Raccoon River At Van Meter flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Raccoon River At Van Meter is flowing at 2,050 cfs with a gage height of 4.76 ft, receding 18% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05484500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Raccoon River At Van Meter at a glance
How Raccoon River At Van Meter is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Raccoon River At Van Meter is flowing at 2,050 cfs, with the water sitting 4.76 ft at the gage. Flow is down 18% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05484500 in Iowa. Over the past 10 days the average has been 3,023 cfs, peaking at 4,960 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Raccoon River At Van Meter is expected to recede from today's 2520 cfs, toward roughly 1768 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 598-5223 cfs) -- drier than normal for the date.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Iowa flow report.
Streamflow Forecast
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s Predictive Unified Learning & Simulation Engine, which learns from how this river has answered every past storm, snowmelt, and dry spell to forecast where it’s headed with a precision generic models can’t match.
How does this compare to past years?
Year-over-year overlay, annual peak discharge, the full distribution of daily flows on record, and the gauge's rating curve.
Weather Forecast
Next 5 days, hour by hour
Temperature line with weather symbols on top, snow + rain accumulation as columns, humidity as a dotted line.
5-day forecast table
Every 3 hours, broken out across temperature, snow, rain, humidity, and wind.
| Time | Condition | Temp (°F) | Snow (in) | Rain (in) | Humidity (%) | Wind (mps) | Wind dir |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loading detailed forecast… | |||||||
15-day forecast
Daily temperatures, snow, and rain projected over the next two weeks.
Raccoon River At Van Meter
The river is a major tributary of the Des Moines River and its flow is influenced by precipitation and snowmelt. The Raccoon River is fed by several smaller tributaries, including Middle Raccoon Creek and North Raccoon River. The river is also impacted by several dams, including the Saylorville Dam, which regulates the flow of water for flood control and recreation. Seasonally, the river experiences higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation. During the summer, the river flow decreases, resulting in lower water levels. Interesting facts about the Raccoon River include its popularity for recreational activities such as fishing and kayaking, as well as its importance for wildlife habitat.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Raccoon River At Van Meter's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Raccoon River At Van Meter | 2,050 cfs |
| Raccoon River Near West Des Moines | 1,320 cfs |
| South Raccoon River At Redfield | 319 cfs |
| Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines | 2,230 cfs |
| Walnut Creek At Des Moines | 51 cfs |
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 404 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Raccoon River At Van Meter. Spring snowmelt is the dominant driver of streamflow in mountain basins -- a deep snowpack upstream means more runoff later in the season.
| SNOTEL station | Snowpack |
|---|---|
| Windsor Heights 0.8 Se | 0 in |
| Des Moines 5.4 Wnw | 0 in |
| Des Moines International | 0 in |
| Des Moines Snow | 0 in |
| Des Moines 3.7 Nw | 0 in |
| Des Moines | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Raccoon River At Van Meter.
Nearby reservoirs
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River levels & flood safety
- Read the level before you go
- A river that's runnable at one flow can be deadly at another. Check current discharge and gage height — like the values shown above — against the flood-stage thresholds, and remember levels can spike fast after rain or a dam release.
- Respect cold water
- Snowmelt rivers run cold even in summer. Sudden immersion triggers cold-water shock and saps strength within minutes. Wear a PFD, dress for the water temperature (not the air), and never wade or paddle alone.
- Watch for swiftwater hazards
- Strainers (downed trees), undercut rocks, and low-head dams are the deadliest features on moving water. High, fast, muddy water hides them. If in doubt, scout from shore and portage.
- Mind flash floods & releases
- Narrow canyons can flood from a storm miles upstream, and dam-controlled reaches can rise without warning. Know the forecast, the release schedule, and your exit before you launch.
Track Raccoon River At Van Meter in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Raccoon River At Van Meter crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Raccoon River At Van Meter
Where does the streamflow data for Raccoon River At Van Meter come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05484500. Snoflo refreshes the time series throughout the day. Forecasts come from the NOAA / yr.no feed Snoflo's iOS app uses.
How often is the report updated?
USGS gauges report continuously (typically every 15 minutes). Snoflo pulls fresh values throughout the day — look for the "as of" timestamp on the streamflow hero card.
What's the difference between discharge and gage height?
Discharge (cubic feet per second, or cfs) is the volume of water flowing past the gauge each second. Gage height is how high the water sits at the gauge (feet). They're related by a rating curve specific to each gauge — higher water means more flow, but the exact ratio depends on channel shape.
How is "percent of median" calculated?
Today's discharge is compared to the historical median discharge on this calendar day across the gauge's full record. 100% = right on median; 200% = a very high year; 30% = a drought-level low.
What are flood stages, and is this river safe right now?
Flood stages are NWS-defined gage-height thresholds — Action, Minor, Moderate, Major — marking when nearby roads or floodplains start to be affected. "Safe" depends on your activity and skill: a level that's a fun paddle for an expert can be lethal for a wader. Always check the current level against the thresholds above and the safety links, and when in doubt, stay off the water.
Can I get alerts when Raccoon River At Van Meter rises?
Yes — flow alerts are managed in the Snoflo iOS app. Favorite this gauge, set a streamflow threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 5,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
Access the free Raccoon River At Van Meter report
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