Iowa streamflow
Live discharge, gauge height, water temperature, and percent-of-normal readings from every USGS streamgauge in Iowa. Built for paddlers, anglers, water managers, and flood researchers.
Streamflow levels across Iowa are currently 96% of normal, with the Mississippi River At Clinton reporting the highest discharge in the state at 47,300 cfs and a gauge stage of 9.65 ft.
Meanwhile, the Walnut Creek At Des Moines is seeing a spike today — up 8247% since yesterday and currently running near peak.
Tap any gauge below for the full hydrograph, paired weather forecast, and historical context. Use the rivers panel to jump into Iowa's named rivers.
State-wide streamflow overview
The Iowa flow picture in four data points -- where the state sits versus historical norms, what's flowing hardest, and what's spiking fastest.
Percent of normal
100% is the historical norm. Below 70% indicates drought; above 130% can flag elevated flood risk.
Highest discharge
Gauge stage 9.65 ft
Biggest 24h spike
Now 2,020 cfs
Network coverage
USGS gauges feeding 0 named rivers in Iowa.
Iowa USGS streamgauges
Every USGS gauge Snoflo tracks in Iowa. Sortable, quickly filterable. Numeric columns heat-mapped from light to deep. Tap any gauge for its full hydrograph and forecast.
| Streamgage | Streamflow | Gage height | Water temp | Air temp | Elevation | Watershed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mississippi River At Clinton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05420500 |
47,300 cfs | 9.63 ft | 81°F | 59°F | 593 ft | Copperas-Duck |
|
Iowa River At Wapello, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05465500 |
12,400 cfs | 15.51 ft | 49°F | 60°F | 554 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Cedar River Near Conesville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05465000 |
9,300 cfs | 9.26 ft | · | 60°F | 593 ft | Lower Cedar |
|
Cedar River At Cedar Rapids, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05464500 |
8,190 cfs | 5.81 ft | 62°F | 58°F | 712 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Des Moines River Near Tracy, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05488500 |
6,820 cfs | 4.89 ft | · | 59°F | 676 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Cedar River At Waterloo, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05464000 |
6,710 cfs | 7.45 ft | · | 57°F | 823 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Cedar River At Cedar Falls, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05463050 |
6,230 cfs | 78.70 ft | · | 57°F | 853 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Des Moines River Near Pella, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05488110 |
6,070 cfs | 87.19 ft | 83°F | 59°F | 689 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05485500 |
6,010 cfs | 13.33 ft | · | 60°F | 779 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Des Moines River At Ottumwa, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05489500 |
5,030 cfs | 3.23 ft | 84°F | 59°F | 635 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471500 |
4,940 cfs | 16.13 ft | · | 58°F | 692 ft | South Skunk |
|
Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05482000 |
4,560 cfs | 14.92 ft | 32°F | 60°F | 808 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Des Moines River At Keosauqua, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05490500 |
4,410 cfs | 11.72 ft | 83°F | 60°F | 579 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Iowa River Near Lone Tree, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05455700 |
4,270 cfs | 8.44 ft | · | 59°F | 601 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Des Moines River Near Saylorville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05481650 |
3,830 cfs | 5.70 ft | · | 59°F | 819 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Iowa River At Iowa City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454500 |
3,660 cfs | 13.18 ft | · | 59°F | 643 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05453520 |
3,570 cfs | 51.88 ft | · | 59°F | 669 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Skunk River At Augusta, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05474000 |
3,160 cfs | 4.52 ft | · | 63°F | 553 ft | Skunk |
|
Turkey River At Garber, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05412500 |
2,960 cfs | 9.61 ft | 74°F | 56°F | 646 ft | Turkey |
|
South Skunk River At Colfax, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05471050 |
2,690 cfs | 12.42 ft | · | 58°F | 793 ft | South Skunk |
|
Shell Rock River At Shell Rock, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05462000 |
2,630 cfs | 9.51 ft | · | 55°F | 882 ft | Shell Rock |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05422000 |
2,550 cfs | 8.32 ft | · | 58°F | 646 ft | Lower Wapsipinicon |
|
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05418500 |
2,280 cfs | 13.13 ft | · | 57°F | 646 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Iowa River At Marengo, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05453100 |
2,190 cfs | 8.98 ft | · | 57°F | 729 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05452500 |
