The National Weather Service (NWS) Chicago/Rockford, IL, office uses information from volunteer spotters along area rivers to monitor the development of river ice which may lead to flooding. Ice jams are often localized and may occur away from river gauges. River ice spotters share important information such as extent of ice cover, ice cover trends, and location of ice jams which is very important for issuing timely warnings.
River ice can be a serious problem during some winters. Chronic ice jam locations on the Rock, Fox, and Kankakee Rivers have up to a 1-in-2 chance of experiencing an ice jam in any given year, and almost a 1-in-3 chance of experiencing ice jam flooding in a given year.
Qualifications
No special qualifications are required other than living near the river and a willingness to report river and ice conditions.
Reporting Ice Observations
A Google form is used to enter routine reports. For time-sensitive information such as ice jam formation, ice jam break-up, or flooding, we provide a non-public number to call. Reports are requested from all spotters at the same time - weekly on Monday from December through March. Reports are requested by 9AM. Reports may also be sent at other times especially when changes are observed in river ice.
How to Volunteer
For more information, contact the NWS Chicago office.
Email: nws.chicago@noaa.gov
Phone: 815-834-1435 or 815-963-5913
Reference/Training Materials
Most Recent Weekly River Ice Summary
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FGUS83 KLOT 162145
RVSLOT
Hydrologic Statement
National Weather Service Chicago IL
0302 PM CST Mon Feb 16 2026 /0402 PM EST Mon Feb 16 2026/
Summary of recent river ice conditions based upon spotter reports.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Forecaster Comments
Well above average temperatures for the region this time of year have
led to considerable melting of ice on area rivers. Such a trend will
continue through much of the week.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
The following are river ice reports submitted to the
National Weather Service during the preceding 30 hours.
Fox River...
*Near the 41st Rd Bridge in Sheridan, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/15 21:47 UTC | Source: Trained spotter FX-8
Mostly Frozen (75% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
*Downstream of Stolp Island in Aurora, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 12:23 UTC | Source: Trained spotter FX-05
Open (20% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
*Aldis Park in West Dundee, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 12:54 UTC | Source: Trained spotter FX-17
Partly Frozen (5% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*Fox River Park in Ottawa, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 13:56 UTC | Source: Trained spotter FX-18
Frozen Over (100% ice cover)
*South of Main Street Carpentersville, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 13:57 UTC | Source: Public (NA)
Partly Frozen (30% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
*Above Dayton Dam in Illinois, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 14:17 UTC | Source: Trained spotter FX-18
Frozen Over (100% ice cover)
*South End Park, West Dundee, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 14:02 UTC | Source: Trained spotter FX-02
Open (5% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*Bennett Park in Geneva, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 16:55 UTC | Source: Trained spotter FX-30
Mostly Frozen (80% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
Kankakee River...
*Route 1 17 Bridge in Momence, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/15 23:20 UTC | Source: Trained spotter kk-43
Open (5% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*Highway 55 bridge at Shelby, Indiana
Time: 2026/02/16 12:48 UTC | Source: Trained spotter KK-45
Open (5% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*Wilmington Dam, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 13:15 UTC | Source: Trained spotter KK-06
Mostly Frozen (60% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*Custer Park, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 13:17 UTC | Source: Trained spotter KK-47
Partly Frozen (55% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
*Mile downstream from Route 55 Bridge in Shelby, Indiana
Time: 2026/02/16 13:48 UTC | Source: Trained spotter KK-02
Open (5% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*One mile east of Momence, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 13:57 UTC | Source: Trained spotter Kk-03
Open (0% ice cover)
*State Route 55 in Shelby, Indiana
Time: 2026/02/16 14:02 UTC | Source: Trained spotter KK-49
Open (5% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*Phalen Acres in Wilmington, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 14:44 UTC | Source: Trained spotter kk-04
Frozen Over (100% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
*2 miles downstream IL-17 Aroma Park, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 15:39 UTC | Source: Trained spotter KK-07
Partly Frozen (10% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
Rock River...
*Near Honoegah Forest Preserve in Roscoe, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 04:28 UTC | Source: Trained spotter RK-10
Partly Frozen (25% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
*Near Chicory Ridge Park in Roscoe, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 05:29 UTC | Source: Trained spotter RK-04
Open (10% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*Near Ralston Road in Machesney Park, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 11:27 UTC | Source: Trained spotter RK-9
Open (0% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*4 miles downstream IL 2
Time: 2026/02/16 12:22 UTC | Source: Trained spotter RK-8
Frozen Over (100% ice cover) No Change
*Near Latham Bridge near Rockford in Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 12:25 UTC | Source: Trained spotter RK-11
Open (5% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
*Near Bauer Parkway in Machesney Park, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 13:21 UTC | Source: Trained spotter RK-02
Partly Frozen (50% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*Near Riverside Boulevard in Loves Park, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 14:11 UTC | Source: Trained spotter Rk-3
Frozen Over (100% ice cover) No Change
*1 mile Downstream of Ralston Road in Machesney Park, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 14:29 UTC | Source: Trained spotter RK-28
Partly Frozen (10% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
Des Plaines River...
*Continental Bridge in Vernon Hills, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 13:18 UTC | Source: Trained spotter DP-28
Open (5% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
*Near the BNSF train trestle in Riverside, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 14:40 UTC | Source: Trained spotter DP-34
Open (15% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
*Ryerson Conservation Area in Riverwoods, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 14:52 UTC | Source: Trained spotter CH-02
Open (5% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Quickly
Du Page River...
*Lincoln Greenway in Naperville, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 13:37 UTC | Source: Trained spotter DU-02
Open (10% ice cover) Melting or Breaking Slowly
North Branch Chicago River...
*Prairie Wolf Forest Preserve in Highland Park, Illinois
Time: 2026/02/16 14:30 UTC | Source: Trained spotter CH-02
Frozen Over (100% ice cover) No Change
$$
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