10.21 907 8 6. 74 170 6 5.79 88 

11 9.54 595 11 10.16 876 10 6.61 157 8 5.78 88 

N 9.41 562 N 10.07 822 12 6,50 147 10 5.76 86 

1 9.22 524 1 9.96 760 Octlber 13 12 5. 73 84 2 9.01 482 2 9.82 690 2 6.42 140 
132 FLOODS OF 1954 

(6) Lansing ditch near Lansing, Ill. 

~ 

Location.--Lat 41°31'40", long' 87°31'45", at north boundary of sec. 17, T. 35 N., R. 

on right bank at upstream side of bridge on farm road, 0,2 mile west of Indiana State line, 0.5 mile east of Burnham Avenue, and 2 miles south of Lansing. Datum of gage is 607.16 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Draina e area.--8,3 sq mi, approximately, 

a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

s!hrtf~g:~~~tr~l-~;~~~dd~=~~a~~e tf!!:~ion defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima,--October 1954: Discharge, 302 cfs 4 p.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 10,18 ft). 

-----r948 to September 1954: Discharge, 461 cfs May 10 or 11, 1948 (gage height, 9.24 ft, from floodmark). 

Remarks. --Undetermined amount of flow diverted for irrigation above station. Some 

merging of basins and interbasin flow during flood period. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 0.8 7 1.1 12 282 17 25 22 7.8 27 4.9 2 .a 8 1.0 13 205 18 18 23 6.7 28 4.4 3 .9 9 1.8 14 101 19 15 24 6.1 29 4.3 4 1.0 10 171 15 63 20 11 25 5.6 30 3.8 5 3.0 11 293 16 39 21 9.3 26 5.2 31 3,4 6 1.8 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • . . . . . . . . • • . . . • . . . 41. 8 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 5.81 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height het~rht height height 

October 8 3 9.14 198 5 10.17 301 N 9.27 205 12 2.571 1.0 4 9.14 198 6 10.17 301 2 9.12 197 

October 9 5 9,23 202 7 10.17 301 4 8,94 182 

2 2.56 1.0 6 9.37 212 8 10,17 301 6 8.76 173 

N 2.56 1.0 7 9.52 227 9 10.16 300 8 8,55 166 

4 2.56 1.0 8 9.68 243 10 10.15 298 10 8.28 153 

6 2.58 1.1 9 9,77 252 11 10.15 298 12 8,05 142 

7 2.61 1.3 10 9,84 260 12 10.15 298 October 14 

8 ? . 71 2.2 11 9,89 266 October 12 2 7.80 127 9 2.82 3,5 12 9.92 269 2 10.13 295 4 7.55 115 

10 2.92 4.6 October 11 4 10.11 293 6 7.30 106 

11 3,23 8.6 1 9.96 274 6 10.09 290 8 7.08 99 

12 3,38 11 2 9.99 277 8 10,08 289 10 6.90 92 

October 10 3 10,01 280 10 10.07 288 N 6. 77 88 1 3,84 19 4 10.03 282 N 10.05 285 2 6.84 89 2 4.64 35 5 10.05 285 2 10.01 280 4 6.97 93 

3 5.48 53 6 10,06 286 4 9.99 277 6 7.08 99 

4 6.31 75 7 10.09 290 6 9.95 273 8 7.08 99 

5 6,83 88 8 10,10 291 8 9.92 269 10 6,95 90 

6 8.03 141 9 10.13 295 10 9,88 265 12 6. 78 88 

7 8.57 167 10 10.13 295 12 9.84 260 October 15 

8 8.82 171 11 10.13 295 October 13 4 6,44 79 

9 8.92 181 N 10.14 297 2 9. 78 254 8 6,09 68 

10 9.00 187 1 10.15 298 4 9. 72 247 N 5. 71 58 

11 9.07 193 2 10.17 301 6 9.62 237 4 5,52 55 

N 9.11 196 3 10,17 301 8 9,51 226 8 5.34 50 

1 9.13 197 4 10.18 302 10 9,40 215 12 5.20 46 

2 9.14 198 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 133 

(7) North Creek near Lansing, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°32'45", long 87°33 1 30", in SEtsEt sec. 1, T. 35 N., R. 14 E., on right 

~t Torrence Avenue Bridge, 1.1 miles south of Lansing and 2,7 miles north of U. S. 

Highway 30. Datum of gage is 599.29 ft above mean sea .level, datum of 1929. Drainage area,--18,2 sq mi. 

Gage-height record. --Water-stage recorder graph, 

Discfiar'e record.--stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements, Shift ng-control method used at times. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 692 cfs 10 to 12 p.m. Oct, 10 (gage height, 8,96 ft). 

-----r948 to September 1954: Discharge, 730 cfs (revised) 

Mar, 20, 1948 (gage height, 8,51 ft, revised, from floodmark). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day Oc'tober 

1 0,5 7 1.2 12 484 17 64 22 22 27 11 2 .3 8 . 7 13 397 18 45 23 18 28 9. 7 3 .4 9 .8 14 282 19 38 24 15 29 9.2 4 .6 10 426 15 J.80 20 33 25 13 30 8.2 5 1.6 11 555 16 97 21 26 26 12 31 6,8 6 2.7 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second .•.•...•••.••••• , • . . • . . • • • . • • • . . • • . . • 89.1 

Runoff, in inches .•.•.•••..• ,, •.•••. , .•. ,,.,........................................ 5,64 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage . Hour Gage Discharge lieight hetiht height D1scharge height 

October 8 7 8.82 618 October 12 8 7,83 290 

12 2 .9o I 0,6 8 8,90 659 2 8.57 506 10 7. 77 277 

October 9 9 8.95 686 4 8.57 506 N 7. 72 268 

4 2.90 0,6 10 8,96 692 6 8,56 502 2 7. 72 268 

6 2.89 .6 11 8,96 692 8 8,55 498 4 7. 72 268 

8 2.89 .6 12 8.96 692 10 8,54 494 6 7. 71 266 

10 2,88 ,5 October 11 N 8.53 490 8 7.69 262 

N 2,88 ,5 1 8.90 659 2 8,51 482 10 7,65 253 

6 2.88 .~5 2 8.87 644 4 8,50 479 12 7.61 247 

8 2.87 .5 3 8,84 628 6 8.47 467 October 15 

10 2.90 ,6 4 8.81 613 8 8.45 460 4 7.49 224 

12 3.43 5.4 5 8.78 599 10 8,43 452 8 7.35 201 

October 10 6 8.75 585 12 8.41 445 N 7.20 178 

1 3.96 13 7 8, 72 571 October 13 4 7.04 156 

2 5,26 41 8 8,69 557 2 8,40 442 8 6.88 136 

3 6.09 79 9 8,66 544 4 8,38 435 12 6. 73 122 

4 6.71 120 10 8,64 535 6 8,35 425 October 16 

5 7.18 175 11 8,61 523 8 8,32 415 4 6,59 111 

6 7,63 251 N 8,61 523 10 8,29 406 8 6.46 102 

7 8,00 328 1 8.61 523 N 8.27 399 N 6,36 96 

8 8.24 390 2 8,61 523 2 8.24 390 4 6.26 89 

9 8,39 438 3 8.61 523 4 8.21 382 8 6,16 83 

10 8.48 471 4 8,61 523 6 8,17 371 12 6,06 78 

11 8.56 502 5 8.61 523 8 8,13 360 October 17 

N 8,61 523 6 8,61 523 10 8,08 348 4 5.98 73 

1 8.63 531 7 8.61 523 12 8,03 335 8 5,89 68 

2 8,63 531 8 8,61 523 Oor•r ,. N 5,79 63 

3 8.61 523 9 8.61 523 2 \ 7,98 323 4 5, 70 59 

4 8,58 510 10 8,60 519 4 7,93 313 8 5,62 55 

5 8.58 510 11 8,59 515 6 7.87 300 12 5,53 51 

6 8.75 585 12 8.58 510 

458079 0-58 -3 
134 FLOODS OF 1954 

(8) Thorn Creek at Thornton, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°34 1 05", long 87°36 1 30", near center of N~ sec. 34, T. 36 N., R. 14 E., 

--on-right bank at downstream side of Ridge Road Bridge in Thornton, 1 mile downstream 

from North Creek and 1~ miles upstream from Grand Trunk Railway. Datum of gage is 

586.43 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Drainage area.--106 sq mi. 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Shifting-control method used at times. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 3,370 cfs 9 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 14.70 ft). 

~48 to September 1954: Discharge, 4,040 cfs Mar. 20, 1948 (gage height, 14.08 ft, 

from floodmark). 

Flood of Apr. 5, 1947, reached a stage of 14.34 ft, from floodmark (discharge, 

4,200 cfs). 

Remarks.--Some diurnal fluctuation caused by pumping operations above station. Figures 

of discharge include about 6 cfs pumped from ground-water sources for municipal supply 

of Chicago Heights and undetermined amount of ground-water pumpage for industrial use above station. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 25 7 33 12 2,090 17 295 22 84 27 48 

2 22 8 30 13 1,110 18 206 23 69 28 46 

3 28 9 31 14 717 19 156 24 60 29 45 

4 28 10 1,260 15 583 20 124 25 55 30 40 

5 59 11 3,140 16 416 21 103 26 52 31 35 6 42 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second. . . . . . . • . • . . . . . . . • . • . . . . . • . . . • . . . . . . 356 

Runoff, in inches... . • • . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . • . . . • • . . . . . . . . • . . . . . • • . . • . . 3. 91 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height heil!ht height height 

October 8 2 14.06 2,900 6 10.59 1,240 8 4.36 313 

12 z .69 1 32 3 14.23 3,020 8 10.34. 1,170 N 4.22 295 

October 9 4 14.37 3,120 10 10.11 1,110 4 4.13 282 

4 2.69 32 5 14.49 3,210 N 9.93 1,080 8 3.98 260 

6 2. 68 31 6 14.57 3,270 2 9. 72 1,040 12 3.85 240 8 2.65 28 7 14.64 3,320 4 9.53 998 Oc ober 18 10 2. 62 26 8 14.67 3,350 6 9.32 958 4 3,75 226 

N 2.58 22 9 14.70 3,370 8 9.10 924 8 3.63 208 

4 2.58 22 10 14.69 3,360 10 8.90 892 N 3.58 200 

6 2.62 26 11 14.67 3,350 12 8.69 862 4 3.59 201 

8 2.75 38 N 14.64 3,320 October 14 8 3.52 190 

10 2.79 42 1 14.61 3,300 2 8.48 828 12 3.46 180 

12 2.93 61 2 14.58 3,280 4 8.27 799 October 19 

October 10 3 14.54 3,240 6 8.06 772 4 3.41 172 1 3.32 148 4 14.50 3,210 8 7.83 744 8 3.33 156 

2 3.81 234 5 14.45 3,180 10 7.60 715 N 3.28 146 

3 4.62 342 6 14.40 3,140 N 7.39 690 4 3.31 152 

4 5.48 444 7 14.33 3,090 2 7.25 672 8 3.30 150 

5 6.39 559 8 14.26 3,040 4 7.14 658 12 3.25 139 

6 7.07 649 9 14.19 3,000 6 7.17 661 October 20 

7 8.21 792 10 14.11 2,940 8 7.19 664 6 '·'01 128 

8 8. 71 864 11 14.03 2,880 10 7.08 650 N 3.16 119 

9 9.13 928 12 13.93 2,820 12 6.99 638 6 3.18 123 10 9.55 1,000 October 12 October 15 12 3,15 116 

11 9.96 1,080 2 13.75 2,700 4 6.82 616 October 21 

N 10.28 1,160 4 13.53 2,550 8 6.66 595 6 '·111 107 

1 ~0.63 1,250 6 13.32 2,420 N 6. 71 602 N 3,06 97 2 ~0.99 1,350 8 13.11 2,2·J'J 4 6.50 574 6 3.08 101 

3 1.34 1,470 10 12.91 2,170 8 6.25 540 12 3.05 95 

4 11.61 1,570 N 12.72 2,060 12 5.97 504 October 22 

5 ~2.05 1,740 2 12.52 1,960 October 16 6 3,011 87 6 12.35 1,870 4 12.31 1,860 4 5.78 480 N 2.96 78 

7 12.65 2,020 6 12.07 1,750 8 5.38 432 6 2.99 83 8 12.92 2,170 8 11.82 1,650 N 5.17 406 12 2.96 78 

9 13.15 2,310 10 11.56 1,540 4 4.98 384 October 23 

10 13.34 2,430 12 11.32 1,460 8 4.83 366 6 2.94 74 

11 13.54 2,560 October 13 12 4.65 346 N 2.88 64 12 13.68 2,650 2 11.071 1,380 October 17 6 2.89 66 

October 11 44 10.84 1,310 4 4.491 329 12 2.89 66 

1 l3.s6T 2,110 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 135 

(10) Little Calumet River at South Holland, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°36'05", long 87°34'38", in swtswt sec. 13, T. 36 N., R. 14 E., on --rrgiitDank at downstream side of bridge on U. S. Highway 6, 0. 6 mile downstream from Thorn Creek and l, 6 miles east of South Holland, and 4 .l miles upstream from former gaging station at Harvey, Auxiliary gage at Dixmoor, 6.1 miles downstream. Datum of gages is 575.00 ft above mean sea level. 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graphs from base and auxiliary gages. Discharge record.--Computed by constant-fall method. Stage-fall-discharge relations defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 4,210 cfs 9 to 10 p,m; Oct, 11 (gage height, 19.39 ft), 1947 to September 1954: Discharge, 3,810 cfs May 11, 1948 (gage height, 17.33 ft). Flood of Apr. 6, 1947, reached a stage of 19.24 ft, from floodmark (discharge, 4, 760 cfs). 

Remarks.--Flow from about 330 sq mi of upper Little Calumet River basin above a point in ~Indiana, is diverted to Lake Michigan by Burns ditch (seep, 139). 

Mean discharge in cubic feet per second 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 37 7 69 12 3,850 17 555 22 268 27 153 2 31 8 55 13 2,650 18 454 23 231 28 143 3 77 9 58 14 1,510 19 399 24 198 29 118 4 78 10 1,930 15 1,030 20 353 25 181 30 115 5 67 11 3,940 16 762 21 301 26 164 31 114 6 90 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ..... , .•.• , .. , ....•..•... , .•..•..•.. 645 Runoff, in inches .....•.•.......•........•.........•..•.•...•.••.•.....•......•.•.. 

Ga'>'e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 0 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height heil!ht height height 

October 8 3 15,60 2,240 7 19.38 4,200 10 14. 7~1 2,130 12 6.27 1 31 4 15.67 2,280 8 19.39 4,210 12 14,50 2,040 October 9 5 15,94 2,390 9 19.39 4,210 October 14 2 6.33 59 6 16,35 2,550 10 19.3'_ 4,200 2 14.10 1,870 4 6.25 63 7 16,68 2,690 11 19.35 4,180 4 13,85 1,790 6 6.13 61 8 17.05 2,880 12 19.36 4,200 6 13,59 1,690 8 6.02 50 9 17.28 2,980 October 12 8 13,35 1,610 10 6.05 44 10 17.48 3,070 2 19.29 4,170 10 13.11 1,530 N 6.13 32 11 17.63 3,190 4 19.21 4,130 N 12,87 1,440 2 6.22 29 12 17.74 3,250 6 19.10 4,090 2 12.73 1,400 4 6.28 45 October 11 8 18,97 4,040 4 12.60 1,350 6 6.31 52 1 17.88 3,320 10 18.84 3,980 6 12.45 1,310 8 6.40 51 2 18.00 3,400 N 18.68 3,890 8 12.33 1,260 10 7,33 96 3 18.14 3,480 2 18.52 3,830 10 12.20 1,220 12 8.22 196 4 18.30 3,570 4 18.34 3, 720 12 12.08 1,180 October 10 5 18.45 3,690 6 18.13 3,640 October 15 l 9.17 302 6 18.57 3,760 8 17.92 3,540 4 11.89 1,110 2 11.35 828 7 18.69 3,810 10 17.70 3,420 8 11.70 1,070 3 11.17 711 8 18.81 3,880 12 17.45 3,300 N 11.54 1,040 4 11.66 828 9 18.89 3,950 October 13 4 11.38 985 5 12.23 971 10 18.97 3,980 2 17.21 3,200 8 11.22 933 6 13.01 1,240 11 19.04 4,000 4 16,98 3,080 12 11.06 876 7 13.65 1,450 N 19.11 4,060 6 16.73 2,990 October 16 8 14.23 1,680 1 19.17 4,090 8 16,48 2,870 4 10,88 840 9 14.73 1,920 2 19.22 4,140 10 16.22 2,760 8 10.70 809 10 114.98 1,980 3 19.29 4,140 N 15.96 2,630 N 10.53 755 11 ~5.20 2,070 4 19.35 4,180 2 15.71 2,530 4 10.37 730 N 15.34 2,120 5 19.37 4,200 4 15.46 2,420 8 10.19 680 1 P-5.43 2,140 6 19.38 4,200 6 15.23 2,330 12 10.06 638 2 p.5,52 2,200 8 14.98 2,220 
136 FLOODS OF 1954 

(11) Midlothian Creek at Oak Forest, Ill. 

Location,--Lat 41°36 1 51", long 87°43 1 46", in SE-kNW-k sec. 15, T. 36 N., R. 13 E., on 

~ank at downstream side of highway bridge in Oak Forest, 4.4 miles upstream from 

mouth. Datum of gage is 620.41 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Cook County 

Highway Department bench mark). 

Draiuage area.--12. 7 sq m:L 

~age-hei@t record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

iscfiarfe record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Shift ng-control method used at times. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 569 cfs 12 p.m. Oct. 10 (gage height, 8.49 ft). 

~950 to September 1954: Discharge,· 384 cfs (revised) June 10, 1953 (gage height. 

6,38 ft). 

Remarks. --Diurnal fluctuation at low flow caused by industrial plants upstream. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 1.0 7 6.1 12 325 17 59 22 24 27 15 2 1.0. 8 3.3 13 232 18 46 23 21 28 14 3 5.3' 9 7.9 14 167 19 39 24 19 29 1<:: 4 2.8' 10 427 15 107 20 33 25 17 30 12 5 12 11 448 16 76 21 28 26 16 31 11 6 12 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second.................................... 71.0 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 6.44 

Gaze height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei«ht height height 

Octlber 8 2 8,01 526 4 6.70 409 N 4.57 230 12 1.56 2.8 3 7. 78 505 5 6. 70 ~09 2 4.49 223 October 9 4 7.57 486 6 6.63 403 4 4.41 216 6 1.56 2.8 5 7.61 490 7 6.53 395 6 4.36 212 8 1.55 2,7 6 7. 74 502 8 6,45 388 8 4.27 205 10 1.55 2.7 7 7.95 520 9 6,40 384 10 4.21 200 N 1.54 2.5 8 7.98 523 10 6.36 380 12 4.17 197 2 1.53 2.3 9 8.08 532 11 6,31 376 October 14 6 1.53 2.3 10 8,23 546 12 6,28 373 2 4.11 192 8 1.55 2.7 11 8.39 560 October 12 4 4.05 187 9 1. 70 7.7 12 8.49 569 2 6.22 369 6 3.98 181 10 2,25 39 October 11 4 6,09 357 8 3.92 175 11 2.40 49 1 8.48 568 6 5,93 344 10 3.87 170 12 2.80 80 2 8,41 562 8 5.82 335 N 3,83 166 October 10 3 8,34 556 10 5, 74 328 2 3,81 164 1 3.67 152 4 8.19 542 N 5,64 319 4 3, 78 162 2 4,41 216 5 7.98 523 2 5,56 312 6 3, 71 156 3 4. 72 242 6 7 0 77 504 4 5.57 313 8 3,63 148 4 4.91 257 7 7.54 484 6 5,53 310 10 3,54 140 5 5.07 271 8 7.34 466 8 5.39 298 12 3,45 132 6 5,45 303 9 7.18 451 10 5,25 286 October 15 7 6,06 355 10 7,02 437 12 5,14 277 4 3,34 121 8 6.,_62 403 11 6.87 424 October 13 8 3,26 114 9 7.12 446 N 6. 78 416 2 5,04 268 N 3,18 106 10 7.62 491 1 6.67 407 4 4,93 259 4 3.11 100 11 8.01 526 2 6,62 403 6 4,85 252 8 3,04 93 N 8,16 539 3 6.60 401 8 4. 74 243 12 2.96 86 1 8,13 537 10 4.64 235 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 137 

(12) Wolf Lake at Chicago, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°40'00", long 87°32'15", in swt sec. 29, T. 37 N., R. 15 E., at outlet on west shore in Chicago. Datum of gage is 580.45 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Cook County Highway Department bench mark). 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Maxlma.--October 1954: Gage height, 3.00 ft 5 p.m. Oct. 11 to 7 a.m. Oct. 12. --y939 to September 1954: Hourly mean gage height, 2.32 ft June 27, 1952. 

Remarks. --Hourly mean values used to determine extremes in order to dampen effects of --wiriOaction. 

Gage height in feet 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 1.65 7 2.30 12 2.98 17 2.76 22 2.52 27 2.20 2 1.66 8 2.29 13 2.96 18 2. 71 23 2.44 28 2.13 3 2.00 9 2.34 14 2.89 19 2.70 24 2;36 29 2.07 4 2.17 10 2.82 15 2.87 20 2.65 25 2.30 30 2.04 5 2.29 11 2.98 16 2.82 21 2.60 26 2.26 31 2.00 6 2.30 

Gage height in feet at indicated time 1954 

Hour Gage height Hour Gage height Hour Gage height Hour Gage height Hour Gage height 

October 8 1 2.80 2 2.96 8 2.85 N 2.70 

12 2.29 2 2.80 4 2.97 12 2.84 8 2.68 

October 9 3 2.73 6 2.98 October 16 12 2.68 

6 2.29 4 2.88 12 2.98 4 2.84 October 20 

8 2.28 5 2.94 October 13 8 2.82 6 2.67 

10 2.27 6 2.95 4 2.98 N 2.82 N 2.65 

N 2.27 7 2.97 6 2.97 4 2.81 6 2.64 

4 2.27 8 2.98 10 2.97 8 2.80 12 2.62 

6 2.28 12 2.98 N 2.96 12 2. 79 October 21 

8 2.50 October 11 2 2.96 October 17 6 2.61 

10 2.56 3 2.98 4 2.95 4 2.78 N 2.60 

12 2.64 4 2.97 8 2.95 8 2. 77 6 2.58 

October 10 10 2.97 10 2.94 N 2.76 12 2.56 

1 2.66 11 2.98 12 2.93 4 2.75 October 22 

2 2.67 N 2.98 October 14 8 2. 73 6 2.55 

3 2.71 2 2.98 4 2.92 12 2. 72 N 2.52 

4 2.75 3 2.99 8 2.90 October 18 6 2.50 

5 2.76 4 2.99 N 2.88 4 2.70 12 2.48 

6 2.76 5 3.00 4 2.86 8 2.70 October 23 

7 2.77 12 3.00 8 2.88 N 2.74 6 2.46 

8 2.77 October 12 12 2.88 4 2.71 N 2.44 

9 2.78 6 3.00 October 15 8 2. 72 6 2.42 

10 2.78 8 2.99 8 2.88 12 2.71 12 2.40 

11 2.79 10 2.97 N 2.87 October 19 

N 2.79 N 2.96 4 2.86 4 2.70 
138 FLOODS OF 1954 

(13) Deep River at Lake George Outlet at Hobart, Ind. 

Location.--Lat 41°32 1 03", long 87°15'22", in NWtNWt sec. 32, T. 36 N., R. 7 W., at 

--northeast end of Lake George in Hobart, an eighth of a mile upstream from Duck Creek. 

Datum of gage is 600,00 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Drainage area.--125 sq mi (revised). 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharfe record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Shift ng-control method used at times. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 3,880 cfs 1:30 to 2 p.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 

---r:68 ft) • 1947 to September 1954: Discharge, 2,740 cfs May 11, 1948 (gage height, 5,86 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October. 

1 28 7 26 12 2,600 17 458 22 188 27 98 2 22 8 22 13 1,480 18 381 23 162 28 88 3 32 9 22 14 961 19 320 24 144 29 77 4 28 10 729 15 738 20 253 25 126 30 70 5 30 11 3,340 16 599 21 210 26 108 31 64 6 30 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . • . . . • . • . . . . . . . . . • . . • • . • . . . . • • . • • . . . 433 

Runoff, in inches ............•..•...•..••... , . . • . . . . . • . . . . • . • . . . . . . .. • . . . • . . . • . . . • • . 3. 99 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 11 5.301 2,090 2 6,84 3,290 October 14 

12 1.991 21 12 5,56 2,300 3 6. 73 3,210 2 4,26 1,110 

October 9 October 11 4 6.64 3,150 4 4.20 1,070 

N 1.991 21 1 5,80 2,490 5 6.50 3,050 6 4.18 1,050 

6 1.98 19 2 6.04 2,680 6 6.40 2,970 8 4.14 1,020 

8 1.98 19 3 6.32 2,900 7 6.30 2,890 10 4,08 982 

10 2.04 30 4 6,60 3,120 8 6.22 2,830 N 4.03 947 

12 2.10 42 5 6. 79 3,250 9 6.14 2,760 2 4.00 926 

October 10 6 6.99 3,390 10 6,06 2,700 4 3,96 898 

1 2.10 42 7 7.17 3,520 11 5.98 2,630 6 3.92 870 

2 2.47 164 8 7,32 3,620 N 5.90 2,570 8 3.88 842 

3 2,57 200 9 7.41 3,690 2 5.80 2,460 10 3,86 828 

4 2.60 210 10 7,50 3,750 4 5.65 2,310 12 3,84 814 

5 2,65 230 11 7.60 3,820 6 5,53 2,180 October 15 

6 2.73 264 N 7.64 3,850 8 5.40 2,070 4 3,80 793 

7 2.83 308 1 7.66 3,860 10 5.30 1,990 8 3.75 758 

8 2.90 340 1:30 7,68 3,880 12 5.20 1,910 N 3. 72 737 

9 2.96 370 2 7,68 3,880 October 13 4 3.68 709 

10 3,03 405 3 7.65 3,860 2 5.11 1,840 8 3,65 688 

11 3.11 445 4 7.62 3,830 4 5.02 1, 760 12 3.62 667 

N 3.16 470 5 7.59 3,810 6 4.89 1,640 October 16 

1 3.26 523 6 7,53 3,770 8 4.81 1,570 6 ,_ •• 1 636 

2 3,35 562 7 7.46 3,720 10 4. 74 1,510 N 3,50 600 

3 3,47 642 8 7.38 3,670 N 4,68 1,450 6 3.43 562 

4 3,61 737 9 7.30 3,610 2 4.62 1,400 12 3.37 528 

5 3,83 891 10 7.22 3,550 4 4.55 1,340 October 17 

6 4,05 1,040 11 7.13 3,490 6 4.50 1,300 6 3.30 490 

7 4.32 1,260 12 7,03 3,420 8 4.44 1,260 N 3.24 460 

8 4,59 1,480 October 12 10 4.38 1,210 6 3.15 415 

9 4,80 1,670 1 6.931 3,350 12 4.32 1,160 12 3.13 405 

10 5.10 1,930 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 139 

(14) Burns ditch at Gary, Ind. 

Location.--Lat 41°34'25", long 87°17'15", in Nt sec. 13, T. 36 N., R. 8 w., near center --or-span on downstream side of bridge on Central Avenue, 0.5 mile east of Gary and lA miles downstream from Deep River, Altitude of gage is 577 ft (from topographic mapL Draina e area.--About 160 sq mi (revised, approximate for flood flows). a e- e t record. ~-Graph drawn on basis of twice-daily wire-weight gage readings except ur ng pea w en gage was read every 2 hours. 

Discharfe record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. shirt ng-control method used at times. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 3,430 cfs 2 to 6 p.m. Oct. 11; gage height, 15.90 ft --rto 5 a.m. Oct. 12, from graph based on gage readings. 1943 to September 1954: Discharge, 2,660 cfs May 11, 1948; gage height, 16,44 ft Mar. 16, 1944, from graph based on gage readings. Remarks. --Discharges not published for stages below 5 ft. Stage-discharge relation ----artected by backwater from Lake Michigan. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 --- 7 --- 12 3,110 17 1,130 22 542 27 --- 2 --- 8 --- 13 2,490 18 985 23 465 28 --- 3 --- 9 --- 14 1,870 19 872 24 --- 29 --- 4 --- 10 1,140 15 1,540 20 749 25 --- 30 --- 5 --- 11 3,230 16 1,300 21 627 26 --- 31 --- 6 ---

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 4 10.28 1,350 3 15,90 3,250 6 13.27 1,980 

12 4.281 5 10,53 1,430 4 15.90 3,250 8 13.06 1,920 

October 9 6 10.89 1,540 5 15.90 3,250 10 12.90 1,880 

6 4.18 7 11.22 1,640 6 15.88 3,230 N 12.72 1,840 

N 4.09 8 11.55 1,740 7 15.87 3,230 2 12.58 1,820 

2 4.08 9 11.91 1,880 8 15.85 3,210 4 12.41 1, 780 

4 4.12 10 12.24 2,020 9 15.84 3,200 6 12.28 1, 760 

5 4.25 11 12.61 2,160 10 15.81 3,180 8 12.12 1,720 

6 4.58 12 13.00 2,320 N- 15.78 3,150 10 12.01 1,700 

7 4.81 October 11 2 15.70 3,090 12 11.89 1,680 

8 5.12 223 1 13.40 2,480 4 15.65 3,050 October 15 

9 5.40 273 2 13.75 2,640 6 15.58 2,990 2 11.78 1,660 

10 5.69 325 3 14.10 2,810 8 15.50 2,930 4 11.68 1,640 

11 5.90 363 4 14.50 3,010 10 15.42 2,880 6 11.56 1,600 

12 6.20 417 5 14.75 3,140 12 15.33 2,830 8 11.48 1,580 

October 10 "6 14.90 3,210 October 13 10 11.38 1,560 

1 6.40 453 7 15,00 3,260 2 15.25 2,780 N 11.29 1,540 

2 6.67 502 8 15.12 3,320 4 15.16 2,730 2 11.19 1,510 

3 6.93 551 9 15.18 3,350 6 15.04 2,650 4 11.10 1,480 

4 7.20 603 10 15.24 3,380 8 14.92 2,590 6 11.02 1,460 

5 7.45 654 11 15.33 3,410 10 14.81 2,540 8 10.98 1,440 

6 7. 70 709 N 15.34 3,420 N 14.70 2,480 10 10.90 1,420 

7 7.95 766 2 15,45 3,430 2 14.59 2,420 12 10,84 1,400 

8 8.22 831 4 15.55 3,430 4 14.47 2,370 October 16 

9 8,30 850 6 15,64 3,430 6 14.32 2,310 4 10.71 1,360 

10 8,50 898 8 15.75 3,400 8 14.18 2,250 8 10.58 1,320 

11 8. 77 965 10 15,82 3,340 10 14.02 2,210 N 10.48 1,300 

N 9.02 1,020 12 15:89 3,260 12 13.87 2,160 4 10.35 1,270 

1 9.35 1,110 October 12 · October 14 8 10.22 1,240 

2 9.62 1,180 1 15,901 3,250 2 13.681 2,100 12 10.11 1,210 

3 9.98 1,260 2 15.90 3,250 4 13.48 2,040 
140 FLOODS OF 1954 

(15) Little Calumet River at Porter, Ind. 

'Location.--Lat 41°37'18", long. 87°05'13", in NEt sec. 34, T. 37 N., R. 6 W., near 

center of span on downstream side of highway bridge, three-quarters of a mile north- west of Porter and 4.5 miles upstream from Salt Creek. Datum of gage is 603.48 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Drainage area.--62.9 sq mi {revised). 

Gage-height record. --Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharfe record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shift ng-control method used at times. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 3,110 cfs 9 p.m. Oct. 10 (gage height, 11.66 ft). 

-----rs45 to September 1954: Discharge~ 2,440 cfs June 28, 1945 {gage height, 9.88 ft, from graph based on gage readings J • 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 44 7 229 12 1,110 17 638 22 122 27 79 2 37 8 145' 13 546 18 330 23 100 28 79 3 327 9 118 14 374 19 231 24 91 29 74 4 1,220 10 1,780 15 420 20 180 25 82 30 74 5 460 11 2,600 16 672 21 144 26 79 31 69 6 385 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ••.••...••.••.••••..•.••••.••.•.••.•• 414 Runoff, in inches .•.•....•••.......•..•..••....••.••...••.•..•..•.....•...•..•.••..• 7.59 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 5 11.10 2,740 4 7. 72 880 10 6.52 415 

12 4.351 122 6 11.27 2,840 6 7.60 825 N 6.83 499 

Oc ober 9 7 11.42 2,940 8 7.50 780 2 7.29 686 4 4.27 116 8 11.62 3,080 10 7.42 744 4 7.80 920 

8 4.20 111 9 11.66 3,110 12 7.35 712 6 8.09 1,060 

N 4.13 106 10 11.65 3,100 October 13 8 8.17 1,100 4 4.08 103 11 11.61 3,080 4 7.20 645 10 8.14 1,090 

8 4.03 99 12 11.56 3,040 8 7.06 584 12 8.01 1,020 

9 4.05 100 Oc ober 11 N 6.93 532 October 17 10 4.40 125 2 11.51 3,010 4 6.81 493 4 7.68 861 11 5.55 236 4 11.48 2,990 8 6.70 460 8 7.35 712 12 5.92 292 6 11.42 2,940 12 6.59 432 N 7.08 592 

October 10 8 11.34 2,890 October 14 4 6.86 508 

1 6.24 353 10 11.21 2,810 4 6.47 402 8 6.67 452 2 6.46 400 N 11.04 2,700 8 6.38 381 12 6.51 412 3 6.60 435 2 10.86 2,580 N 6.27 359 October 18 4 6. 73 469 4 10.66 2,450 4 6.27 359 4 6.36 377 

5 6.86 508 6 10.40 2,290 8 6.23 351 8 6.23 351 6 7.01 564 8 10.14 2,130 12 6.25 355 N 6.10 325 

7 7.29 686 10 9.82 1,960 October 15 4 5.97 300 

8 7. 70 870 12 9.56 1,820 4 6.45 398 8 5.88 286 9 8.30 1,170 October 12 8 6.64 445 12 5. 78 270 

10 8.78 1,410 2 9.30 1,670 N 6.67 452 October 19 

11 9.34 1,690 4 8.96 1,500 4 6.60 435 4 5.68 254 

N 9.77 1,930 6 8.69 1,360 8 6.50 410 8 5.59 242 

1 10.19 2,160 8 8.41 1,220 12 6.49 408 N 5.48 227 

2 10.50 2,350 10 8.19 1,120 Ociober 16 4 5.40 217 3 10.74 2,500 N 8.oo 1,020 4 6.44 395 8 5.33 209 4 10.95 2,640 2 7.85 945 8 6.41 388 12 5.27 202 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 141 

(16) Salt Creek near McCool, Ind. 

