Cedar River At Cedar Rapids flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Cedar River At Cedar Rapids is flowing at 23,400 cfs with a gage height of 10.29 ft, rising 21% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05464500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Cedar River At Cedar Rapids at a glance
How Cedar River At Cedar Rapids is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Cedar River At Cedar Rapids is flowing at 23,400 cfs, with the water sitting 10.29 ft at the gage. Flow is up 21% since yesterday — a rising hydrograph.
This is USGS gauge #05464500 in Iowa. Over the past 10 days the average has been 18,150 cfs, peaking at 23,400 cfs.
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
Over the next 5 days, Cedar River At Cedar Rapids is expected to recede from today's 23400 cfs, toward roughly 16845 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 7338-38670 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
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.
Cedar River At Cedar Rapids
The river is fed by a number of tributaries, including the Wapsipinicon River and the Iowa River, and is home to several dams, including the Coralville Dam. Seasonal trends in the river's flow are influenced by factors such as rainfall and snowmelt, with the highest flows typically occurring in spring and early summer. The Cedar River has a rich history, with key events such as the devastating floods of 2008, which caused extensive damage to the city of Cedar Rapids. Despite these challenges, the river remains an important resource for the local community and a natural wonder to be explored and enjoyed.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Cedar River At Cedar Rapids's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Cedar River At Cedar Rapids | 23,400 cfs |
| Clear Creek Near Oxford | 44 cfs |
| Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville | 5,500 cfs |
| Clear Creek Near Coralville | 54 cfs |
| Rapid Creek Near Iowa City | 12 cfs |
| Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa | 3,040 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Cedar River At Cedar Rapids. 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 |
|---|---|
| Cedar Rapids 2.5 Wsw | 0 in |
| Cedar Rapids No 1 | 0 in |
| Fairfax 4.0 Nw | 0 in |
| Anamosa 3 Ssw | 0 in |
| Coralville 1.4 S | 0 in |
| Iowa City | 0 in |
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 Cedar River At Cedar Rapids in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Cedar River At Cedar Rapids crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Cedar River At Cedar Rapids
Where does the streamflow data for Cedar River At Cedar Rapids come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05464500. 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 Cedar River At Cedar Rapids 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 Cedar River At Cedar Rapids report
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