Hydrologic history Kishwaukee River

1 hydrologic history

1.1 historical crests
1.2 2007 flood
1.3 geologic

hydrologic history

a mid september thunderstorm rolls dekalb on kishwaukee river.

the united states geological survey maintains 4 monitoring stations, in cooperation national weather service, along kishwaukee river , has extensive data on low records , high crests , other information hydrologically pertinent. 4 stations in dekalb, fairdale, belvidere , perryville road in rockford. dekalb , fairdale stations along south branch kishwaukee while other 2 both along main branch. flood stages vary @ each of monitoring stations. @ dekalb flood stage 10 feet (3 m) moderate flood stage @ 11 , major set @ 12.5 feet (3.8 m). in belvidere major flood stage @ 12 feet (4 m), while moderate @ 10 , flood stage @ 9 feet. in perryville, near mouth of kishwaukee, flood stage 12 feet (4 m), moderate flood stage 18 , major flood stage 22 feet (7 m).

historical crests

the kishwaukee river meanders annie s woods in dekalb in spring 2006.

as of july 2010.

belvidere

february 20, 1994: 14.19 feet (4.33 m)
june 14, 1999: 13.97 feet (4.26 m)
march 16, 1943: 13.1 feet (4.0 m)
january 6, 1946: 12.9 feet (4 m)
july 3, 1978: 12.88 feet (3.93 m)

dekalb

july 2, 1983: 15.80 feet (4.8 m)
august 24, 2007: 15.34 feet (4.68 m)
july 18, 1996: 12.97 feet (3.95 m)
february 21, 1997: 12.64 feet (3.85 m)
june 12, 1929: 12.33 feet (3.76 m)

perryville

july 18, 1996: 23.54 feet (7.17 m)
february 21, 1994: 20.71 feet (6.31 m)
march 21, 1979: 20.48 feet (6.24 m)
february 22, 1997: 19.76 feet (6.02 m)
april 22, 1973: 19.65 feet (5.99 m)

2007 flood

the kishwaukee river, crested @ 15.2 feet, on lucinda avenue in dekalb august 24th, 2007

on august 24, 2007, kishwaukee river @ dekalb, illinois crested @ 15.27 feet (all-time record 15.8 ft) causing major flooding. second time river rose above 15 feet (5 m) since level of river has been recorded.

geologic

much of region around kishwaukee shaped glaciation. glaciers left moraines, subglacial channels, terraces, outwash fans, valley train deposits , bedrock highs throughout watershed. end moraines mark western boundary of wisconsinian glaciation. several natural areas , quarry highlight geology of watershed. flora prairie nature preserve in boone county has dolomite outcroppings , harvard west geologic area in mchenry county has example of pitted outwash plain. harvard east geologic area has example of moraine protruding down valley.

early citizens of dekalb county noticed surface boulders dotting area. rounded , granite, these boulder ranged in size cannonball giant rocks weighing more ton. these boulders dubbed hard heads locals , used in underpinning of barns , stoning of wells. glaciation responsible these boulders well. 2 major ice sheets advanced on kishwaukee basin in past. first, illinoian covered area 300,000 125,000 years ago. though illinoian covered entire area evidence of coverage found in few sediments @ surface in select sites. reason second ice sheet, wisconsinan advanced on area 25,000 13,500 years ago , covered on of prior glacial deposits.

the end moraines mark glacial margin once stood. 1 of more visible of these formations marengo moraine north-south moraine in western mchenry county extends southwest across northwestern kane county. ridge named after town of marengo, located on moraine. north of marengo moraine , west of north branch kishwaukee river deep depression, or notch, across marengo moraine. depression subglacial channel, differentiated valley lack of rivers , streams along bottom. channel once carried meltwater under , in front of glacier when depositing moraine.