~ 

Location.--Lat 41°35'48", long 87°08'40", in SEt sec. 6, T. 36 N., R, 6 w., near center 

on downstream side of highway bridge, just downstream from Michigan Central 

Railroad bridge, It miles north of McCool and 1.5 miles upstream from Little Calumet River. Altitude of gage is 595 ft (from topographic map) • Draina e area.--78.7 sq mi (revised). 

a e- e record. --Graph drawn on basis of floodmark and twice-daily wire-weight gage rea ngs. 

Discharfe record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shift ng-control method used at times. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 3,180 cfs 6 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 14.12 ft). 

~945 to September 1954: Discharge, 1,910 cfs (revised) May 11, 1948 (gage height, 12.3 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 40 7 98 12 1,280 17 416 22 89 27 71 

2 42 8 73 13 662 18 273 23 82 28 68 

3 335 9 62 14 415 19 185 24 77 29 66 

4 410 10 1,190 15 385 20 130 25 76 30 62 

5 250 11 2,740 16 382 21 107 26 72 31 55 

6 180 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second .•.•..•..•.•....••.•.••••..•....••.• 335 

Runoff, in inches ..•..•...••.•••...•...••••••.•....•.•.••.•••..••.••..•.•.•..••.•.• 4.91 

Ga,.e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 " 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height he!ght height height 

October 8 October 12 8 7.20 350 4 7.60 390 12 3,881 65 2 12.20 1,840 10 7.09 339 6 7.45 375 October 9 4 12.00 1,700 12 7.02 332 8 7.31 361 6 3.82 61 6 11.76 1,560 October 15 10 7 .• 19 349 N 3,80 60 8 11.52 1,410 2 7.17 347 12 7,03 333 6 3.78 59 10 11.32 1,290 4 7.31 361 October 18 8 3. 77 58 N 11.17 1,200 6 7.50 380 2 6.£-1 521 10 3, 78 59 2 11.00 1,110 8 7 .so 390 4 6,80 310 12 4.55 108 4 10.82 1,030 10 7.69 399 6 6.68 298 October 10 6 10.69 980 N 7. 71 401 8 6,58 288 2 5,55 190 8 10.50 910 2 7. 73 403 10 6,49 279 4 6.40 270 10 10.39 880 4 7. 71 401 N 6,39 269 6 7.40 370 12 10.22 830 6 7. 70 400 2 6.30 260 8 8,35 478 October 15 8 7.65 395 4 6.21 251 10 9,25 612 2 10.10 800 10 7.60 390 6 6.15 245 N 10.15 812 4 9.99 772 12 7.53 383 8 6,10 240 2 10.95 1,080 6 9.81 728 October 16 10 6.03 233 4 11.80 1,580 8 9.70 700 2 7.48 378 12 6.00 230 6 12.65 2,160 10 9,59 678 4 7.40 370 October 19 8 13.12 2,480 N 9.42 644 6 7.30 360 2 5.95 226 10 13.50 2,750 2 9.31 622 8 7.20 350 4 5,90 221 12 13.78 2,950 4 9,20 605 10 7.17 347 6 5.82 205 October 11 6 9,09 588 N 7.20 350 8 5.79 202 2 13.99 3,090 8 8,93 564 2 7.40 370 10 5. 71 203 4 14.10 3,170 10 8,80 545 4 7.55 385 N 5.65 180 6 14.12 3,180 12 8,69 528 6 7,70 400 2 5,60 176 8 14.00 3,100 October 14 8 7.89 419 4 5.53 161 10 13,81 2,970 2 8,52 503 10 8,01 431 6 5,49 158 N 13.61 2,830 4 8,40 485 12 8.20 455 8 5.42 153 2 13.41 2,690 6 8,25 462 October 17 10 5,39 150 4 13.23 2,560 8 8,10 440 2 8,33 474 12 5,33 145 6 13.01 2,420 10 7,95 425 4 8,40 485 October 20 8 12.81 2,270 N 7.80 410 6 8,30 470 6 5.21 136 10 12.61 2,130 2 7.65 395 8 8,15 448 N 5.12 129 12 12.40 1,980 4 7.49 379 10 8,00 430 6 5,05 123 6 7,35 365 N 7.89 419 12 4.99 118 2 7. 72 402 
142 FLOODS OF 1954 

(17) Kankakee River near North Liberty, Ind. 

Location.--Lat 41°33'50", long 86°29 1 50", along north line sec. 23, T. 36 N., R. 1 W., near center of span on downstream side of county highway bridge at St. Joseph-La Porte County line, 4 miles northwest of North Liberty. Datum of gage is 680.04 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (levels by Indiana Flood Control and Water Resources Commission). 

Drainage area.--152 sq mi (revised). 

Gage-height record. --Graph drawn on basis of once-daily wire-weight gage readings. No gage-height record Oct. 3, 10, 17, 24, 31, Nov. 7, 11, 14, 21, 25, and 28. Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-control method used at times. Discharge for periods of no gage-height record estimated on basis of records for downstream station. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 686 cfs 3 to 4 p.m. Oct. 10; gage height, 8.64 ft --rr-ffi. Oct. 12, from graph based on gage readings. 1951 to September 1954: Discharge, 680 cfs Nov. 14, 1951 (gage height, 6.97 ft, from graph based on gage readings). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October November Day October November Day October November Day October November 

1 89 220 9 131 220 17 509 178 25 221 178 2 89 220 10 567 220 18 442 175 26 220 236 3 101 220 11 655 216 19 367 178 27 220 240 4 140 220 12 599 212 20 328 182 28 220 226 5 146 220 13 458 208 21 297 178 29 220 245 6 164 220 14 435 202 22 271 172 30 220 226 7 149 220 15 485 193 23 249 175 31 220 8 137 220 16 536 189 24 232 175 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet p-er second •.....•.•.....•.•.....•.•... 294 206 

Runoff, in inches ..•.....•....•..............•..•........•..••.••.••...••.• 2.22 1.52 

Ga>"e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 0 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 10 I 677 2 8.62 590 October 16 

12 2. 711 132 12 675 4 8.62 590 2 8.56 556 October 9 October 11 6 8.59 574 4 8.56 556 6 2.70 131 1 8.22 672 8 8.58 568 6 8.58 568 N 2.68 130 2 8.25 670 10 8.55 550 8 8.56 556 

6 2.65 128 3 8.28 669 12 8.52 532 4 8.50 520 8 2.64 127 4 8,30 668 October 13 12 8.48 508 10 2.63 127 5 8.33 666 4 8.48 508 October 17 12 3.25 164 6 8.36 663 8 8.42 472 8 

I 514 October 10 8 8.40 660 N 8.40 460 4 514 2 234 10 8.42 658 4 8.33 432 12 490 4 336 N 8.49 651 8 8,29 417 October 18 6 464 2 8.50 650 12 8.21 393 6 8.40 I 460 8 603 4 8.51 649 October 14 N 8.38 452 10 651 6 8.55 645 4 8.21 393 6 8.29 417 11 665 8 8.57 643 8 8.27 411 12 8.20 390 N 678 10 8.58 642 N 8.30 420 October 19 1 682 12 8.60 640 4 8.33 432 8 8.121 374 2 685 October 12 8 8.35 440 4 8.04 358 3 686 2 8.60 640 12 8.35 440 12 7.98 347 4 686 4 8.61 630 October 15 October 20 5 685 6 8.62 620 6 8.3:1 456 8 7.891 334 6 684 8 8,62 620 N 8.42 472 4 7.81 322 7 682 10 8.62 620 6 8.50 520 12 7. 72 308 8 680 N 8.64 600 12 8,54 544 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN ChiCAGO AREA 143 

(18) Kankakee River at Davis, Ind. 

Location.--Lat 41°24', long 86°42', in sec. 13, T. 34 N., R. 3 w., on left bank at ~ream side of bridge on U. s. Highway 30 at Davis, half a mile downstream from Mill Creek and 4 miles east of Hanna. Datum of gage is 664,68 ft above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929. Drainage area,--508 sq mi (revised). 

Gage-height record. --Water-stage recorder graph. Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shifting-control method used at times. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 1,620 cfs 10 p.m. Oct. 16 to 6 p.m. Oct. 18 (gage 

-neight, 11.76 ft). 

1925-29, 1931 to September 1954: Discharge observed, about 1,700 cfs Dec. 15, 1927 (gage height, 9. 50 ft, site and datum then in use} , from rating cur,ve extended above 520 cfs. 

Mean discharge in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October November Day October November Day October November Day October November 

1 310 1,270 9 492 1,050 17 1,620 782 25 1,440 750 2 310 1,240 10 971 1,010 18 1,620 750 26 1,410 782 3 385 1,220 11 1,360 980 19 1,590 750 27 1,390 782 4 570 1,200 12 1,420 950 20 1,580 750 28 1,360 798 5 570 1,170 13 1,430 913 21 1,540 718 29 1,340 798 6 621 1,140 14 1,440 880 22 1,520 702 30 1,320 782 7 587 1,110 15 1,500 848 23 1,490 702 31 1,290 8 522 1,080 16 1,570 818 24 1,460 734 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ...•.•..•..•.•..•.......•..• 1,160 915 Runoff, in inches ...•.••....•.••..••..••..•....••.....•••..••.•••..••..•... 2.63 2.01 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour G~ge: I Discharge height het~rht height he1ght 

October 8 10 10.57 1,280 6 11.35 1,430 October 18 12 6.111 508 11 10.65 1,290 8 11.37 1,430 N 11. 76l 1,620 October 9 12 10.70 1,300 10 11.39 1,440 12 11.75 1,600 4 6.07 501 October 11 N 11.44 1,450 Oc ober 19 8 6,04 496 2 10.79 1,320 2 11.48 1,460 N 11.741 1,590 N 6.00 490 4 10.85 1,330 4 11.50 1,470 12 11.74 1,590 4 5.96 484 6 10.91 1,340 6 11.51 1,470 October 20 8 5.95 482 8 10.97 1,350 8 11.52 1,480 N 11.741 1,590 10 5.94 481 10 11.03 1,360 10 11.54 1,480 12 11.71 1,560 12 6.07 591 N 11.06 1,360 12 11.53 1,480 October 21 October 10 2 11.10 1,370 October 15 N 11.691 1,540 2 6.30 538 4 11.14 1,380 4 11.56 1,490 12 11.66 1,530 4 6. 73 609 6 11.15 1,380 8 11.58 1,490 October 22 6 7.37 722 8 11.17 1,380 N 11.60 1,500 N 

ii:~~l 1,520 8 8.17 866 10 11.20 1,390 4 11.62 1,510 12 1,510 9 8.50 925 12 11.25 1,400 8 11.63 1,520 October 23 10 8.80 982 October 12 12 11.65 1,520 N 

ii:~ll 1,490 11 9.05 1,030 6 11.341 1,420 October 16 12 1,480 N 9.24 1,060 N 11.36 1,430 4 11.69 1,540 October 24 1 9.40 1,090 6 11.36 1,430 8 11.70 1,550 N 

ii:!~l 1,460 2 9.52 1,110 12 11.36 1,430 N 11.72 1,570 12 1,450 3 9,62 1,130 October 13 4 11.74 1,590 October 25 4 g. 72 1,140 N 11.351 1,430 8 11.75 1,600 N 11.391 1,440 5 9. ·~2 1,160 12 11.31 1,420 12 11.76 1,620 12 11.35 1,420 6 10,03 1,190 October 14 October 17 October 26 7 10.16 1,220 2 11.3lr 1,420 N 11.761 1,620 N 11 311 1,410 8 10.35 1,250 4 11.32 1,420 12 11.76 1,620 12 11.27 1,400. 9 10.40 1,260 --
144 FLOODS OF 1954 

(19) Yellow River at Plymouth, Ind. 

Location.--Lat 41°20', long 86°18 1 , in sec. 4, T. 33 N., R. 2 E., near center of span ~Porte Street footbridge in Plymouth, half a mile downstream from Baker ditch and 7 miles upstream from Wolf Creek. Datum of gage is 764.78 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Drainage area.--284 sq mi (revised). 

Gage-height record. --Graph drawn on basis of twice-daily wire-weight gage readings 

except Oct. 12-15 when the gage was read approximately every thirty minutes. No gage- height record Nov. 6, 7, 14. 

Discharfe record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Shiit ng-control method used at times. Discharge for Nov. 6, 7, 14 estimated on basis of records for Yellow River at Knox. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 5,390 cfs 8 p.m. Oct. 12 to 4 a.m. Oct. 13 (gage ----neight, 17 .13 ft) • 

1948 to September 1954: Discharge, 3,230 cfs July 12, 1951 (gage height, 13.39 ft). 

Mean dischar"e .. in cubic feet per second 1954 

Day October November Day October November Day October November Day October November 

1 46 380 9 292 260 17 2, 710 189 25 654 280 2 43 380 10 1,800 240 18 2,280 180 26 588 340 3 334 380 11 4,050 218 19 1,950 187 27 530 310 4 840 400 12 5,210 206 20 1,670 186 28 481 310 5 865 380 13 5,310 198 21 1,390 182 29 446 320 6 890 350 14 4,830 180 22 1,120 169 30 419 300 7 640 310 15 4,010 177 23 908 166 31 396 8 350 280 16 3,270 189 24 754 214 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second .•...•..••.•••.•...•.....•.• 1,583 262 Runoff, in inches .•...•••...•..••.•..•..•.•••..••...••..•.•••••••.•.••.•..• 6.42 1.03 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge he~ht height height height 

October 8 10 16.4~1 4,740 8 15.89 4,150 8 10.72 1,440 12 6.001 282 12 16.55 4,840 10 15.82 4,080 N 10.52 1,380 

October 9 October 12 N 15.74 4,000 4 10.32 1,340 4 5.92 268 2 16.65 4,940 2 15.68 3,940 8 10.12 1,300 8 5.85 255 4 16.75 5,020 4 15.61 3,870 12 9.92 1,250 N 5.79 244 6 16.82 5,090 6 15.53 3, 790 October 22 4 5.75 237 8 16.89 5,150 8 15.47 3, 730 4 . 9.72 1,210 6 5. 72 232 10 16.94 5,200 10 15.39 3,650 8 9.52 1,160 7 5. 72 232 N 17.00 5,250 12 15.33 3,600 N 9.32 1,120 8 5.95 273 2 17.05 5,300 October 16 4 9.12 1,080 9 6.52 384 4 17.08 5,340 2 15.29 3,560 8 8.96 1,040 10 7.00 490 6 17.10 5,360 6 15.14 3,430 12 8. 79 1,000 11 7.40 590 8 17.13 5,390 10 15.02 3,320 October 23 12 7.82 695 10 17.13 5,390 2 14.89 3,210 4 8.61 964 

October 10 12 17.13 5,390 6 14.78 3,120 8 8.48 936 1 8.15 778 October 13 10 14.64 3,010 N 8.35 907 2 8.50 865 2 17.13 5,390 12 14.58 2,960 4 8.22 878 3 8.82 945 4 17.13 5,390 October 17 8 8.10 852 4 9.11 1,020 6 17.11 5,370 4 14.451 2,860 12 7.98 826 5 9.45 1,100 8 17.11 5,370 8 14.35 2,800 October 24 6 9.80 1,210 10 17.11 5,370 N 14.20 2,690 6 1 .sol 786 7 10.20 1,330 N 17.11 5,370 12 13.84 2,480 N 7.63 749 8 10.40 1,390 2 17.09 5,350 October 18 6 7.50 720 9 10.72 1,500 4 17.05 5,300 8 13.601 2,340 12 7.40 698 10 10.95 1,580 6 17 .oo 5,250 N 13.49 2,280 October 25 11 11.25 1,700 8 16.94 5,200 4 13.35 2,220 6 7.301 676 N 11.45 1,780 10 16.90 5,160 8 13.24 2,160 N 7.20 654 2 11.91 1,960 12 16.85 5,120 12 13.10 2,100 6 7.10 632 4 12.40 2,160 October 14 October 19 12 7.02 614 6 12.89 2,380 2 16.80 5,070 4 12.98 2,050 October 26 8 13.32 2,590 4 16.78 5,050 8 12.82 1,990 N 6.901 588 10 13.72 2,810 6 16.70 4,980 N 12.68 1,940 12 6. 77 559 12 14.08 3,030 8 16.67 4,950 4 12.52 1,900 October 27 October 11 10 16.61 4,900 8 12.37 1,850 N 6.631 529 2 14.40 3,230 N 16.57 4,860 12 12.20 1,800 12 6.51 502 4 14.70 3,440 2 16.53 4,830 October 20 October 28 6 14.98 3,640 4 16.40 4,710 4 12.04 1, 760 N 6.401 480 8 15.20 3,790 6 16.36 4,670 8 11.85 1,720 12 6.31 462 10 15.41 3,940 8 16.29 4,590 N 11.69 1,680 October 29 N 15.61 4.090 10 16.24 4,530 4 11.50 1,630 N 6.22 444 2 15.82 4,260 12 16.15 4,440 8 11.30 1,580 12 6.17 434 4 16.00 4,400 October 15 12 11.~ 1,540 6 16.17 4,540 2 16.0~1 4,360 ctober 21 8 16.30 4,640 4 16.01 4,280 4 10.921 1,480 6 15.94 4,200 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 145 

(20) Yellow River at Knox, Ind. 

Location.--Lat 41°18', long 86°37', in sec. 14, T. 33 N., R. 2 W., on right bank 40ft upstream from bridge on u. s. Highway 35 in Knox, 1t miles downstream from Eagle Creek 

and 9 miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is 679.93 ft above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929 (Lafayette supplementary adjustment of 1951). 

Draina e area.--425 sq mi (revised). a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph. sc arfe recor • --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

shift ng-control method used at times. Maxima,--October 1954: Discharge, 5,660 cfs 10 p.m. Oct. 15, 4 a.m. Oct. 16 (gage height, 

--n:'f5 ft). ( ) 1943 to September 1954: Discharge, 3,160 cfs Apr. 7, 1950 gage height, 10.42 ft • 

Mean discharae in cubic feet per second 1954 0 , 

Day October November Day October November Day October November Day October November 

1 144 652 9 664 493 17 5,020 368 25 1,100 416 

2 142 642 10 785 458 18 4,300 362 26 960 476 

3 234 634 11 1,630 437 19 3,550 365 27 878 500 

4 6ZO 632 12 2,920 412 20 2,870 374 28 816 500 

5 970 640 13 3,96(1 402 21 2,360 374 29 770 500 

6 1,060 624 14 5,030 392 22 1,920 362 30 730 500 

7 1,030 580 15 5,600 380 23 1,560 356 31 687 

8 940 540 16 5,550 368 24 1,300 368 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ...........•...•.•..•....... 1,939 470 

Runoff, in inches ....•.•......•........•.•...•.••.•.....•..•......••....... 5.26 1.24 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour h~ri~t Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Ji~ht hetiht height 

October 9 10 12.1~1 4,380 12 13.321 5,320 12 9. 7~ 2,590 12 6.631 592 12 12.32 4,520 October 17 October 21 

October 10 October 14 2 13.28 5,280 2 ~:~~ 2,560 

2 6.64 596 1 12.47 4,640 4 13.24 5,250 4 2,520 

4 6.66 604 2 12,53 4,680 6 13.15 5,180 6 9.57 2,460 

6 6. 72 629 3 12.55 4,700 8 13.09 5,130 8 9.5~ 2,450 

8 6.80 665 4 12.65 4,780 10 13.02 5,080 10 9.47 2,390 10 6.86 692 5 12.70 4,820 N 12.98 5,040 N 9.43 2,360 

N 6,95 732 6 12.79 4,890 2 12.87 4,960 2 9,40 2,340 

2 7.05 780 7 12.83 4,920 4 12.80 4,900 4 9,33 2,290 4 7.16 835 8 12.86 4,950 6 12.74 4,850 6 9.29 2,260 

6 7.28 899 9 12.84 4,930 8 12.66 4,790 8 9.21 2,210 8 7.44 994 10 12.86 4,950 10 12.60 4,740 10 9.16 2,170 10 7.61 1,100 11 12.87 4,960 12 12.51 4,670 12 9.13 2,150 12 7.75 1,190 N 12.96 5,030 October 18 October 11 1 13.03 5,080 2 12.40 4,580 2 9 ?g~ober 2 ~ioo 2 7.88 1,280 2 13,04 5,090 4 12.37 4,560 4 9,0( 2,060 

4 8,00 1,360 3 13,09 5,130 6 12.28 4,480 6 8.92 2,000 6 8,07 1,410 4 13.15 5,180 8 12.20 4,420 8 8.87 1,970 8 8.17 1,470 5 13.10 5,140 10 12.14 4,370 10 8.82 1,930 10 8.25 1,540 6 13.20 5,220 N 12.04 4,290 N 8.81 1,930 N 8,34 1,600 7 13.34 5,330 2 11.98 4,240 2 8. ~~ 1,880 2 8,,45 1,680 8 13.26 5,270 4 11.90 4,180 4 8.6 1,840 4 8,56 1,750 9 13.31 5,310 6 11.83 4,120 6 8.~2 1,810 6 a. 10 1,850 10 13.42 5,400 8 11.73 4,040 8 1,780 8 8,84 1,950 11 13.44 5,410 10 11.67 4,000 10 ~:~e 1,750 10 8,98 2,050 12 13.49 5,450 12 11.58 3,920 12 8.5~ 1, 720 12 9.15 2,160 October 15 October 19 October 23 October 12 2 13.57 5,520 2 11.55 3,900 8 "·'; 1,600 2 9,34 2,300 4 13.63 5,560 4 11.43 3,800 N 8.27 1,550 4 9,55 2,440 6 13.56 5,510 6 11.36 3,750 4 8.22 1,510 6 9. 77 2,600 8 13.70 5,620 8 11.26 3,670 8 8.1 1,460 8 10,00 2,700 10 13.72 5,640 10 11.18 3,600 12 8.0 1,420 10 10.15 2,860 N 13.72 5,640 N 11.09 3,530 October 24 N 10,36 3,010 2 13.70 5,620 2 11.01 3,470 6 s.o~ 1,370 2 10.48 3,100 4 13.69 5,610 4 10.94 3,420 N 7.9 1,290 4 10,58 3,170 6 13.70 5,620 6 10.85 3,360 6 7.8 1,240 6 10.72 3,260 8 13.70 5,620 8 10,73 3,270 12 7. 7 1,190 8 10.82 3,330 10 13.75 5,660 10 10.71 3,260 October 25 10 10.92 3,400 12 13.72 5,640 12 10.56 3,150 6 7.6i l,HO 12 11.03 3,480 October 16 October 20 N 7,5 1,090 October 13 2 13.73 5,640 2 10.52 3,120 6 7.5 1,050 2 11.07 3,520 4 13,75 5,660 4 10,42 3,050 12 7.4 1,010 4 11.22 3,640 6 13.73 5,640 6 10,36 3,010 October 26 6 11.37 3,760 8 13.72 5,640 8 10.32 2,980 N 7,31 958 8 11.45 3,820 10 13,66 5,590 10 10.24 2,930 12 7.3 916 10 11.59 3,930 N 13,66 5,590 N 10.12 2,840 Oc ber 27 N 11.58 3,920 2 13.62 5,560 2 10.07 2,810 N 7.2~ 877 2 11.69 4,010 4 13,54 5,490 4 10.06 2,800 12 7.1 845 4 11.79 4,090 6 13.52 5,480 6 9,96 2,730 01~ober 28 6 11.90 4,180 8 13.48 5,440 8 9.92 2,700 N 7.1 815 8 12.01 4,270 10 13.39 5,370 10 9.81 2,630 12 7.07 790 
146 FLOODS OF 1954 

(21) Kankakee River at Dunns Bridge, Ind. 

Location.--Lat 41°13'17", long 86°57'52", in sec. 15, T. 32 N., R. 5 w., near center of 

span on upstream side of county highway bridge at Dunns Bridge, 1~ miles nor'th of Tefft 

and 3~ miles upstream from Davis ditch. Datum of gage is 649.65 ft above mean sea 

level, datum of 1929, Lafayette supplementar~ adjustment of 1951 (levels by Indiana Flood Control and Water Resources Commission). Draina e area,--1,308 sq mi (revised). 

a e- e record.--Graph drawn on basis of twice-daily wire-weight gage readings. sc arge recor • --Stage-discharge, relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxlma.--October 1954: Discharge, 5,300 cfs 3 to 11 a.m. Oct. 22 (gage height, 13.20 ft). 

-----1948 to September 1954: Discharge, 5,200 cfs Apr. 12, 1950 (gage height, 13.08 ft). 

Mean discharge in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Novembe,r Day October November Day October November Day October November 

1 550 3,910 9 1,600 2,960 17 4,370 2,100 25 5,030 l, 770 2 575 3, 770 10 1,650 2,860 18 4,550 2,020 26 4,880 1,800 3 600 3,640 11 2 370 2,760 19 4,840 1,950 27 4,710 1,800 

4 1,050 3,520 12 2,340 2,640 20 5,070 1,900 28 4,510 1,840 5 1,480 3,400 13 3,330 2,540 21 5,240 1,840 29 4,340 1,840 6 1,660 3,300 14 3,670 2,430 22 5,290 1,800 30 4,200 1,840 7 1,840 3,180 15 3,940 2,320 23 5,260 1,760 31 4,050 

8 1,760 3,060 16 4,200 2,200 24 5,170 1, 760 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second .••.•... , .•...............•. • 3,378 2,480 

Runoff, in inches .....•••..•....•..•...••...•...........•....•.•.•••...•... . 2.97 2.12 

Ga"e height in feet and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 0 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour h~~~t Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height 

October 9 October 12 8 ll.781 4,030 October 20 12 6.141 1,500 4 9.55 2,780 12 11.84 4,060 6 12.921 5,020 October 10 8 9. 72 2,860 October 16 N 12.98 5,080 4 6,02 1,460 N 9.90 2,950 4 ll.91 4,ll0 6 13,02 5,120 8 6,08 1,480 4 10.05 3,020 8 ll.98 4,160 12 13.07 5,170 10 6.22 1,530 8 10.18 3,090 N 12.02 4,200 October 21 N 6.43 1,600 12 10.30 3,150 4 12.09 4,250 6 13.101 5,200 2 6.62 1,670 October 13 8 12.12 4,280 N 13.14 5,240 4 6.83 1,740 4 10.41 3,210 12 12.16 4,310 6 13.18 5,280 6 7.02 1,810 8 10.52 3,270 October 17 12 13.19 5,290 8 7.21 1,870 N 10.62 3,330 4 12.19 4,330 October 22 10 7,40 1,940 4 10.73 3,400 8 12.20 4,340 2 13.19 5,290 12 7.58 2,000 8 10.82 3,450 N 12.22 4,360 4 13.20 5,300 October 11 12 10.92 3,510 4 12.26 4,390 6 13.20 5,300 2 7. 77 2,070 October 14 8 12.29 4,410 8 13.20 5,300 4 7.93 2,130 4 11.02 3,570 12 12.32 4,440 10 13.20 5,300 8 8.25 2,250 8 ll.lO 3,620 October 18 N 13.19 5,290 10 8,40 2,310 N ll.lg 3,670 6 12.391 4,490 4 13.19 5,290 N 8.58 2,380 4 ll.28 3,730 N 12.44 4,540 8 13.19 5,290 2 . 8. 72 2,440 8 ll.34 3,760 6 12.51 4,610 12 13.19 5,290 4 8.90 2,510 12 11.42 3,810 12 12.59 4,690 October 23 6 9,02 2,560 October 15 October 19 4 13.18 5,280 8 9,15 2,610 4 11.50 3,860 6 12.68 4,780 8 13.18 5,280 10 9.26 2,650 8 11.58 3,910 N 12.73 4,830 N 13.15 5,250 12 9.38 2,700 N ll.64 3,940 6 12.81 4,910 4 13.15 5,250 4 ll.71 3,990 12 12.88 4,980 8 13.14 5,240 12 13.12 5,220 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHIC \GO AREA 147 

(22) Kankakee River at Shelby, Ind. 

Location.--Lat 41°11', long 87°21', in sec. 33, T. 32 N., R. 8 W., on left bank 25ft 

--aownsfream from Chicago, Indianapolis &: Louisville Railway bridge, l mile south of 

Shelby, and 9 miles upstream from Beaver Lake Creek. Datum of gage is 628.13 ft above 

mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Drainage area.--1,753 sq mi (revised). 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima.--october 1954: Discharge, 5,040 cfs 12 M. to 10 p.m. Oct. 27 (gage height, 

----ro:Go ft) • 1922 to September 1954: Discharge observed, 7,200 cfs Dec. 21, 1927 (gage height, 

11.40 ft, present datum, site then in use), from rating curve extended above 3,000 cfs 

by gage-height relation study with that of present site. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October November Day October November Day October November Day October November 

1 642 4,800 9 1,730 3,860 17 4,260 2,820 25 4,890 2,190 

2 660 4,740 10 1,810 3,740 18 4,340 2,710 26 4,990 2,190 3 678 4,630 11 2,660 3,630 19 4,360 2,580 27 5,030 2,240 4 852 4,520 12 3,470 3,520 20 4,470 2,460 28 4,920 2·,290 5 1,270 4,370 13 3,850 3,380 21 4,580 2,380 29 4,830 2,340 6 1,550 4,240 14 4,020 3,240 22 4,690 2,300 30 4,750 2,340 7 1,710 4,120 15 4,090 3,090 23 4,770 2,240 31 4, 770 

8 l, 750 3,980 16 4,180 2,960 24 4,830 2,240 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second .........•......•...••..••.• 3,400 3,200 

Runoff, in inches ..•....•......•.......•.......••...•..•....•...•...••.••.. 2.24 2.04 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gagel . Hour Gage:! . ~ Hour Gage Discharge height height D1scharge height DlSChar oe height 

October 9 8 9.031 3,640 6 9. 751 4,200 October 23 12 5.55 I 1,690 12 9.11 3 '700 12 . 9.78 4,220 N 10.331 4' 770 October 10 October 13 October 17 12 10.37 4,810 6 5.52 

I 

1,680 6 9.191 3,750 N 9,821 4,260 October 24 N 5.61 1,710 N 9.36 3,890 12 9.87 4,310 N 10.401 4,840 4 5.84 1,810 6 9.43 3,940 October 18 12 10.39 4,830 8 6.25 2,020 12 9.46 3,970 N 9.921 4,360 October 25 12 6.60 2,190 October 14 12 9.90 4,340 N 10.451 4,890 October 11 6 9.471 3,980 October 19 12 10.52 4,960 4 6.90 2,340 N 9.53 4,020 N 

~:~~I 4,350 October 26 8 7.19 2,480 6 9.56 4,050 12 4,400 N 10.551 4,990 N 7.51 2,660 12 9.57 4,060 October 20 12 10,58 5,020 4 7.80 2,830 October 15 N 10.041 4,480 October 27 8 8.09 3,000 6 9.561 4,050 12 10,08 4,520 6 10.58 5,020 12 8.34 3,160 N 9.60 4,080 October 21 8 10.59 5,030 October 12 6 9.66 4,130 N 10.151 4,590 10 10,59 5,030 4 8.561 3 0310 12 9.67 4,140 12 10.20 4,640 N 10.60 5,040 8 8. 71 3,420 October 16 October 22 10 10.60 5,040 N 8,83 3,500 6 9,681 4,140 N 10,261 4, 700 12 10,58 5,020 4 8.89 3,540 N 9.73 4,180 12 10.29 4,730 
148 FLOODS OF 1954 

(23) Singleton ditch at Schneider, Ind. 

~ 

Location.--Lat 41°12'44", long 87°26'44", on line between NEt sec. 21 and NWt sec. 22, 

•• R. 9 W., on left bank about 15 ft upstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 41, 

half a mile upstream from Bruce ditch, 1~ miles downstream from Cedar Creek, and 1 2/3 

miles north of Schneider. Datum of gage is 623.67 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Drainage area.--122 sq mi. 

Gage-height record. --Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Shifting-control method used at times. 

~ 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 953 cfs 10 p.m. Oct. 11 to 1 a.m. Oct. 12, 5 to 11 a.m. 

12 (gage height, 10.10 ft). 1948 to September 1954: Daily discharge, 1,100 cfs Apr. 10, 1950. 

Mean discharge in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October November Day October November Day October November Day October November 

1 12 79 9 12 56 17 358 45 25 112 49 

2 12 74 10 368 53 18 291 42 26 106 51 

3 12 71 11 924 53 19 242 42 27 100 55 

4 12 69 12 947 51 20 201 40 28 94 70 

5 13 65 13 888 49 21 169 39 29 91 106 

6 13 63 14 734 48 22 148 38 30 88 86 

7 12 61 15 595 46 23 134 39 31 86 

8 12 58 16 452 46 24 122 46 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second .•..•.•.•.••.......•....•... 237 56.3 

Runoff. in inches ......•.••.•..•....•..•..•..•..............•..•.......••.• 2.24 0.52 

Gale height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage D" ha ~ Hour G~ge T Discharge heil!"ht height height lSC r .,e he1ght 

October 9 12 9.13 1. 827 October 13 12 5

•

0

gdtober ~~ 9 

12 1.4o I 15 October 11 4 9. 71 913 October 10 1 9.45 868 8 9,55 908 6 4.831 317 2 1.40 15 2 9.64 893 N 9.38 898 N 4.67 356 4 1.47 18 3 9.68 898 4 9.18 875 6 4.53 338 6 1.57 22 4 9.73 905 8 8,95 856 12 4.40 321 1 1. 75 31 8 9.80 914 12 8,66 823 October 18 8 2.32 70 N 9.83 918 October 14 8 4.241 300 9 3.05 130 4 10.03 944 4 8.35 790 4 4~10 282 10 4.00 230 8 10.09 952 8 8.02 763 12 3.97 265 11 5.00 340 12 10.10 953 N 7.69 723 October 19 N 5,75 422 October 12 4 7.47 696 8 3.851 250 1 6.43 502 2 ~0.08 950 8 7.36 683 4 3.70 230 2 6.87 554 4 10.08 950 12 7.25 670 12 3.63 221 3 7.18 592 6 ~0.10 953 October 15 October 20 4 7.37 614 10 0.10 953 6 6.991 639 8 3.51 I 205 5 7.52 632 N p.o.o9 952 N 6.64 597 4 3.43 195 6 7.63 646 2 10.08 950 6 6.27 552 12 3.36 186 7 1.11 655 4 10.07 949 12 5.94 513 8 7.83 670 6 10.03 944 OTober Tber 21 16 8 3.26 173 9 8.05 696 8 9.96 937 6 5.65 478 4 3.19 164 10 8,35 732 10 9.90 932 N 5.42 450 12 3.13 157 11 8.75 780 12 9.84 930 6 5.21 425 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 149 

(24) West Creek near Schneider, Ind. 

LocE~tion.--Lat 41°12'52", long. 87°29'36", in NWtNEt sec. 19, T. 32 N., R. 9 w., near 

ce,nter of span on upstream side of county highway bridge, 1. 2 miles upstream from 

Slngleton ditch and 2t miles northwest of Schneider. Altitude of gage is 631 ft (by 

altimeter). 

Dralna e area.--54.5 sq mi {revised). 

~~- ei t record. --Graph drawn on basis of floodmark and twice-daily wire-weight gage read ngs. 

Disclharge record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

-s!1il ting-control method used at times. 

Maxl~.--October 1954: Discharge, 1,840 cfs ll p.m. Oct. 10 to 2 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage 

height, 8,06 ft). 

1948-51, January to September 1954: Discharge, 1,050 cfs Dec. 22, 1949 {gage height, 6 .. 56 ft). 

