Illinois River (Hwy 16) — Historical Event Reporting

Every storm excursion above 1,000 cfs across the 23.5-year gauge record, with stage-time statistics and storm rainfall context from MRMS radar QPE.

Illinois River at Hwy 16 near Siloam Springs · USGS 07195400

Historical analysis over the 23.5-year record (2003→2026, 15-minute discharge).

Time in Each Stage

How the Illinois at Hwy 16 spends a typical year, by runnability stage (hourly record).

StageFlow range (cfs)% of timeDays/yr
Too Low<1509.8%36
Low but Floatable150–25024.3%89
Optimal250–250062.5%228
Above Recommended>25003.3%12

Flow-duration of record: median 333 cfs, p90 1,175 cfs, p95 1,875 cfs; the river runs above 1,000 cfs about 12.8% of the time.

Biggest Floods on Record

Top 10 events by peak discharge across the full record.

DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Storm Rain (in)
2017-04-30148,7509427.7
2022-05-0599,0255377.0
2011-04-2686,275406
2015-12-2783,0005078.0
2008-03-1960,650218
2019-10-0655,0252984.3
2011-05-2449,625262
2004-04-2447,225274
2008-04-1047,175546
2021-04-2846,1003564.8

Storm Excursion Catalog

350 excursions above 1,000 cfs (14.9/yr). Grouped by year, newest first. Rainfall from MRMS radar QPE (2014→present).

