Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa is flowing at 3,360 cfs with a gage height of 8.98 ft, receding 9% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05421740, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa at a glance
How Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa is flowing at 3,360 cfs, with the water sitting 8.98 ft at the gage. Flow is down 9% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05421740 in Iowa. Over the past 10 days the average has been 5,498 cfs, peaking at 8,230 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa is expected to recede from today's 3360 cfs, toward roughly 2379 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 1077-5255 cfs) -- about 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.
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa
The river's flow is mainly dependent on precipitation, snowmelt, and groundwater discharge. The Wapsipinicon River has several significant tributaries, including the Maquoketa River and Buffalo Creek. There are also several dams along the river that help regulate its flow. The river experiences variability in flow throughout the year, with the highest flows occurring during the spring and summer due to increased precipitation and snowmelt. Interestingly, the Wapsipinicon River is known for its unique winding path, which has been compared to a snake.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa | 3,360 cfs |
| Cedar River At Cedar Rapids | 16,000 cfs |
| North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton | 567 cfs |
| Maquoketa River At Manchester | 402 cfs |
| Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville | 7,220 cfs |
| Rapid Creek Near Iowa City | 15 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa. 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 |
|---|---|
| Anamosa 3 Ssw | 0 in |
| Cedar Rapids No 1 | 0 in |
| Cedar Rapids 2.5 Wsw | 0 in |
| Fulton | 0 in |
| Fairfax 4.0 Nw | 0 in |
| Coralville 1.4 S | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa.
Boat launches
See all →
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 Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa
Where does the streamflow data for Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05421740. 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 Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa 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 Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa report
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