Da 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

a 

y October 

9.2 

8.0 

8.0 

8.4 

11 

9,6 

8.0 

7. 7 

November 

24 

22 

22 

20 

19 

19 

18 

17 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October November Day October November Day 

fl 7.4 15 17 104 12 25 

10 871 14 18 87 12 26 

11 1,570 14 19 74 12 27 

12 914 14 20 66 12 28 

13 491 13 21 58 12 29 

14 290 13 22 50 11 30 

15 171 12 23 42 12 31 

16 129 12 24 40 14 

Me 

Ru 

mthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ..............•....••....... 

noff, in inches .......•...••..•.....................•............. ·. · · · · · 

October November 

37 18 

34 20 

32 20 

30 24 

28 25 

27 22 

26 

169 16.5 

3.57 0.34 

Ga.,.e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 0 

Ho ur 

12 

2 

4 

6 

8 

10 

N 

2 

4 

6 

8 

10 

11 

12 

1 

2 

4 

8 

10 

N 

4 

8 

12 

Gage Discharge hei~Zht 

October 9 

0.581 7.4 October 10 2,57 164 3,67 325 4. 72 530 5,G5 780 5.99 877 6.14 922 6.20 940 6,30 970 6,53 1,050 

6,89 1,200 

7.92 1,750 

8.06 1,840 

8,06 1,840 

October 11 8,06 1,840 

8.06 1,840 

7,99 1,790 

7,85 1, 710 7,75 1,650 

7.63 1,580 

7.41 1,460 

7.16 1,330 

6.92 1,210 

458079 0-58 -4 

Hour Gage Discharge heil!ht 

October 12 

2 6. 77 1,150 4 6.66 1,100 6 6.52 1,050 

8 6,38 994 10 6,25 955 N 6.08 904 

2 5,96 868 4 5. 79 819 6 5.65 780 8 5.47 730 10 5.33 690 12 5,19 651 October 13 

2 5.06 615 4 4.94 581 

6 4,80 548 

8 4.69 524 10 4.58 500 

N 4.49 480 2 4.39 458 4 4,30 438 

6 4.23 425 8 4.15 411 10 4.07 397 

12 3.99 382 

Hour h~~~ Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height 

October 14 8 2.29 133 2 3,93 371 N 2,25 129 4 3.85 357 4 £!,18 122 6 3.76 341 8 2.16 120 

8 3.67 325 12 2,11 115 

N 3.47 289 October 17 2 3,37 271 6 2,061 110 

4 3.27 254 N 1,98 102 6 3.13 234 6 1.96 100 

8 3.04 222 12 1,90 94 10 2,96 211 October 18 12 2.88 202 8 1,861 90 October 15 4 1.78 83 4 2.78 190 12 1. 75 80 6 2.76 187 October 19 8 2,70 180 N 1.671 73 10 2.67 176 12 1.65 72 

N 2. 62 170 October 20 

2 2.57 164 N 1,581 65 4 2,55 162 12 1.56 63 

6 2,50 156 October 21 

8 2.47 153 N 1,501 57 10 2.45 150 12 1.47 55 12 2.39 144 October 22 

October 16 12 1,361 45 4 2.36J 141 
150 FLOODS OF 1954 

(25) Singleton ditch at Illinoi, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°11'20", long 87°31'35", in SW-kNW-k sec. 8, T. 31 N., R. 15 E., near 

center of span on downstream side of county highway bridge in Illinoi, beside the 

Cleveland, Cincinnati, Chicago & St. Louis Railroad and at Indiana-Illinois State Line. 

Datum of gage is 620.33 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Drainage area.--219 sq mi (revised). 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. No gage-height record Nov. 14-22. 

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Shifting-control method used at times. Discharge for period Nov. 14-22 estimated on 

basis of records for stations on nearby streams. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 2,010 cfs 7 to 8 p.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 9.81 ft). 

~44 to September 1954: Discharge, 1,850 cfs Apr. 11, 1950 (gage height, 9,26 ft). 

Mean dischar<>"e in cubic feet per second 1954 b 

Day October November Day October November Day October November Day October November 

1 28 179 9 33 128 17 572 98 25 225 100 2 25 172 10 780 122 18 494 95 26 216 100 3 29 165 11 1,910 115 19 425 92 27 209 110 4 29 162 12 1,940 112 20 367 90 28 202 132 5 31 153 13 1,770 111 21 319 88 29 198 196 G 35 148 14 1,420 110 22 283 85 30 191 170 7 28 140 15 1,090 105 23 259 83 31 182 8 28 134 16 777 100 24 237 96 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ....................•......• 463 123 Runoff, in inches ................. , ....•.. , ........•................•.•.... 2.43 0.63 -

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 9 6 9.24 1,840 4 9.26 1,850 8 6.18 965 12 1.49 I 34 7 9,26 1,850 6 9.23 1,840 10 6.08' 940 October 10 8 9,32 1,870 8 9.17 1,820 12 5.96 910 1 1.50 35 9 9,29 1,860 10 9.12 1,810 October 16 2 1.53 38 10 9.34 1,870 N 9.00 1,770 2 5,86 885 3 1.55 40 11 9,46 1,910 2 8.94 1, 750 4 5.75 858 4 1.60 46 N 9.53 1,930 4 8.86 1, 730 6 5.64 830 5 1.66 52 1 9.58 1,940 6 8.77 1, 700 8 5.57 812 6 1.71 58 2 9.67 1,970 8 8.69 1,680 10 5.50 795 7 1.80 70 3 9. 72 1,990 10 8,61 1,650 N 5.42 775 8 2.70 207 4 9,75 2,000 12 8.52 1,630 2 5.36 760 9 3.52 369 5 9.78 2,000 October 14 4 5.30 745 10 4.33 531 6 9.80 2,010 2 8.42 1,600 6 5.21 722 11 5.20 720 7 9.81 2,010 4 8.31 1,560 8 5,10 695 N 5.96 910 8 9.81 2,010 6 8.18 1,520 10 5.01 672 1 6.52 1,050 9 9.80 2,010 8 8.07 1,490 12 4.88 641 2 6.92 1,150 10 9. 78 2,000 10 7.95 1,460 October l7 3 7.20 1,230 11 9. 76 2,000 N 7.84 1,420 2 4.72 609 4 7.41 1,290 12 9,74 1,990 2 7. 72 1,390 4 4.68 601 5 7.57 1,340 October 12 4 7.57 1,340 6 4.62 589 6 7.67 1,370 2 9. 71 1,980 6 7.48 1,310 8 4.59 583 7 7.75 1,400 4 9.66 1,970 12 7.27 1,250 10 4.55 575 8 7.85 1,420 6 9.67 1,970 October 15 N 4.51 567 9 7.95 1,460 8 9.63 1,960 2 7.18 1,220 2 4.49 563 10 8.18 1,520 10 9,60 1,950 4 7.10 1,200 4 4.47 559 11 8.37 1,580 N 9.57 1,940 6 7.01 1,170 6 4.43 551 12 8.59 1,650 2 9.51 1,920 8 6.90 1,140 8 4.40 545 October 11 4 9,50 1,920 10 6.81 1,120 10 4.38 541 1 8.83 1, 720 6 9.48 1,910 N 6. 70 1,100 12 4.34 533 2 8,99 1, 770 8 9.42 1,900 2 6.60 1,070 OTer 18 3 9.10 1,800 10 9.39 1,890 4 6.45 1,030 12 3.95 455 4 9.19 1,830 12 9.34 1,870 6 6.32 1,000 5 9.21 1,830 October 13 2 9.3o 1 1,a6o 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CIDCAGO AREA 151 

(26} Kankakee River at Momence, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°09'36", long 87°40 1 07" (revised}, in NEt sec. 24, T. 31 N., R. 13 E., 

-on right bank a quarter of a mile downstream from highway bridge in Momence and lt miles upstream from Tower Creek. Datum of gage is 610,18 ft above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929. Drainage area.--2,340 sq mi, approximately, 

Gagej-height record,--Water-stage recorder graph. Disc1arge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Maxirna,--October-November 1954: Discharge, 5,400 cfs 4 a.m. to 11 p.m. Oct. 15 (gage 

--ne:[ght, 3,07 ft}. 

1905-06, 1914 to September 1954: Discharge, 10,100 cfs Apr. 25, 1950 (gage height, 

5,06 ft}; maximum gage height observed, 8,09 ft Jan. 25, 1930 (ice jam} at site a 

quarter of a mile upstream. 

Mo 

Rur 

Mean dischar"e in cubic feet per second 1954 ~ 

• October November Day October November Day October November Day 

660 5,020 9 1,870 4,460 17 5,160 3,430 25 

682 5,000 10 2,810 4,320 18 5,040 3,300 26 

720 5,020 11 4,900 4,180 19 4,960 3,150 27 

780 5,000 12 5,260 4,020 20 4,900 3,030 28 

984 4,940 13 5,120 3,920 21 4,900 2,860 29 

1,280 4,860 14 5,280 3,820 22 4,900 2,750 30 

1,510 4,760 15 5,400 3,680 23 4,940 2,650 31 

1,720 4,620 16 5,300 3,560 24 5,000 2,620 

r1thly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ...........•.............•.. 10ff, in inches .............•.........•...........................•...... 

(27} Kankakee River near Wilmington, Ill. 

October November 

5,060 2,580 

5,100 2,520 

5,120 2,500 

5,220 2,560 

5,220 2,670 

5,200 2,690 

5,100 

3,874 3,683 1.91 1. 76 

Location.--Lat 41°20 1 48", long 88°11'11", in NWt sec. 15, T. 33 N., R, 9 E., on right ~i1K0.4 mile downstream from Prairie Creek and 5 miles downstream from Wilmington. Datum of gage is 511.10 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929, 

Drainage area,--5,250 sq mi, approximately, ~-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

DISCharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. MraXIma.--October, November 1954: Discharge, 10,200 cfs 8 to 9 a.m. Oct. 12 (gage height, -r.w ft}. 

1935 to September 1954: Discharfl:e, 48-,000 cfs May 21, 1943 (gage height, 8.87 ft}; gage height, 11.57 ft Feb. 1, 1949 tice jam}. Maximum stage known, 16,73 ft in 1883, 1887. Remarks.--Slight diurnal fluctuation at low flow caused by power plants above station. 

Mean Jischarge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Da y October November Day October November Day October November Day 

754 5,470 9 1,950 4,840 17 6,780 3, 760 25 754 5,340 10 2,780 4,720 18 6,460 3,560 26 790 5,340 11 8,000 4,560 19 6,190 3,400 27 844 5,340 12 9,700 4,440 20 6,010 3,240 28 980 5,290 13 7,990 4,240 21 5,830 3,130 29 1,230 5,200 14 7,180 4,080 22 5,650 2,980 30 1,500 5,120 15 7,400 3,960 23 5,600 2,910 31 1, 750 5,000 16 7,270 3,880 24 5,600 2,880 

Mo 

Ru 

nthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ...............•..•......... noff, in inches .•.•.........•..•..•....•.•.•............................. 

October November 

5,600 2,800 

5,650 2,800 

5,650 2,770 

5,650 2,800 

5, 700 2,980 

5,650 3,130 

5,560 

4,789 3,999 1.05 .85 
152 FLOODS OF 1954 

(28) Des Plaines River near Gurnee, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°20'40", long 87°56 1 30", in swt- sec. 27, T. 45 N., R. 11 E., on right 

bank at upstream side of bridge on State Highway 120, 600 ft east of intersection of 

State Highways 120 and 63, 2~ miles southwest of Gurnee, 2~ miles upstream from Bull 

Creek, and 6 miles downstream from Mill Creek. Datum of gage is 650.3 ft above mean 

sea level, datum of 1929 (Corps of Engineers bench mark). 

Draina e area.--215 sq mi. ~ 

a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph. sc arge recor .--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 442 cfs 3 to 9 a.m. Oct. 13 (gage height, 4.38 ft). 

-----r945 to September 1954: Discharge, 2,620 cfs Mar. 21, 1948 (gage height, 9.21 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 15 7 177 12 423 17 401 22 155 27 102 2 27 8 161 13 441 18 360 23 134 28 107 3 117 9 140 14 433 19 301 24 115 29 102 4 169 10 179 15 433 20 238 25 107 30 95 5 181 11 350 16 425 21 190 26 101 31 84 6 183 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • . 208 

Runoff, in inches.. . . . • . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . • • . . . . • . • . . . . . . . • . • . . . 1.12 

(29) Buffalo Creek near Wheeling, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°09'05", long 87°57'25", in NEkNWt- sec. 4, T. 42 N., R. ll E., on left 

~t downstream side of highway bridge, l mile downstream from unnamed tributary, and 2.5 miles west of Wheeling. Datum of gage is 658,60 ft above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929 (Cook County Highway Department bench mark). 

Drainage area.--19.4 sq mi. 

Gage-height record.--Water~stage recorder eraph. 

Discharge record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 

80 cfs and extended to peak stage by logarithmic plotting. 

Maxima,--October 1954: Discharge, 161 cfs 10:30 p.m. Oct. 10 (~age height, 4,62 ft). 

-----rs52 to September 1954: Discharge, 268 cfs Apr. 25, 1954 tgage height, 5.40 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 0,1 7 1.8 12 105 17 26 22 12 27 9.1 2 .1 8 1.6 13 72 18 20 23 10 28 8.6 3 1.4 9 1.6 14 53 19 17 24 9.4 29 7.9 4 .6 10 73 15 42 20 15 25 8.9 30 7.2 5 1.2 11 134 16 34 21 13 26 9.1 31 6.6 6 2.0 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second .....•••..•....•.•••.•••.••.• ·.•..••• 22.7 

Runoff, in inches ....................•• ,.,,........................................ 1.35 

Ga,.e height, in feet and discharge in cubic feet per second at indicated time, 1954 0 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 11 3.42 62 7 4,32 131 8 3.86 93 12 1.831 1.5 N 3,50 67 9 4.32 131 10 3.83 90 October 9 1 3.54 70 11 4.34 133 12 3. 79 87 4 1.83 1.5 2 3,59 73 N 4.35 134 October 13 6 1.82 1.4 3 3.77 86 3 4.35 134 2 3.75 84 2 1.82 1.4 4 3.92 98 4 4.34 133 4 3,70 81 4 1.81 1.3 5 4.07 110 5 4.34 133 10 3.61 75 6 1.82 1.4 6 4.14 115 6 4,33 132 4 3.49 66 8 1.89 2.1 7 4.24 124 9 4.27 126 8 3.41 62 10 1.90 2.2 8 4.41 139 10 4.26 125 10 3.39 60 12 1.97 3.0 9 4,53 151 11 4.24 124 12 3.35 58 October 10 10 4.60 159 12 4.22 122 October 14 l 2.02 3.8 10:30 4.62 161 October 12 2 3.33 57 2 2.07 4_.6 11 4.61 160 2 4,19 119 6 3.27 53 3 2.15 6.3 12 4.57 156 4 4.15 116 10 3.23 51 4 2.34 11 October 11 6 4.12 114 N 3.28 54 5 2.54 18 1 4.51 149 8 4.08 110 2 3,30 55 6 2.75 26 2 4.48 146 10 4.06 109 6 3.26 53 7 2.94 36 3 4.43 141 N 4.02 106 8 3.22 50 8 3,09 43 4 4.39 137 2 3.98 102 10 3.20 49 9 3.22 50 5 4.36 134 4 3,95 100 12 3.17 47 10 3.35 58 6 4,34 133 6 3,90 96 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 153 

(30) Des Plaines River near Des Plaines, Ill. 

LocE•tion.--Lat 42°04 1 55", long 87°53 1 25", in SEi'SEi' sec. 25, T. 42 N., R. 11 E., on 

-rl'gnf-bank 50 ft upstream from dam no. 2 of Cook county Forest Preserve, 0.3 mile 

downstream from Lake Avenue Bridge, 1.2 miles upstream from Central Road Bridge, and 

2~; miles north of Des Plaines. Datum of gage is 626.31 ft above mean sea level, datum 

of' 1929. 

Dralna e area.--374 sq mi. 

~!- e t record. --Water-stage recorder graph except for period Oct. 25-31. 

DISC: arge recor • --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Dis-

-cFtarge for period of no gage-height record Oct. 25-31 estimated on basis of recorded 

range in stage and records for station near Gurnee. 

Maxlma.--October 1954: Discharge, 1,800 cfs 9 to 11 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 3.25 ft). 

-----r940 to September 1954: Discharge, 4,040 cfs Apr. 25, 1950 {gage height, 7.78 ft). 

Flood of July 4, 1938, reached a ztage of 9.7 ft, from floodmark (discharge, 5,500 

cfs). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Da .y October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

Me 

Ru 

Hou 

12 

2 

8 

10 

2 

4 

6 

8 

10 

12 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

E 

9 

10 

11 

N 

1 

2 

3 

23 7 200 12 1,260 17 633 22 295 27 175 30 8 195 13 869 18 587 23 246 28 170 74 9 191 14 794 19 526 24 217 29 160 158 10 785 15 749 20 444 25 190 30 150 200 11 1, 750 16 688 21 358 26 180 31 140 ; 206 

mthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second .........•.• , ••..•..•.••....••.•.... 408 noff, in inches .............•....•••..•....•..•.•...•...•.•..•.••..•.......•. ·•·· 1.26 

Ga>'e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time,1954 .. Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage D' ha" Hour Gage:! . r height hei~ht height lSC r .. e height D1scharge 

October 8 4 2.05 880 October 12 12 1.94 I 783 1.16 I 19o 5 2.19 1,020 2 2.93 1,620 October 15 October 9 6 2.34 1,170 4 2.82 1,550 4 1.931 774 1.15 184 7 2.50 1,330 6 2. 71 1,490 8 1.92 764 1.15 184 8 2.66 1,450 8 2.61 1,420 N 1.90 745 1.14 178 9 2.80 1,540 10 2,51 1,340 4 1.89 736 1.14 178 10 2.90 1,600 N 2.41 1,250 12 1.87 716 1.13 173 11 2.98 1,650 2 2.32 1,160 October 16 1.16 190 12 3.04 1,680 4 2.24 1,080 8 1.851 698 1.20 212 October 11 6 2.18 1,020 4 1.83 678 1.23 228 2 3.10 1, 720 8 2.14 980 12 1.81 660 1.27 251 3 3.14 1,740 10 2.11 950 October 17 October 10 5 3.18 1,760 12 2.09 930 4 1.80 I 650 1.29 262 6 3.21 1,780 October 13 8 1.76 614 1.32 279 7 3.22 1,780 4 2.07 910 12 1. 76 614 1.36 303 8 3.24 1,790 6 2.05 890 October 18 1.41 333 9 3.25 1,800 8 2,05 890 N 1. 73 I 587 1.48 378 11 3.25 1,800 10 2.03 870 12 1. 70 560 1.58 452 1 3,23 1,780 N 2,03 870 October 19 1.67 520 3 3,23 1,780 8 1.99 830 4 1.681 544 1.72 560 4 3,22 1,780 10 1.98 821 N 1.66 528 1. 74 578 7 3.16 1, 750 12 1.98 821 4 1.65 520 1. 73 569 8 3.13 1,740 October 14 12 1.61 488 1. 73 569 9 3,10 1,720 2 1.97 812 October 20 1. 72 560 10 3.06 1,100 6 1.95 792 N 1.55 I 445 1. 73 569 11 3.02 1,670 8 1.95 792 12 1.48 397 1. 75 587 12 2.97 1,640 10 1.93 774 October 21 1.88 707 N 1.95 792 N 1.42 I 358 10 1.95 792 12 1.36 321 
154 FLOODS OF 1954 

(31) McDonald Creek near Mt, Prospect, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°05'42", long 87°54'46", in NWkNEk sec. 26, T. 42 N., R. 11 E., on ---rigFit"bank at downstream side of bridge on McDonald Road, 2 miles upstream from mouth, and 2,5 miles northeast of Mt, Prospect, Datum of gage is 638,12 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Cook County Highway Department bench mark). 

Drainage area,--7,52 sq mi. Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph, 

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 80 cfs and extended to peak stage by logarithmic plotting. Shifting-control method used at times, 

Maxima,--October 1954: Discharge, 146 cfs 6 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 7,31 ft), -----1952 to September 1954: Discharge, 103 cfs June 3, 1954 (gage height, 6.46 ft), 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 0 7 2.5 12 68 17 17 22 8.0 27 5.9 2 0 8 2.1 13 36 18 14 23 7.3 28 5,6 3 ,6 9 3.4 14 30 19 12 24 6.6 29 5,2 4 2.1 10 67 15 30 20 11 25 5,9 30 5.0 5 2,0 11 131 16 22 21 9,1 26 5.8 31 4.6 6 3,3 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ... ,., ....... , ....... , ... ,.......... 16.9 Runoff, in inches .... , ......... , .................... , .........• , , ..... , .... , , • . . . . . 2, 59 

GaJe height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height heil!:ht height height 

October 8 9 4,83 48 10 7.24 ·. 142 4 4.63 42 12 2.141 2,0 10 4.90 50 11 7.20 140 6 4.55 40 October 9 11 5,00 53 N 7.17 138 8 4.48 38 4 2.14 2,0 N 5.11 56 2 7,09 134 10 4.42 37 6 2.15 2.1 1 5.20 59 3 7.03 132 N 4,37 36 10 2.15 2.1 2 5,35 64 4 6.97 128 2 4.32 34 N 2.14 2.0 3 5, 71 74 6 6.83 122 4 4.27 34 5 2.14 2.0 4 6,00 85 7 6.75 118 6 4.22 32 6 2.22 2,5 5 6,23 94 8 6.67 114 8 4.18 32 7 2.44 4.3 6 6.38 100 9 6,60 llO 10 4.14 30 8 2.53 5.1 7 6.53 106 10 6.51 106 12 4.11 30 9 2.63 6,2 8 6.68 114 11 6.43 102 October 14 10 2.90 9.5 9 6.81 120 12 6.35 99 2 4,07 29 11 3.08 12 10 6.91 126 October 12 4 4,05 29 12 3.26 15 11 7 .oo 130 2 6.25 95 6 4,04 28 October 10 12 7.08 134 8 5. 71 74 8 4.02 28 1 3.36 17 October 11 N 5.43 66 10 4.01 28 2 3,50 19 1 7.15 138 2 5.30 61 N 4.05 29 3 3.69 23 2 7.20 140 4 5.20 58 2 4.12 30 4 3.94 28 3 7.26 143 6 5,07 54 4 4.15 30 5 4.22 34 4 7.29 144 8 4.95 51 6 4.17 31 6 4.47 39 6 7.31 146 10 4.86 48 8 4.18 32 7 4.66 44 8 7.29 144 12 4.78 46 10 4,20 32 8 4.76 46 9 7.26 143 October 13 12 4.22 32 2 4.11 1 44 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 155 

(32) Weller Creek at Des Plaines, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°02 1 57", long 87°55 1 05", in N':!f."NWf." sec. 18, T. 41 N., R. 12 E., on 

-----r:lght"bank at downstream side of bridge on State Highway 58 in Des Plaines, 2 miles 

west of U. S. Highway 45 and 3,0 miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is 635)02 

ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Cook County Highway Department bench mark · 

Dra:lna e area.--13.1 sq mi. ·' 

Ga"";~-he t record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Dis•J ar~e record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 

---rso c s and extended to peak stage by :...t·garithmic plotting. Shifting-control method 

used at times. 

MaxLma.--October 1954: Discharge, 535 cfs 6 p.m. Oct. 10 (gage height, 10,83 ft). 

-1950 to September 1954: Discharge, 461 cfs Apr, 25, 1954 (gage height, 9.83 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

5.0 7 4.2 12 90 17 22 22 11 27 8.1 8,8 8 4.2 13 55 18 20 23 9.6 28 7.8 31 9 48 14 54 19 16 24 8.8 29 7.6 4,3 10 329 15 38 20 14 25 8,8 30 6.7 21 11 210 16 28 21 12 26 8.6 31 6.3 5.6 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . 35.6 

Runoff, in inches.. . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . • . • . . • . . . . . . . . . . 3.13 

Ho ur 

12 

6 

E: 

lC 

t\ 

t 

I 

6 

I 

: 

I 

lC 

11 

12 

t 

I 

1( 

11 

t\ 

] 

; 

I 

I 

t 

I 

Gaore height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 0 

Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage . <Y Hour Gage Discharge hei(lht height height Dtschar.,.e height 

October 8 5 10.69 524 October 12 2 4.27 109 1. 79 r 4.5 6 10.83 535 2 4.33 112 4 3.55 74 October 9 7 10.81 534 4 4.19 105 6 3.19 58 1.79 4.7 8 10.80 533 6 4.07 99 8 3,03 51 l. 73 3.6 9 10.77 530 8 3.98 94 10 2.94 47 1. 71 3.3 10 10.57 514 10 3.94 92 12 2.87 44 1.68 2,8 11 10.19 484 N 3.89 90 October 15 1,68 2.8 12 9. 71 448 2 3.81 86 4 2.79 41 1. 72 3.5 October 11 4 3. 75 83 8 2.73 39 1.77 4,3 1 9.30 420 6 3.66 79 N 2. 72 38 1,95 8.1 2 8.82 386 8 3.53 73 4 2,66 36 3.00 45 3 8,37 355 10 3.47 70 8 2. 62 34 5,35 165 4 7.82 316 12 3.39 67 12 2.56 32 6,98 262 5 7.26 279 October 13 October 16 7.14 272 6 6. 78 250 2 3,34 64 4 2.48 29 6,49 233 7 6,39 227 4 3.27 61 8 2.45 28 5,65 184 8 6,09 209 6 3.22 59 N 2.48 29 October 10 9 5,88 196 8 3.19 58 4 2.44 28 5,45 173 10 5, 72 188 10 3.17 57 8 2.38 26 5, 70 186 11 5,57 179 N 3.10 54 12 2.36 25 5,80 192 N 5,40 170 2 3.09 53 October 17 5.99 203 1 5.26 162 4 3.07 52 4 2.32 24 6.50 234 2 5,24 161 6 3.00 49 8 2.28 22 7.21 276 3 5.19 158 8 2.93 47 N 2.28 22 7.69 307 4 5,11 154 10 2.89 45 4 2,30 23 7,68 306 5 5,03 149 12 2.86 44 8 2.26 21 7.26 279 6 4.94 144 October 14 12 2.25 21 6,64 242 7 4,85 140 2 2.82 42 October 18 6.14 212 8 4.76 134 4 2.78 41 4 2.20 19 5,88 196 9 4,70 132 6 2.76 40 8 2.17 18 5,83 193 10 4,63 127 8 2.75 39 N 2.32 24 5,89 197 11 4,54 122 10 2.75 39 4 2.24 21 7,36 285 12 4.43 117 N 3.39 67 8 2.18 19 9, 70 448 1 4.33 112 12 2.15 18 
156 FLOODS OF 1954 

(33) Willow Creek near Park Ridge, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°59'22", long 87°52'24", in SWi-NEt sec. 4, T. 40 N., R. 12 E., on ~bank at downstream side of bridge on B~ron Street, 0.4 mile south of State High- way 72, 1.3 miles upstream from mouth, and 22 miles southwest of Park Ridge. Datum of gage is 620.95 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Cook County Highway Department bench mark). 

Drainage area.--19.6 sq mi. Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph except for the period 12 M. Oct. 5 to 10 a.m. Oct. 6, for which graph was drawn on basis of recorded range in stage and recorder graph for Weller Creek at Des Plaines. Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 160 cfs and extended to peak stage by logarithmic plotting. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 382 cfs 6 a.m. Oct. ll (gage height, 8.32 ft). -----rs50 to September 1954: Discharge, 283 cfs Apr. 25, 1954 (gage height, 7.15 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day Oc~ober Day October Day October Day October 

0.2 7 20 12 218 17 66 22 31 27 19 

l.l 8 15 13 149 18 57 23 27 28 16 40 9 32 14 120 19 49 24 23 29 15 16 10 228 15 109 20 41 25 21 30 12 

44 11 337 16 84 21 36 26 20 31 10 34 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . • . . • . . . . . . 61.0 Runoff, in inches. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . • • . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . • • .5. 59 

GaJe height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954. 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 8 6.00 192 "10 8.12 364 12 5

'

7

gcJober 177 12 2.12 1 13 9 5.92 186 11 8.07 359 13 October 9 10 5.90 185 N 7.97 350 2 5. 70 171 2 2.11 13 11 5.95 188 1 7.87 341 4 5.62 165 4 2.11 13 N 6.03 194 2 7.78 333 6 5.55 160 6 2.10 13 1 6.06 196 3 7.70 326 8 5.48 156 8 2.09 12 2 6.09 198 4 7.60 317 10 5.41 152 10 2,08 12 3 6.21 207 5 7.49 307 N 5,35 148 N 2,08 12 4 6.87 257 6 7.41 300 2 5.29 144 2 2.07 12 5 7,38 297 7 7.32 293 4 5.24 141 4 2.06 11 6 7.49 307 8 7.24 286 6 5.19 138 5 2,06 11 7 7,52 310 9 7.16 280 8 5.12 134 6 2.33 19 8 7.61 318 10 7.09 274 10 5.06 131 7 3.41 54 9 7. 75 330 11 7.02 :;69 12 5.02 128 8 4. 79 114 10 7,84 339 12 6,95 ~63 October 14 9 4.57 102 11 7,92 346 October 12 2 4.97 125 10 4,15 82 12 8,04 357 2 6.83 253 4 4.93 123 11 4.84 117 October 11 4 6. 71 244 6 j4.88 120 12 5.19 138 1 8,13 365 6 6.60 235 8 4,82 116 October 10 2 8,20 371 8 6.51 228 10 4.78 114 1 5,32 146 3 8,26 376 10 6.41 221 N 4.74 111 2 5,36 149 4 8,29 379 N 6.32 214 2 5.08 132 3 5.47 155 5 8,31 381 2 6.25 210 4 4.96 125 4 5,63 166 6 8,32 382 4 6.19 205 6 4.88 120 5 5,85 182 7 8.31 381 6 6,12 200 8 4,86 119 6 5,99 191 8 8,27 377 8 6.03 194 10 4.85 118 7 6.04 195 9 8,20 371 10 5,93 187 12 4.85 118 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 157 

(34) Salt Creek near Arlington Heights, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°03 1 02 11 , long 88°00'37", on north boundary of sec. 17, T. 41 N., R. --ri~ on right bank at downstream side of bridge on State Highway 58, 2~ miles southwest of Arlington Heights. Datum of gage is 682.32 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929 (Cook County Highway Department bench mark). 

Draina e area.--33.7 sq mi. ~- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph. DISC arge reco • --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Miii!ma.--October 1954: Discharge, 516 cfs 11 to 12 p.m. Oct. 10 (gage height, 8.28 ft). -----r950 to September 1954: Discharge, 540 cfs Apr. 25, 1954 (gage height, 8.43 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 1.0 7 5.0 12 263 17 76 22 34 27 23 2 .a 8 4.0 13 193 18 59 23 31 28 21 3 13 9 10 14 160 19 50 24 28 29 19 4 3.7 10 268 15 131 20 44 25 25 30 16 5 11 11 422 16 99 21 38 26 24 31 15 6 7.9 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second • . • . • • . • • . • • • • • . • . • . • • . . • . • • • • • • . • . • 67.6 

Rwtoff, in inches................................................................... 2.31 

Hour 

12 

10 

N 

2 

4 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

N 

1 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per" second, at indicated time, 1954 

Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Jieight hetibt height height 

October 8 2 6.22 235 5 7.49 380 N 5.66 192 1.42 I 3.7 3 6.32 244 6 7.43 370 2 5.58 187 October 9 4 6.86 298 7 7.36 360 4 5.52 183 1.42 3.7 5 7.27 348 8 7.31 353 6 5.46 180 1.41 3.4 6 7.51 382 9 7.25 346 8 5.39 175 1.41 3.4 7 7. 72 415 10 7.20 339 10 5.32 171 1.40 3.2 8 7.96 457 11 7.14 331 12 5.26 168 1.40 3.2 9 8.16 493 12 7.09 325 October 14 1.44 4.1 10 8.25 510 October 12 2 5.19 164 1.97 20 11 8.28 516 2 6.93 306 4 5.13 162 2.28 31 12 8.28 516 4 6.83 294 6 5.07 158 2.64 44 October 11 6 6. 73 283 8 5.01 156 2.86 52 1 8.27 514 8 6.66 276 10 4.94 152 3.23 67 2 8.25 510 10 6.57 267 N 5.01 156 October 10 3 8.20 501 N 6.50 260 2 5.10 160 3.74 92 4 8.15 492 2 6.42 253 4 5.20 165 4.20 115 5 8.09 480 4 6.35 246 6 5.25 168 4.44 127 6 8.04 471 6 6.28 240 8 5.17 164 4.60 135 7 7.99 462 8 6.20 233 10 5.07 158 4.77 144 8 7.94 453 10 6.13 227 12 4.98 154 5.01 156 9 7.90 446 12 6.06 222 October 15 5.27 168 10 7.86 439 October 13 4 4.80 145 5.51 183 11 7.81 431 2 5.99 216 8 4.63 136 5. 77 200 N 7.76 422 4 5.92 211 N 4.49 130 6.00 217- 1 7. 71 414 6 5.86 206 4 4.36 123 6.13 227 2 7.66 406 8 5.78 201 8 4.25 118 6.20 233 3 7.61 398 10 5. 72 196 12 4.14 112 6.22 235 4 7.55 388 
158 FLOODS OF 19 54 

(35) Salt Creek at Western Springs, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°49'3511 , long 87°54 1 00", on boundary between sees. 31 and 32, T. 39 

N., R. 12 E.'· on left bank at upstream side of bridge on Wolf Road, in Cook County 

Forest Preserve, half a mile north of Western Springs and 8.8 miles upstream from 

mouth. Datum of gage is 624.93 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Drainage area.--122 sq mi. 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Shifting-control method used at times. 

Maxima,--October 1954: Discharge, 1,710 cfs 12 p.m. Oct. 10 to 1 a.m. Oct. 11, 11 a.m. 

-roT2 m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 8.27 ft). 

1945 to September 1954: Discharge, 1,920 cfs Mar. 20, 1948 (gage height, 8.06 ft). 