2026 — 11 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2026-06-225,365156450 → 5,3651.9
2026-06-149,45070543 → 9,4502.3
2026-06-0814,87568317 → 14,8753.2
2026-05-222,68025319 → 2,6802.4
2026-05-191,6156318 → 1,6151.0
2026-05-051,9289509 → 1,9280.8
2026-04-247,878156294 → 7,8781.9
2026-04-181,1104301 → 1,1101.5
2026-04-045,30532220 → 5,3052.2
2026-03-113,80045689 → 3,8000.9
2026-03-056,768103205 → 6,7682.4
2025 — 14 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2025-11-201,6607230 → 1,6601.5
2025-09-2417,167137265 → 17,1674.1
2025-08-286,08835290 → 6,0883.6
2025-08-011,94212371 → 1,9421.5
2025-07-1812,55048477 → 12,5501.7
2025-07-121,7278411 → 1,7271.9
2025-06-0725,225358787 → 25,2253.2
2025-06-041,77028787 → 1,7701.0
2025-05-2014,150338481 → 14,1504.3
2025-05-016,718206940 → 6,7182.3
2025-04-2017,400224466 → 17,4005.3
2025-04-0525,325155216 → 25,3254.4
2025-03-052,74032349 → 2,7401.0
2025-02-131,1106253 → 1,1100.8
2024 — 17 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2024-12-242,07024322 → 2,0700.8
2024-12-161,1382205 → 1,1381.3
2024-11-192,08221320 → 2,0821.0
2024-11-094,57243629 → 4,5721.1
2024-11-0513,55072160 → 13,5506.3
2024-07-051,42210204 → 1,4221.8
2024-06-051,57812397 → 1,5781.5
2024-06-011,3104384 → 1,3100.6
2024-05-264,06517532 → 4,0651.1
2024-05-231,1827441 → 1,1821.2
2024-05-078,895159719 → 8,8952.4
2024-04-294,275105248 → 4,2753.1
2024-03-263,38032261 → 3,3801.5
2024-02-041,85832456 → 1,8581.4
2024-01-281,11811756 → 1,1180.9
2024-01-261,0508472 → 1,0501.2
2024-01-232,10034292 → 2,1001.1
2023 — 20 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2023-12-253,56230246 → 3,5621.6
2023-10-052,22811238 → 2,2281.3
2023-09-244,62821335 → 4,6283.3
2023-09-201,5128195 → 1,5121.5
2023-08-135,09547253 → 5,0952.1
2023-07-152,82254199 → 2,8224.3
2023-06-142,44515317 → 2,4451.5
2023-05-201,90812544 → 1,9080.3
2023-05-132,12771385 → 2,1271.9
2023-05-121,1627345 → 1,1621.7
2023-04-051,0603762 → 1,0600.5
2023-03-2412,025211716 → 12,0252.3
2023-03-171,68033867 → 1,6800.5
2023-03-0313,300284807 → 13,3002.2
2023-02-271,65558676 → 1,6550.8
2023-02-231,50019677 → 1,5000.6
2023-02-162,875102846 → 2,8751.3
2023-02-096,735118705 → 6,7352.0
2023-01-184,49033330 → 4,4900.9
2023-01-031,63811344 → 1,6380.8
2022 — 23 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2022-12-145,338208316 → 5,3382.5
2022-11-272,92232255 → 2,9222.4
2022-11-242,31818215 → 2,3181.4
2022-11-052,05011218 → 2,0501.4
2022-10-252,24223165 → 2,2422.8
2022-09-031,2528286 → 1,2521.7
2022-08-302,40010266 → 2,4000.7
2022-08-211,3758329 → 1,3751.3
2022-08-171,71710257 → 1,7171.6
2022-07-303,60815237 → 3,6083.6
2022-06-085,98593547 → 5,9852.6
2022-05-252,52887750 → 2,5281.9
2022-05-221,11812753 → 1,1180.8
2022-05-0599,025537706 → 99,0257.0
2022-04-1314,725233591 → 14,7252.6
2022-04-061,38839886 → 1,3880.6
2022-03-306,927101568 → 6,9271.4
2022-03-224,01583462 → 4,0151.3
2022-03-181,0784404 → 1,0780.5
2022-02-271,13532757 → 1,1350.6
2022-02-222,76543729 → 2,7650.6
2022-02-177,12572375 → 7,1250.9
2022-01-013,62052486 → 3,6201.4
2021 — 21 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2021-12-1816,500126256 → 16,5003.8
2021-10-282,86048267 → 2,8602.5
2021-10-142,34245218 → 2,3422.9
2021-09-211,0902208 → 1,0901.2
2021-07-251,5757408 → 1,5750.4
2021-07-184,79257305 → 4,7924.0
2021-07-021,2084443 → 1,2081.4
2021-06-211,5108430 → 1,5101.2
2021-06-083,59861864 → 3,5980.9
2021-05-288,445254835 → 8,4452.2
2021-05-221,83253858 → 1,8321.1
2021-05-171,43519697 → 1,4350.7
2021-04-2846,100356816 → 46,1004.8
2021-04-244,31865439 → 4,3181.4
2021-04-141,1808420 → 1,1800.9
2021-03-263,58287629 → 3,5821.2
2021-03-153,152121355 → 3,1521.3
2021-01-311,0205827 → 1,0200.4
2021-01-255,89886374 → 5,8981.2
2021-01-071,57057788 → 1,5700.8
2021-01-015,40284309 → 5,4021.8
2020 — 11 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2020-11-251,1389458 → 1,1380.6
2020-10-297,045115197 → 7,0454.4
2020-07-223,21010300 → 3,2101.1
2020-05-2611,550615968 → 11,5502.2
2020-05-082,75279922 → 2,7521.1
2020-05-052,04249908 → 2,0421.1
2020-04-292,910235910 → 2,9101.6
2020-04-135,348198934 → 5,3481.4
2020-03-1930,750653612 → 30,7502.3
2020-02-047,190369886 → 7,1900.9
2020-01-1117,825533549 → 17,8252.8
2019 — 31 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2019-12-292,22230576 → 2,2220.7
2019-12-171,07810726 → 1,0780.4
2019-11-3012,150393898 → 12,1501.7
