Changes to flood impact categories for DuPage River at Shorewood, IL

Effective December 7, 2021, flood impact categories will change for the DuPage River at Shorewood, Illinois. These changes are necessary due to the removal of Hammel Woods Dam near the gauge in Shorewood. These changes have been collaborated with the Will County Emergency Management Agency and the Village of Shorewood.

Click here for the service change notice issued November 2, announcing these changes.

DuPage River at Shorewood

Action Stage
Change from 6.0 to 5.0 feet

Minor Flood Stage
Change from 6.5 feet to 5.5 feet

Moderate Flood Stage

Change from 8.0 feet to 7.5 feet

Major Flood Stage
Change from 10.0 feet to 9.5 feet

River forecasts for this location will be issued when the water level has reached, or is expected to reach, action stage.

These changes are needed due to the removal of Hammel Woods Dam in Shorewood. Dam removal changed the behavior of the river at the gauge location such that the river is now at lower stages when passing the same amount of water. The changes to river behavior are most significant at low stages and at locations just upstream of the dam's previous location. Because changes to the DuPage River in the vicinity of the gauge are not fully certain, it is possible that additional changes to flood impact categories may occur in the future as the river moves toward its new equilibrium.

This gauge represents the river reach from near IL-59 in Plainfield to the confluence with the Des Plaines River.