Remarks.--Occasional regulation by dam above station. Some diversion for irrigation 

above station. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 9.0 7 90 12 1,500 17 390 22 147 27 106 

2 8.2 8 67 13 1,270 18 272 23 132 28 95 3 101 9 60 14 884 19 220 24 123 29 82 4 82 10 812 15 669 20 182 25 113 30 73 5 119 11 1,670 16 520 21 162' 26 110 31 67 

6 117 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . . . • . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . 331 

Runoff, in inches.. . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . • • . . . . . . . . . • . . . 3.13 

Ga.,.e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 0 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 8 7.95 1,470 2 7.99 1,500 N 6.34 669 12 2.29 I 61 9 8.14 1,610 4 7.98 1,500 4 6.22 635 October 9 10 8.21 1,660 6 7.97 1,490 8 6.12 608 2 2.27 59 11 8.25 1,700 8 7,95 1,470 12 6,00 579 4 2,26 59 12 8.27 1,710 10 7.94 1,470 October 16 6 2,25 57 October 11 12 7.92 1,450 4 5.90 558 8 2,25 57 1 8.27 1, 710 October 13 8 5.80 538 10 2.23 54 2 8.26 1,700 2 7.89 1,430 N 5.70 519 N 2,22 53 3 8.25 1,700 4 7.85 1,400 4 5.60 501 2 2,22 53 4 8.24 1,690 6 7.81 1,380 8 5.49 481 4 2,20 52 5 8,23 1,680 8 7 '77 1,350 12 5.39 463 6 2.20 52 6 8.24 1,690 10 7,69 1,290 October 17 8 2,23 54 7 8.24 1,690 N 7.68 1,280 4 5.28 443 10 2.40 73 8 8.25 1,700 2 7,63 1,250 8 5,14 420 12 2.90 130 9 8.26 1,700 4 7.57 1,210 N 4.93 386 

October 10 10 8.26 1,700 6 7.50 1,160 4 4.78 362 1 3.30 166 11 8.27 1,710 8 7.45 1,120 8 4,63 338 2 3,70 211 N 8.27 1, 710 10 7.40 1,090 1<: 4.45 313 3 4.05 257 1 8.26 1,700 12 7,33 1,050 October 18 4 4.47 316 2 8.26 1,700 October 14 4 4.33 296 5 4,95 389 3 8.26 1, 700 2 7.27 1,020 8 4.20 278 

6 5,40 465 4 8.25 1, 700 4 7.20 981 N 4.13 268 7 5,65 510 5 8.22 1,670 6 7.13 947 4 4.06 258 8 5.82 542 6 8.20 1,660 8 7.07 921 8 4,03 254 9 5,93 564 7 8.17 1,630 10 7.00 891 12 3.95 244 10 6.03 586 8 8.15 1,620 N 6,96 874 October 19 11 6.14 614 9 8,13 1,600 2 6.91 854 4 3,89 236 N 6,20 630 10 8.11 1,590 4 6.85 832 8 3.81 225 1 6.28 652 11 8.09 1,570 6 6.80 814 N 3. 74 216 2 6.35 672 12 8.07 1,560 8 6. 74 792 4 3. 71 212 3 6,45 701 October 12 10 6.69 776 8 3.67 207 4 7.10 934 2 8.041 1.540 12 6.65 763 12 3.62 201 5 7.51 1,170 4 8.02 1,520 October 15 October 20 

6 7. 74 1,330 6 8.00 1,510 4 6.55 l 731 N 3.45 I 180 7 7.89 1,430 8 7 .9.9 1,500 ~ 6.44 698 12 3,35 171 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 159 

(36) Addison Creek at Bellwood, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°52 1 48", long 87°52'07", in SEt sec. 9, T. 39 N., R. 12 E., on right bank"""'at downstream side of bridge on Washington Boulevard in Bellwood, 500 ft upstream from Chicago Great Western Railroad bridge and 3.2 miles upstream from mouth. 

Datum of gage is 617.65 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Cook County Highway 

Department bench mark). 

Drair:,agl ji:f;ea. --H'l. 2 sq mi. Gage-·he g record.--Water-stage recorder graph. Dischar~e record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below ~~ c s and extended to peak stage by logarithmic plotting. Shifting-control method 

used at times. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 598 cfs 1 to 2 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 9.48 ft). ----T950 to September 1954: Discharge, 548 cfs Mar. 25, 1954 (gage height, 6.39 ft), 

from rating curve exj:;ended above 62 cfs by logarithmic plotting. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Daj October Day October Day October Day October Day Octo:"er Day October 

1 0,9 7 17 12 187 17 20 22 12 27 8.0 2 .8 8 11 13 80 18 17 23 11 28 7.6 3 14 9 15 14 41 19 17 24 9. 7 29 6.8 

4 14 10 289 15 35 20 15 25 8.4 30 6,4 

5 23 11 496 16 26 21 13 26 8.4 31 6.4 6 24 

Monthly mean discharge, in cul.Jic feet per second .• ."................................. 46.5 

Runoff, in inches..... . . . • . . . . . • . . . • . . • • . • • . • . . . . . . • . . • • . • . . . . • . . . . . . . • . • . . . . . • . . . . 2. 94 

Hour 

12 

2 

4 

10 

N 

2 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

12 

1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

7 

8 

9 

10 

11 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 N 4.76 208 2 8.23 486 4 2.93 102 0.95 I 9. 7 1 4.74 207 3 8.13 477 6 2. ~~ 94 

October 9 2 4.69 203 4 8.01 466 8 2.6 88 0.95 9.7 3 4.83 213· 5 7.85 452 10 2.5!: 82 .94 9.3 4 7.39 411 6 7.69 437 N 2.46 78 .94 9.3 5 8.40 501 7 7.49 419 2 2.37 74 .93 8.9 6 8.61 520 8 7.20 396 4 2.28 69 .93 8.9 7 8.78 535 9 6.94 375 6 . 2.21 66 • 91 8.0 8 9.06 560 10 6.65 352 8 2.11 60 .98 11 9 9,32 584 11 6.38 330 10 2.03 56 1.01 12 10 9.43 594 12 6.12 310 12 1.96 53 1.06 15 11 9.47 597 October 12 October 14 l. 79 44 12 9.47 597 2 5.62 270 2 1.89 50 2.52 81 October 11 4 5,24 242 4 1.83 46 2.49 80 1 9.48 598 6 4,95 222 6 l. 77 44 October 10 2 9.48 598 8 4, 72 205 8 1.72 41 2.55 82 3 9,36 587 10 4.49 189 '10 1.69 40 2.46 78 4 9.27 579 N 4.29 177 N 1.66 38 2.50 80 5 9.23 576 2 4,09 165 4 1.66 38 2.84 97 6 9.19 572 4 3.91 155 6 1.67 38 3.57 134 7 9.13 567 6 3.75 145 12 1.67 38 4.00 160 8 9,05 560 8 3.58 135 October 15 4,04 162 9 8,94 550 10 3.40 125 4 1.66 38 3,86 152 10 8.83 540 12 3.23 116 N 1.59 34 3,82 149 11 8.68 526 Oc~ober 13 4 1.59 34 4.13 168 N 8,56 515 2 3,09 llO 12 1.55 32 4.58 196 1 8,39 500 
160 FLOODS OF 1954 

(37) Des Plaines River at Riverside, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°49'20", long 87°49'15", in swt-swt sec. 36, T. 39 N., R. 12 E., on 

~ank 300 ft downstream from Barry Point Road Bridge in Riverside, 200 ft northwest of Riverside-Lyons boundary, 500 ft downstream from Hoffman Dam, 4,000 ft downstream from Salt Creek, and 1~ miles downstream from Chicago, Burlington & Quincy Railroad bridge. Datum of gage is 594.68 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. Draina e area.--635 sq mi. 

a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

sc arge reco • --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 6,340 cfs 6 p.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 8.15 ft). 

----r943 to September 1954: Discharge, 6,510 cfs Mar. 20, 1948 (gage height, 8.28 ft). 

Maximum discharge since 1914, 7,450 cfs Mar. 18, 1919 from information furnished by 

Sanitary District of Chicago. 

Remarks. --Occasional regulation by gates at Hoffman Dam. 

Mean discharge in cubic feet per second 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day .october 

1 38 7 392 12 5,360 17 1,460 22 663 27 378 2 36 8 329 13 3,990 18 1,230 23 561 28 350 3 430 9 350 14 2,790 19 1,080 24 484 29 332 4 320 10 2, 720 15 2,170 20 938 25 420 30 314 5 529 11 5,870 16 1,760 21 792 26 392 31 290 6- 500 

Monthly mean discharge. in cubic feet per seco"nd •..........•.•.•.•..•..•...••.•..... 1,202 

Runoff, in inches .•.•.•.•.•..••••••...••....•.•••....••••....•••.••...•...••••.•••• 2.18 

Ga"e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 .. Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 3 5.68 2,720 7 8.14 6,310 12 6.24.1 3,330 12 3.25 I 308 4 6.21 3,300 8 8.13 6,290 October 14 October 9 5 6.47 3,590 9 8.13 6,290 2 6.15 3,240 2 3.25 308 6 6. 71 3,870 10 8.12 6,260 4 6.05 3,120 8 3.22 290 7 6.85 4,040 11 8.10 6,210 6 5.96 3,030 10 3.22 290 8 7.04 4,290 12 8.09 6,180 8 5.87 2,930 N 3.21 284 9 7.14 4,430 October 12 N 5. 71 2,750 6 3.21 284 10 7.25 4,580 2 8.04 6,050 2 5.65 2,680 7 3.22 290 11 7.34 4, 710 4 7.99 5,930 4 5.57 2,600 8 3.30 338 12 7.43 4,840 6 7.91 5,730 6 5.51 2,530 9 3.45 444 October 11 8 7.85 5,600 10 5.42 2,430 10 3.64 608 1 7.48 4,920 10 7.78 5,450 12 5.38 2,390 11 3.86 810 2 7.55 5,030 N 7. 71 5,310 October 15 12 4.06 1,010 3 7.64 5,180 2 7.64 5,180 8 5.241 2,230 October 10 4 7. 73 5,350 4 7.58 5,080 N 5.18 2,170 1 4.22 1,190 5 7.78 5,450 6 7.50 4,950 4 5.12 2,100 2 4.33 1,300 6 7.84 5,580 8 7.43 4,840 8 5.05 2,020 3 4.43 1,400 7 7.88 5,670 10 7.36 4,740 12 4.99 1,960 4 4.52 1,490 8 7.91 5, 730 12 7.28 4,620 October 16 5 4.69 1,660 9 7.95 5,830 October 13 4 •.•• I 1,860 6 4.83 1,800 10 7.98 5,900 2 7.21 4,520 8 4.84 1,810 7 4.93 1,900 11 8.02 6,000 4 7.16 4,450 N 4. 78 1, 750 8 4.99 1,960 N 8.04 6,050 6 7.05 4,300 8 4.68 1,650 9 5.07 2,050 1 8.05 6,080 8 6.97 4,200 12 4.64 1,610 10 5.19 2,180 2 8.07 6,130 10 6.88 4,080 October 17 11 5.31 2,310 3 8.12 6,260 N 6.80 3,980 N 4.491 1,460 N 5.43 2,440 4 8.14 6,310 2 6. 73 3,900 12 4.36 1,330 1 5.50 2,520 5 8.14 6,310 8 6.43 3,540 October 18 2 5.58 2,610 6 8.15 6,340 10 6.34 3,440 N 4.271 1,240 

12 4.18 1,150 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHIC !\GO AREA 161 

(38) Flag Creek near Willow Springs, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°44'20", long 87°53'48", in SEtNEt sec. 31, T. 38 N., R. 12 E., on 

--rertlbank at upstream side of bridge on German Church Road, 1.1 miles northwest of 

Willow Springs and 2.3 miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is 609,64 ft above 

mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Cook County Highway Department bench mark). 

Draina e area.--16.2 sq mi. 

a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph, 

sc arge reco • --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

shlf ting-control method used at times. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 1,300 cfs 8 p.m. Oct. 10 (ga~e height, 6.88 ft). 

-----y951 to September 1954: Discharge, 770 cfs Mar. 25, 1954 (gage height, 5.42 ft). 

Mean discharJe, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 3.4 7 30 12 291 17 52 22 27 27 18 2 3,2 8 21 13 165 18 47 23 25 28 17 3 173 9 50 14 106 19 40 24 22 29 15 4 73 10 945 15 76 20 35 25 22 30 13 5 97 11 567 16 61 21 30 26 20 31 13 6 55 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ................•.•.•..•..••. ; • . . . • • 100 

Runoff, in inches ....•.•.•.........•... , ....... , ... , ....... , ....• , .• ,., •..• ,....... 7.15 

Ga7e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 .. Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei~rht height height 

October 8 N 5,61 838 1 4.23 455 October 13 12 1.451 20 1 5,49 797 2 4.17 440 2 3.03 206 October 9 2 5,36 758 3 4.26 462 4 2.97 196 4 1,42 18 3 5,24 722 4 4,40 495 6 2.90 185 8 1.39 16 4 5,34 752 5 4.49 518 8 2.85 177 N 1.39 16 5 5,75 888 6 4.49 518 10 2.81 171 4 1.41 18 6 6,35 1,100 7 4.45 508 N 2,74 160 6 1.42 18 7 6,80 1,270 8 4.37 488 2 2. 70 154 7 1.44 19 8 6,88 1,300 9 4.26 462 4 2.65 146 8 1.57 26 9 6. 72 1,240 10 4.15 438 6 2.62 142 9 2.00 60 10 6,52 1,160 11 4.07 418 8 2.58 136 10 2.51 116 11 6.28 1,070 12 4,00 402 10 2.54 131 11 3.87 359 12 6,02 982 October 12 12 2.50 125 12 4. 77 587 October 11 2 3.87 373 October 14 October 10 1 5,79 902 4 3,77 350 4 2.42 115 1 5,25 725 2 5,59 832 6 3.68 331 8 2.36 107 2 5.59 832 3 5.41 773 8 3,60 316 N 2.34 105 3 5.62 842 4 5.24 722 10 3,51 297 2 2.37 108 4 5,59 832 5 5,09 677 N 3.44 283 4 2.36 107 5 5. 70 870 6 4.92 629 2 3,38 271 6 2.31' 101 6 6.10 1,010 7 4.78 590 4 3.32 259 8 2.27 97 7 6.20 1,070 8 4.69 563 6 3,25 246 10 2,23 92 8 6.18 1,040 9 4,59 540 8 3,18 232 12 2.21 90 9 6.03 986 10 4.48 515 10 3.13 223 October 15 10 5.86 926 11 4.40 495 12 3.09 216 N 2.07 I 75 11 5. 71 874 N 4.30 472 12 1.97 65 
162 FLOODS OF 1954 

(39) North Branch Chicago River at Deerrield, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°09 1 09", long 87°49'05", in NWtNEt sec. 3, T. 42 N., R. 12 E., on left ~t downstream side of bridge on County Line Road, 1. 7 miles southeast of Deerfield, 

and 5.7 miles upstream from Skokie River. Datum of gage 638.88 ft above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929 (Cook County Highway Department bench mark). 

Drainage area.--20.7 sq mi. 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 211 cfs 3 to 9 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 9.08 ft). 

-----1952 to September 1954: Discharge, 247 cfs Mar. 25, 1954 (gage height, 9.35 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

0,6 7 2.9 12 147 17 21 22 9.2 27 5.4 

.6 8 2.0 13 60 18 18 23 7.8 28 4.7 

4,8 9 1.7 14 41 19 16 24 6.4 29 4.4 

6.2 10 80 15 38 20 13 25 5,5 30 3,8 

3.9 11 208 16 28 21 11 26 5.2 31 3.3 

3,9 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . 24. 6 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 1,37 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1S5,~ 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei~rht height height 

October 8 3 7.38 82 3 9,07 209 October 13 12 3.26 I 1.8 4 7.90 106 4 9,07 209 2 7.28 78 October 9 5 8,20 125 5 9.06 208 4 7.12 73 2 3,26 1.8 6 8,42 142 6 9,05 207 6 6.97 68 6 3.24 1.6 7 8,58 156 7 9,05 207 8 6,84 64 N 3,23 1.6 8 8. 74 172 8 9,04 206 10 6. 71 60 4 3.24 1.6 9 8,88 187 9 9,03 205 N 6,60 58 8 3.24 1.6 10 8,96 196 10 9.02 203 2 6.48 54 10 3,26 1.8 11 9.01 202 11 9.00 201 4 6,37 52 12 3,32 2.4 12 9.04 206 12 8,99 200 6 6.28 50 October 10 October 11 October 12 8 6,20 48 1 3,38 3,0 1 9.06 208 2 8.95 195 10 6.13 47 2 3,46 3.9 2 9,07 209 4 8,91 190 12 6.04 45 3 3,62 5,8 3 9,08 211 6 8,85 184 October 14 4 3.92 9.6 4 9,08 211 8 8. 76 174 2 5.97 43 5 4,30 15 5 9,08 211 10 8,65 163 4 5.89 42 6 4,80 22 6 9.08 211 N 8,50 149 10 5,74 39 7 5.25 29 7 9,08 211 2 8,35 136 N 5,74 39 8 5,60 36 8 9,08 211 4 8.18 124 2 5.83 41 9 5,85 41 9 9,08 211 6 8,02 113 4 5,87 41 10 6.12 46 10 9,07 209 8 7,84 103 6 5.89 42 11 6,34 51 11 9.07 209 10 7.64 93 12 5.90 42 N 6,55 56 N 9,07 209 12 7.45 85 Oc,ober 15 1 6.78 62 1 9,07 209 N 5, 71 38 2 7.01 69 2 9.07 209 12 5.42 32 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 163 

(40) Skokie River at Lake Forest, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°13'57", long 87°50'41", in Nwtswt sec. 4, T. 43 N., R. 12 E., on ~ank at downstream side of bridge on State Highway 59A at Lake Forest, 12 miles 

upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is 648.69 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Drainage area.--12.8 sq mi. Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 188 cfs 10 p.m. Oct. 10 (gage height, 5.42 ft). -----r951 to September 1954: Discharge, 321 cfs Nov. 13, 1951 (gage height, 7.16 ft). 

Remarks.--Diurnal fluctuation at low flow. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

4.0 7 4.7 12 52 17 16 22 7. 7 27 8.0 

8.0 8 3.7 13 29 18 15 23 6.5 28 7.0 

29 9 3.9 14 28 19 14 24 6.0 29 6.5 

7.7 10 114 15 25 20 12 25 6.3 30 6.0 

8.8 11 131 16 20 21 9.2 26 7.2 31 4.3 

7.2 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . . . . . . . • • . • . 19. 6 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 1. 77 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second at indicated time, 19.J4 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei~rht height height 

October 8 10 4.33 121 10 4. 72 144 8 2.82 42 

12 1.5o 1 3.7 11 4.31 120 11 4.63 139 10 2. 77 39 

October 9 N 4.26 117 N 4.55 134 12 2. 71 37 

4 1.48 3.5 1 4.21 114 1 4.46 129 October 13 

8 1.45 3.2 2 4.17 111 2 4.36 123 2 2.66 35 

10 1.43 2.9 3 4.25 116 3 4.27 117 4 2.60 33 

N 1.43 2.9 4 4.43 127 4 4.16 111 6 2.57 32 

2 1.42 2.8 5 4.62 138 5 4.05 104 8 2.53 30 

4 1.45 3.2 6 4.78 148 6 3.95 98 N 2.48 28 

6 1.47 3.4 7 4.96 159 7 3.86 93 2 2.47 28 

7 1.48 3.5 8 5.22 174 8 3.78 88 4 2.45 26 

8 1.53 4.1 9 5,38 186 9 3. 71 84 8 2.40 26 

9 1.66 6.1 10 5,42 188 10 3.63 80 12 2.35 24 

10 1. 74 7.6 11 5.37 185 11 3.58 77 October 14 

11 1. 74 7.6 12 5.32 181 12 3.52 74 2 2.33 24 

12 1.81 9.0 October 11 October 12 4 2.32 23 

October 10 1 5.29 179 2 3.40 68 6 2.30 23 

1 1.96 12 2 5,25 176 4 3.30 64 8 2.28 22 

2 2.27 21 3 5.20 173 6 3.22 60 10 2.28 22 

3 2. 72 37 4 5.16 171 8 3.14 56 N 2.37 25 

4 3.25 60 5 5,08 166 10 3.08 52 2 2.48 28 

5 3.65 80 6 5.03 163 N 3.04 50 4 2.66 35 

6 3,89 94 7 4.95 158 2 2.98 48 6 2. 77 40 

7 4.08 106 8 4.88 154 4 2.95 46 10 2.59 32 

8 4.25 116 9 4.82 150 6 2.89 44 12 2.51 29 

9 4.31 120 
164 FLOODS OF 1954 

(41) West Fork of North Branch Chicago River at Northbrook, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°08 1 18", long 87°50'04", in swtsEt sec. 4, T. 42 N., R. 12 E., on left bank at upstream side of bridge on State Highway 68, 2.0 miles northwest of 

Northbrook, and 7. 9 miles above mouth. Datum of gage is 637. 9~ ft above mean sea 

level, datum of 1929 (Cook County Highway Department bench mark). 

Draina e area.--11.5 sq mi. a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph. sc arfe reco • --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Shift ng-control method used at times. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 301 cfs 2 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 8,18 ft). 

-----r952 to September 1954: Discharge, 411 cfs Mar. 25, 1954 (gage height, 8,56 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 0.3 7 2.0 12 7Z 17 11 22 4.8 27 3,0 

2 .3 8 1.8 13 30 18 11 23 3.9 28 2.6 

3 14 9 1.6 14 26 19 11 24 3.2 29 2.4 

4 3.0 10 132 15 25 20 7. 7 25 2.8 30 2,5 

5 11 11 211 16 16 21 6,2 26 3.7 31 1.7 

6 6,1 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . • . . . . . . . • . . . • . . . . . • . . • . . . . • . . . . . . . 20.3 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 2 ,04 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height het~rht height height 

October 8 N 6,92 127 1 7.62 195' October 13 

12 2.49 I 1.5 1 6.94 128 2 7.60 192 2 5,07 '42 

October 9 2 6,97 131 3 7.48 178 4 4.96 39' 

4 2.48 1.5 3 7,05 138 4 7.44 173 6 4.85 36 

8 2.45 1.3 4 7,17 147 5 7,39 168 8 4. 73 34 

N 2.43 1.1 5 7.29 158 6 7.33 162 10 4.62 31 

2 2.42 1.1 6 7,55 186 7 7.27 156 N 4.46 27 

4 2.43 1.1 7 7,67 202 8 7.21 151 2 4.42 26 

6 2.44 1.2 8 7,78 219 9 7.14 145 4 4.37 25 

7 2.46 1.3 9 7,90 240 10 7,08 139 6 4.31 24 

8 2.50 1.6 10 7,98 256 11 7.00 133 8 4.26 23 

9 2.55 2,0 11 8,04 269 12 6,92 127 10 4.21 22 

10 2.62 2.7 12 8,15 294 October 12 12 4.18 21 

11 2. 71 3.7 October 11 2 6.74 114 October 14 

12 3,02 7.7 1 8,17 299 4 6,53 101 2 4.14 20 

October 10 2 8,18 301 6 6,25 84 6 4.06 19 

1 3,52 16 3 8,14 292 8 6.08 75 8 4.00 18 

2 4.00 25 4 8,11 284 10 5,85 67 10 3,98 17 

3 4,55 38 5 8,07 275 N 5,68 62 N 4,08 19 

4 5,06 51 6 8,02 264 2 5,53 57 2 4.51 28 

5 5,50 62 7 7,96 252 4 5.57 58 4 4,99 40 

6 5,93 74 8 7,90 240 6 5.50 56 6 4.96 39 

7 6,29 88 9 7,84 229 8 5.40 53 8 4.84 36 

8 6,55 102 10 7. 77 217 10 5.28 49 12 4,69 32 

9 6,69 110 11 7. 71 208 12 5.17 46 oc(ober 15 

10 6,83 120 N 7,65 199 N 4.31 24 

11 6,88 124 12 4.06 19 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 165 

(42) North Branch Chicago River at Niles, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°00'44", long 87°47'45", in SWtSEt sec. 30, T. 41 N., R. 13 E., on 

right bank at downstream side of bridge on Touhy Avenue in Niles, 3.6 miles downstream from West Fork of North Branch, 7.9 miles upstream from North Shore Channel, 

and 15.6 miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is 601.99 ft above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929. 

Drainage area.--102 sq mi. 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Shifting-control method used at times. Maxima,--October 1954: Discharge, 1,700 cfs 3 a.m. Oct, 11 (gage height, 9,01 ft). 

-----1950 to September 1954: Discharge, 1,510 cfs Apr. 26, 1954 (gage height, 8,56 ft). 

Remarks.--Considerable regulation at low flow. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

9. 7 7 26 12 1,030 17 195 22 64 27 32 

11 8 19 13 642 18 149 23 49 28 33 

109 9 63 14 436 19 152 24 38 29 29 

54 10 961 15 378 20 106 25 34 30 26 

88 11 1,500 16 275 21 82 26 31 31 22 

39 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ..................... , . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 216 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 2.44 

Gac>e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 0 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei~rht height height 

October 8 2 6,80 885 3 8.39 1,430 4 6.18 741 12 1.111 16 3 6,92 916 4 8.34 1,410 6 6,04 713 October 9 4 7,65 1,140 5 8,29 1,390 8 5,90 685 6 1.08 15 5 8,00 1,270 6 8,24 1,370 10 5, 78 661 N 1.07 15 6 8,16 1,330 7 8.18 1,340 N 5,67 639 6 1,05 14 7 8,28 1,380 8 8,13 1,320 2 5.57 619 7 1.59 43 8 8,48 1,460 9 8,07 1,300 4 5,45 595 8 2,35 106 9 8,67 1,540 10 8,03 1,280 6 5,33 571 9 3,45 238 10 8,78 1,590 11 7,99 1,270 8 5.19 543 10 3.86 304 11 8.87 1,640 12 7,94 1,250 10 5,05 515 11 4.08 340 12 8,95 1,680 October 12 12 4.95 496 12 4.47 413 October 11 2 7,86 1,210 October 14 October 10 1 8,98 1,690 4 7.76 1,170 2 4,83 476 1 4. 76 464 2 9,00 1,700 6 7.65 1,140 6 4,63 442 2 4,94 495 3 9,01 l, 700 8 7,55 1,100 10 4.45 412 3 5,07 519 4 8,98 1,690 10 7.44 1,070 N 4.40 403 4 5,34 573 5 8, 96 1,680 N 7,31 1,030 2 4.53 425 5 5,64 633 6 8,92 1,660 2 7,19 '997 4 4,52 423 6 5.90 685 7 8.87 1,640 4 7,07 961 6 4.54 427 7 6,10 725 8 8,82 1,610 6 6.93 919 8 4,58 434 8 6.17 739 9 8,76 1,580 8 6. 77 878 10 4.59 435 9 6,22 749 10 8,70 1,550 10 6,63 842 12 4.58 434 10 6,33 771 11 8,63 1,520 12 6,48 805 October 15 11 6.51 812 N 8,57 1,500 Oc~ober 13 N 4.281 378 N 6.64 845 1 8,52 1,480 2 6.33 771 12 3,98 323 1 6. 73 868 2 8,44 1,450 
166 FLOODS OF 1954 

(44) Tinley Creek near Palos Park, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°38'48", long 87°45'59", in swtsEt sec. 32, T. 37 N., R. 13 E., on -rertl5"ank at downstream side of 135th Street Bridge, 1.5 miles west of State Highway 

50, 1.5 miles upstream from mouth, and 3 miles southeast of Palos Park. Datum of 

gage is 607.40 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Draina e area.--11.3 sq mi. a e- e record.--·..rater-stage recorder graph. sc ar'e reco • --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 

800 c s and extended to peak stage by logarithmic plotting. Shifting-control method 

used at times. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 1,120 cfs 7 a.m. Oct. 10 (ga~e height, 10.30 ft). -------1951 to September 1954: Discharge, 530 cfs June 10, 1953 lgage height, 8.43 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 0 7 13 12 270 17 51 22 36 27 24 

2 0 8 8.4 13 112 18 46 23 34 28 19 

3 72 9 33 14 79 19 43 24 32 29 12 

4 28 10 891 15 68 20 41 25 29 30 11 

5 42 11 546 16 57 21 39 26 26 31 9.4 

6 24 

Monthly n:ean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . • . . . . . 87.0 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 8.87 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei~rht height height 

October 8 2 8,07 761 5 6.32 498 N 3,41 106 12 2.531 7.3 3 7. 74 711 6 6.69 554 2 3.35 100 October 9 4 7.66 699 7 7.08 612 4 3,30 94 2 2,52 7.0 5 7,68 702 8 7.32 648 6 3.26 90 6 2.52 7.0 6 7.90 735 9 7.23 634 8 3.23 86 N 2.49 5.9 7 8,40 814 10 7.00 600 10 3.21 84 2 2,48 5.6 8 8,85 886 11 6.75 562 12 3.18 81 6 2.48 5.6 9 9,05 918 12 6,48 522 October 14 7 2.51 6.6 10 9,05 915 October 12 2 3.17 80 8 2.60 10 11 8,85 886 2 5.98 447 4 3.16 79 9 3,03 40 12 8,57 841 4 5.54 386 6 3.14 76 10 4.00 124 October 11 6 5.19 337 10 3,12 74 11 5.41 287 1 8.22 785 8 4.88 293 N 3.11 73 12 6.55 435 2 7.91 736 10 4.67 265 2 3.13 75 October 10 3 7.62 693 N 4.47 239 4 3.20 83 1 7.60 608 4 7.35 652 2 4.32 220 6 3,25 88 2 8,90 830 5 7.09 614 4 4.17 200 8 3,23 86 3 9. 73 995 6 6.83 574 6 4.07 187 10 3.19 82 4 10.05 1,070 7 6,57 536 8 3.96 173 12 3.16 79 5 10.18 1,100 8 6,34 501 10 3.87 161 October 15 6 10,27 1;110 9 6.08 462 12 3.80 153 N 3.05 I 66 7 10,30 1,120 10 5,85 429 October 13 12 3.00 61 8 10.28 1,110 11 5,65 401 2 3. 77 149 October 16 9 10,05 1,080 N 5.44 372 4 3. 72 143 N 2.98 59 10 9.70 1,020 1 5.26 346 6 3.66 136 12 2.93 53 11 9,35 966 2 5,34 358 8 3.58 127 N 8.89 892 3 5,70 408 10 3.50 117 1 8.45 822 4 5,95 443 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 167 

(45) Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at Lockport, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 

~ 

41°34'11", long 88°04'42", in SWt sec. 27, T. 36 N., R. 10 E., at upper 9-foot navigation channel in Des Plaines River at Lockport. 

Discharge record.--Total mean daily discharge includes governmental and private purnpage, inflow from Des Plaines River basin, and diversion from Lake Michigan. This total is obtained by adding the mean daily discharges, based on half-hourly discharge readings at darns, sluice gates, lockages, exciter turbines in operation and main turbines in operation as corrected for variable efficiencies, and the leakage of lock gates, darns, sluice gates, and turbines not in operation. 

Chicago purnpage includes water from Lake Michigan to supply Chicago metropolitan area, water from wells within the main channel drainage area including purnpage to municipalities served by Chicago, and an average of about 136 cfs from agencies not served by Jhicago. 

Mean net diversion is obtained by deducting from total discharge the Chicago purnpage and inflow from Des Plaines River basin. Maxirna.--October 1954: Total discharge, 24,585 cfs 8:30 p.m. Oct. 10. -----r9oo to September 1954: Total discharge, 24,567 cfs (revised) Mar. 19, 1948. Rernarks.--Records furnished by Sanitary District of Chicago, The Federal permit of ~26, 1930, issued by the Secretary of War, limits the diversion of water from Lake Michigan to an annual average of 1,500 cfs, exclusive of purnpage for municipal supplies. 

Mean discharcre in cubic feet per second 1954 0 ' 

October October October Day Day Day Chicago Net di- Chicago Net di- Totals Chicago Net di- Totals version Totals pumpage pumpage version pumpage version 

1 3,471 1,800 1,533 11 20,417 1,736 11 '758 21 2,609 1, 714 556 2 3,393 1,684 1,555 12 13 '760 1,766 5,974 22 2,705 1,715 684 3 8,668 1,590 6,760 13 8,090 1,758 3,055 23 2,636 1,617 736 4 4, 778 1,816 2,650 14 5,935 1, 744 2,289 24 2,478 1,499 709 5 5,813 1,750 3,700 15 4,517 1, 725 1,685 25 2,506 1, 710 533 6 3,654 1,750 1,603 16 3,960 1,604 1,685 26 2,816 1,709 857 7 3,419 1, 725 1,440 17 3,387 1,474 1,417 27 2,565 1,706 615 8 3,520 1, 720 1,574 18 3,186 1,685 1,048 28 2,492 1,700 542 9 5,022 1,646 3,132 19 3,361 1, 710 1,245 29 2,605 1,682 681 10 21,429 1,505 16,940 20 2,962 1,718 875 30 2,405 1,565 615 31 2,631 1,460 955 

Monthly means, in cubic feet per second ...............•........•....... 5,200 1,677 2,561 

Dischar,.e in cubic feet per second, 1954 ~ . Hour Discharge Hour Discharge Hour Discharge Hour Discharge Hour Discharge Hour Discharge 

October 9 12 18,110 9 23,816 7 20,256 5 12,909 3 7,272 1 4,646 October 10 10 22,871 8 20,256 6 14,022 4 5,699 2 2,991 1 17,486 11 20,269 9 21,398 7 12,586 5 5,698 3 3,011 2 20,078 12 21,021 10 20,208 8 13,976 6 5,708 4 4,642 3 18,546 October 11 11 19 '973 9 10,100 7 7,381 5 2,996 4 19,421 1 19,532 12 18,730 10 10,385 8 7,399 6 4,611 5 20,742 2 20,387 October 12 11 11 '754 9 13,508 7 4,626 6 11 '911 3 20,288 1 18,780 12 10,289 10 9,426 

8 4,623 7 24,134 4 21,685 2 18,675 October 13 11 11,104 9 3,003 8 24,267 5 21,510 3 18,468 1 10,066 12 11,019 10 4,612 9 22,668 6 21,463 4 18,201 2 7,359 October 14 

11 3,011 10 24,311 7 19,645 5 17,996 3 9,945 2 8,400 

N 2,991 11 23,538 8 19,171 6 12,351 4 10,071 4 7,742 1 4,598 N 22,285 9 20,953 7 6,979 5 8,690 6 6,500 2 3,028 1 22,273 10 19,009 8 8,252 6 8, 794 8 4,569 

3 3,029 2 23,459 11 20,845 9 12,280 7 7,964 10 6,088 4 3,004 3 23,052 N 20,439 10 15,062 8 7,188 N 4,563 5 3,004 4 22,535 1 20,704 11 13,305 9 8,827 2 4,535 6 4,531 5 22,370 2 17,540 N 13,314 10 8,827 4 4,545 7 4,553 6 20,963 3 21,130 1 13,342 11 7,158 6 4,532 8 7,209 7 23,133 4 18,475 2 14,709 N 5,682 8 4,469 9 7,244 8 22,455 5 19,825 3 13,284 1 5,698 10 6,084 10 11,670 8:30 24,585 6 20,056 4 13,173 2 5, 718 12 4,401 11 13,132 
168 FLOODS OF 1954 

(46) Long Run near Lemont, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°38 1 33", long 87°59'57", in SWtSEt sec. 32, T. 37 N., R. 11 E., on 

left bank at downstream side of highway bridge, 2 miles south of Lemont and 5.4 miles 

upstream from mouth. Datum of g~ge is 637.10 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Drainage area.--20.8 sq mi. 

Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements below 

1,300 cfs and extended to peak stage by logarithmic plotting. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 3,160 cfs 6 a.m. Oct. 10 (gage height, 9.91 ft). 