2019-11-0717,225623964 → 17,2253.3
2019-10-212,18051844 → 2,1800.8
2019-10-0655,025298393 → 55,0254.3
2019-09-265,57596258 → 5,5754.0
2019-08-271,1055535 → 1,1051.0
2019-08-231,46830297 → 1,4682.7
2019-08-092,49514379 → 2,4951.4
2019-07-073,59835707 → 3,5981.0
2019-06-2324,850172824 → 24,8503.5
2019-06-192,66238904 → 2,6621.0
2019-06-171,11043917 → 1,1101.2
2019-06-0719,600175848 → 19,6002.2
2019-05-305,540148760 → 5,5402.1
2019-05-222,46073876 → 2,4601.7
2019-05-191,47228876 → 1,4720.8
2019-05-0117,475370470 → 17,4752.8
2019-04-261,1387498 → 1,1380.9
2019-04-142,76049455 → 2,7601.6
2019-03-303,94833570 → 3,9480.8
2019-03-241,21810501 → 1,2181.3
2019-03-122,43262880 → 2,4321.3
2019-03-095,18046468 → 5,1800.7
2019-02-201,10012730 → 1,1000.4
2019-02-122,845109843 → 2,8451.1
2019-02-073,48047558 → 3,4801.3
2019-01-194,362151922 → 4,3621.0
2019-01-124,465150816 → 4,4651.8
2019-01-048,792121858 → 8,7921.8
2018 — 14 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2018-12-313,42549729 → 3,4250.8
2018-12-276,99555221 → 6,9952.0
2018-12-013,73821191 → 3,7381.4
2018-11-041,2387332 → 1,2381.1
2018-09-221,1684161 → 1,1681.8
2018-08-201,1604563 → 1,1602.1
2018-08-174,01827296 → 4,0182.2
2018-08-151,81510187 → 1,8151.9
2018-07-311,6207183 → 1,6202.0
2018-05-241,0302461 → 1,0300.9
2018-05-171,79014506 → 1,7901.8
2018-05-0415,500118410 → 15,5002.5
2018-03-2717,650216331 → 17,6503.4
2018-02-2426,375319247 → 26,3752.5
2017 — 11 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2017-10-221,95513164 → 1,9551.9
2017-08-175,39884743 → 5,3982.4
2017-08-132,06241286 → 2,0621.4
2017-08-061,1055265 → 1,1052.0
2017-07-051,19010469 → 1,1901.6
2017-07-032,16012387 → 2,1602.2
2017-06-182,16215527 → 2,1621.5
2017-06-055,348128855 → 5,3481.5
2017-06-011,15530899 → 1,1550.3
2017-04-30148,750942373 → 148,7507.7
2017-03-255,228105224 → 5,2281.8
2016 — 8 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2016-09-091,0181182 → 1,0180.3
2016-07-251,1602244 → 1,1600.7
2016-07-151,2927348 → 1,2922.1
2016-07-093,85520241 → 3,8552.1
2016-07-031,7188191 → 1,7182.9
2016-05-255,44860280 → 5,4482.0
2016-04-303,07821323 → 3,0782.6
2016-03-095,24064363 → 5,2401.5
2015 — 21 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2015-12-2783,000507532 → 83,0008.0
2015-12-1413,45085167 → 13,4502.6
2015-11-2815,450120446 → 15,4502.6
2015-11-1811,82548234 → 11,8254.0
2015-08-231,2458494 → 1,2451.3
2015-08-192,66215245 → 2,6622.5
2015-07-226,28037557 → 6,2802.6
2015-07-0815,925160590 → 15,9252.6
2015-07-031,3757652 → 1,3750.9
2015-06-278,85855801 → 8,8580.9
2015-06-1930,975195471 → 30,9753.2
2015-05-2518,800248703 → 18,8002.5
2015-05-201,59025875 → 1,5901.5
2015-05-174,97852708 → 4,9780.9
2015-05-141,06581.7
2015-04-181,0403490 → 1,0400.6
2015-03-263,78846606 → 3,7881.6
2015-03-191,19215882 → 1,1920.3
2015-03-144,25086700 → 4,2501.4
2015-03-101,15212594 → 1,1520.7
2015-01-031,0504332 → 1,0500.8
2014 — 9 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2014-12-181,29816359 → 1,2981.6
2014-10-138,42751401 → 8,427
2014-10-106,06525146 → 6,065
2014-05-131,69518312 → 1,695
2014-04-071,44015643 → 1,440
2014-04-041,43713534 → 1,437
2014-03-291,43511506 → 1,435
2014-03-1612,15085311 → 12,150
2014-01-112,32839355 → 2,328
2013 — 19 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2013-12-215,42272500 → 5,422
2013-12-141,42219231 → 1,422
2013-10-053,72717184 → 3,727
2013-09-201,5657164 → 1,565
2013-08-131,76019643 → 1,760
2013-08-0817,35051317 → 17,350
2013-08-034,24816291 → 4,248
2013-07-312,1658199 → 2,165
2013-05-313,32047326 → 3,320
2013-05-2210,63365633 → 10,633
2013-05-161,14010865 → 1,140
2013-05-1025,500109525 → 25,500
2013-04-274,21061639 → 4,210
2013-04-1823,17591425 → 23,175
2013-04-112,25221472 → 2,252
2013-04-031,30818725 → 1,308
2013-03-311,38854304 → 1,388
2013-03-105,71050188 → 5,710
2013-01-303,62820130 → 3,628
2012 — 4 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2012-08-271,0451112 → 1,045
2012-03-2010,925146278 → 10,925
2012-02-043,40028414 → 3,400
2012-01-253,90544238 → 3,905
2011 — 14 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2011-12-201,43220632 → 1,432
2011-12-155,54540352 → 5,545
2011-11-224,57235322 → 4,572
2011-11-0917,62560176 → 17,625
2011-09-221,2108200 → 1,210
2011-05-2449,625262623 → 49,625
2011-05-131,54015769 → 1,540
2011-04-2686,275406307 → 86,275
2011-04-151,0653405 → 1,065
