Iowa River Levels & Streamflow
As of Oct 3, 2026, Iowa rivers are running at 1074% of normal across 116 USGS gauges — the highest is 49,600 cfs on the Mississippi River At Clinton. Live discharge, gauge height, and percent-of-normal for every USGS streamgauge in Iowa.
Iowa river map
See Iowa’s rivers on a live map
Every gauge, river and reservoir, one tap each:
- Rivers now — which are running high or low
- Reservoirs — how full each one is vs normal
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
✓ Free for 7 days · ✓ Cancel anytime
Iowa river conditions today
Where rivers are running versus normal, what’s spiking and what’s coming — refreshed daily from USGS and NOAA.
Streamflow levels across Iowa are currently 1074% of normal, with the Mississippi River At Clinton reporting the highest discharge in the state at 49,600 cfs and a gauge stage of 10.25 ft.
Meanwhile, the Volga River At Littleport is seeing a spike today — up 610% 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.
Active weather warnings for Iowa
**MULTIPLE FLOOD WARNINGS ISSUED ACROSS IOWA** – Significant flooding is occurring across numerous Iowa waterways as of October 3rd. Major flooding continues on the Wapsipinicon River near De Witt, affecting Clinton and Scott counties, with water impacting many residences. Moderate flooding is reported on Black Hawk Creek at Hudson in Waterloo, with potential residential evacuations. Minor to moderate flooding affects multiple rivers including the Iowa River at Marshalltown, Des Moines River in Des Moines, South Skunk River near Ames and Colfax, Raccoon River near Des Moines, and Cedar River near Conesville. Communities in Perry, Colfax, and Reasnor face potential evacuations. The Iowa River near Lone Tree and English River at Kalona are also affected. Most warnings remain in effect through October 4th-8th. Residents should avoid flooded areas and monitor NWS updates for rising water conditions.
How Iowa’s rivers compare to normal
Every gauge placed by its own percent of normal, and three years of the statewide trend.
Where every gauge actually sits
One dot per Iowa streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The state average is a single line through all of it.
Percent of normal compares today's discharge with the historical average for this calendar day. Tap any dot to open that gauge.
Iowa streamflow, three water years
Statewide percent of normal, every day since Sep 2023. The dotted line is normal.
799 daily readings from 116 reporting gauges. Percent of normal is today's statewide discharge against the historical average for the same calendar day — 100% is normal, not "good". The axis tops out at 250%: 49 readings above that — including the 1074% peak in Oct 2026 — are drawn along the top edge, so a few flood days cannot flatten three years of everything else. The line breaks in 2 places where the record skips more than five days — those are gaps in reporting, not readings of zero.
Iowa flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | Gage height | Water temp | Air temp | Elevation | Watershed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mississippi River At Clinton, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05420500 |
60,100 cfs | 10.47 ft | 66°F | 42°F | 593 ft | Copperas-Duck |
|
Iowa River At Wapello, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05465500 |
45,700 cfs | 22.54 ft | 49°F | 45°F | 554 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05485500 |
30,800 cfs | 24.16 ft | · | 49°F | 779 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Cedar River Near Conesville, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05465000 |
25,500 cfs | 13.55 ft | · | 45°F | 593 ft | Lower Cedar |
|
Skunk River At Augusta, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05474000 |
25,100 cfs | 16.95 ft | · | 45°F | 553 ft | Skunk |
|
Des Moines River Near Tracy, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05488500 |
21,800 cfs | 8.87 ft | · | 49°F | 676 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Cedar River At Waterloo, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05464000 |
21,000 cfs | 11.16 ft | · | 44°F | 823 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Des Moines River At Ottumwa, Ia
9 hours ago · USGS 05489500 |
20,900 cfs | 7.67 ft | 66°F | 48°F | 635 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Des Moines River Near Pella, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05488110 |
20,900 cfs | 92.70 ft | 67°F | 49°F | 689 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Raccoon River At Fleur Drive, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05484900 |
20,100 cfs | 14.50 ft | · | 50°F | 797 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Des Moines River At Keosauqua, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05490500 |
19,100 cfs | 15.69 ft | 65°F | 45°F | 579 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Iowa River Near Lone Tree, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05455700 |
19,000 cfs | 16.74 ft | · | 45°F | 601 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05484650 |
18,600 cfs | 33.31 ft | · | 49°F | 797 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Cedar River At Cedar Rapids, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05464500 |