-----1951 to September 1954: Discharge, 1,000 cfs (revised) June 13, 1952 (gage 

height 8.18 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

0.3 7 35 12 410 17 78 22 36 27 20 

.4 8 26 13 272 18 62 23 31 28 18 

196 9 60 14 190 19 51 24 27 29 17 

127 10 2,010 15 151 20 45 25 23 30 16 114 11 789 16 108 21 40 26 20 31 15 

69 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 163 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 9.04 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1S51 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei!!ht height height 

October 8 1 8,57 1,570 4 7.32 724 N 5.25 271 12 2.11 I 23 2 8.39 1,410 5 7.50 805 2 5.17 260 October 9 3 8.21 1,270 6 7.51 810 4 5.10 251 2 2.09 22 4 8.20 1,260 7 7.43 774 6 5.01 239 6 2,06 22 5 8.34 1,370 8 7.26 699 8 4.94 230 8 2.05 21 6 8.68 1,670 9 7.15 658 10 4.89 224 N 2,03 21 7 8.88 1,870 10 7.03 616 12 4.84 217 2 2.01 20 8 8.94 1,930 11 6.93 584 October 14 4 2.02 20 9 8,90 1,890 12 6.84 557 2 4.79 211 6 2,06 22 10 8.80 1, 790 October 12 4 4.74 204 7 2,14 24 11 8.64 1,640 2 6.66 507 6 4.69 198 8 2.92 48 12 8.47 1,480 4 6.52 472 8 4.65 193 9 4,03 124 October 11 6 6.39 443 10 4.60 187 10 4.88 222 1 8.29 1,330 8 6.30 425 N 4.60 187 11 5,78 345 2 8,15 1,220 10 6.20 407 2 4.58 185 12 6.86 563 3 7.99 1,100 N 6.13 396 4 4.57 183 October 10 4 7.84 996 2 6.06 385 6 4.55 181 1 8.30 1,340 5 7.69 904 4 5.99 374 8 4.54 180 z 9.26 2,280 6 7,54 825 6 5.91 363 10 4.52 177 3 9,57 2,670 7 7.43 774 8 5.85 355 12 4.50 175 4 9. 73 2,890 8 7.32 724 10 5. 77 344 October 15 5 9.83 3,040 9 7.22 683 12 5.70 334 4 4,451 169 6 9.91 3,160 10 7.12 647 October 13 N 4.27 149 7 9,84 3,050 11 7.04 619 2 5.62 323 8 4.15 136 8 9.63 2,750 N 6.94 587 4 5.55 313 12 4.06 127 9 9.39 2,440 1 6.88 569 6 5.47 302 October 16 10 9.18 2,190 2 6.98 599 8 5.39 291 N 3.851 108 11 8.96 1,950 3 7.19 672 10 5.32 281 12 13.65 91 N 8.78 1, 770 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 169 

(48) Hickory Creek at Joliet, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°31'10", long 88°04'10", in swtNEt sec. 15, T. 35 N., R. 10 E., on 

--rrgnr-bank at Third Avenue in Joliet, 0.25 mile downstream from Spring Creek and lt 

miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is 527.00 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Draina e area.--107 sq mi. 

a e- ei t record.--Water-stage recorder graph except for period 9 a.m. Oct. 11 to 

: p.m. c • 2, for which graph was drawn on basis of recorded range in stage and slope of adjoining graph. 

Discharge record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 8,130 cfs 2 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 9.82 ft). 

-----r944 to September 1954: Discharge, 10,200 cfs Apr. 5, 1947 (gage height, 10.68 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 9.7 7 26 12 1,900 17 218 22 101 27 68 

2 9. 7 8 22 13 1,020 18 172 23 92 28 65 

3 8.9 9 23 14 636 19 145 24 83 29 58 

4 9.7 10 3,220 15 418 20 125 25 77 30 55 

5 25 11 5,060 16 283 21 111 26 74 31 50 

6 23 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second . . . . • . . . . . • . . . . . • . . • . . . . . . • . . • . • • . . • 458 

Runoff, in inches ....•...•....••.••.•..•...•..........••....•.•....•...•.....• ·•·•· 4.93 

Ga"e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 .. Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height he!g_ht height height 

October 8 4 6.96 3,540 8 6,66 3,210 10 3.92 822 12 1.46 1 19 5 7.40 4,020 9 6,53 3,080 12 3,87 792 October 9 6 8.10 4,860 10 6.41 2,960 October 14 10 1.46 19 7 8,62 5,600 11 6.30 2,850 2 3.83 774 N 1.45 18 8 8.95 6,210 12 6.19 2,740 4 3.79 750 2 1.45 18 9 9.13 6,590 October 12 6 3.70 700 4 1.44 17 10 9.37 7 ,11b 2 6,00 2,550 8 3.65 675 6 1.45 18 11 9.60 7,620 4 5,80 2,350 10 3,59 645 7 1.56 31 12 9.68 7,800 6 5.65 2,200 N 3.58 640 8 1.63 40 October 11 8 5.50 2,050 2 3,50 600 9 1.62 39 1 9,79 8,060 10 5,37 1,930 4 3,45 577 10 1.64 41 2 9.82 8,130 N 5.25 1,820 6 3,40 554 11 1.66 44 3 9. 70 7,850 2 5.14 1,730 8 3,37 541 12 1.67 46 4 9,52 7,440 4 5,04 1,640 10 3.34 528 October 10 5 9,30 6,960 6 4.95 1,560 12 3,30 510 1 1.94 91 6 9.10 6,520 8 4.86 1,490 October 15 2 2.30 176 7 8,93 6,170 10 4,74 1,390 4 3.23 485 3 3,16 449 8 8. 72 5, 780 12 4.65 1,320 8 3,14 449 4 4.14 954 9 8.50 5,410 October 13 N 3,06 417 5 4.70 1,360 10 8,30 5,120 2 4.57 1,260 4 2.97 382 6 4,92 1,540 11 8.10 4,860 4 4.48 1,190 8 2.89 354 7 4.98 1,580 N 7.93 4,650 6 4.41 1,140 12 2.82 330 8 5,25 1,820 1 7.75 4,430 8 4,35 1,100 October 16 9 5,62 2,170 2 7,56 4,190 10 4,27 1,040 N 2.65 I 281 10 5,88 2,430 3 7.40 4,020 N 4,21 997 12 2.53 246 11 6,09 2,640 4 7.25 3,860 2 4,14 954 October 17 N 6,36 2,910 5 7.10 3,690 4 4.08 918 N 2.42 I 218 1 6.56 3,110 6 6.93 3,500 6 4.03 888 12 2.33 193 2 6, 72 3,270 7 6. 79 3,350 8 3,97 852 October 18 3 6. 72 3,270 N 2.24 I 170 

12 2.18 155 

458079 0 -58 - 6 
170 FLOODS OF 1954 

(49) Du Page River at Troy, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°31'20", long 88°11'35", in SEtSWt sec. 10, T. 35 N., R. 9 E., on ----rei't"bank at Troy (formerly known as Grinton), 400 ft upstream from U. S. Highway 

52 and 3.8 miles downstream from Lilly Cache Creek. Datum of gage is 564.62 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929 (Illinois Division of Waterways bench mark). 

Drainage area. --325 sq mi. Gage-height record.--Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 12,000 cfs 8 a.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 11.06 ft). 

-----,:-940 to September 1954: Discharge, 11,000 cfs Mar. 19, .1948 (gage height, 10.10 ft). 

Mean dischar"e in cubic feet per second 1954 0 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 55 7 499 12 7,150 17 1,100 22 615 27 425 

2 55 8 335 13 3,370 18 935 23 561 28 395 

3 194 9 269 14 2,240 19 821 24 520 29 377 

4 586 10 6,590 15 1,740 20 742 25 481 30 347 

5 503 11 11,400 16 1,340 21 675 26 455 31 302 

6 622 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second •....••.•.•..•....••..•.•.••.••.•.•. 1,474 

Runoff, in inches ..•...•...•.•.•.•.•..••••..........•..•.•.• , .•...••••.••.••••.••.. 5.23 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height heillht height height 

October 8 2 10,81 11,500 4 6.25 4,020 8 3.82 1,240 12 2.50 l 296 3 10.89 11,700 6 6.05 3,760 12 3, 78 1,200 

October 9 4 10,95 11,800 8 5,89 3,570 October 17 

2 2.48 286 5 11.00 11,900 10 5. 75 3,400 4 3. 74 1,170 6 2.46 275 6 11.03 11,900 N 5.62 3,240 8 3. 70 1,130 

8 2.45 270 7 11.05 12,000 2 5.51 3,110 N 3,67 1,100 

10 2.45 270 8 11.06 12,000 4 5,41 2,990 4 3,63 1,070 

6 2.41 250 9 11,05 12,000 6 5.32 2,880 8 3.59 1,030 

10 2.45 270 10 11,03 11,900 8 5,23 2,780 12 3.56 1,010 

11 2.45 270 11 10,99 11,800 10 5.19 2,730 October 18 

12 2.52 308 N 10.94 11,700 12 5.06 2,570 4 3.53 984 

October 10 1 10,89 11,700 October 14 8 3.50 960 

1 2.59 330 2 10,91 11,700 2 4.99 2,490 N 3,47 936 

2 2.74 419 3 10.86 11,600 4 4.93 2,420 4 3,43 904 

3 3.17 704 4 10.80 11,500 6 4.87 2,360 8 3.41 888 4 4.50 1,950 5 10,70 11,300 8 4.81 2,290 12 3,38 864 

5 5,29 2,850 6 10.59 11,100 10 4,75 2,220 October 19 

6 5.89 3,570 7 10.49 10,900 N 4. 72 2,190 4 3,36 848 

7 6.42 4,250 8 10.40 10,700 2 4.70 2,170 8 3.34 832 

8 6,87 4,880 9 10.31 10,500 4 4.67 2,140 N 3.33 824 9 7.23 5,400 10 10.20 10,300 6 4.66 2,130 4 3.31 808 10 7.67 6,160 11 10,09 10,100 8 4,65 2,120 8 3.29 792 

11 8.12 6, 760 12 10.00 9,980 10 4.61 2,070 12 3.27 778 

N 8.44 7,270 October 12 12 4.55 2,000 October 20 

1 B. 77 7,830 2 9, 71 9,460 October 15 N 3.221 740 2 9.03 8,270 4 9,40 8,900 4 4.45 1,900 12 3.17 704 

3 9.25 8,640 6 9.15 8,480 8 4.37 1,810 October 21 

4 9,43 8,950 8 8,88 8,020 N 4.29 1,720 N 3.131 676 5 9,76 9,550 10 8,61 7,560 4 4.23 1,650 12 3.08 641 

6 10.14 10,200 N 8,32 7,080 8 4.16 1,580 October 22 

7 10,36 10,600 2 8,05 6,650 12 4.10 1,520 N 3.051 620 

8 10.44 10,800 4 7.75 6,180 October 16 12 3.00 585 

9 10.51 10,900 6 7.49 5,780 4 4.03 1,450 October 23 

10 10.56 11,000 8 7.21 5,360 8 3,97 1,390 N 2,96 559 

11 10.60 11,100 10 6,95 4,990 N 3,92 1,340 12 2.93 540 12 10.67 11,200 12 6,73 4,680 4 3,87 1,290 October 11 Octlober 13 1 10.74 1 n,4oo 2 6,48 4,330 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 

(50) Mazon River near Coal City, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°17'10", long 88°21 1 35", in swtsw-k sec. 31, T. 33 N., R. 8 E., on ~ank at downstream side of bridge on State Highway 113S, a quarter of a mile downstream from Johnny Run and 4 miles west of Coal City. Datum of gage is 527.41 

ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Draina e area.--470 sq mi. a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph. sc arge reco .--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

171 

Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 707 cfs 3 p.m., 6:30p.m. Oct. 11 (gage height, 

---r.n ft). 

1939 to September 1954: Discharge, 17,300 cfs Apr. 25, 1950 (gage height, 18.50 

ft). Maximum stage !mown, about 21 ft Aug. 8, 1924. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 0.4 7 6.9 12 520 17 125 22 49 27 36 2 • 7 8 6.9 13 359 18 95 23 43 28 33 3 1.6 9 5.6 14 250 19 76 24 40 29 31 4 1.6 10 21 15 201 20 63 25 36 30 30 5 3.4 11 503 16 164 21 57 26 36 31 28 6 6.0 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second.................................... 91.3 Runoff, in inches.................................................................. .22 
172 FLOODS OF 1954 

(51) Illinois River at Marseilles, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°19'40", long 88°43'10", in SEtswt sec. 13, T. 33 N., R. 4 E., on ~ank 0.4 mile downstream from dam in Marseilles, 6.9 miles upstream from Fox 

River, and at mile 246.6. Datum of gage is 462.91 ft above mean sea level, datum of 

1929. Drainage area.--7,640 sq mi 1 approximately. Since Jan. 17, 1900, flow has included 

diversion from Lake Michigan through Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. 

Gage-height record. --Water-stage recorder graph. 

Discharge record. --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxima,--October 1954: Discharge, 56,600 cfs 7 a.m. Oct. 12 (gage height, 11.39 ft). 

-------y919 to September 1954: Discharge, 83,300 cfs Apr. 26, 1950 (gage height, 14.91 

ft). A stage of 25.4 ft (ice jam) occurred at present site on Jan. 21, 1916. 

Remarks. --Figures of daily discharge include flow through navigation locks. Flow 

regulated by power plants and navigation dam above station. 

Mean discharge in cubic feet per second 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 5,100 7 6,600 12 54,500 17 15,900 22 11,500 27 9,900 2 4,840 8 6,970 13 42,000 18 14,100 23 10,400 28 9,510 3 8,690 9 6,780 14 27,100 19 14,000 24 10,500 29 9,330 4 8,800 10 22,900 15 20,400 20 12,700 25 9,900 30 9,600 5 10,100 11 46,600 16 18,200 21 11,500 26 10,500 31 9,230 6 6,780 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second ••.•••.•.•••••••••. , .••••..•.•.••.•• 15,000 

Runoff, in inches .....•.•.•...•.••••...••..••.....•.•.• , •.•••...••••..•...•••.•• , •• 

Ga"e height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 1954 0 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height hei.ltht height height 

October 8 2 8.2 37,800 6 9.52 45,400 8 4.00 15,100 12 2.29 1 6,890 3 8.2€ 38,000 8 9.45 45,000 N 4.00 15,100 October 9 4 8.3C 38,200 10 9,15 43,200 4 4.15 15,900 6 2,29 6,890 5 8.57 39,800 N 9,03 42,500 8 4.27 16,500 8 2,30 6,930 6 8.6 40,100 2 8,90 41,700 12 4,09 15,500 10 2,30 6,930 7 8.87 41,500 4 8,50 39,400 October 18 N 2.14 6,300 8 9,2C 43,500 6 8,25 38,000 4 3.86 14,400 2 2.13 6,260 9 9.24 43,700 8 7.87 35,700 8 3,75 13,900 4 2.13 6,260 10 9.22 43,600 10 7.48 33,600 N 3,60 13,000 8 2.11 6,180 11 9.57 45,700 12 7.32 32,700 4 3.43 12,200 10 2,11 6,180 N 9.82 47,200 October 14 8 3.92 14,700 11 1.90 5,390 1 9.99 48,200 2 7.07 31,300 12 3,99 15,000 12 2.72 8,680 2 10.10 48,900 4 7.00 30,900 October 19 October 10 3 10.26 49,900 6 6.65 29,000 4 3.76 13,900 1 2,73 8,720 4 10.33 50,300 9 6. 73 29,500 8 

&:~6 13,800 2 2,52 7,820 5 10.53 51,500 10 6.62 28,800 N 13,000 3 2.62 8,250 6 10.68 52,400 N 6,39 27,600 4 ~.75 13,900 4 2,68 8,500 7 10.78 53,000 2 6,27 26,900 8 3.75 13,900 5 4.40 17,200 8 10.92 53,800 4 5,88 24,900 12 3,66 13,400 6 4.37 17,000 9 10.93 53,900 6 5,46 22,700 October 20 7 4,35 17,000 10 11.01 54,400 8 5,59 23,300 6 3.67 

I 

13,400 8 4,36 17,000 11 11.10 54,9QO 10 5,13 21,000 N 3,35 11,800 9 4,88 19,700 12 11.29 56,000 12 5,15 21,100 6 3.33 11,700 10 5,22 21,400 October 12 October 15 12 3.53 12,700 11 5.28 21,800 6 11.30 56,100 4 5,13 21,000 October 21 N 5,98 24,900 7 11.39 56,600 9 5,01 20,400 6 3,331 11,700 1 5,94 25,200 8 11.35 56,400 10 4,75 19,000 N 3,25 11,300 2 6,20 26,600 9 11.32 56,200 N 5,01 20,400 6 3,03 10,200 3 6,50 28,200 10 11.24 55,700 4 4.96 20,100 12 3,32 11,600 4 6,00 25,500 11 11.10 54,900 9 4,93 20,000 October 22 5 6,38 27,600 N 11.13 55,100 12 4,58 18,100 6 ,_, I 11,600 6 7,50 33,700 2 11.00 54,300 October 16 N 3,24 11,200 7 7,32 32,100 4 10.90 53,700 4 4,63 18,400 6 3,23 11,200 8 7,39 33,000 6 10,68 52,400 9 4,43 17,400 12 3,12 10,600 9 7,40 33,100 8 10.59 51,800 N 4.45 17,500 October 23 10 7,42 33,200 10 10,36 50,500 4 4.60 18,200 6 3,12 10,600 11 7,90 35,900 12 10.30 50,100 8 4. 72 18,000 N 2,93 9,660 12 7,93 36,100 October 13 12 4.35 17,000 6 3,01 10,000 October 11 2 10.o~r 48,300 October 17 12 3,04 10,200 1 1.95 I 36,200 4 9. 76 46,900 4 4.13 1 15,8oo 

/ 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 173 

(52) Fox River at Algonquin, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°09'59", long 88°17'25", in NWt sec. 34, T. 43 N., R. 8 E., on 

--riglltbank 20 ft upstream from Chicago Street Bridge at Algonquin and 400 ft upstream from Crystal Lake outlet. Datum of gage is 729.48 ft above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929. 

Draina e area.--1,364 sq mi. a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph, except Oct. 26, 28, for which graph 

was rawn ase on fragmentary record. 

Disoharge record.--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxlma.--October 1954: Discharge 2,130 cfs l a.m. Oct. 16 (gage height, 2.34 ft). 

---r915 to September 1954: Discharge, 5,850 cfs Apr. l, 2, 1916; gage height, 

4, 50 ft Apr. l, 1916, from graph based on gage readings. 

Remarks. --Flow occasionally regulated by dam near McHenry, 16 miles above station, 

----arur-occasionally affected by wind action on Fox chain of lakes. 

Mean :tischar::-e. in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 394 7 1,390 12 1,830 17 2,020 22 1,140 27 766 

2 437 8 1,400 13 1,960 18 1,940 23 1,040 28 699 

3 549 9 1,370 14 1,980 19 1,810 24 855 29 699 

4 840 10 1,540 15 2,110 20 1,630 25 780 30 740 

5 1,180 11 l, 710 16 2,110 21 1,300 26 753 31 712 

6 1,350 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per seconJ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . l ,260 

Runoff, in inches.................................................................. 1.06 

(53) Poplar Creek at Elgin, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 42°01'35", long 88°15 1 20", in SEtNwt sec. 19, T. 41 N., R. 9 E., on right 

~ust upstream from bridge on U. S. Highway 20 in Elgin and 2 miles upstream from 

mouth. Datum of' gage is 716,00 ft above mean sea level, datum of 1929. 

Draina e area. --35.8 sq mi. 

a e- e record.--Water-stage recorder graph. isc arge recor .--Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements. 

Maxlma.--October 1954: Discharge, 291 cfs 12 p.m. Oct. 10 (gage height, 3,72 ft). 

---r951 to September 1954 (revised): Discharge, 310 cfs Apr. 25, 1954 (gage height, 

3.83 ft). 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 8. 7 7 10 12 174 17 -18 22 36 27 22 

2 8. 7 8 8.5 13 142 18 68 23 30 28 20 

3 15 9 8.7 14 121 19 59 24 26 29 19 

4 8. 7 10 165 15 105 20 51 25 25 30 17 

5 14 11 243 16 90 21 43 26 24 31 15 

6 14 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second • . • • . • . • . . • . • • . • • . • • • . . • • . • • . • . . • . • • • 53.8 

Runoff, in inches................ . • • . • • . . . . • . . . • • • • • . • . • . . . . . • • • • • • . • • • • . • • . • . . • . • . • 1. 73 

GaJe height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, Ui54 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height height height height 

October 8 N 2. 71 150 11 3.38 242 October 13 12 1.34 I 7. 7 1 2.74 154 N 3,36 239 4 2. 71 150 October 9 2 2.79 161 1 3.34 237 8 2.67 145 10 1,34 7.7 3 3.01 190 5 3,26 225 2 2.64 141 N 1.33 7.2 4 3.37 241 6 3.23 221 4 2.61 137 6 1.33 7.2 5 3.47 255 7 3.21 218 8 2.59 135 8 1.34 7.7 6 3.57 269 8 3.19 216 12 2.55 130 10 1.38 9.6 7 3.62 276 9 3.17 213 October 14 11 1.60 23 8 3.64 279 10 3.14 209 2 2.54 128 12 1.64 26 9 3.64 279 11 3.11 204 6 2.52 126 October 10 11 3.68 285 12 3.09 202 8 2.50 123 1 1.67 29 12 3. 72 291 October 12 10 2,49 122 2 1.73 34 October 11 2 3,06 197 N 2.50 123 3 1.83 43 2 3,68 285 6 2.98 186 2 2.49 122 4 1.88 48 3 3.64 279 10 2.90 175 6 2.45 116 5 1.99 60 4 3.61 274 N 2.88 172 12 2.42 113 6 2.16 80 5 3.58 270 2 2.85 168 October 15 7 2.50 123 6 3.56 267 4 2.82 165 6 2.361 105 8 2.62 139 7 3.52 262 8 2,78 159 12 2.30 97 9 2,63 140 8 3.48 256 10 2.76 157 o

1

rber 16 10 2.63 140 9 3,44 251 12 2,75 156 6 2.24 90 11 2.67 145 10 3.42 248 12 2.19 84 
174 FLOODS OF 1954 

(54) Fox River at Dayton, Ill. 

Location.--Lat 41°23'14", long 88°47'21", in SEt sec. 29, T. 34 N., R. 4 E., on ------right bank in tailwater of plant of North Counties Hydro-Electric Co. at Dayton, 

5.6 miles upstream from mouth. Datum of gage is 462.30 ft above mean sea level, 

datum of 1929. 

Draina e area.--2,570 sq mi. 

a e- e t record.--Water-stage recorder graph. isc arge reco • --Stage-discharge relation defined by current-meter measurements 

below 15,000 cfs and by computation of peak flow over dam. Maxima.--October 1954: Discharge, 47,100 cfs 4 p.m. Oct. 11 {gage height, 24.63 ft). 

-----1914 to September 1954: Discharge, 29,000 cfs Mar. 19, 1948 (gage height, 

19.65 ft); gage height, 32.04 ft Jan. 30, 1952 (ice jam). 

Remarks.--Low flow regulated by powerplant above station. 

Mean discharge, in cubic feet per second, 1954 

Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October Day October 

1 585 7 2,080 12 23,400 17 5,460 22 3,560 27 2,320 

2 575 8 2,000 13 10,300 18 5,060 23 3,180 28 2,210 

3 637 9 1,980 14 7,580 19 4,730 24 2,930 29 2,100 

4 1,590 10 8,650 15 6,520 20 4,410 25 2,640 30 2,000 

5 1,600 11 37,900 16 5,870 21 4,070 26 2,440 31 1,900 

6 2,140 

Monthly mean discharge, in cubic feet per second.................................... 5,239 

Runoff, in inches .......................•......... :................................. 2.35 

Gage height, in feet, and discharge, in cubic feet per second, at indicated time, 

Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge Hour Gage Discharge height heisdtt height height 

October 8 10 15.93 18,200 8 18.88 26,700 8 10.72 7,080 12 7.571 1,980 11 16.19 18,900 10 18.08 24,300 10 10.72 7,080 October 9 12 16.46 19,700 N 17.27 22,000 12 10.71 7,060 6 7.57 1,980 October 11 2 16.48 19,700 October 15 8 7.58 1,990 1 16.81 20,700 4 15.86 18,000 4 10.62 6,900 10 7 •57 1,980 2 17.24 21,900 6 15.29 16,600 8 10.50 6,680 N 7.57 1,980 3 17.81 23,500 8 14.83 15,500 N 10.39 6,490 2 7.56 1,970 4 18.53 25,700 10 14.38 14,400 4 10.28 6,290 4 7.58 1,990 5 19.28 27,900 12 13.95 13,500 8 10.21 6,170 6 7.56 1,970 6 20.13 30,600 October 13 12 10.18 6,120 12 7.56 1,970 7 20.97 33,500 2 13.53 12,700 October 16 October 10 8 21.81 36,400 4 13.18 12,000 8 10.091 5,960 1 7.56 1,970 9 22.55 39,000 6 12.88 11,400 4 9.99 5,790 2 7.57 1,980 10 23.16 41,200 8 12.64 10,900 12 9.88 5,610 3 7.61 2,020 11 23.69 43,400 10 12.41 10,400 October 17 4 7.66 2,080 N 23.98 44,500 N 12.22 10,000 8 9. 781 5,450 5 7. 71 2,130 1 24.33 45,900 2 12.04 9,680 4 9. 77 5,430 6 7.77 2,200 2 24.46 46,400 4 11.87 9,340 12 9.67 5,270 7 7.84 2,270 3 24.62 47,100 6 11.72 9,040 October 18 8 7.95 2,400 3:?0 24.63 47,100 8 11.58 8,760 8 9.571 5,110 9 8.31 2,830 4 24.60 47,000 10 11.50 8,600 4 9.52. 5,030 10 9.33 4,290 5 24.53 46,700 12 11.41 8,420 12 9.43 4,900 11 10.73 6,170 6 24.38 46,100 October 14 October 19 N 11.68 8,570 7 24.14 45,200 2 11.33 8,260 8 9.361. 4,790 1 12.23 9,660 8 23.89 44,200 4 11.25 8,100 4 9.29 4,680 2 12.65 10,500 9 23.53 42,700 6 11.16 7,920 12 9.20 4,550 3 13.01 11,200 10 23.18 41,300 8 11.08 7,760 October 20 4 13.38 12,000 11 22.80 39,900 10 11.02 7,650 N 9.121 4,430 5 13.73 12,800 12 22.43 38,600 N 10.96 7,530 12 8.99 4,240 6 14.32 14,200 October 12 2 10.89 7,400 October 21 7 14.93 15,600 2 21.5:1 35,500 4 10.82 7,270 N 8.9~, 4,110 8 15.33 16,600 4 20.62 32,300 6 10.76 7,150 12 8. 70 3,830 9 15.72 17,700 6 19.71 29,200 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 175 

SUMMARY OF FLOOD STAGES AND DISCHARGES 

The results of the determinations of maximum stages and discharges at the 49 established stream-gaging stations and 4 miscellaneous ungaged points in the area are summarized aD:d presented 

in table 2; records of stage at 1 lake site are also given. The reference numbers correspond to those assigned in the foregoing descriptions of stages and discharges at stream-gaging stations. and 

in figures 31 and 32. 

The discharges listed in table 2 were determined· at the established stream-gaging stations as explained in the descriptions of 

those stations. At the points where peak··discharges were not determined by gaging-station operations. a general note at the head 

of the table indicates the method of determination. The peak-discharge values are given as actually determined; that is. no adjustments for artificial storage. regulation or diversions have been 

attempted. 

At some stations the peak discharge did not occur simultaneously 

with peak stage due to the effects of slope. backwater. or other 

reasons. The maxima are then given separately; the first line 

shows the peak discharge and its date and time; a second line. the 

peak stage and its date and time and also data on floods prior to 

the operation of gaging-stations. where such historical information 

is available. 

Peak discharges. in cubic feet per second per square mile. 

plotted against corresponding drainage areas are shown in figure 

40. The reference numbers used throughout the report have been 

shown alongside the highest plotted points for gaging-station identification. 
..... Table 2. --Summary of flood stages and discharges -J 

0') 

[Maximum discharge for the flood of October 1954 were obtained from gaging,-station records, except as otherwise indicated by the following symbols: 

A, flow-through-culvert measurement; B, current-meter measurement at peak stage; c, contracted-opening measurement] 

Maximum flood previously known Maximum during October 1954 flood Drainage Period Discharge Dischar>ge No. I Stream and place of determination I area of Gage Gage 

(sq mi) record Date height Cfs Cfs per Date and hour height Cfs Cfs per (feet) sq mi (feet) sq mi 

Littl• Calum•t River {•"'"" part) -~-------- -------- --------------- ------ ------- 1------- Oct. 11,------------ ------ a244A at Grant Street, Gary, Ind. 

Hart ditch at Munster, Ind ----------- 69.2 1942-5411 Apr. 6, 1947 ------ 2,490 36.0 Oct. 11, 5-10 a.m -- ------ 2,600 I 37.6 Mar. 15, 1944 7.23 ------- ------- Oct. ll, 4-8 p.m --- 7.83 ------

31 Thorn Creek at Glenwood, Ill---------~ 25.41 1949-5411 June 10, 1953 9.63 848 33.4 Oct. 10, 10-ll p.m - 9.88 1,180 46.5 "%j 

4 Deer Creek near Chicago Heights, Ill- 24.4 1948-54 May 10 or ll, 11.52 663 27.2 Oct. ll, 11 a.m ---,- ll.l9 637 26.1 ~ 1948 0 

5 I Butterfield Creek at Flossmoor, Ill--1 22.91 1948-5411 Mar. 19, 1948 10.29 970 42.4 Oct. 10, 12 p.m ---- 10.92 1,480 64,6 0 

May 10 or 11, 10.28 970 t:l 1948 Ul 

Lansing ditch near Lansing, Ill------1 8.31 1948-54 May 10 or 11, 9.24 461 55.5 Oct. 11, 4 p.m ----- 10.18 302 36.4 0 1948 "%j 

71 North Creek near Lansing, Ill-------- 18.2 1948-54 Mar. 20, 1948 8.51 730 40.1 Oct. 10, 10-12 p.m - 8.96 692 38.0 ..... 

co 

8 Thorn Creek at Thornton, Ill--------- 106 1948-54 Apr. 5, 1947 14.34 4,200 39.6 Oct. 11, 9 a.m ----- 14.70 3,370 31.8 Cll 

~ 

Thorn Creek near Lansing, Ill-------- -------- -------- --------------- ------ ------- ------- Oct. 11, 1:30 p.m -- 11.08 3,430B 

10 I Little Calumet River at South Holland -------- 1947-54 Apr. 6, 1947 19.24 4, 760 ------- Oct. 11, 9-10 p .m--- 19.39 4,210 Ill. 

ll Midlothian Creek at Oak Forest, Ill-- 12.7 1950-54 June 10, 1953 6.38 384 30.2 Oct. 10, 12 p.m ----~ 8.491 569 I 44.8 

12 Wolf Lake at Chicago, Ill------------ -------- 1939-54 June 27, 1952 2.32 ------- ------- Oct. 11, 5 p.m., to 3.00 Oct. 12, 7 a.m. 

13 Deep River at Lake George Outlet, 125 1947-54 May 11, 1948 5.86 2, 740 21.9 Oct. 11, 1:30 to I 7 .68f 3,880 I 31.0 at Hobart, Ind. 2 p.m. 

14 I Burns ditch at Gary, Ind ------------- bl60 1943-54 May 11, 1948 ------ 2,660 16.6 Oct. 11, 2-6 p .m ---~------1 3,430 I 21.4 Mar. 16, 1944 16.44 ------- ------- Oct. 12, 1-5 a.m --- 15.90 

15 I Little Calumet River (eastern part) 62.9 1945-54 June 28, 1945 9.88 2,440 38.8 Oct. 10, 9 p.m ----- 11.661 3,110 I 49.4 at Porter, Ind. 
16 kal t Creek near McCool, Ind-----------~ 78.71 1945-5411 May 11, 1948 

I 12.5 j 1,910 24.3 Oct. 11, 6 a.m------- 14.12 3,180 40.4 

17 ankakee River near North Liberty, Ind 152 1951-54 Nov. 14, 1951 6.97 680 4.47 Oct. 10, 3-4 p.m----- ------- 686 4.51 ~ Oct. 12, 12 m-------- 8.64 ------- -------- ~ 

18 Kankakee River at Davis, Ind----------1 508 I 1925-29 ·~ !leo. 15, 1927 

I 

c 9.5 1, 700 3.35 Oct. 16, 10 p.m., to 11.76 1,620 3.19 0 1931-54 Oct. 18, 0 6 p.m. 

0 19 !Yellow River at Plymouth, Ind---------1 284 I 1948-54 July 12, 1951 13.39 3,230 11.4 Oct. 12, 8 p.m., to 17.13 5,390 19.0 Ul Oct. 13, 4 a.m. 0 20 !Yellow River at Knox, Ind-------------1 425 I 1943-54 II Apr. 7, 1950 I 10.421 3,160 1 7 .44j0ct. 15, 10 p.m. and 13.75 5,660 13.3 ~ Oct. 16, 4 a.m. 0 21 kankakee River at Dunns Bridge, Ind---~1,308 

I 

1948-5411 Apr. 12, 1950 I 13.0~ 5,200 3.98 Oct. 22, 3-11 a .m---- 13.20 5,300 4.05 (i 

22 ankakee River at Shelby, Ind--------- 1, 753 1922-54 Dec. 21, 1927 d 11.4 g7 ,200 4.11 Oct. 27, 12 m. to 10.60 5,040 2.88 ~ 

10 p.m. 0 

tJj 

23 !Singleton ditch at schneider, Ind-----I 122 I 1948-54 II Apr. 10, 1950 I -------1 fl,lOO 9.02 Oct. 10, 10 p.m. to 10.10 953 7.81 1:%.1 Oct. 

Oct. 12, 12, 1 5-11 

a.m.; a.m. ~ 

1-4 

24 !West Creek near Schneider, Ind--------1 54.5 1 1948-51, Dec. 22, 1949 6.5 1,050 19.3 Oct. 10, 11 p.m., to 8.06 1,840 34.3 z 1954 Oct. 11, 2 a.m. (i 

25,Singleton ditch at Illinoi, 111-------~ 219 

I 

1944-54 Apr. 11, 1950 9.2 1,850 8.45 Oct. 11, 7-8 p.m----- 9.81 2,010 9'.63 ::z:: 

1-4 

26 Kankakee River at Momence, 111-------- 2,340 1905-06 Apr. 25, 1950 10,100 4.32 Oct. 15, 4 a.m., to 3.07 5,400 2.31 (i 

1914-54 Jan. 25, 1930 ------- -------- 11 p.m. :J> 

27 !Kankakee River near Wilmington, Ill--- 5,250 1935-54 May 21, 1943 48,000 9.14 Oct. 12, 8-9 a.m----- 3.60 10,200 1.94 0 

1883, 1887 ------- -------- 0 

28 f' Plaine• R!vor near Gum~, Ill---· 215 1945-54 Mar. 21, 1948 2,620 12.2 Oct. 13, 3-9 a.m----- 4.38 442 2.06 ::x> 

~ 

29 uffalo Creek near Wheeling, 111------ 19.4 1952-54 Apr. 25, 1954 5.4 268 13.8 Oct. 10, 10:30 p.m--- 4.62 161 8.30 1:%.1 

30 Des Plaines River near Des Plaines, 1940-54 Apr. 25, 1950 7. 7 4,040 10.8 Oct. 11, 9-11 a .m---- 3.25 1,800 4.81 ::x> 374 

Ill. July 4, 1938 9. 7 5,500 14.7 

..... 