2,090 cfs | 9.07 ft | · | 56°F | 748 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05421740 |
2,020 cfs | 7.28 ft | · | 57°F | 779 ft | Lower Wapsipinicon |
|
Cedar River At Charles City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05457700 |
1,920 cfs | 4.70 ft | · | 55°F | 977 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Cedar River At Janesville, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05458500 |
1,860 cfs | 2.67 ft | · | 56°F | 859 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Raccoon River At Fleur Drive, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05484900 |
1,700 cfs | 3.44 ft | · | 60°F | 797 ft | North Raccoon |
|
West Fork Cedar River At Finchford, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05458900 |
1,690 cfs | 10.10 ft | · | 56°F | 859 ft | West Fork Cedar |
|
Cedar River At Waverly, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05458300 |
1,530 cfs | 5.06 ft | 75°F | 55°F | 895 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Volga River At Littleport, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05412400 |
1,330 cfs | 7.83 ft | · | 56°F | 694 ft | Turkey |
|
Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05412020 |
1,330 cfs | 6.82 ft | · | 55°F | 726 ft | Turkey |
|
Raccoon River Near West Des Moines, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05484600 |
1,280 cfs | 27.88 ft | · | 59°F | 844 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484650 |
1,260 cfs | 21.56 ft | · | 60°F | 797 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Wapsipinicon River At Independence, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05421000 |
1,230 cfs | 5.96 ft | · | 56°F | 889 ft | Upper Wapsipinicon |
|
Des Moines River Near Stratford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05481300 |
1,190 cfs | 5.94 ft | · | 56°F | 902 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Big Sioux River At Akron, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06485500 |
1,160 cfs | 6.21 ft | · | 59°F | 1,151 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Turkey River Near Eldorado, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05411850 |
1,040 cfs | 6.95 ft | · | 54°F | 897 ft | Turkey |
|
Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05388250 |
1,030 cfs | 8.06 ft | · | 53°F | 668 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Iowa River At Marshalltown, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451500 |
1,020 cfs | 11.35 ft | · | 56°F | 853 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06810000 |
1,000 cfs | 9.08 ft | · | 61°F | 904 ft | Nishnabotna |
|
Des Moines River At Fort Dodge, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05480500 |
999 cfs | 4.28 ft | · | 55°F | 974 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Upper Iowa River At Decorah, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05387500 |
971 cfs | 2.79 ft | · | 54°F | 854 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Raccoon River At Van Meter, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484500 |
898 cfs | 3.49 ft | 32°F | 58°F | 862 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Upper Iowa River At Bluffton, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05387440 |
878 cfs | 4.70 ft | · | 54°F | 970 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Little Sioux River Near Turin, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06607500 |
825 cfs | 7.73 ft | · | 61°F | 1,029 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Fourmile Creek At Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05485640 |
809 cfs | 7.02 ft | · | 59°F | 813 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471000 |
656 cfs | 11.95 ft | · | 57°F | 872 ft | South Skunk |
|
Indian Creek Near Mingo, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471200 |
584 cfs | 5.59 ft | · | 57°F | 827 ft | South Skunk |
|
North River Near Norwalk, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05486000 |
556 cfs | 9.79 ft | · | 59°F | 811 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Little Sioux River At Correctionville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06606600 |
550 cfs | 5.32 ft | · | 57°F | 1,106 ft | Little Sioux |
|
West Nishnabotna River At Randolph, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06808500 |
544 cfs | 8.43 ft | 80°F | 63°F | 956 ft | West Nishnabotna |
|
Maquoketa River At Manchester, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05416900 |
522 cfs | 5.57 ft | · | 56°F | 920 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Wolf Creek Near Dysart, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05464220 |
485 cfs | 3.75 ft | · | 56°F | 835 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Des Moines River At Humboldt, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05476750 |
480 cfs | 3.86 ft | · | 55°F | 1,066 ft | Upper Des Moines |
|
Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05485605 |
453 cfs | 5.42 ft | · | 58°F | 911 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05418400 |