18,500 cfs | 8.91 ft | 62°F | 45°F | 712 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Raccoon River At Van Meter, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05484500 |
16,800 cfs | 14.09 ft | 32°F | 48°F | 862 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06810000 |
16,500 cfs | 23.62 ft | · | 71°F | 904 ft | Nishnabotna |
|
Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05482000 |
14,900 cfs | 20.20 ft | 32°F | 50°F | 808 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Cedar River At Cedar Falls, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05463050 |
14,700 cfs | 78.70 ft | · | 47°F | 853 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Des Moines River Near Saylorville, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05481650 |
13,700 cfs | 11.96 ft | · | 49°F | 819 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Iowa River At Marshalltown, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05451500 |
11,600 cfs | 18.94 ft | · | 48°F | 853 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05422000 |
11,300 cfs | 12.87 ft | · | 43°F | 646 ft | Lower Wapsipinicon |
|
Iowa River At Iowa City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05454500 |
10,100 cfs | 18.88 ft | · | 45°F | 643 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Des Moines River Near Stratford, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05481300 |
10,000 cfs | 11.88 ft | · | 48°F | 902 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05453520 |
9,520 cfs | 55.53 ft | · | 45°F | 669 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Turkey River At Garber, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05412500 |
9,150 cfs | 14.29 ft | 61°F | 46°F | 646 ft | Turkey |
|
South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05471500 |
8,810 cfs | 20.26 ft | · | 48°F | 692 ft | South Skunk |
|
South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05471000 |
8,510 cfs | 22.13 ft | · | 48°F | 872 ft | South Skunk |
|
Iowa River At Marengo, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05453100 |
7,980 cfs | 15.50 ft | · | 44°F | 729 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Thompson River At Davis City, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06898000 |
7,970 cfs | 8.79 ft | · | 70°F | 910 ft | Thompson |
|
Black Hawk Creek At Hudson, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05463500 |
7,260 cfs | 16.82 ft | · | 44°F | 897 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05452500 |
7,100 cfs | 15.17 ft | · | 47°F | 748 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Wapsipinicon River At Independence, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05421000 |
6,980 cfs | 9.72 ft | · | 44°F | 889 ft | Upper Wapsipinicon |
|
English River At Kalona, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05455500 |
6,520 cfs | 17.07 ft | · | 45°F | 655 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
South Raccoon River At Redfield, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05484000 |
6,160 cfs | 9.31 ft | 32°F | 48°F | 917 ft | South Raccoon |
|
North Raccoon River Near Jefferson, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05482500 |
6,030 cfs | 10.98 ft | 37°F | 44°F | 978 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05473400 |
5,750 cfs | 17.18 ft | · | 45°F | 590 ft | Skunk |
|
South Skunk River At Colfax, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05471050 |
5,660 cfs | 16.75 ft | · | 48°F | 793 ft | South Skunk |
|
South Skunk River Near Ames, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05470000 |
5,580 cfs | 12.65 ft | · | 44°F | 928 ft | South Skunk |
|
North Skunk River Near Sigourney, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05472500 |
5,530 cfs | 18.23 ft | · | 45°F | 664 ft | North Skunk |
|
Cedar River At Janesville, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05458500 |
4,950 cfs | 4.97 ft | · | 47°F | 859 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
West Nishnabotna River At Randolph, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06808500 |
4,950 cfs | 14.13 ft | 62°F | 71°F | 956 ft | West Nishnabotna |
|
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05418500 |
4,660 cfs | 15.79 ft | · | 43°F | 646 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05421740 |
4,500 cfs | 10.57 ft | · | 44°F | 779 ft | Lower Wapsipinicon |
|
Beaver Creek At New Hartford, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05463000 |
4,040 cfs | 10.62 ft | · | 47°F | 890 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Cedar River At Waverly, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05458300 |
4,040 cfs | 4.04 ft | 60°F | 47°F | 895 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05412020 |
3,680 cfs | 9.06 ft | · | 46°F | 726 ft | Turkey |
|
West Fork Cedar River At Finchford, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05458900 |
3,650 cfs | 12.10 ft | · | 47°F | 859 ft | West Fork Cedar |
|
Des Moines River At Fort Dodge, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05480500 |
3,340 cfs | 5.68 ft | · | 48°F | 974 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