-J 

-J 
Table 2. --Sununary of flood stages and dis.charges--continued 

Maximum flood previously known 

Drainage Period Discharge No. Stream and place of determination area of Gage 

{sq mi) record Date height cfs Cfs per 

(feet) sq mi 

31 McDonald Creek near Mt. Prospect, 7.52 1952-54 June 3, 1954 6.46 103 13.7 

Ill. 

32 Weller Creek at Des Plaines, Ill---- 13.1 1950-54 Apr. 25, 1954 9.83 461 35.2 

33 Willow Creek near Park R'dge, Ill--- 19.6 1950-54 Apr. 25, 1954 7.15 283 14.4 

34 Salt Creek near Arlington Heights, 33.7 1950-54 Apr. 25, 1954 8.43 540 16.0 

Ill. 

35 Salt Creek at Western Springs, Ill-- 122 1945-54 Mar. 20, 1948 8.06 1,920 15.7 

36 Addison Creek at Bellwood, Ill------ 18.2 1950-54 Mar. 25, 1954 6.39 548 30.1 

37 Des Plaines River at Riverside, Ill- 635 1943-54 Mar. 20, 1948 Mar. 18, 1919 8.28 6,510 '10.3 7,450 11.7 

38 Flag Creek near Willow Springs, Ill- 16.2 1951-54 Mar. 25, 1954 5.42 770 47.5 

39 North Branch Chicago River at Deerfield, Ill. 20.7 1952-54 Mar. 25, 1954 9,35 247 11.9 

40 Skokie River at Lake Forest, Ill---- 12,8 1951-54 Nov. 13, 1951 7.16 321 25.1 

41 West Fork of North Branch Chicago 11.5 1952-54 Mar. 25, 1954 8,56 411 35.7 

River at Northbrook, Ill. 

42 North Branch Chicago River at 102 1950-54 Apr. 26, 1954 8.56 1,510 14.8 

Niles, Ill, 

43 Stony Creek (East) at Blue Island 18.1 ------- -------------- ------ ------- ------- Ill. 

44 Tinley Creek near Palos Park, Ill--- 11.3 1951-54 June 10, 1953 8.43 530 46.9 

45 Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at -------- ~ 1900-54 Mar. 19, 1948 ------ 24,567 ------- Lockport, Ill. 

46 Long Run near Lemont, Ill----------- 20.8 1951-54 June 13, 1952 8.18 1,000 48.1 

Maximum during October 1954 flood 

Gage Discharge 

Date and hour height cfs Cfs per (feet) sq· mi 

Oct. 11, 6 a.m------ 7.31 146 19.4 

Oct. 10, 6 p.m------ 10.83 535 40.8 

Oct. 11, 6 a .m------ 8.32 382 19.5 

Oct. 10, 11-12 p .m-- 8.28 516 15.3 

Oct. 10, 12 p.m. to 8.27 1, 710 14.0 

1 a.m., Oct. 11, 

11 a.m. to 12 m. 

Oct. 11, 1-2 a.m---- 9.48 598 32.9 

Oct. 11, 6 p .m------ 8.15 6,340 9.98 

Oct. 10, 8 p .m------ 6.88 1,300 80.2 

Oct. 11, 3-9 a.m---- 9,08 211 10.2 

Oct. 10, 10 p .m----- 5,42 188 14.7 

Oct. 11, 2 a.m------ 8,18 301 26.2 

Oct. 11, 3 a.m------ 9.01 1, 700 16.7 

Oct, 10 or 11------- 5,88 432C 23.9 

Oct. 10, 7 a.m------ 10,30 1,120 99.1 

Oct. 10, 8:30p.m--- ------ 24,585 -------

Oc.t. 10, 6 a.m------ 9,91 3,160 152 

--.J 

Q) 

l'%j 

5 

0 

t:J 

Ul 

0 

l'%j 

....... 

co 

C1l 

tJ:o. 
47 Marley Greek near Mokena, Ill------- 8.38 -------- --------------- ------ ------- ------- Oct. 10 or 11------- ------ 48 Hickory Greek at Joliet, Ill-------- 107 1944-54 Apr. 5, 1947 10.68 10,200 95.3 Oct. 11, 2 a .m------ 9.82 

49 Du Page River at Troy, Ill---------- 325 1940-54 Mar. 19, 1948 10.10 11,000 33.8 Oct. 11, 8 a .m------ 11.06 

50 Mazon River near Goal City, Ill----- 470 1939-54 Apr. 25, 1950 18.50 17,300 36.8 Oct. 11, 3 and 6:30 4.41 p.m. 

51 Illino" River at Mareeillea, Ill--- r7 ,640 1919-54 Apr. 26, 1950 14.91 83,300 ------- Oct. 12, 7 a .m------ 11.39 

52 Fox River at Algonquin, 111--------- 1,364 1915-54 Apr. 1, 2, 1916 4.50 5,850 4.29 Oct. 16, 1 a .m------ 2.34 

53 Poplar Creek at Elgin, Ill---------- 35.8 1951-54 Apr. 25, 1954 3.83 310 8.66 Oct. 10, 12 p.m----- 3. 72 

54 Fox River at Dayton, 111------------ 2,570 1914-54 Mar. 19, 1948 19.65 29,000 11.3 Oct. ll, 4 p .m------ 24.63 Jan. 30, 1952 g32 .04 

a Flow eastward into Burns ditch at time of maximum stage at Grant Street; may not have been maximum discharge eastward nor westward. b Does not include unknown amount of contributing area from Little Calumet River (western part) during present flood. 

c Site and datum then in use. d Site then in use, present datum. 

e Maximum observed. f Daily mean discharge. 

g Ice jam. h Records prior to 1936 published in State report, Stream-flow data of Illinois,l937. i Since Jan, 17, 1900, flow has included diversion from Lake Michigan through Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal. 

501G I 

8,130 

12,000 

707 

56,600 

2,130 

291 

47,100 

59.8 

76 •. 0 

36,9 

1.50 

1.56 

8.13 

18.3 

l'%j 

l' 

0 

0 

0 

U) 

0 

l'%j 

0 

(") 

~ 

0 

tx:l 

t1j 

!::tJ 

~ 

z 

(") 

t:t: 

~ 

(") 

> 0 

0 

> 

!::tJ 

t:.1 

> 

..... 

-3 

co 
~ 100 

i 

IJ.I 

~ ~ 0 

~ ~ 

t;:;· 

~ 10 

2 

ID 

B 

~ 

i 

·~ 

~ 

0 

47 

~ 

0 

~ 

~I'- I I! I 0 I 

46 1'---r---r---., I I I 44 -r- -----

~ 

38 048~ 

~9<s e5 I -- 15 rs::~ ... 

o011 $3 I')E ~~ i!P 

32 u 0 r--•,.~ 0 0 2 loa 49 ~ 

0 0 I 13 

0 014 ~~~ 

I 19° 541>.... 0 I'-- 0 0 

I 0 ~0 ~ 

In 3"l 0 

v 

I 

0 .. n21 

~ 

22° 26 0 0 

0 0 

10 100 1000 

DRAINAGE AREA, IN SQUARE MILES 

Figure 40.--Relation of unit discharge to size of drainage basin. 

........... 

r---~ 

27 

10,000 

...... 

o:> 

0 

l"%j 

5 

0 

0 

Ul 

0 

l"%j 

...... 

c.o 

(11 

If:. 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 181 

FLOOD-CREST STAGES 

Listed in tables 3 and 4 are data on flood-crest stages that were 

collected in the flood areas by the Illinois Department of Public 

Works and Buildings. Division of Waterways. and the Corps of 

Engineers._ and furnished to the Geological Survey for inclusion in 

this report. Crest stages at Geological Survey gaging stations are 

included also. 

Table 3 contains information on streams tributary to Lake Michigan; table 4. on streams in the Illinois River basin. Streams are 

listed in the usual downstream order. All elevations are referred 

to mean sea level. datum of 1929. 

FLOOD-FREQUENCY 

By reference to a plot of crest discharge. in cubic feet per 

second per square mile. versus drainage area size. in square 

miles (fig. 40). it will be noted that the highest crest discharges 

for this flood may be closely approximated by the formula: 

Q = 925 Ydrainage area 

whereas pighest crest discharges for t~e flood of 1943 in central 

Illinois 3_!, when analyzed in a similar manner. led to the formula: 

Q = 1850 '/drainage area 

One might infer from these data that the more recent flood was 

not of a magnitude to justify unusual attention. To draw such a 

conclusion. however. is to disregard the difference in runoff characteristics between the two flood areas. Not only is the rainfall 

less in northern Illinois than in central Illinois. but the land slopes 

are less steep. and the drainage patterns are less well developed. 

Hence the normal rates of runoff for the northern part of the State 

should be expected to be less than for the central part. To emphasize the unusual nature of the 1954 flood, it should be compared 

with other floods. allowing for differences in runoff characteristics. 

This is ·most conveniently done by making estimates of the probable recurrence interval. 

Hydrologic data are too meager to provide close estimates for 

the recurrence interval of the more outstanding floods. However. 

a recent analysis of floods in Illinois does provide a basis for some 

2/ Illinois Department Public Works and Buildings. 1943, The floods 

of May 1943 in Illinois: Ill. Dept. Public Works and Buildings. Div. 

Waterways~ Springfield. Ill. 
182 FLOODS OF 1954 

Table 3. --Flood-crest stages, streams tributary to Lake Michigan 

(Furnished by Corps of Engineers and Illinois Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of waterways, except those at Geological Survey gaging stations) 

Stream and Location 

LITTLE CALUMET RIVER (WESTERN PART) 

Little Calumet River (from high point in Indiana west into Illinois}: 

Calumet Ave. (U.S. Hwy. 41), Hammond, Ind----- Hohman Ave. (u.s. Hwy. 6), Hammond, Ind------- Wentworth Ave., Calumet City, Ill------------- Burnham Ave., Calumet City, Ill--------------- Torrence Ave. (U.S. Alt. 30), Lansing, Ill---- Mouth of Thorn Creek-------------------------- 159th St., South Holland, Ill. (USGS gage)----

Cottage Grove Ave., South Holland, Ill-------- Mouth of Calumet Union drainage ditch--------- Indiana Ave. f South Holland, Ill-------------- Halsted St. \State Hwy. 1) f Harvey, Ill------- Ashland Ave. (U.s. Hwy. 54J, Dixmoor, Ill-----

As~~~~~ :~:~ j -~~~~:~~-~:~=~-~:~~~:~_:::: __ Mouth of Midlothian Creek---------------------

Thorn Creek: 

Park Forest, Monee Road, sec. 11. T. 34 N., R. 13 E., left bank 25 ft upstream------------- Monee Road, 15 ft downstream------------------ Road bridge, left bank 10 ft upstream--------- Road bridg~, right downstream wingwall-------- Scout Camp Road bridge, right upstream wing- wall-------~--------------------------------

Scout Camp Road, right bank 6 ft downstream--- Foot bridge, right bank 25 ft upstream-------- Foot bridge, left bank 50 ft downstream------- Foot bridge, left bank 10 ft upstream--------- Foot bridge, right bank 10 ft downstream------ Abandoned road bridge, right downstream abutment------------------------------------

Western Avenue, left bank 50 ft upstream------ Western Avenue, left bank 50 ft downstream---- Sauk Trail Road bridge, left upstream wingwall Sauk Trail Road, left bank 5 ft downstream---- Chicago Heights, Sauk Trail Lake spillway, 26th Street, left bank 25 ft upstream------- Sauk Trail Lake _spillway, 26th Street, left bank 25 ft downstream----------------------- E. J. & E. Ry., left bank, 25 ft upstream----- E. J. & E. Ry., bridge, downstream center pier N.Y. c. RR., right bank 50ft upstream------ N. Y. C. RR., right bank 50 ft downstream---- 16th Street, left bank 50 ft upstream--------- 16th Street, right bank 20 ft downstream------ 15th Street, left bank 15 ft upstream--------- 15th Street, right bank 25 ft downstream------ U. S. Highway 30 (14th Street), left bank 20 ft upstream--------------------------------- U. S. Highway 30 (14th Street), 50 ft down- stream--------------------------------------

State Highway 1 (Chicago Road), right bank 25 ft upstream------------------------------ State Highway 1 (Chicago Road, right bank 10 ft downstream---------------------------- Park Avenue foot bridge, right bank 15 ft upstream------------------------------------

Park Avenue foot bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------------------

Halsted Road, left bank 15 ft upstream-------- Halsted Road, left bank 25 ft downstream------ Foot bridge, left upstream pier--------------- Foot bridge, left bank 50 ft. downstream------ Mouth of unnamed tributary-------------------- Joe Orr Road, left bank 75 ft upstream-------- Joe Orr Road, downstream end of bridge--------

Glenwood, B. & 0. RR., left bank 100ft upstream------------------------------------

B. & 0. RR., downstream right bank, USGS gage Abandoned farm bridge, right bank 100 ft upstream------------------------------------

Mouth of Deer Creek--------------------------- B. & o. RR., right bank 75 ft upstream------- B. & 0. RR., right bank 20 ft downstream----- Mouth of Butterfield Creek-------------------- Glenwood-Chicago Heights Road, left bank 150 ft upstream---------------------------------

Glenwood-Chicago Heights Road, left bank 25 

ft downstream--------------------------------

Miles 

above 

mouth 

14.5 

13.3 

12.5 

11.7 

10.1 

a. 1 

a.l 

s.a 

5,9 

5.2 

3,4 

2.1 

2.1 

1.4 

17.2 

17.2 

16.2 

16.2 

16.2 

16.2 

16.1 

16.1 

15.6 

15.2 

15.2 

14.7 

14.7 

13.3 

13.3 

13.0 

13.0 

12.7 

12.7 

12.4 

12.4 

12.3 

12.3 

12.1 

12.1 

ll.a 

ll.a 

11.6 

11.6 

11.3 

11.3 

11.2 

11.2 

10.a 

10.5 

10.5 

9. 7 9. 7 

9.0 

a,3 

1 .a 

7.a 

1 .a 

7. 7 

7. 7 

~;~a~i~~~--~~~~~~~~i~o~us~mra~:t~:.=~=a~Lt~:i_o __ n 

(feet) (feet) 

596.1 Apr. 6, 1947 595.6 

595.a Apr. 6, 1947 595.4 

595.4 Apr. 6, 1947 595.3 

595.4 Apr. 6, 1947 595.2 

595.6 Apr. 6, 1947 595.1 

------------ 594.39 Apr. 6, 1947 594.24 

593.6 Apr, 6, 1947 594.0 

------------ 592.3 Apr. 6, 1947 592.2 

590.4 Apr. 6, 1947 590.3 

5a7. 7 Apr. 6, 1947 5aa.5 

5a7 .59 Apr. 6, 1947 5aa.sa 

------------

713.aa ------------ 713.sa ------------ 700.95 ------------ 700,45 ------------ 700.59 ------------ 699. 7a ------------ 69a.a7 ------------ ssa.94 ------------ 69a.37 ------------ 69a.26 ------------ 693.25 ------------ 6a7 .29 ------------ 6a7 ,22 ------------ 6a2 ,64 ------------ 6a2 .29 ------------ 679.67 ------------ 665,62 ------------ 663,34 ------------ 663,30 ------------ 65a,l3 ------------ 657.67 ------------ 652.16 ------------ 651.77 ------------ 650.11 ------------ 649.22 ------------ 647 .so ------------ 646.69 ------------ 643.12 ------------ 642.97 ------------ 640,57 ------------ 640.69 ------------ 637.77 ------------ 637,30 ------------ 636.57 ------------ 636.04 ------------

------------ 629.65 --------.---- 629,30 ------------ 622 .a4 ------------ 620.a5 ------------ 617.67 ------------

------------ 613;07 ------------ 611.93 ------------

------------ 612.12 ------------ 611.15 ------------
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 183 

Table 3.--Flood-crest stages, streams tributary to Lake Michigan--continued 

Stream and Location 

LITTLE CALUMET RIVER (WESTERN PART)--Con: 

Thorn Creek--continued: Sewage treatment plant , white door, left bank B. & 0. RR., (spur), right bank 10 ft upstream-------------------------------------

B. & 0. RR., (spur), right bank 25 ft down- stream-------------------------------------

B. & 0. RR., right bank 25 ft upstream------ B. & 0. RR., right bank 100 ft downstream--- State Highway a3 (Vincennes Avenue), left bank 50 ft upstream------------------------ State Highway a3 (Vincennes Avenue), left bank 50 ft downstream---------------------- C. & E. I. RR . , left bank 100 ft upstream--- C. & E. I. R R • , left bank 30 ft downstream-- Mouth of North Creek------------------------- Thornton, Ridge Road (Margaret Street), left bank 150 ft upstream-----------------------

Ridge Road (Margaret Street), USGS gage, downstream right bank---------------------- Grand Trunk Ry., left bank 75 ft upstream---- Grand Trunk Ry., left bank 100 ft downstream- Calumet Expressway, south-bound bridge, left upstream end of bridge--------------------- Calumet Expressway, south-bound bridge, left downstream end of bridge------------------- Calumet Expressway, north-bound bridge, right 

upstream end of bridge--------------------- Calumet Expressway, north-bound bridge, right downstream end of bridge------------------- Volbrecht Road, right bank 25 ft upstream---- Volbrecht Road bridge, downstream concrete handrail-----------------------------------

Half a mile upstream from 167th Street, USGS crest-stage indicator---------------------- 167th Street bridge, left upstream wingwall-- 167th Street, left bank 10 ft downstream-----

Unnamed tributary to Thorn Creek, northwest of Heights: 

Chicago Heights, 1~ miles west on U. s. Highway 30, left bank 150 ft upstream------ U. S. Highway 30 culvert, 25 ft left of downstream headwall------------------------ Scott Avenue and 13th Street culvert, up- stream headwall---------------------------- Scott Avenue and 13th Street culvert, down- stream headwall---------------------------- Ashland Avenue culvert, upstream headwall---- Ashland Avenue culvert, downstream headwall-- Franklin Avenue, right bank 10 ft upstream--- Franklin Avenue culvert, upstream headwall--- Franklin Avenue, right bank 50 ft downstream- Country Club Road culvert, left upstream headwall-----------------------------------

Country Club Road culvert, downstream head- wall---------------------------------------

Campbell and lOth Streets culvert, post in northeast angle of intersection------------ Dixie Highway, a ft upstream----------------- Dixie Highway culvert, downstream headwall--- Reigle Road culvert, upstream headwall------- Reigle Road culvert, downstream headwall----- Parkside Avenue and Peoria Street, right bank 150 ft upstream---------------------------- Parkside Avenue and Peoria Street, right bank 100 ft downstream-------------------------- Chicago Heights, 1 mile north on Ill. High- way 1, left bank 25 ft upstream------------ State Highway 1 culvert, downstream headwallDeer Creek: 

Chicago Heights, Joe Orr Road, sec 14, T. 35 N., R. 14 E., 50 ft upstream--------------- Joe Orr Road, downstream left bank, USGS gage Joe Orr Road, left bank 50 ft downstream----- Foot bridge, left end of bridge--------------

Cottage Grove Avenue, left bank 10 ft upstream-----------------------------------

Cottage Grove Avenue bridge, left downstream abutment-----------------------------------

Arnell Lane, right bank 20 ft upstream------- Arnell Lane, right bank 10 ft downstream----- State Street bridge, right upstream wingwall- State Street bridge, right downstream wingwall 

Miles 

above 

mouth 

7.6 

7.6 

7.6 

7.4 

7.4 

7.2 

7. 2 6.5 

6.5 

5.2 

4.3 

4.3 

2.9 

2.9 

2.2 I 

2.2 

2.0 

2.0 

2 .o 

2.0 

1.5 

1.0 

1.0 

2.0 

2.0 

1.8 

La 

1.6 

1.6 

1.6 

1.6 

1.6 

1.5 

1.5 

1.2 

.9 

.9 

.a 

.a 

.5 

.5 

.3 

.3 

2.a 

2.a 

2.a 

1.4 

1.4 

1.1 

1.1 

.3 

.3 

Oct. 1954 Previous maximum elevation Date ! E~evat~on 

(feet) (feet) 

611.08 ----------- 610.17 ----------- 610.04 ----------- 609.a3 ----------- 609.17 ----------- 60a.57 ----------- 60a.25 ----------- 606.88 ----------- 606.a2 -----------

----------- 60l.aa -----------

601.13 ----------- 599.17 ----------- 59a.aa -----------

597.91 ----------- 597.66 ----------- 596.97 ----------- 597.10 ----------- 596.99 ----------- 596.98 ----------- 595.96 ----------- 595.68 ----------- 595.41 -----------

663.69 ----------- 663. 7a ----------- 663.71 -----------

662.75 ----------- 659.10 ----------- 65a.55 ----------- 65a.42 ----------- 657.90 ----------- 656.04 ----------- 656.27 ----------- 655.76 ----------- 652 .la ----------- 646.2a ----------- 646.38 ----------- 644.64 ----------- 643.95 ----------- 641.04 ----------- 639.26 ----------- 63a.98 ----------- 63a.61 -----------

627.39 ----------- 627.14 ----------- 627.06 ----------- 624.83 -----------

619 ~52 ----------- 619.24 ----------- 6la.36 ----------- 617.95 ----------- 615.01 ----------- 614.aa -----------
184 FLOODS OF 1954 

Table 3. --Flood-crest stages, streams tributary to Lake Michigan--continued 

Stream and Location 

LITTLE CALUMET RIVER (WESTERN PART)- -Con: 

Deer Creek-- continued: C. & E. I. RR., bridge, upstream wingwall----

C. & E. I. RR., right bank 75 ft downstreamButterfield Creek: 

Flossmoor, Western Avenue, left bank 20 ft 

upstream-----------------------------------

Western Avenue, right bank 25 ft downstream--

Road bridge (Flossmoor Golf Course), left 

bank 100 ft upstream----------------------- Road bridge (Flossmoor Golf Course), left bank 150 ft downstream--------------------- Dixie Highway, left bank 8 ft upstream-------

Dixie Highway, right bank 10 ft downstream--- Foot bridge (Idlewild Golf Course}, left 

bank 15 ft upstream------------------------ Foot bridge (Idlewild Golf Course), down- stream side------------------~-------------

Reigle Road bridge, upstream wingwall--------

Reigle Road, downstream left bank, USGS gage- Homewood, farm road bridge (Homewood sewage 

plant), right bank 15 ft upstream----------

Homewood, farm road bridge (Homewood sewage plant), left bank 50 ft downstream--------- Halsted Street bridge, upstream wingwall----- Halsted Street, left bank 50 ft downstream---

Glenwood Road, left bank 20 ft upstream------ Glenwood Road, left bank 8 ft downstream-----

North Creek: 

Lansing, Torrence Avenue, downstream right 

bank, USGS gage---------------------------- Volbrecht Street bridge, upstream abutment--- Volbrecht Street, right bank 100 ft downstream-------------------------------------

Cottage Grove Avenue bridge, upstream pier---

Cottage Grove Avenue bridge, downstream pierCalumet Union drainage ditch: 

17lst St., Hazel Crest, Ill------------------ l69th St. and Dixie Highway, Hazel Crest, Ill 16lst St. and Dixie Highway, Markham, Ill---- 16lst St. and Park Ave., Markham, Ill--------

16lst St and Vincennes, South Holland, Ill---

Indiana Ave. (Ill. Hwy. 83), South Holland, Ill----------------------------------------

Midlothian Creek: 

167th St., Tinley Park, Ill. (USGS crest- stage gage)-------------------------------- Oak Forest, Ill. (USGS gage)-----------------

Calumet Slough: 

Oak Ave., Oak Forest, Ill-------------------- Cicero Ave. (Ill. Hwy. 50}, Oak Forest, Ill-- Crawford Ave., Midlothian, Ill--------------- 139th St., Robbins, Ill---------------------- Foot Bridge (Troy St.), Robbins, Ill---------

BURNS DITCH 

Li ttl:a~~l:~~u~~ v~~~~r~~ t~~~~ point in Indiana 

Calumet Ave. (U. S. Hwy. 41), Hammond, Ind--- Southeastern Ave. (Ind. Hwy. 152), Highland, 

Ind---------------------------------------- Kennedy Ave. (Ind. Hwy. 912), Highland, Ind-- Cline Ave., Highland, Ind--------------------

Burr Street, Black Oak, Ind------------------ Harrison Street, Gary, Ind------------------- Broadway (Ind. Hwy. 53), Gary, Ind----------- Central Ave., Gary, Ind----------------------

Burns ditch: 

Clay St. South of 15th Ave., Gary, Ind------- u. S. Hwy. 20, E. Gary, Ind------------------

U. s. Hwy. 12, near E. Gary, Ind-------------

Miles Oct. 1954 

above elevation 

mouth (feet) 

.3 614,51 

.3 614.46 

4.0 647.36 

4.0 647.08 

646.16 

646.21 

2. 7 636.05 

2. 7 635.17 

632.82 

632.77 

1.6 628.07 

1.6 627.72 

621,80 

621.37 

.8 617,09 

.8 617.ll 

.2 612.86 

.2 612.74 

5.8 608.25 

3.0 605.88 

3.0 605,62 

. 7 604.10 

. 7 604.10 

623.5 

614.0 

608.4 

607.6 

600,6 

594,3 

663.26 

628.90 

646.0 

643,2 

618.5 

600.9 

598.7 

596.1 

595.9 

595.5 

595.1 

594.6 

593.4 

593,3 

592.8 

590,4 

589.4 

584,6 

Previous maximum 

Date I EJ,evation 

(.feet) 

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------ -- ------------

------------

-·----------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

------------

April 1947 623.6 

April 1947 616.0 

April 1947 609.7 

April 1947 606.6 

April 1947 599.5 

April 1947 593.4 

------------- ---------- June 10, 1953 626.79 

April 1947 647.7 

April 1947 644.6 

April 1947 619.1 

April 1947 600.8 

April 1947 597.6 

Apr. 6, 1947 595.6 

April 1947 594.3 

April 1947 593.8 

April 1947 593.6 

April 1947 592.7 

May 1948 592.0 

May 1948 591.8 

May 1948 590.8 

May 1948 590,1 

May 1948 587.5 

May 1948 583.2 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 185 

Table 4. --Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin 

(Furnished by Illinois Department of Public Works and Buildings, Division of Waterways except those at Geological Survey gaging stations) 

Stream and Location 

DES PLAINES RIVER BASIN 

Des Plaines River: 

Des Plaines, darn No. 2, right bank, USGS gage------------------------- Central Road, right bank 40 ft upstream------------------------------- Central Road, 10 ft right of downstream wingwall---------------------- Golf Road, (State Highway 58), 15 ft upstream------------------------- Golf Road bridge, right downstream wingwall--------------------------- Rand Road (U. S, Highway 12), right bank 30 ft upstream--------------- Rand Road bridge, right downstream wingwall--------------------------- Mouth of Weller Creek------------------------------------------------- Northwest Highway (U. S. Highway 14), right bank 40 ft upstream------- Northwest Highway, right bank 50 ft downstream------------------------ Algonquin Road, right bank 40 ft upstream-----------------------------

Algonquin Road, right bank 100 ft downstream------'-------------------- Oakton Street, right bank 80 ft upstream------------------------------ Oakton Street, right bank 60 ft downstream---------------------,------- Park Ridge, Touhy Avenue, right bank 20 ft upstream-------------------

Touhy Avenue, right bank 30 ft downstream----------------------------- Devon Avenue bridge, right upstream wingwall-------------------------- Devon Avenue bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------

Higgins Road (State Highway 72), right bank ao ft upstream------------

Higgins Road, right bank 50 ft downstream----------------------------- Mouth of Willow Creek------------------------------------------------- Bryn Maur Avenue, left bank 70 ft downstream-------------------------- Schiller Park, Lawrence Avenue, right bank 60 ft upstream------------- Lawrence Avenue bridge, 15 ft right of downstream wingwall------------

Irving Park Road bridge, upstream right wingwall----------------------

Irving Park Road, right bank 50 ft downstream------------------------- Franklin Park, Belmont Avenue, right bank 50 ft upstream-------------- Belmont Avenue, right bank 15 ft downstream--------------------------- c. M. & St. P, RR., third group of pilings downstream---------------- River Grove, Grand Avenue, right bank 50 ft upstream------------------ Grand Avenue, right bank 15 ft downstream----------------------------- First Avenue, right bank 40 ft upstream------------------------------- First Avenue, right bank 50 ft downstream----------------------------- Elmwood Park, North Avenue (State Highway 64), right bank 15 ft up- stream--------------------------------------------------------------

North Avenue (State Highway 64) bridge, right downstream wingwall----- Mouth of Silver Creek------------------------------------------------- Maywood, Chicago Avenue, right bank 15 ft upstream--------------------

Chicago Avenue, right bank 10 ft downstream--------------------------- Lake Street, right bank 40 ft upstream-------------------------------- Lake Street, right bank 50 ft downstream------------------------------ C. & N. W. Ry. bridge, downstream end of right pier-------------------

Washington Boulevard, right bank 30 ft upstream-----------------------

Washington Boulevard, right bank 60 ft downstream-----------------"---- River Forest, Madison Street, right bank 3 ft upstream---------------- Madison Street, right bank 40 ft downstream--------------------------- C, & G. W. Ry., left bank 15 ft upstream------------------------------ C. & G. W. Ry., left bank 20 ft downstream---------------------------- Forest Park, Roosevelt Road (12th Street), right bank 60 ft upstream-- Roosevelt Road (12th Street), right bank 50 ft downstream------------- North Riverside, Cermak Road (22nd Street), right bank 12 ft upstream- Cermak Road (22nd Street), right bank 20 ft downstream---------------- 26th Street bridge, right upstream wingwall--------------------------- 26th Street, right bank 25 ft downstream------------------------------ Riverside, 31st Street, right bank 30 ft upstream--------------------- 31st Street, right bank 10 ft downstream------------------------------ Forest Avenue, right bank 60 ft upstream------------------------------ Forest Avenue, right bank 20 ft downstream---------------------------- Mouth of Salt Creek--------------------------------------------------- Hoffman Dam, left bank wingwall silt structure upstream---------------

Barry Point Road, left bank 30 ft upstream----------------------------

Barry Point Road, left bank 40 ft upstream----------------------------

Barry Point Road, left bank 400 ft downstream, USGS gage-------------- Lyons, Ogden Avenue (U. S. Highway 34), left bank 10 ft upstream------

Ogden Avenue (U. S. Highway 34), left bank at downstream wingwall----- U. S. Highway 66, right bank 10 ft upstream--------------------------- U. S. Highway 66 bridge, right downstream wingwall-------------------- 47th Street, right bank 6 ft upstream--------------------------------- 47th Street, right bank 15 ft downstream--------'-'---------------------

Weller Creek: 

Mt. Prospect, Lincoln Road bridge, left upstream wingwall------------- Lincoln Road bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------ Elmhurst Road (State Highway a3) bridge, right upstream wingwall------ Elmhurst Road (State Highway 83) bridge, left downstream wingwall----- Mt. Prospect Road bridge, right upstream wingwall--------------------- Mt. Prospect Road bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------- Des Plaines, Seeger Road (Golf' Road), right bank 10 ft upstream-------

Seeger Road (Golf' Road), downstream right bank, USGS gage-------------

458079 0 -58 - 7 

Miles Oct. 1954 above elevation mouth (feet) 

69,3 629.56 68.0 628.24 68.0 628.28 66.9 627,54 

66.9 627.89 65,4 626.56 65.4 626.38 65.2 

64.a 625.77 64.a 625.a4 64.2 625.74 64.2 625.30 63,7 625.16 63,7 625.15 62.0 624.43 62.0 624.4 7 60,7 623,aO 

60,7 623.al 60.0 623.77 60,0 623.a2 59,9 

59,5 621.67 57,9 621. a7 57.9 62l.a4 56.9 621.10 56,9 621.02 55.7 620.44 55.7 620,49 

55,4 620,02 

55,1 620,02 55.1 619.96 54.2 619.67 54.2 619.57 

52,9 6la. 69 52,9 6la.62 51.9 

51.6 617 .ao 51.6 617 .a3 51,0 617.33 51.0 617.27 51.0 617.07 50,6 617.19 50,6 617.01 50.2 616.2a 50,2 616.27 49.a 615.90 49.a 615.55 49.0 615.45 49,0 615.05 47 .a 614.11 47 ,a 613.29 47.2 613.29 47.2 613.24 46.4 612,61 46.4 612.66 45,9 612.12 45.9 612.37 45,2 

44.4 60a.l5 44.3 604,17 

44,3 603,66 

44,3 602,a3 43.3 600,71 

43,3 600,4a 

42.7 599. 7a 42.7 599 .6a 42.1 599,a6 

42.1 599,51 

5,6 661.77 5.6 661.00 4,5 655,3a 

4,5 655.27 3,4 647.52 3.4 647.59 3.0 646.11 3,0 645.85 
186 FLOODS OF 1954 

Table 4. --Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin--Continued 

Stream and location 

DES PLAINES RIVER BASIN--Continued 

Weller Creek--continued: 

Washington Street, left bank 70 ft upstream---------------------------

Washington Street, left bank 30 ft downstream------------------------- C •. & N. W. Ry. bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------- C. & N. W. Ry. bridge, left downstream wingwall----------------------- Wolf Road, left bank 80 ft upstream----------------------------------- Wolf Road, right bank downstream on fence----------------------------- Northwest Highway (U. S. Highway 14) & C. & N. W. Ry., left bank 10 ft upstream------------------------------------------------------------

Northwest Highway (U. S. Highway 14) & C. & N. W. Ry., right bank 80 ft downstream------------------------------------------------------- M. 3t. P. & s. S. M. RR., right bank 15 ft upstream----------------- Private road (Public Service Co ·l, left bank upstream----------------- Private road (Public Service Co. , left bank downstream--------------- C. & N. W. Ry. (spur) bridge, left upstream abutment------------------ C. & N. W. Ry. (spur) bridge, left downstream abutment---------------- C. & N. W. Ry. bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------- C. & N. W. Ry. bridge, left downstream wingwall----------------------- Willow Avenue (conduit intake), left bank 30 ft upstream-------------- Willow Avenue (conduit intake), left bank 15 ft upstream-------------- River Road (conduit outlet), left bank 15 ft downstream--------------- School walk bri<;lge (east of Perry Streetl, right upstream wingwall---- School walk bridge (east of Perry Street , right downstream wingwall--

Willow Creek: 

Park Ridge, C. & N--: W. Ry. bridge, right downstream abutment---------- C. & N. W. Ry., 50 ft right of downstream right end of bridge---------

Higgins Road bridge, right bank upstream wheel curb------------------- Higgins Road bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------ Wolf Road culvert, right upstream headwall---.:------------------------ Wolf Road, right bank 50 ft downstream-------------------------------- Lee Street, left bank 20 ft upstream---------------------------------- Lee Street, right bank 50 ft downstream------------------------------- Wooden foot bridge, downstream handrail------------------------------- Morse Avenue, right bank 15 ft upstream------------------------------- Morse Avenue, left bank 20 ft downstream------------------------------ Mannheim Road bridge, upstream left pier------------------------------ Mannheim Road, left bank 50 ft downstream----------------------------- Orchard Place Road, right bank 15 ft upstream------------------------- Orchard Place Road, right bank 20 ft downstream----------------------- M. St. P. & S. S. M. RR., right bank 50 ft upstrea.DI------------------