435 cfs | 3.51 ft | 39°F | 58°F | 689 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Black Hawk Creek At Hudson, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05463500 |
409 cfs | 7.88 ft | · | 56°F | 897 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Beaver Creek Near Grimes, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05481950 |
390 cfs | 5.12 ft | · | 58°F | 829 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05479000 |
350 cfs | 8.37 ft | · | 55°F | 1,043 ft | East Fork Des Moines |
|
Beaver Creek At New Hartford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05463000 |
348 cfs | 3.52 ft | · | 56°F | 890 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Middle River Near Indianola, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05486490 |
345 cfs | 8.59 ft | · | 59°F | 794 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Little Cedar River Near Ionia, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05458000 |
322 cfs | 4.62 ft | · | 55°F | 1,000 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05420680 |
314 cfs | 8.88 ft | · | 55°F | 1,019 ft | Upper Wapsipinicon |
|
Walnut Creek At Des Moines, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05484800 |
309 cfs | 4.71 ft | · | 60°F | 808 ft | North Raccoon |
|
South Skunk River Near Ames, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05470000 |
306 cfs | 4.15 ft | · | 57°F | 928 ft | South Skunk |
|
Turkey River At Spillville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05411600 |
299 cfs | 3.32 ft | · | 54°F | 1,067 ft | Turkey |
|
Little Sioux River At Linn Grove, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06605850 |
284 cfs | 5.76 ft | · | 55°F | 1,249 ft | Little Sioux |
|
North Skunk River Near Sigourney, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05472500 |
283 cfs | 5.13 ft | · | 58°F | 664 ft | North Skunk |
|
Cedar Creek Near Bussey, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05489000 |
271 cfs | 5.92 ft | · | 59°F | 696 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
North Raccoon River Near Jefferson, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05482500 |
270 cfs | 5.22 ft | 37°F | 56°F | 978 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Floyd River At James, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06600500 |
263 cfs | 8.74 ft | · | 59°F | 1,117 ft | Floyd |
|
South River Near Ackworth, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05487470 |
246 cfs | 6.37 ft | · | 59°F | 805 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Boyer River At Logan, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06609500 |
244 cfs | 3.84 ft | · | 58°F | 1,014 ft | Boyer |
|
Salt Creek Near Elberon, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05452000 |
242 cfs | 7.41 ft | · | 56°F | 802 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Squaw Creek At Ames, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05470500 |
225 cfs | 2.31 ft | · | 57°F | 907 ft | South Skunk |
|
Rock River Near Rock Valley, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06483500 |
225 cfs | 4.81 ft | · | 57°F | 1,238 ft | Rock |
|
East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06809500 |
211 cfs | 5.90 ft | · | 62°F | 1,013 ft | East Nishnabotna |
|
West Nishnabotna River At Hancock, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06807410 |
182 cfs | 2.24 ft | · | 58°F | 1,089 ft | West Nishnabotna |
|
South Raccoon River At Redfield, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05484000 |
181 cfs | 2.65 ft | 32°F | 58°F | 917 ft | South Raccoon |
|
English River At Kalona, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05455500 |
180 cfs | 4.60 ft | · | 59°F | 655 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Iowa River Near Rowan, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05449500 |
179 cfs | 4.55 ft | · | 55°F | 1,187 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Winnebago River At Mason City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05459500 |
177 cfs | 5.16 ft | · | 54°F | 1,101 ft | Winnebago |
|
Boone River Near Webster City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05481000 |
153 cfs | 2.14 ft | 35°F | 55°F | 1,028 ft | Boone |
|
Nodaway River At Clarinda, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06817000 |
148 cfs | 10.78 ft | · | 62°F | 966 ft | West Nodaway |
|
Maple River At Mapleton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06607200 |
138 cfs | 4.62 ft | · | 57°F | 1,114 ft | Maple |
|
Yellow River At Ion, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05389000 |
137 cfs | 5.85 ft | · | 54°F | 681 ft | Coon-Yellow |
|
Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05455100 |
122 cfs | 2.68 ft | 46°F | 59°F | 654 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
North Raccoon River Near Sac City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05482300 |
122 cfs | 6.97 ft | 75°F | 57°F | 1,179 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06602400 |
106 cfs | 4.93 ft | · | 61°F | 1,021 ft | Monona-Harrison Ditch |
|
Chariton River Near Moulton, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 06904010 |
