Observation

River Park Boathouse

Chicago River

River or stream

December 16, 2025 at 2:09 PM

QA status: Reviewed: quality check complete

Weather observations

  • Current weather description

    Community scientist interpretation

    The first day above freezing after a long period of deeper snow and cold than usual for December.

  • Weather in the past 24hrs description

    Community scientist interpretation

    cold but not in the single digits--I could walk for the first time in days

  • Current weather

    Community scientist interpretation

    • Sunny
  • Weather in the past 24hrs

    Community scientist interpretation

    • Sunny

Qualitative readings

  • Clarity

    Community scientist interpretation

    Opaque

  • Water use

    Community scientist interpretation

    other

  • Colour

    Community scientist interpretation

    Other


Plants/wildlife

  • Algae

    Community scientist interpretation

    None


Issue reporting

  • Odour

    Community scientist interpretation

    None

  • Pollution sources

    Community scientist interpretation

    Other

  • Water surface

    Community scientist interpretation

    Natural debris


Physical tests

  • Water level

    Community scientist interpretation

    Average

  • Ice on

    Community scientist interpretation

    true


Chemistry tests

  • Chloride

    Unspecified equipment (chloride)

    226 ppm

  • Air temperature

    Unspecified equipment (air temperature)

    4 °C


Notes

Lots of hopeful (and then disappointed) ducks, including a couple of goldeneyes not in the photo. Partial ice coverage.