::i~i~s p Ro!d: · u~~t~~a! ~;.~m d~~~~~=~===========================:::::: Higgins Road, left bank 5 ft downstream------------------------------- Private lane bridge, upstream right end------------------------------- Private lane bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------ Scott Street bridge, right upstream wingwall-------------------------- Scott Street, right bank downstream----------------------------------- Byron Street, downstream right bank, USGS gage------------------------ River Road, right bank 150 ft upstream-------------------------------- River Road bridge, 5 ft right of right end of bridge------------------ River Road bridge, 10 ft right of right end of bridge-----------------

Silver Creek: 

Franklin Park, Franklin Road, sec. 20, T. 40 N. , R. 12 E. , left bank 15 ft upstream------------------------------------------------------ Franklin Road, right bank 10 ft downstream---------------------------- !lrand Avenue culvert, upstream headwall------------------------------- Grand Avenue culvert, downstream headwall----------------------------- Granville Avenue bridge, upstream end--------------------------------- Granville Avenue bridge, downstream end------------------------------- Granville Avenue, 150 ft northeast on south side of building----------

Hyde Park foot bridge, right upstream end of bridge-------------------· 

Hyde Park foot bridge, 150 ft southeast on building downstream-------- Mannheim Road culvert, right upstream end of headwall----------------- Mannheim Road, right bank downstream on pole-------------------------- Mouth of Nevada Creek------------------------------------------------- Scott Street bridge, left upstream wingwall--------------------------- Scott Street, 4th fence post from left downstream wingwall------------ Richards Street, left bank 25 ft upstream----------------------------- Richards Street bridge, on pole at left upstream wingwall------------- Richards Street, right bank 5 ft downstream--------------------------- Herrick Avenue bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------- Herrick Avenue bridge, right downstream end of headwall--------------- Fullerton Avenue bridge, left upstream end of headwall---------------- Fullerton Avenue bridge, left downstream end of headwall-------------- Palmer Street Bridge, right upstream wingwall------------------------- Palmer Street bridge, right downstream end of bridge------------------ Melrose Park, Armitage Avenue bridge, right upstream wingwall--------- Armi tage Avenue bridge, right downstream wingwall--------------------- I. H. B. R R • , (spurl, right bank upstream at bridge------------------- r. H. B. RR., (spur , left bank downstream at bridge------------------ 25th Avenue culvert, left upstream end of headwall-------------------- 25th Avenue culvert, right downstream wingwall------------------------

Miles 

above 

mouth 

2.8 

2.8 

2.6 

2.6 

2.2 

2.2 

1.9 

1.9 

1.5 

1.2 

1.2 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

1.0 

.5 

.4 

.4 

4.5 

4.5 

4.2 

4.2 

4.0 

4.0 

3.1 

3.1 

2 .a 

2.8 

2.4 

2.4 

2.3 

2.3 

2.2 

2.2 

2.0 

2.0 

1.4 

1.4 

1.3 

.3 

.3 

.3 

5. 7 5. 7 4.8 

4.8 

4.5 

4.5 

4.5 

4.5 

4.5 

4.3 

4.3 

4.1 

3.6 

3.6 

3.4 

3.4 

3.4 

3.3 

3.3 

3.1 

3.1 

2.8 

2.8 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.5 

2.3 

2.3 

Oct. 1954 elevation 

(feet) 

644.87 

643.49 

642.73 

642.06 

640.86 

640.80 

638.86 

636.73 

635.29 

633.17 

632.77 

632.45 

632.56 

630.69 

630.67 

629.45 

629.51 

627.34 

627.35 

626.43 

646.52 

645.74 

645.14 

644.76 

644.36 

644.06 

640.33 

640.20 

640.20 

639.22 

638.67 

636.56 

636.33 

636.27 

635.96 

635.69 

635.35 

634.83 

634.65 

630.90 

630.10 

630.16 

629.88 

629.27 

627.23 

626.44 

626.83 

645.11 

645.08 

641.85 

641.01 

640.66 

640.58 

640.56 

640.51 

640.42 

640.20 

640.00 

635.95 

635.70 

635.32 

635.20 

634.82 

634.62 

634.45 

634.17 

634.15 

633.30 

633.16 

631.15 

630.64 

630.74 

630.73 

628.89 

628.79 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 

Table 4. --Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin--Continued 

Stream and location 

DES PLAINES RIVER BASIN--Continued 

Silver Creek--continued: 

Miles 

above 

mouth 

North Avenue bridge, upstream headwall--------------------------------- 1.8 North Avenue bridge, downstream headwall------------------------------- 1.8 Broadway bridge, left upstream wingwall-------------------------------- 1. 7 Broadway bridge, right downstream wingwall----------------------------- 1. 7 17th Avenue bridge, upstream headwall---------------------------------- 1. 5 17th Avenue bridge, downstream headwall-------------------------------- 1,5 15th Avenue bridge, left upstream wingwall----------------------------- 1.4 15th Avenue bridge, right downstream wingwall-------------------------- 1.4 9th Avenue, right bank 20 ft downstream-------------------------------- • 9 5th Avenue bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------------ .4 5th Avenue bridge, left downstream wingwall---------------------------- .4 Maywood, 1st Avenue bridge, left upstream wingwall--------------------- ,0 1st Avenue, left bank 100 ft downstream-------------------------------- .0 

Nevada Creek (tributary to Silver Creek): 

Melrose Park, Melrose Street, (no bridge), sec. 29, T. 40 N., R. 12 E., left bank on tree---------------------------------------------------- Nevada Street, right bank 20 ft upstream------------------------------- Nevada Street, right bank 50 ft downstream----------------------------- Foot bridge, right bank 10 ft upstream--------------------------------- Mannheim Road culvert, upstream headwall------------------------------- Mannheim Road culvert, downstream face---------------------------------

Salt Creek: 

Arlington Heights, Kirchoff Road bridge, left upstream wingwall-------- Kirchoff Road bridge-, left downstream wingwall-------------------------

Algonquin Road, right bank 40 ft upstream------------------------------

Algonquin Road, downstream--------------------------------------------- Golf Road (Ill. Highway 58), left bank 15 ft upstream------------------ Golf Road (Ill. Highway 58), downstream right bank, USGS gage---------- Higgins Road bridge, left upstream wingwall----------------------------

Higgins Road bridge, left downstream wingwall---------'----------------- Old Higgins Road bridge, upstream wingwall----------------------------- Old Higgins Road, downstream------------------------------------------- Arlington Heights Road bridge, left upstream wlngwall------------------

Arlington Heights Road bridge, left downstream wingwall---------------- Devon Avenue bridge, left upstream wingwall---------------------------- Devon Avenue bridge, left downstream wingwall-----------------------·-- Lawrence Avenue bridge, left upstream wlngwall------------------------- Lawrence Avenue, right bank 50 ft downstream--------------------------- Wood Dale, C. M. & St. P. RR., bridge, right upstream wingwall--------- C. M, & St. P. R R., right bank 50 ft downstream----------------------- Irving Park Road {Ill. Highway 19), upstream---------------------------

Irving Park Road {Ill, Highway 19), downstream------------------------- Elmhurst Golf Course foot bridge, downstream--------------------------- Addison, Lake Street (U. S. Highway 20), upstream---------------------- Lake Street (U. S. Highway 20~, downstream----------------------------- North Avenue (Ill. Highway 64 , upstream------------------------------- North Avenue (Ill. Highway 64 , downstream----------------------------- Elmhurst, C. & N. W. Ry. and I. C. RR., upstream---------------------- c. & N. w. Ry. and I, c. RR., downstream------------------------------ St. Charles Road, upstream--------------------------------------------- St. Charles Road, downstream------------------------------------------- Ill. Highway 85, upstream----------------------------------------------

Ill, Highway 85, downstream-------------------------------------------- Villa Park, C. A. & E. Ry., upstream----------------------------------- C. A. & E. Ry., downstream--------------------------------------------- Elmhurst, Butterfield Road (Ill. Highway 56), upstream----------------- Butterfield Road (Ill. Highway 56), downstream------------------------- Roosevelt Road (U. S. Highway 50 Alt.}, upstream----------------------- Roosevelt Road (U. S. Highway 50 Alt.), downstream--------------------- Harger Road, upstrea.m--------------------------------------------------

Harger Road, downstream------------------------------------------------

22d Street (Ill. Highway 55 L upstream--------------------------------- 22d Street (Ill. Highway 55), downstream------------------------------- 51st Street, upstream-------------------------------------------------- 5ls t Street, downstream------------------------------------------------ Fullersburg Dam pool--------------------------------------------------- York Road, upstream---------------------------------------------------- York Road, downstream-------------------------------------------------- Western Springs, Wolf Road, UPStream left bank, USGS gage-------------- Wolf Road, downstream-------------------------------------------------- LaGrange Park, 51st Street, upstream----------------------------------- 51st Street, downstream------------------------------------------------ Westchester, LaGrange Road, upstream-----------------------------------

LaGrange Road, downstream---------------------------------------------- Broadview, I. H. B. R R., upstream------------------------------------- I. H. B. RR., downstream---------------------------------------------- Mouth of Addison Creek------------------------------------------------- North Riverside, 17th Avenue, upstream------'--------------------------- 17th Avenue, downstream------------------------------------------------ Brookfield, 51st Street, upstream-------------------------------------- 51st Street, downstream------------------------------------------------

.5 

.4 

.4 

.2 

.1 

.1 

57 .o 57 .o 55.6 

55,6 

54.7 

54.7 

55,1 

55.1 

55.1 

55.1 

51.5 

51.5 

50.0 

50,0 

29,2 

29.2 

27.7 

27.7 

27.6 

27.6 

24.0 

24.0 

21.7 

21.7 

21.1 

21.1 

20,5 

20.5 

20.4 

20.4 

20.1 

20.1 

17.7 

17.7 

17.5 

17.5 

15.6 

15,6 

14.9 

14.9 

15.7 

15.7 

ll.6 

11.5 

ll.5 

8,8 

8,8 

6,9 

6,9 

5,6 

5,6 

4. 7 

4. 7 5,6 

3,5 

5,5 

1.9 

1.9 

187 

Oct. 1954 elevation 

(feet) 

627,54 

626.85 

626.58 

626.58 

626.20 

626.25 

624.84 

624.ll 

619.81 

618.80 

618.71 

618.12 

618.01 

642.20 

64l.ll 

640.99 

640.06 

659,89 

658.54 

698.91 

698.55 

695.98 

692,96 

690.65 

690.60 

686.02 

685.70 

685.68 

685,67 

685,16 

685,25 

680.06 

679,98 

679.04 

678.77 

677.66 

677.77 

676.88 

676.51 

675.50 

671.46 

671.48 

669,12 

669.17 

667.96 

667.44 

665.72 

665.50 

665,52 

665,55 

664.40 

664,58 

659,95 

660.06 

659,16 

659.10 

656,01 

655.89 

655,19 

655.16 

650,92 

650,91 

645,19 

642.65 

642.55 

655.09 

655.14 

629.47 

629.57 

624.88 

624.81 

622.68 

622.44 

620.99 

620.98 

619.06 

618.88 
188 FLOODS OF 1954 

Table 4. --Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin--Continued 

Stream and location 

DES PLAINES RIVER BASIN--Continued 

Salt Creek--continued: Abandoned RR., bridge at Monroe Avenue, upstream----------------------- Abandoned RR., bridge at Monroe Avenue, downstream--------------------- Washington Avenue, upstream--------------------------------------------

Washington Avenue, downstream------------------------------------------ Brookfield Avenue, upstream-------------------------------------------- Brookfield Avenue, downstream------------------------------------------

~yo~~, & F~~s~ RAven~~:n~~~~:~;:::::::::: :::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::: 

First Avenue, downstream-----------------------------------------------

Addison Creek: 

North Lake, Wolf Road, left bank 150 ft upstream----------------------- Wolf Road, right bank 50 ft downstream--------------------------------- Prater Avenue bridge, left upstream wingwall--------------------------- Prater Avenue bridge, left downstream wingwall-------------------------

Roy Avenue, right bank 20 ft upstream----------------------------------

Roy Avenue bridge, right downstream wingwall--------------------------- Roberta Avenue, .right bank 20 ft upstream------------------------------ Roberta Avenue bridge, left downstream end of bridge------------------- Park View Drive bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------- Park View Drive bridge, left downstream wingwall----------------------- Park View Drive, left bank 25 ft downstream---------------------------- North Avenue culvert, right end of upstream headwall------------------- North Avenue, left bank 25 ft downstream------------------------------- Melrose Park, Morse Avenue, southeast comer of shack 150 ft upstream--

Morse Avenue, right bank 150 ft downstream----------------------------- Lemoyne Street bridge, right upstream end------------------------------ Lemoyne Street, right bank 50 ft downstream---------------------------- Victoria Drive bridge, left upstream end------------------------------- Victoria Drive, left bank 75 ft downstream----------------------------- Victoria Drive, left bank 200 ft downstream---------------------------- Hirsh Street bridge, upstream face------------------------------------- Hirsh Street, right bank 25 ft downstream------------------------------ Stone Park, Mannheim Road, left bank 15 ft upstream-------------------- Mannheim Road, 100 ft left of river------------------------------------ Mannheim Road, left bank 200 ft downstream, garage 150 ft left of stream---------------------------------------------------------------

Melrose Park, Lake Street culvert, left downstream abutment------------ C. & N. W. Ry. bridge, left upstream abutment-------------------------- I. H. B. RR., left bank upstream-------------------------------------- I. H. B. RR., left bank downstream------------------------------------ Bellwood, C. & N. W. Ry. bridge, left upstream pier-------------------- C. & N. W. Ry. bridge, left downstream pier---------------------------- C. & N. W. Ry. bridge, (4th bridge below Lake Street) left upstream end I. H. B. RR., bridge, (5th bridge below Lake Street) left upstream abutment-------------------------------------------------------------

Washington Boulevard bridge, lert upstream wingwall--------------------

Washington Boulevard bridge, downstream right bank, USGS gage---------- C. & G. W. Ry. bridge, right upstream end------------------------------ C. & G. W. Ry. bridge, left downstream end----------------------------- C. A. & E. Ry. bridge, left upstream wingwall-------------------------- C. A. & E. Ry. bridge, left downstream wingwall------------------------ Madison Street, downstream headwall------------------------------------ Monroe Street bridge, left upstream wingwall--------------------------- Monroe Street bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------ Wilcox Street bridge, right upstream wingwall-------------------------- Wilcox Street bridge, left downstream wingwall------------------------- Adams Street bridge, right upstream wingwall--------------------------- Adams Street bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------- Jackson Street bridge, right upstream wingwall------------------------- Jackson Street bridge, right downstream wingwall----------------------- VanBuren Street, right bank upstream, concrete walk-------------------- VanBuren Street bridge, right downstream wingwall---------------------- 30th Avenue bridge, right upstream wingwall---------------------------- 30th Avenue bridge, right downstream wingwall-------------------------- 3lst Avenue bridge, right upstream wingwall---------------------------- 3lst Avenue bridge, left downstream wingwall--------------------------- 320 Avenue bridge, let't upstream wingwall------------------------------ 32d Avenue bridge, let't downstream wingwall---------------------------- Harrison Street bridge, left upstream opening-------------------------- Harrison Street bridge, left downstream opening------------------------

Westchester, Ki tchener Street foot bridge, right downstream end-------- Gladstone Avenue, left bank 75 ft upstream----------------------------- Gladstone Avenue bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------ Gladstone Avenue bridge, right downstream wingwall--------------------- Roosevel t Road (U. S. Highway 30 Alt.) bridge, left upstream wingwall-- Roosevel t Road (U. S. Highway 30 Alt.) bridge, left downstream wingwall Pusheck Road bridge, right upstream wingwall--------------------------- Pusheck Road bridge, right downstream wingwall-------------------------

Broadview, I. H. B. RR., bridge, right upstream end-------------------- 1. H. B. RR., bridge, right downstream end----------------------------- 25th Avenue bridge, upstream face-------------------------------------- 25th Avenue bridge, downstream face------------------------------------ Cermak Road bridge, right upstream end--------------------------------- Cermak Road bridge, left downstream end--------------------------------

Miles 

above 

mouth 

1.2 

1.2 

1.1 

1.1 

• 7 

• 7 

• 7 

.1 

.1 

6.5 

6.5 

6.2 

6.2 

6.0 

6.0 

5.9 

5.9 

5.8 

5.8 

5.8 

5. 7 

5. 7 

5.6 

5.6 

5.6 

5.6 

5.5 

5.5 

5.5 

5.4 

5.4 

4.9 

4.9 

4.9 

4. 7 4.5 

4.3 

4.3 

4.0 

4.0 

4.0 

3.9 

3.2 

3.2 

3.0 

3.0 

3.0 

3.0 

3.0 

2.9 

2.9 

2.8 

2.8 

2.8 

2.8 

2. 7 2. 7 2.6 

2.6 

2.5 

2.5 

2.4 

2.4 

2.3 

2.3 

2.3 

2.3 

2.1 

2.0 

2.0 

2.0 

1.8 

1.8 

1.4 

1.4 

1.3 

1.3 

1.1 

1.1 

.3 

.3 

Oct. 1954 elevation 

(feet) 

617.30 

617.01 

616.38 

615.91 

615.24 

614.80 

614.93 

612.21 

612.07 

643.62 

643.36 

642.28 

642.17 

641.42 

641.24 

641.10 

640.98 

640.73 

640.70 

640.48 

639.46 

639.34 

639.12 

638.90 

638.57 

638.40 

638.32 

638.30 

638.27 

638.08 

637.85 

637.04 

636.90 

636.28 

633.97 

633.72 

631.95 

632.17 

631.62 

631.58 

631.50 

630.34 

627.36 

627.13 

627.10 

626.94 

626.70 

626.70 

626.63 

626.83 

626.62 

626.35 

626.50 

626.09 

626.22 

626.09 

626.06 

626.06 

625.96 

625.85 

625.50 

625.71 

625.55 

625.53 

625.44 

625.44 

625.51 

625.41 

625.38 

625.42 

625.04 

624.78 

624.27 

624.46 

624.15 

624.10 

621.84 

621.52 

621.72 

621.67 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 

Table 4. --Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin--Continued 

Stream and location 

DES PLAINES RIVER BASIN--Continued 

Flag Creek: 

Clarendon Hills, Elm and Colfax Avenue, corner of garage--------------- Park Avenue, Concrete Specialties Co., pile of RR.,ties near building- Yellow shed, top of planks--------------------------------------------- Brownson Lumber Co., in shed------------------------------------------- Prospect Avenue, right bank 20 ft downstream--------------------------- Harris Avenue culvert, upstream headwall------------------------------- Harris Avenue, right bank downstream, guardrail------------------------ 111. Highway 83, left bank 25 ft upstream------------------------------ 111. Highway 83, right bank at downstream wingwall---------------------

Hinsdale, Jackson Street, right bank 8 ft upstream--------------------- Jackson Street, left bank 15 ft downstream----------------------------- Strough Street, right bank 10 ft upstream------------------------------

Strough Street culvert, downstream headwall---------------------------- Quincy Street, right bank 15 ft upstream-------------------------------

Quincy Street, right bank 10 ft downstream----------------------------- 6th and Brunes Street, left bank 150 ft upstream----------------------- Adams Street, left bank 8 ft upstream---------------------------------- Adams Street, left bank 10 ft downstream------------------------------- 4th and Bodin Streets, right bank 50 ft upstream----------------------- Monroe Street, left bank 20 ft upstream-------------------------------- Monroe Street, right bank 25 ft downstream----------------------------- Madison Street, right bank 100 ft downstream--------------------------- Clay Street culvert, left upstream end of handrail--------------------- Clay Street, left bank 15 ft downstream-------------------------------- Hinsdale Avenue, right bank 5 ft upstream------------------------------ Hinsdale Avenue culvert, downstream handrail--------------------------- Northeast corner of garage near C. B. & Q. RR • ,------------------------ Elm Street, left bank 8 ft upstream------------------------------------ Elm Street, left bank 100 ft downstream-"'------------------------------- Walnut Street culvert, left upstream wingwall-------------------------- Walnut Street, left bank 75 ft downstream------------------------------ Oak Street, left bank 15 ft upstream----------------------------------- Oak Street culvert, downstream headwall-------------------------------- County Line Road culvert, left upstream abutment----------------------- .county Line Road culvert, downstream headwall-------------------------- Western Springs, 47th Street, right bank 75 ft upstream---------------- 47th Street, right bank 25 ft downstream------------------------------- 55th Street culvert, left upstream abutment---------------------------- 55th Street culvert, left downstream abutment-------------------------- Plainfield Road culvert, left upstream abutment------------------------ Plainfield Road culvert, right downstream abutment--------------------- U. S. Highway 66, left bank 25 ft upstream----------------------------- U. s. Highway 66, right bank 100 ft downstream------------------------- Wolf Road bridge, right upstream guardrail----------------------------- Wolf Road bridge, left downstream guardrail---------------------------- 7lst Street, left bank 15 ft upstream---------------------------------- 7lst Street bridge, left downstream wingwall--------------------------- Willow Springs, 79th Street bridge, right upstream wingwall------------ 79th Street, left bank 10 ft downstream-------------------------------- Wolf Road bridge, right upstream wingwa11------------------------------ Wolf Road bridge, right downstream wingwall---------------------------- Private road, left bank 25 ft upstream--------------------------------- Private road bridge, left downstream abutment-------------------------- Private road, lef't bank 10 ft upstream--------------------------------- Private road, right bank 25 ft downstream------------------------------ German Church Road, upstream left bank, USGS gage---------------------- German Church Road, right bank 50 ft downstream------------------------ 9lst Street bridge, right upstream wingwall---------------------------- 9lst Street bridge, right downstream abutment-------------------------- Private road bridge, right upstream abutment--------------------------- Private road, right bank 25 ft downstream------------------------------ A. T. & S. F. Ry., left bank 10 ft upstream---------------------------- A. T. & S. F. Ry., left bank 10 ft downstream--------------------------

North Branch Chicago River: 

Deerfield, County Line Road, USGS gage--------------------------------- Northbrook, Dundee Road bridge, right upstream wingwall---------------- Schermer Road, left bank 50 ft upstream-------------------------------- Schermer Road, left bank 30 ft downstream------------------------------ Sunset Ridge Road, left bank 40 ft upstream---------------------------- Sunset Ridge Road bridge, left downstream abutment--------------------- Meadowbrook Lane, right bank 25 ft upstream---------------------------- Meadowbrook Lane, right bank 20 ft downstream-------------------------- Sunset Drive, right bank 30 ft upstream-------------------------------- Sunset Drive, right bank 20 ft downstream------------------------------ Northfield, Middle Fork Road, left bank 50 ft upstream----------------- Middle Fork Road, left bank 30 ft downstream--------------------------- Old Willow Road, power pole upstream right bank------------------------ Old Willow Road bridge, right downstream abutment---------------------- New Willow Road bridge, left upstream abutment------------------------- New Willow Road bridge, left downstream abutment----------------------- Winnetka Road, right bank 100 ft upstream------------------------------ Winnetka Road, right bank downstream-----------------------------------

Miles 

above 

mouth 

10.4 

10.3 

10.3 

10.3 

10.2 

9.9 

9.9 

9. 7 9. 7 9. 7 9. 7 9.6 

9.6 

9.6 

9.6 

9.5 

9.4 

9.4 

9.3 

9.2 

9.2 

9.1 

9.0 

9.0 

8.9 

8.9 

8.8 

8.1 

8.1 

8.0 

8.0 

7.9 

7.9 

7. 7 7. 7 7.3 

7.3 

6.1 

6.1 

5.1 

5.1 

4.2 

4.2 

3.9 

3.9 

3.9 

3.9 

2.8 

2.8 

2.6 

2.6 

2.5 

2.5 

2.4 

2.4 

2.3 

2.3 

.9 

.9 

.4 

.4 

.4 

.4 

28.6 

27.4 

27.3 

27.3 

25.7 

25.7 

25.3 

25.3 

25.1 

25.1 

24.5 

24.5 

24.2 

24.2 

23.9 

23.9 

23.3 

23.3 

189 

Oct. 1954 elevation 

(feet) 

725.55 

725.56 

725.02 

722.95 

717.79 

714.91 

714.35 

710.67 

709.98 

709.35 

709.16 

708.36 

707.74 

707.04 

705.32 

704.83 

705.08 

704.75 

700.69 

697.85 

697.50 

695.76 

695.08 

693.96 

693.51 

693.29 

692.34 

673.11 

670.96 

667.02 

663.90 

662.44 

661.72 

653.91 

652.20 

644.77 

644.49 

644.99 

644.02 

641.20 

641.23 

636.23 

635.27 

634.23 

633.69 

633.40 

632.72 

623.95 

623.57 

621.72 

621.54 

620.69 

620.33 

618.13 

617.85 

616.52 

615.98 

599.68 

599.33 

595.22 

594.92 

595.11 

594.87 

64 7. 96 643.39 

643.35 

643.15 

635.51 

635.25 

633.00 

632.99 

632.90 

632.50 

629.05 

628.95 

626.77 

626.83 

624.43 

624.42 

623.00 

622.57 
190 FLOODS OF 1954 

Table 4. --Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin--Continued 

Stream and location 

DES PLAINES RIVER BASIN--Continued 

North Branch Chicago River--continued: 

Wilmette, mouth of Skokie River---------------------------------------- Lake Ave. bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------------- Lake Ave. bridge, left downstream wingwall-----------------------------

Glenview, Glenview Road bridge, right upstream wingwall---------------- Glenview Road bridge, . right downstream wingwall------------------------ Morton Grove, Simpson Street, (Golf Road) bridge, left upstream wing- wall-----------------------------------------------------------------

Simpson Street (Golf Road) bridge, right downstream wingwall----------- Church Street, wall on right bank upstream----------------------------- Church Street, power pole on left bank downstream.:.;. ______ --------------

Dempster Street bridge, right upstream wingwall------------------------ c. M. & St. P. RR., bridge, right upstream wingwall-------------------- C. M. & St. P. RR., bridge, right downstream pier---------------------- Oakton Street bridge, right upstream wingwall----------------:----------- Oakton Street bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------ Caldwell Street bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------- Caldwell Street bridge, left downstream wingwall·----------------------

Niles, Howard Street bridge, upstream wingwall------------------------- Howard Street, gold green left bank downstream------------------------- Touhy Avenue, left bank 30 ft upstream---------------------------------

Touhy Avenue, downstream right bank, USGS g~ge-------------------------

West Fork of North Branch Chicago River: 

Northbrook, Lake-Cook County Road, right bank 100 ft upstream----------

~~;;o~~a~0(rii. R~~~he~;d~: ~, r~~~~r~~:~;~~~a:~~;~~-~;~;=========== C. M. & St. P. R R • , bridge, right upstream wingwall-------------------- C. M. & St. P. R R . , right bank 75 ft downstream----------------------- Schermer Road, right bank 20 ft upstream~-----------------------------­

Schermer Road bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------ Wal ters Road bridge, left upstream wingwall---------------------------- Walters Road, right bank 15 ft downstream------------------------------ c. & N. W. Ry. bridge, inside face of bridge left bank upstream-------- C. & N. W. Ry., left bank downstream----------------------------------- Techny Road bridge, left upstream wingwall-----------------------------

Techny Road, left bank 25 ft downstream-------------------------------- Willow Road bridge, left upstream wingwall----------------------------- Willow Road bridge, right downstream wingwall-------------------------- West Lake Road bridge, left upstream wingwall-------------------------- West Lake Road, right bank 25 ft downstream---------------------------- Glenview, Glenview Road, left bank 50 ft upstream---------------------- Glenview Road bridge, right downstream wingwall------------------------

Waukegan Road, ].eft bank 100 ft upstream-------------------------------

Waukegan Road,_right bank 15 ft downstream----------------------------- Morton Grove, Simpson Street (Golf Road) bridge, right upstream 

wingwall------------------------------------------------------------- Simpson Street (Golf Road) bridge, left downstream W'ingwall------------

Convent Creek: 

Lemont, Walker Road culvert, sec. 22, T. 3 7 N. , R. 11 E. , left bank 50 ft upstream------------------------------------------------------- Walker Road culvert, right bank 25 ft downstream----------------------- Walker Road bridge, left bank 30 ft upstream--------------------------~ 

Walker Road bridge, right bank 25 ft downstream------------------------ Chicago-Joliet Road bridge, right upstream wingwall--------------------

Chicago-Joliet Road, right bank 10 ft downstream----------------------- G. M. & 0. RR., right bank 100 ft upstream---------------------------- G. M. & 0. R R • , right bank 30 ft downstream---------------------------

Long Run - Ill. and Mich. Canal: 

Lemont, Will-Cook County road culvert, sec. 1, T. 36 N., R. 11 E., 

right upstream wingwall---------------------------------------------- Will-Cook County road, left bank 20 ft downstream---------------------- Bell Road bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------------- Bell Road, right bank 25 ft downstream--------------------------------- Parker Road, left bank 50 ft upstream---------------------------------- Parker Road, left bank 200 ft downstream------------------------------- Cedar Road, left bank 125 ft upstream---------------------------------- Cedar Road, left bank 150 ft downstream-------------------------------- State Street, downstream left bank, USGS gage-------------------------- Archer Avenue (Ill. Highway 4A), left bank 25 ft upstream-------------- Farm lane, right bank 15 ft upstream------------------------'----------- Farm lane, right bank 30 ft downstream--------------------------------- Abandoned road ( 750 ft downstream from Ill. Highway 4A), 20 ft upstream Smith Road, right bank 8 ft upstream----------------------------------- Smith Road, right bank 16 ft downstream-------------------------------- Lockport, Gravel road, right bank upstream----------------------------- Gravel road bridge, right upstream wingwall---------------------------- Gravel road, right bank 150 ft downstream------------------------------ Chicago-Joliet Road, right bank 150 ft upstream------------------------ G. M. & 0. RR., left bank upstream------------------------------------ G. M. & 0. RR., left bank 50 ft downstream----------------------------

Miles 

above 

mouth 

22.9 

22.1 

22.1 

21.2 

21.2 

19.9 

19.9 

19.1 

19.1 

19.1 

18.2 

18.2 

16.9 

16.9 

16.9 

16.9 

16.2 

16.2 

15.6 

15.6 

9.1 

9.1 

7.9 

7.2 

1.2 

7 .o 

7 .o 

6.9 

6.9 

5,9 

5.9 

5.9 

5.9 

5.0 

5.0 

3.5 

3.5 

2.2 

2.2 

2.1 

2.1 

.3 

,3 

.6 

.6 

.5 

.5 

.3 

.3 

.2 

.2 

11.1 

11.1 

9.8 

9.8 

8.6 

8.6 

7.4 

7.4 

5.4 

5.1 

5.0 

5.0 

5,0 

3.8 

3.8 

1.9 

1.9 

1.9 

1.7 

1.6 

1.6 

Oct. 1954 elevation 

(feet) 

620,43 

620.25 

620.27 

620.26 

617.46 

617.41 

617.36 

617.01 

617.95 

616.46 

615.34 

614.04 

613.90 

614.38 

613.88 

612.10 

6ll.55 

610.96 

6ll.OO 

646.90 

647.45 

646.16 

643.08 

642.47 

640.25 

640.46 

638.20 

639,02 

633.60 

633.54 

633,05 

632.88 

629.37 

629.75 

626.07 

625.85 

620 •. 67 621.37 

620,91 

620.91 

617.90 

617.51 

635.67 

633.47 

629.08 

625.28 

609,58 

609.07 

601.93 

600,89 

684.73 

684.92 

676.01 

675.75 

669.47 

669.03 

661.74 

661.18 

647.01 

644.98 

641.70 

640.90 

640.18 

631.87 

631.08 

602.58 

600.87 

598.43 

592.04 

591.62 

590.80 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 191 

Table 4. --Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin--Continued 

Stream and location 

DES PLAINES RIVER BASIN--Continued 

Fiddyment Creek: 

Lockport, Gravel road, sec. 13, T. 36 N., R. 10 E., left bank 20 ft upstream------------------------------------------------------- Gravel road culvert, right downstream headwall------------------------- Hamilton Street, left bank 15 ft upstream------------------------------ Hamilton Street, right bank 150 ft downstream-------------------------- Ill. Highway 4A, left bank 20 ft upstream------------------------------ Ill. Highway 4A, right bank 25 ft downstream--------------------------- G. M. & 0. R R . , right bank 20 ft upstream----------------------· ------ G. M. & 0. RR • , bridge, right upstream pier----------------------------

Milne Creek: 

Lockport, Gravel lane culvert, sec. 25, T. 36 N., R. 10 E., right 

upstream end--------------------------------------------------------- Division Street, right bank 20 ft upstream----------------------------- Division Street, right bank 20 ft downstream--------------------------- Culvert, grass line on tree upstream--------------------------------·--

Culvert, 20 ft upstream------------------------------------------------ 11th Street, left bank 75 ft upstream---------------------------------- 11th Street, right bank 8 ft downstream-------------------------------- 111. Highway 7, right bank 30 ft upstream------------------------------ Ill. Highway 7, left bank 2 ft downstream------------------------------ Madison Street, left bank 20 ft upstream------------------------------- Madison Street, left bank 20 ft downstream----------------------------- 7th Street, right bank 25 ft upstream---------------------------------- Jefferson Street, 100 ft upstream-------------------------------------- Jefferson Street bridge, right downstream wingwall--------------------- Jefferson Street, left bank 100 ft downstream-------------------------- Hamilton Street culvert, left upstream wingwall------------------------ Hamilton Street, left bank 25 ft downstream---------------------------- State Street bridge, right upstream abutment--------------------------- G. M & 0. RR., left bank 100 ft upstream----------------------------- G. M. & 0. RR., left bank 30 ft downstream---------------------------- G. M. & 0. RR., left bank 150 ft downstream---------------------------

Fraction Run: 

South Lockport, Gravel road, sec. 26, T. 36 N., R. 10 E., right bank 5 ft upstream-------------------------------------------------------- Gravel road, left bank 20 ft downstream-------------------------------- Lawrence Street, right bank 6 ft upstream------------------------------ Lawrence Street, right bank 10 ft downstream--------------------------- Dellwood Park, foot bridge, right bank l5 ft upstream------------------ Foot bridge, right bank 75 ft downstream------------------------------- Stone arch bridge, right bank 50 ft upstream--------------------------- Stone arch bridge, left bank 100 ft downstream------------------------- Dam, left bank 150 ft upstream----------------------------------------- I11. Highway 4A bridge, left downstream abutment---.,-------------------- I11. Highway 4A, left bank 50 ft downstream---------------------------- G. M. & 0. RR., bridge, left upstream wingwall-------------------------

Spring Creek: 

Joliet, Cass Street, left bank 75 ft downstream------------------------ N. Y. C. R R., bridge, right upstream end------------------------------- N. Y. C. R R . , right bank 20 ft downstream----------------------------- Washington Street, right bank 15 ft upstream---------------------------

Washington Street, left bank 25 ft downstream--------------------------

West Branch Du Page River (head of Du Page River): 

Wayne Center, Army Trail Road, sec. 14, T. 40 N, R. 9 E., left bank upstream--------------------------------------------------------

Army Trail Road, right bank 50 ft do;,nstream--------------------------- St. Charles Road, left bank 100 ft upstream---------------------------"" St. Charles Road, right bank 75 ft downstream-------------------------- 111. Highway 64, right bank 20 ft upstream----------------------------- 111. Highway 64, right bank 16 ft downstream--------------------------- C. & G. W. Ry., right bank 10 ft upstream------------------------------ C. & G. W. Ry., right bank 30 ft downstream---------------------------- C. A. & E. Ry., right bank 12 ft upstream------------------------------ C. A. & E. Ry. bridge, right downstream wingwall----------------------- Geneva Road, left bank upstream, corner fence post--------------------- Geneva Road; left bank 10 ft downstream-------------------------------- Winfield, Winfield-West Chicago Road, right bank upstream-------------- Winfield-West Chicago Road bridge, left downstream wingwall------------ C. & N. W. Ry., 50 ft downstream--------------------------------------- Beecher Street, right bank 8 ft upstream------------------------------- Beecher Street, right bank downstream---------------------------------- U. S. Highway 30 Alt., right bank upstream----------------------------- U. s. Highway 30 Alt. bridge, right downstream wingwall----------------

Gray Mill Road, right bank upstream------------------------------------

Gray Mill Road, right bank 4 ft downstream-----------------------------

Miles Oct. 1954 

above elevation mouth (feet) 

.9 624.45 .9 622.40 .4 600.61 

.4 598.29 .3 592.25 .3 591.09 .3 589.31 .3 589.43 

2.2 665.45 1.9 656.89 1.9 656.28 1.7 650.14 1.7 649.95 1.2 637.90 1.2 637.07 • 9 629.84 . 