2011-04-111,24010211 → 1,240
2011-03-141,23814357 → 1,238
2011-03-051,0725549 → 1,072
2011-02-283,73527530 → 3,735
2011-02-251,0524379 → 1,052
2010 — 15 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2010-11-261,0825133 → 1,082
2010-09-151,2158382 → 1,215
2010-09-093,64526203 → 3,645
2010-09-021,3024134 → 1,302
2010-07-271,5988502 → 1,598
2010-07-1315,975159257 → 15,975
2010-07-101,2223182 → 1,222
2010-05-265,53234670 → 5,532
2010-05-205,17576817 → 5,175
2010-05-145,525105354 → 5,525
2010-04-251,1789364 → 1,178
2010-04-031,66544770 → 1,665
2010-03-266,078228370 → 6,078
2010-02-052,068170692 → 2,068
2010-01-211,70820251 → 1,708
2009 — 16 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2009-10-3012,850185656 → 12,850
2009-10-0933,200210230 → 33,200
2009-09-225,81243258 → 5,812
2009-06-171,67215692 → 1,672
2009-06-141,71223466 → 1,712
2009-06-131,82514343 → 1,825
2009-06-101,4957343 → 1,495
2009-05-241,0904710 → 1,090
2009-05-0310,900432597 → 10,900
2009-04-195,590117868 → 5,590
2009-04-138,330115542 → 8,330
2009-03-292,625161936 → 2,625
2009-03-253,87262459 → 3,872
2009-03-221,1386227 → 1,138
2009-02-116,185100526 → 6,185
2009-01-283,980152173 → 3,980
2008 — 25 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2008-12-282,48020206 → 2,480
2008-10-071,5729308 → 1,572
2008-09-1416,43384525 → 16,433
2008-09-046,73594248 → 6,735
2008-08-241,0921319 → 1,092
2008-08-104,48240270 → 4,482
2008-08-071,5457265 → 1,545
2008-07-241,1984486 → 1,198
2008-07-136,508176461 → 6,508
2008-07-062,29514368 → 2,295
2008-07-042,95817368 → 2,958
2008-06-291,1256387 → 1,125
2008-06-161,58020602 → 1,580
2008-06-141,0282652 → 1,028
2008-06-102,29839497 → 2,298
2008-06-024,38055533 → 4,380
2008-05-271,76847425 → 1,768
2008-05-151,34211571 → 1,342
2008-05-111,0702656 → 1,070
2008-05-021,07510905 → 1,075
2008-04-2413,075191927 → 13,075
2008-04-1047,175546876 → 47,175
2008-03-1960,650218492 → 60,650
2008-03-039,428115523 → 9,428
2008-02-1713,275157364 → 13,275
2007 — 9 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2007-10-032,84018111 → 2,840
2007-09-092,08026225 → 2,080
2007-08-251,802995 → 1,802
2007-07-131,25510372 → 1,255
2007-07-061,58217652 → 1,582
2007-07-032,00532370 → 2,005
2007-04-251,2157253 → 1,215
2007-02-133,51071377 → 3,510
2007-01-1412,20066393 → 12,200
2006 — 10 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2006-12-303,36261352 → 3,362
2006-11-3016,333119189 → 16,333
2006-11-161,79222163 → 1,792
2006-09-238,40253292 → 8,402
2006-09-183,8223588 → 3,822
2006-08-234,0852149 → 4,085
2006-08-222,162849 → 2,162
2006-05-101,65019444 → 1,650
2006-05-053,73536374 → 3,735
2006-04-292,11222182 → 2,112
2005 — 4 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2005-05-231,0201226 → 1,020
2005-04-114,13053638 → 4,130
2005-04-071,81245494 → 1,812
2005-01-0514,175362242 → 14,175
2004 — 13 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2004-12-073,96260499 → 3,962
2004-12-011,16832526 → 1,168
2004-11-271,12512351 → 1,125
2004-11-241,0705319 → 1,070
2004-11-111,0904313 → 1,090
2004-11-017,46243196 → 7,462
2004-07-301,63232377 → 1,632
2004-07-253,21824229 → 3,218
2004-07-0320,70079224 → 20,700
2004-05-141,97017420 → 1,970
2004-04-2447,225274257 → 47,225
2004-03-291,2586296 → 1,258
2004-03-053,73585205 → 3,735
2003 — 9 events
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2003-12-231,1722223 → 1,172
2003-11-183,45827142 → 3,458
2003-06-111,4229242 → 1,422
2003-06-021,97512248 → 1,975
2003-05-203,97229643 → 3,972
2003-05-164,42049193 → 4,420
2003-05-142,60017165 → 2,600
2003-03-191,1987240 → 1,198
2003-02-221,39811222 → 1,398
2002 — 1 event
DatePeak (cfs)Duration >1000 (h)Baseline → RiseStorm Rain (in)
2002-12-312,59021368 → 2,590
Gauges Watersheds Cossatot Intelligence Richland Intelligence Mulberry Intelligence Big Piney Intelligence Illinois River Intel Hailstone Intelligence Buffalo Intelligence Buffalo Study
Guide Changelog Scorecard Page Suggestions and Corrections
Home
♥ Support this project
DISCLAIMER: This site provides creek condition estimates for informational purposes only. Gauge data, radar estimates, and forecasts may be delayed, inaccurate, or unavailable. Always exercise independent judgment. Whitewater kayaking is inherently dangerous — water conditions can change rapidly. This site and its maintainers assume no responsibility for decisions made based on information displayed here.