95 cfs | 18.89 ft | · | 60°F | 847 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Timber Creek Near Marshalltown, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451700 |
93 cfs | 3.12 ft | · | 56°F | 862 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05473400 |
89 cfs | 3.10 ft | · | 59°F | 590 ft | Skunk |
|
East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06809210 |
87 cfs | 2.57 ft | · | 58°F | 1,109 ft | East Nishnabotna |
|
White Breast Creek Near Dallas, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05487980 |
84 cfs | 6.59 ft | · | 59°F | 773 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Big Bear Creek At Ladora, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05453000 |
78 cfs | 11.22 ft | · | 56°F | 771 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Middle Raccoon River At Panora, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05483600 |
78 cfs | 4.25 ft | 35°F | 58°F | 997 ft | South Raccoon |
|
South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05451210 |
74 cfs | 2.81 ft | · | 56°F | 963 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05483450 |
63 cfs | 9.09 ft | · | 58°F | 1,054 ft | South Raccoon |
|
Clear Creek Near Coralville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454300 |
59 cfs | 1.43 ft | · | 59°F | 660 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
English Creek Near Knoxville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05488200 |
59 cfs | 9.42 ft | · | 59°F | 749 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Ocheyedan River Near Spencer, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06605000 |
54 cfs | 2.21 ft | · | 54°F | 1,317 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Thompson River At Davis City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06898000 |
51 cfs | 1.22 ft | · | 60°F | 910 ft | Thompson |
|
Soldier River At Pisgah, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06608500 |
47 cfs | 2.73 ft | · | 61°F | 1,047 ft | Blackbird-Soldier |
|
Chariton River Near Chariton, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 06903400 |
41 cfs | 4.62 ft | · | 59°F | 968 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06903700 |
37 cfs | 3.43 ft | · | 60°F | 922 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06483290 |
37 cfs | 6.74 ft | · | 56°F | 1,316 ft | Rock |
|
Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05389400 |
33 cfs | 4.23 ft | · | 55°F | 634 ft | Coon-Yellow |
|
East Fork 102 River At Bedford, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 06819185 |
29 cfs | 10.95 ft | · | 60°F | 1,084 ft | One Hundred And Two |
|
Clear Creek Near Oxford, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05454220 |
26 cfs | 2.17 ft | · | 58°F | 722 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Floyd River At Alton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06600100 |
24 cfs | 5.49 ft | · | 56°F | 1,289 ft | Floyd |
|
Walnut Creek Near Hartwick, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05452200 |
17 cfs | 1.09 ft | · | 56°F | 806 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Richland Creek Near Haven, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451900 |
14 cfs | 10.57 ft | · | 56°F | 817 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05473450 |
14 cfs | 3.39 ft | · | 59°F | 672 ft | Skunk |
|
Chariton River Near Rathbun, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06903900 |
13 cfs | 2.20 ft | · | 60°F | 855 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Rapid Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454000 |
11 cfs | 4.01 ft | · | 59°F | 688 ft | Lower Iowa |
See every Iowa gauge ranked against normal.
- Percentile rank & % of median for all 117 gauges
- 15-day PULSE forecast on every gauge
- Custom flow alerts & full daily history
About Iowa streamflow
Where does the Iowa streamflow data come from?
The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System. USGS streamgauges report continuously (every 15 minutes) and the data is the canonical real-time record for U.S. rivers. Snoflo pulls the latest readings and joins them to a 7-day NOAA weather forecast for each station.
What is cfs?
Cubic feet per second — the standard unit for streamflow. One cfs is about 7.5 gallons per second. Small creeks run at single-digit cfs; the Mississippi at hundreds of thousands.
What does Gauge Height mean?
The water level at the gauge in feet above the reference datum. Used together with discharge to track river state. Flood stage and runnable levels are typically expressed in gauge height (e.g., "flood at 16 ft").
How fresh is the Iowa data?
USGS streamgauges report every 15 minutes; Snoflo re-pulls throughout the day. The AI briefing regenerates daily.
Can I get a flow alert for a Iowa gauge?
Yes. Save any USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a discharge or stage threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 2,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Is this a substitute for an NWS flood warning?
No. Snoflo is informational. For flood life-safety decisions always follow guidance from your local NWS forecast office and state emergency management. Snoflo data is one input among several.