.9 629.46 

.5 617.12 .5 616.64 .4 612.17 .4 609.64 

.4 607.26 .4 606.61 .2 595.24 .2 593.81 .1 586.59 0 583.27 0 581.13 0 581.21 

1.9 638.77 

1.9 638.21. 

1.1 623.90 1.1 622.55 .5 603.21 .5 603.11 .1 589.76 .1 589.25 .1 588.86 .1 571.06 .1 569.83 0 569.95 

.5 544.92 .3 543.47 

.3 542.70 

.3 541.66 .3 541.97 

24.1 737.22 24.1 736.84 21.6 728.54 21.6 728.22 21.5 727.50 21.5 727.54 21.0 723.98 21.0 723.50 20.7 723.53 20.7 723.63 19.3 717.99 19.3 717.99 17.9 713.67 17.9 713.00 17.9 713.13 17.8 712.88 17.8 712.82 15.2 705.29 15.2 705.08 15.0 704.95 15.0 704.31 
192 FLOODS OF 1954 

Table 4,--Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin--Continued 

Stream and location 

DES PLAINES RIVER BASIN--Continued 

West Branch Du Page River (head of Du Page River)--Continued 

Mack Road, right bank 10 ft upstream-----------------------------------

Mack Road, right bank 40 ft downstream--------------------------------- Warrenville, North William Street, right bank 40 ft upstream----------- North William Street bridge, right downstream wingwall-----------------

Ill. Highway 55, right bank 130 ft upstream----------------------------

Ill. Highway 55, right bank 100 ft downstream--------------------------

C. A. & E. Ry., right bank 35 ft downstream---------------------------- Warrenville Dam, island 50 ft upstream--------------------------------- Warrenville Dam, island 12 ft downstream------------------------------- Warrenville Road (Aurora Street), right bank 100 ft upstream----------- Warrenville Road (Aurora Street), right bank 20 ft downstream---------- McDowell Grove foot bridge, left bank 30 ft upstream------------------- McDowell Grove foot bridge, left bank 45 ft downstream----------------- McDowell Grove Dam, right bank 35 ft upstream--------------------------

McDowell Grove Dam, right bank 20 ft downstream------------------------ Naperville, U. S. Highway 34, right bank 10 ft upstream---------------- U. S. Highway 34, right bank 15 ft downstream--------------------------

C. B. & Q. RR . , left bank 180 ft upstream----------------------------- C. B. & Q. RR., left bank 20 ft downstream---------------------------- South Eagle Street foot bridge, left bank 150 ft upstream-------------- South Eagle Street foot bridge, left bank 60 ft downstream-------------

South Main Street, right bank 60 ft upstream--------------------------- South Main Street, right bank 40 ft downstream-------------------------

South Washington Street (Ill. Highway 65), right bank 20 ft upstream---

South Washinrton Street (Ill. Highway 65), right bank 20 ft downstream- Foot bridge Pioneer Park), left bank 30 ft upstream------------------- Foot bridge Pioneer Park), left bank 10 ft downstream-----------------

Hobson Road, left bank 30 ft upstream----------------------------------

Hobson Road, left bank 40 ft downstream-------------------------------- Gravel road, right bank 30 ft upstream---------------------------------

Gravel road, right bank 10 ft downstream------------------------------- Dam and ford, right bank 10 ft upstream--------------------------------

Dam and ford, right bank 130 ft downstream----------------------------- Naperville Road, left bank 40 ft upstream------------------------------

Naperville Road bridge, left downstream wingwall-----------------------

East Branch Du Page River: 

Glen Ellyn, North Avenue (Ill. Highway 64), left bank 20 ft upstream---

North Avenue (Ill. Highway 64), left bank 30 ft downstream-------------

C. & G. W. Ry., right bank 25 ft upstream------------------------------ C. & G. W. Ry., right bank 100 ft downstream--------------------------- St. Charles Road, left bank 20 ft upstream----------------------------- St. Charles Road, left bank 30 ft downstream--------------------------- Crescent Boulevard, left bank 18 ft upstream--------------------------- Crescent Boulevard, left bank 8 ft downstream-------------------------- Lombard, Lombard Street, left bank 80 ft upstream---------------------- Lombard Street, left bank 50 ft downstream-----------------------------

C. A. & E. Ry., upstream toe of fill----------------------------------- C. A. & E. Ry., left bank 70 ft downstream----------------------------- Ill. Highway 53, right bank 40 ft upstream-----------------------------

Ill. Highway 53, right bank 30 ft downstream--------------------------- U. S. Highway 30 Alt. bridge, right upstream abutment------------------

U. S. Highway 30 Alt. bridge, left downstream abutment----------------- Ill. Highway 55, left bank 70 ft upstream------------------------------ !11. Highway 55, left bank 60 ft downstream----------------------------

White Oak Farm road, left bank 12 ft upstream-------------------------- White Oak Farm road, right bank 5 ft downstream------------------------ Ill. Highway 53, left bank 4 ft upstream------------------------------- Ill. Highway 53, left bank 30 ft downstream---------------------------- Simonds Drive, left bank 35 ft upstream--------------------------------

Simonds Drive, left bank 80 ft downstream------------------------------ Morton Arboretum foot bridge, left bank 10 ft upstream-----------------

Morton Arboretum foot bridge, left bank 20 ft downstream---------------

Lisle, Warrenville Road, right bank 5 ft upstream---------------------- Warrenville Road, right bank 20 ft downstream-------------------------- Ogden Avenue (U. S. Highway 34), left bank 20 ft upstream--------------

Ogden Avenue (U. S. Highway 34), left bank 30 ft downstream------------ Burlington Avenue, left bank 60 ft upstream----------------------------

Burlington Avenue, left bank 40 ft downstream--------------------------

c. B. & Q. RR., left bank 60 ft upstream------------------------------

c. B. & Q. RR., left bank 60 ft downstream---------------------------- Maple Avenue bridge, upstream end-------------------------------------- Maple Avenue, left bank 70 ft downstream-------------------------------

. Woodridge Golf Course road, left bank upstream-------------------------

Woodridge Golf Course road, left bank 10 ft downstream-----------------

Hobson Road, right bank 20 ft upstream--------------------------------- Hobson Road, left bank 40 ft downstream-------------------------------- Barbers Corners, Barbers Corners Road, left bank 80 ft upstream-------- Barbers Corners Road, left bank 10 ft downstream----------------------- Naperville Road, left bank 50 ft upstream------------------------------

Naperville Road, left bank 50 ft downstream---------------------------- Confluence with West Branch, 200 ft upstream---------------------------

Miles 

above 

mouth 

13.6 

13,6 

12.4 

12.4 

ll. 7 

11.7 

11.7 

ll.2 

11.2 

10,9 

10.9 

8,9 

8.9 

8.8 

8,8 

7. 7 

7. 7 

7.4 

7.4 

6.1 

6.1 

5,9 

5,9 

5,8 

5.8 

4.2 

4.2 

3.9 

3.9 

3.2 

3,2 

2.2 

2.2 

1.6 

1.6 

21.1 

21.1 

20,3 

20.3 

20.0 

20.0 

19.1 

19.1 

19.0 

19.0 

18.9 

18.9 

17.6 

17.6 

17.1 

17.1 

15.0 

15.0 

14.4 

14.4 

13.3 

13.3 

13.1 

13.1 

12 .a 12,8 

12.5 

12.5 

11.9 

11.9 

11.7 

11.7 

ll.6 

ll.6 

10.9 

10.9 

9.8 

9.8 

9.0 

9.0 

6.0 

6.0 

2.0 

2.0 

0 

Oct, 1954 

elevation 

(feet) 

700.63 

699.93 

697.37 

696.90 

694.97 

694,69 

694,39 

694.13 

692.99 

691.58 

691.19 

683,62 

682.87 

682.77 

682.08 

680,20 

679.70 

679.13 

677,97 

671.07 

670.77 

670.17 

669.99 

669.70 

669.30 

658,44 

658,25 

656.13 

656,22 

651,53 

651.52 

645.51 

645.44 

641,25 

640.99 

696.35 

695,72 

694.85 

694.79 

689,58 

689.47 

688.77 

688.44 

687,98 

687.75 

687.48 

687.25 

683,80 

683.73 

683.06 

683.02 

677.36 

676.78 

674.13 

673.84 

671.58 

671.09 

671.01 

670.78 

670.05 

670.27 

667,87 

667.51 

666.73 

666.28 

665.51 

665.38 

664.51 

664.07 

661.30 

660.78 

657.63 

657.67 

655.95 

655.64 

647.28 

647 .ll 635,92 

635,78 

632.27 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 

Table 4. --Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin--Continued 

Stream and location 

DES PLAINES RIVER BASIN--Continued 

Du Page River: 

Naperville, Confluence of West Branch and East Branch-------------:------ Confluence of West Branch and East Branch, 300 ft downstream-----------

Gravel road, sec. 13, T. 37 N., R, 9 E., left bank 30ft upstream------ Gravel road, left bank downstream-------------------------------------- German Lutheran School Road, left bank 50 ft upstream------------------ German Lutheran School Road bridge, left downstream wingwall-----------

Spaulding School Road, right bank 40 ft upstream-----------------------

Spaulding School Road, right bank 40 ft downstream---------------------

Tamrack Road, left bank 50 ft upstream--------------------------------- Tamrack Road, left bank 50 ft downstream------------------------------- Gravel road, sec, 34, T. 37 N., R. 9 E., left bank upstream------------

Gravel road, left bank 12 ft downstream-------------------------------- Plainfield, Ill. Highway 59, left bank 10 ft upstream------------------

Ill, Highway 59, left bank 75 ft downstream---------------------------- E. J. & E. Ry., left bank 60 ft upstream-------------------------------

U, S. Highway 30, left bank 200 ft upstream----------------------------

U. S. Highway 30, left bank 100 ft downstream-------------------------- Gravel road, sec. 20, T. 36 N., R, 9 E., left bank 40 ft upstream------ Gravel road bridge, left downstream wingwall---------------------------

U. S. Highway 66, left bank 12 ft upstream-----------------------------

U, S. Highway 66, left bank 12 ft downstream--------------------------- VanHorn Road, left bank 30 ft upstream---------------------------------

VanHorn Road, left bank downstream------------------------------------- Black Road bridge, left upstream wingwall------------------------------

Black Road, left bank downstream--------------------------------------- Troy, U. S. Highway 52, left bank 400 ft upstream, USGS gage-----------

U. S. Highway 52 bridge, right upstream wingwall----------------------- U. S, Highway 52, left bank 12 ft downstream--------------------------- U. S. Highway 66, left bank 12 ft upstream-----------------------------

U. S. Highway 66, left bank 10 ft downstream---------------------------

Center School Road bridge, upstream wingwall--------------------------- Center School Road, right bank 2 ft downstream------------------------- Englesman School Road, left bank 20 ft upstream------------------------

Englesman School Road, left bank downstream---------------------------- C. R. I. & P. R R. , upstream toe of fill------------------------------- C. R. I. & P. R R • , left bank 25 ft downstream------------------------- C. R. I. & P. R R . , right bank 300 ft downstream----------------------- Abandoned railroad, right bank upstream--------------------------------

Link School Road, right bank 7th fence post upstream------------------- Link School Road bridge, right downstream abutment---------------------

Dirst Road, right bank 40 ft upstream---------------------------------- Dirst Road, right bank 100 ft downstream-------------------------------

U, S. Highway 6, right bank 5 ft upstream------------------------------ U. S, Highway 6, right bank 20 ft downstream--------------------------- Channahon, Ill. and Mich. Canal Lock 6, left bank 40 ft upstream-------

Channahon Pool waste-gage bridge, right upstream wingwall-------------- Ill. and Mich. Canal Lock 6, left bank 50 ft downstream----------------

Ill. and Mich. Canal Lock 7, downstream 250 ft right of right bank----- Old U. S. Highway 6, right bank 15 ft upstream------------------------- Old U. S. Highway 6, right bank 10 ft downstream-----------------------

FOX RIVER BASIN 

Fox River: 

St. Charles Dam, left bank 100 ft upstream-----------------------------

St, Charles Dam, left bank 10 ft downstream----------------------------

Geneva, proposed dam site 11, left bank-------------------------------- Geneva, proposed dam site 11, left bank 50 ft downstream---------------

Geneva Dam, left bank 200 ft upstream----------------------------------

Geneva Dam, left bank 100 ft downstream-------------------------------- Batavia, proposed dam site 13, 120 ft upstream-------------------------

Batavia, proposed dam site 13, 50 ft downstream------------------------

Batavia Dam, left bank upstream---------------------------------------- Batavia Dam, right bank 200 ft downstream------------------------------ Mooseheart, proposed dam site 15, 10 ft upstream----------------------

Mooseheart, proposed dam site 15, 50 ft downstream--------------------

North Aurora Dam, right bank 50 ft upstream---------------------------- State Street (Ill. Highway 55), right bank 20 ft upstream-------------- State Street (Ill. Highway 55), right bank 20 ft downstream------------ Proposed dam site 17, right bank--------------------------------------- Proposed dam site 17, left bank---------------------------------------- Aurora, Illinois Avenue bridge, right upstream abutment---------------- Illinois Avenue, right bank 70 ft downstream--------------------------- New York Street (Ill. Highway 65), right bank 120 ft upstream---------- New York Street (Ill. Highway 65), right bank 50 ft downstream--------- Dam, left channel, right end-------------------------------------------

Main Street (U. S. Highway 30) bridge, (left channel) left down- stream face---------------------------------------------------------- Galena Boulevard (U, S. Highway 30) bridge, (right channel) upstream face-----------------------------------------------------------------

Fox Street bridge, (left channel) right upstream retaining wall-------- Downer Place bridge, (right channel) right upstream retaining wall----- Benton Street (left channel), right bank 130 ft upstream---------------

Miles 

above 

mouth 

27.6 

27,6 

26,1 

26,1 

25.1 

25.1 

24,0 

24,0 

22,9 

22,9 

21.7 

21.7 

19,9 

19,9 

19,8 

19.2 

19.2 

11 .a 17.8 

15.3 

15,3 

14.5 

14,5 

12.3 

12.3 

10,6 

10,5 

10,5 

10,3 

10.3 

9.2 

9,2 

7,9 

7,9 

5,9 

5,9 

5,9 

5,8 

5.6 

5,6 

3.4 

3,4 

1.4 

1.4 

1.0 

1.0 

1,0 

1,0 

.9 

,9 

60.7 

60,7 

59.4 

59,4 

58,7 

58,7 

57.4 

57.4 

56.3 

56.3 

54.3 

54,3 

52,6 

52.5 

52.5 

51.5 

51.5 

49.8 

49,8 

49.0 

49,0 

48.9 

48,9 

48,9 

48.8 

48.8 

48.7 

193 

Oct. 1954 elevation 

(feet) 

632,22 

631.17 

625.39 

625.29 

621.18 

620.56 

617.10 

616.66 

614.80 

614.35 

611.63 

611.33 

605.09 

604.38 

604.46 

602.16 

601.69 

597 .ao 597.39 

593.41 

592.55 

591.41 

591.17 

582.38 

582.21 

575.68 

574.81 

574.79 

572.76 

572.46 

564.73 

563.90 

557.15 

555.68 

544.29 

544.20 

540.26 

539.11 

536.65 

536.63 

526.84 

526.60 

521.99 

521.72 

521.75 

521.72 

514.15 

515.99 

515.04 

514.57 

687.97 

681.66 

679.52 

679.31 

678.45 

673.08 

668.58 

668.02 

666.83 

662 .oo 653,60 

653.40 

648,89 

644,66 

644.68 

638.14 

637.84 

634.64 

634.39 

632.31 

632.19 

631.65 

628.54 

629.00 

628.50 

627.82 

627.19 
194 FLOODS OF 1954 

Table 4. --Flood-crest stages, Illinois River basin--Continued 

Stream and location 

FOX RIVER BASIN--Continued 

Fox Ri ver--conttnued: Holbrook Street (left channel), right bank 40 ft downstream------------ North Avenue bridge, (right channel) right upstream arch--------------- North Avenue (right channel), right bank 40 ft downstream-------------- C. B. & Q. R R • , right bank 40 ft upstream----------------------------- C. B. & Q. R R., right bank 40 ft downstream--------------------------- E. J. & E. Ry., right bank 90 ft upstream------------------------------ E. J. & E. Ry., right bank 60 ft downstream---------------------------- Montgomery, Mill Street bridge, left upstream arch--------------------- Mill Street bridge, left downstream arch------------------------------- C. B. & Q. RR., 500 ft upstream--------------------------------------- C. B. & Q. R R., right bank 60 ft downstream--------------------------- Sewage disposal plant, right bank-------------------------------------- Oswego, U. S. Highway 34 bridge, left upstream wingwall---------------- U. S. Highway 34, left bank 15 ft downstream--------------------------- Proposed dam site 23, 20 ft upstream-----------------------------------

Proposed dam site 23--------------------------------------------------- Proposed dam site 24, right bank 180 ft upstream-----------------------

Proposed dam site 24, right bank 120 ft upstream-----------------------

Yorkville, proposed dam site 25, left bank 900 ft upstream from Morgan Creek--------------------------------------------------------- Yorkville Road (Ill. Highway 4 7), right bank 40 ft upstream------------ Yorkville Road (Ill. Highway 4 7), right bank 100 ft downstream--------- Plano Road, left bank 120 ft upstream---------------------------------- Plano Road, left bank 20 ft downstream--------------------------------- Millhurst Dam, right bank 480 ft upstream------------------------------

Dam, left bank 4 70 ft upstream-----------------------------------------

Dam, left bank 830 ft downstream--------------------------------------- Dam, right bank 835 ft downstream-------------------------------------- Millbrook, Millbrook Road, right bank 500 ft upstream------------------ Millbrook Road, right bank 100 ft downstream--------------------------- Millington, Millington Road, right bank 100 ft upstream----------------

Millington Road, right bank 10 ft downstream--------------------------- Sheridan, North Sheridan Road bridge, left upstream end on handrail---- North Sheridan Road, left bank 60 ft downstream------------------------ Sheridan Road bridge, left upstream abutment--------------------------- Sheridan Road, left bank 30 ft downstream------------------------------ c. B. & Q. RR., left bank 3d group pilings upstream------------------ C. ·B. & Q. R R. , left bank 75 ft downstream---------------------------- Serena Road (U. S. Highway 52) bridge, right upstream abutment--------- Serena Road (U. S. Highway 52) bridge, right downstream side----------- Wedron, C. B. & Q. RR., bridge over Indian Creek, 60 ft upstream------- C. B. & Q. RR., bridge over Indian Creek, upstream in piling----------- Wedron Road, left bank 200 ft upstream--------------------------------- Wedron Road, left bank 140 ft downstream------------------------------- Sulphur Springs, left bank, St. Joseph Health Resort-----·-------------- Dayton, Dam, left bank 170 ft upstream---------------------------------

Dam, left bank 130 ft upstream-----------------------------------------

Dam, right end at bank------------------------------------------------- Right bank in power-plant tail water, USGS gage------------------------- Dayton Road, right bank 30 ft upstream---------------------------------

Dayton Road, right bank 6 ft downstream-------------------------------- Ottawa, U. S. Highway 6 bridge, right upstream abutment---------------- U. S. Highway 6 bridge, right downstream abutment---------------------- C. R. I. & P. R R • , left bank 40 ft upstream--------------------------- c. R. I. & P. RR., left bank 60 ft downstream------------------------- Ill. and Mich. Canal '(aqueduct), right bank 70 ft upstream------------- Ill. and Mich. Canal (aqueduct), right bank 3 ft downstream------------ Main Street, left bank 100 ft upstream--------------------------------- Main Street, left bank 100 ft downstream-------------------------------

Miles 

above 

mouth 

48.7 

48.3 

48.3 

48.0 

48.0 

47.6 

47.6 

46.4 

46.4 

45.3 

45.3 

43.7 

43.0 

43.0 

41.4 

41.4 

39.9 

39.9 

38.4 

36.3 

36.3 

31.4 

31.4 

30.3 

30.3 

30.3 

30.3 

29.0 

29.0 

25.6 

25.6 

20.4 

20.4 

19.4 

19.4 

19.3 

19.3 

15.7 

15.7 

9.5 

9.5 

8.8 

8.8 

8.1 

5. 7 5. 7 5. 7 5.6 

5.4 

5.4 

1.3 

1.3 

1.2 

1.2 

1.1 

1.1 

.2 

.2 

Oct. 1954 elevation 

(feet) 

626.40 

626.16 

625.86 

624.12 

624.08 

620.07 

620.12 

616.92 

617.01 

613.14 

6ll.66 

6ll.20 

601.38 

601.07 

594.62 

594.76 

. 592.89 

593.08 

584.26 

578.25 

578.20 

572.97 

572.72 

569.25 

569.64 

567.99 

567.91 

564.79 

564.73 

557.84 

556.78 

549.68 

549.48 

546.53 

546.57 

546.06 

545.62 

535.58 

535.64 

519.38 

519.14 

514.48 

514.22 

5ll.64 

506.20 

506.34 

506.06 

486.93 

487.13 

486.63 

472.79 

472.79 

471.72 

471.46 

471.50 

471.40 

468.21 

468.22 

generalized comparisons. 3/ The report points out that, for the 

1943 flood. there were no stations for which the recurrence interval appears to be much in excess of 100 years and only a few stations in excess of 50 years. As the curves of that report indicate 

the recurrence interval of the 19 54 flood of the Du Page River at 

Troy appears to be about 80 years and for Hickory Creek at Joliet 

and the Fox River at Dayton in excess of 100 years. 

3/ Mitchell. W. D., 1954, Floods in Illinois; magnitude and frequency, Ill. Dept. Public Works and Buildings. Div. of Waterways. 

Springfield, Ill. 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 195 

Flood-frequency curves have been developed for a few other 

stations within the area covered by the present report, but the 

drainage areas for these stations are generally outside the region 

of high precipitation, so that the crest discharges were not unusually high. For the several stations in small drainage areas 

that are located within the region of high precipitation (such as 

those tributary to the Little Calumet River), the periods of record 

are so short that no magnitude-frequency relations have yet been 

developed. However, for several of these small areas, the basin 

lag has been computed from observed hydrographs. Assuming that 

climatological factors for these areas are similar to those that 

have been derived and published for the adjacent Wheaton morainal 

region, the probable recurrence interval may be estimated from 

the observed values of lag. Such estimates indicate that the recurrence interval of the 1954 flood may be in excess of 100 years, 

for at least a few of the small gaged drainage areas tributary to 

Little Calumet River and Long Run near Lemont. At one of these 

small drainage areas, Thorn Creek at Thornton, the crest discharge of the October 1954 flood has been exceeded twice during 

the 8 years of record. According to this information, the recurrence 

interval at Thornton appears to be only a few years; otherwise it 

is necessary to assume that three very unusual floods have occur red within 8 years of record. A reliable estimate of recurrence 

interval in this section of the flood area must be postponed until 

records are available for a longer period. 

COMPARISONS AND OTHER INTERESTING FEATURES 

There are few long-term records at the stations in Illinois for 

comparison of flood peaks. The longest term record is at the Des 

Plaines River at Riverside, for which monthly mean discharges 

are published back to 1886 in State reports. At Riverside the peak 

of this flood (6,340 cfs) has been equaled or exceeded 4 times since 

1914: 

Year Dischaq~e 

(cfs) 

1950 6, 340 

1948 6, 510 

1919 7,450 

1916 6,480 

The Fox River at Dayton, Ill., for which record is available 

since 1915, exceeded the previously recorded maximum discharge 

by 60 percent as previously mentioned. This flood (47, 100 cfs) 

greatly exceeded all others during its period of record: 
196 FLOODS OF 1954 

Year 

1950 

1948 

1938 

1937 

Discharge 

(cfs) 

20,600 

29,000 

23, 100 

20, 100 

Ice jams have caused higher stages than the 24. 63 feet recorded 

for this flood, notably on January 30, 1952 and March 8, 1943,when 

stages of 32. 04 feet and 31. 70 feet were reached respectively. 

In the Little Calumet River basin in Illinois, the flood is comparable to the previous maxima of 1947 and 1948. The flood of 

March 1948 was greater than this flood except in the drainage area 

of the upper Thorn and Butterfield Creeks. The 1947 flood was 

slightly higher than that of 1948 at Thorn Creek at Thornton. The 

comparison between flood-crest stages in 1954 and 1947 in the Little 

Calumet River basin is given in table 2. It will be noted that the 

1954 stages are highest in the Indiana part of the basin. 

Although discharges in this flood were exceeded by the floods 

in 1947 and 1948 it is important to note that at the gaging stations 

in the Little Calumet River basin in Illinois the stages in 1954 were 

the highest on record with the exception of Deer Creek near Chicago 

Heights. Since damage resulted more from inundation (a function 

of stage) rather than from rate of discharge, the flood is a more 

significant event than a study of recurrence intervals (based on the 

usual criterion of magnitude of peak discharge) would ind~cate. 

The reason underlying this condition of having less discharge but 

a greater stage than previously known, all substantiated by discharge measurements, is not clear. Measurements made at lower 

flows after this flood showed no great change in the stage-discharge 

relation. Flood-crest elevations referred to mean sea level indicated little possibility of backwater from downstream tributaries. 

Previous floods have occurred early in the spring prior to growth 

of vegetation. After this flood field men reported a heavy growth 

of weeds and underbrush along the banks and particularly in overbank sections at many points within the basin. This is believed to 

be at least a contributing factor. 

Runoff for the month of October varied greatly. Totals were 

very high especially in the area of highest peak discharge per square 

mile, the maximum October runoff was 9. 04 inches on Long Run. 

Tinley Creek was second highest with 8. 87 inches; Little Calumet 

River at Porter, Ind., 7. 59 inches; Flag Creek, 7.15 inches; Midlothian Creek, 6. 44 inches; and Yellow River at Plymouth, Ind .• 
FLOODS OF OCTOBER IN CHICAGO AREA 197 

6. 42 inches. Lansing ditch. North Creek. and the Du Page River 

at Troy. Ill .• all had runoff in excess of 5 inches. There is some 

degree of uncertainty whether the discharge computed for Lansing 

ditch included all the flow from the drainage area. It is known that 

there was some merging of basin and interbasin flow on the right 

bank. 

INDEX 

Page 

Abstract . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 107 

Addison Creek at Bellwood, Ill. . . . . . 159 

Algonquin, Ill., Fox River at. . . . . . . 173 

ArlingtonHeights, Ill., Salt Creek near. 157 

Bellwood, Ill., Addison Creek at. . 159 

Buffalo Creek near Wheeling, Ill. . 152 

Burns ditch at Gary, Ind . . . . . . 139 

Butterfield Creek at Flossmoor, Ill 131 

Chicago Heights, Ill., Deer Creek near. 130 

Chicago, Ill., Wolf Lake at. . . . 137 

Chicago River, North Branch, at 

Deerfield, Ill .. : . . . . . 162 

North Branch, at Niles, Ill. . . 165 

North Branch, West Fork of, at 

Northbrook, Ill. . . . . . . 164 

Chicago Sanitary and Ship Canal at 

Lockport, Ill . . . . . . . . . 167 

Coal City, Ill., Mazon River near . 171 

Comparisons of flood peaks and 

features . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 

Damages, flood ...... ·. . . . 123 

Davis, Ind. , Kankakee River at . 143 

Dayton, Ill., Fox River at . . . . 174 

Deep River at Lake George outlet, 

at Hobart, Ill . . . . . . . . 138 

Deer Creek near Chicago Heights, Ill 130 

Deerfield, Ill. , North Branch Chicago 

River at . . . . . • . . . . . 162 

Des Plaines River at Riverside, Ill . 160 

near Des Plaines, Ill. . . . . . . . 153 

near Gurnee, Ill . . . . . . . . . . 152 

Des Plain.es, Ill. • Des Plaines River 

·near . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 153 

Weller Creek at . . . . . . . . . . 155 

Determination of flood discharges . . 175 

Discharge, determination of flood . . . 175 

Dunns Bridge, Ind., Kankakee River at 146 

Du Page River at Troy, Ill . 170 

Elgin, Ill., Poplar Creek at . . . . . 173 

Explanation of data . . . . . . . . . . 126 

Flag Creek near Willow Springs, Ill . 161 

Flood-crest stages . . . . . . . . . 181 

Flood damages . . . . . . . . . • • • 123 

Flood discharge, determination of . . 175 

Flood frequency. . . . . . . . . . . . . 181 

Flood stages and discharges, summary 

of. . . . • . . . . . . . 175 

Floods, Chicago River basin . 118 

Des Plaines River basin . 117 

Du Page basin . . . . . . . 123 

Fox River basin . . . . . . 123 

Kankakee River basin . • . 117 

Little Calumet River basin. . 113 

Flossmoor, Ill., Butterfield Creek at . 131 

Fox River at Algonquin, Ill. 173 

at Dayton, Ill. . . . . . . 174 

Frequency, flood. . . . . . . . . 181 

Gary, Ind., Burns ditch at. . . . 139 

General description of the floods . 108 

Glenwood, Ill., Thorn Creek at . . . 129 

Gurnee, Ill., Des Plaines River near 152 

Hart ditch at Munster, Ind. . . . 128 

Hickory Creek at Joliet, Ill • . . 169 

Hobart, Ind., Deep River at Lake 

George outlet, at . . . • 138 

Illinoi, Ill., Singleton ditch at. . 150 

Illinois flood comparisons . . . 195 

Illinois River at Marseilles, Ill 172 

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . 108 

Page 

Joliet, Ill., Hickory Creek at. 169 

Kankakee River at Davis, Ind . 143 

at Dunns Bridge, Ind . . 146 

at Momence, Ill. . . . . 151 

at Shelby, Ind . . . . . . 147 

near North Liberty, lnd. 142 

near Wilmington, Ill . . 151 

Knox, Ind., Yellow River at. 145 

Lake Forest, Ill., Skokie River at 163 

Lansing ditch near Lansing, Ill. . 132 

Lansing, Ill., Lansing ditch near. 132 

North Creek near . . . . . . . . 133 

Lemont, Ill., Long Run near . . . 168 

Little Calumet River at Porter, Ind. 140 

at South Holland, Ill. . . . . . . . 135 

Location of flooded area. . . . . . . 108 

Lockport, Ill., Chicago Sanitary and 

Ship Canal at . . . . . . 167 

Long Run near Lemont, Ill . . . . . . 168 

McCool, Ind., Salt Creek near . . . . 141 

McDonald Creek near Mt. Prospect, Ill. 154 

Marseilles, Ill., Illinois River at. . 172 

Mazon River near Coal City, Ill. . . . . 171 

Midlothian Creek at Oak Forest, Ill. . . 136 

Momence, Ill., Kankakee River at. . . . 151 

Mt. Prospect, Ill., McDonald Creek near. 154 

Munster, Ind., Hart ditch at. . . . 128 

Niles, Ill. , North Branch Chicago 

River at . . . . . . . . . . . 165 

North Branch Chicago River at 

Deerfield, Ill . . . . . . . . 162 

West Fork of, at Northbrook, Ill. 164 

at Niles, Ill . . . . . . . . . . . . 165 

Northbrook, Ill., West Fork of North 

Branch Chicago River at . . . . 164 

North Creek near Lansing, Ill. . . . . 133 

North Liberty, Ind., Kankakee River near. 142 

Oak Forest, Ill., Midlothian Creek at. 136 

Palos Park, Ill., Tinley Creek near. . 166 

Park Ridge, Ill., Willow Creek near . 156 

Plymouth, Ind., Yellow River at . . . 144 

Poplar Creek at Elgin, Ill. . . . . . . 173 

Porter, Ind., Little Calumet River at. 140 

Precipitation. . . . . . . . 113 

Previous floods . . . . . . . . . . . . 195 

Records of previous floods . . • . . • 195 

Riverside, Ill., Des Plaines River at . 160 

Salt Creek at Western Springs, Ill 158 

near Arlington Heights, Ill . . . 157 

near McCool, Ind . . . . . . . . 141 

Schneider, Ind., Singleton ditch at. 148 

West Creek near. . . . . . . . 149 

Shelby, Ind., Kankakee River at. 147 

Singleton ditch at Illinoi, Ill. . . . 150 

at Schneider, Ind . . . . . . . . 148 

Skokie River at Lake Forest, Ill . 163 

South Holland, Ill. , Little Calumet 

River at. . . . . . . . . . . . . 135 

Stages and discharges at stream-gaging 

stations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 126 

Summary of flood stages and discharges 175 

Thorn Creek at Glenwood, Ill. . . 129 

at Thornton, Ill. . . . . . . . . 134 

Thornton, Ill., Thorn Creek at . . 134 

Tinley Creek near Palos Park, Ill 166 

Troy, Ill.. Du Page River at . . 170 

Weller Creek at Des Plaines, Ill. . 155 

199 
2oa INDEX 

Page 

West Creek near Schneider, lnd. . • 149 

Western Springs, Ill., Salt Creek at. 158 

West Fork of North Branch Chicago 

River at Northbrook, Ill. . . . . . 164 

Wheeling, Ill., Buffalo Creek near. . 152 

Willow Creek near Park Ridge, Ill . 156 

Willow Springs, Ill., Flag Creek near. 161 

Wilmington, Ill., Kankakee River near . 151 

Wolf Lake at Chicago, Ill . 137 

Yellow River at Knox, lnd 145 

at Plymouth, lnd. . . . 144 

U, S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE: 1958 0- 458079