North River Near Norwalk, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05486000 |
3,100 cfs | 18.83 ft | · | 49°F | 811 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06809500 |
3,020 cfs | 12.33 ft | · | 70°F | 1,013 ft | East Nishnabotna |
|
Middle River Near Indianola, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05486490 |
2,890 cfs | 14.38 ft | · | 49°F | 794 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05483450 |
2,710 cfs | 17.61 ft | · | 49°F | 1,054 ft | South Raccoon |
|
Shell Rock River At Shell Rock, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05462000 |
2,700 cfs | 9.55 ft | · | 47°F | 882 ft | Shell Rock |
|
Middle Raccoon River At Panora, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05483600 |
2,660 cfs | 7.72 ft | 35°F | 48°F | 997 ft | South Raccoon |
|
West Nishnabotna River At Hancock, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06807410 |
2,610 cfs | 7.20 ft | · | 69°F | 1,089 ft | West Nishnabotna |
|
Turkey River Near Eldorado, Ia
9 hours ago · USGS 05411850 |
2,530 cfs | 8.72 ft | · | 46°F | 897 ft | Turkey |
|
Volga River At Littleport, Ia
9 hours ago · USGS 05412400 |
2,470 cfs | 9.71 ft | · | 46°F | 694 ft | Turkey |
|
Beaver Creek Near Grimes, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05481950 |
2,420 cfs | 10.48 ft | · | 49°F | 829 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05451210 |
2,400 cfs | 10.08 ft | · | 48°F | 963 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Wolf Creek Near Dysart, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05464220 |
2,380 cfs | 7.95 ft | · | 47°F | 835 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Squaw Creek At Ames, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05470500 |
2,300 cfs | 5.94 ft | · | 44°F | 907 ft | South Skunk |
|
Boone River Near Webster City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05481000 |
2,200 cfs | 5.64 ft | 35°F | 48°F | 1,028 ft | Boone |
|
Indian Creek Near Mingo, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05471200 |
2,160 cfs | 9.26 ft | · | 48°F | 827 ft | South Skunk |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli, Ia
9 hours ago · USGS 05420680 |
2,140 cfs | 13.01 ft | · | 44°F | 1,019 ft | Upper Wapsipinicon |
|
Maquoketa River At Manchester, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05416900 |
2,100 cfs | 9.78 ft | · | 46°F | 920 ft | Maquoketa |
|
East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06809210 |
1,880 cfs | 6.82 ft | · | 69°F | 1,109 ft | East Nishnabotna |
|
South River Near Ackworth, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05487470 |
1,820 cfs | 10.70 ft | · | 49°F | 805 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Cedar River At Charles City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05457700 |
1,600 cfs | 4.26 ft | · | 43°F | 977 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Nodaway River At Clarinda, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06817000 |
1,460 cfs | 13.03 ft | · | 71°F | 966 ft | West Nodaway |
|
Chariton River Near Chariton, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06903400 |
1,430 cfs | 14.33 ft | · | 69°F | 968 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Little Sioux River Near Turin, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06607500 |
1,370 cfs | 8.51 ft | · | 70°F | 1,029 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05455100 |
1,320 cfs | 9.49 ft | 46°F | 48°F | 654 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05388250 |
1,230 cfs | 8.30 ft | · | 46°F | 668 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
White Breast Creek Near Dallas, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05487980 |
1,170 cfs | 10.36 ft | · | 45°F | 773 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Cedar Creek Near Bussey, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05489000 |
1,150 cfs | 8.21 ft | · | 49°F | 696 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Big Sioux River At Akron, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06485500 |
1,140 cfs | 6.89 ft | · | 49°F | 1,151 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Des Moines River At Humboldt, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05476750 |
1,050 cfs | 4.89 ft | · | 49°F | 1,066 ft | Upper Des Moines |
|
Boyer River At Logan, Ia
9 hours ago · USGS 06609500 |
1,050 cfs | 6.07 ft | · | 70°F | 1,014 ft | Boyer |
|
North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05418400 |
999 cfs | 5.24 ft | 39°F | 44°F | 689 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Big Bear Creek At Ladora, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05453000 |
963 cfs | 15.23 ft | · | 47°F | 771 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Little Sioux River At Correctionville, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06606600 |
877 cfs | 5.89 ft | · | 68°F | 1,106 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Chariton River Near Moulton, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06904010 |
872 cfs | 23.06 ft | · | 69°F | 847 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Upper Iowa River At Decorah, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05387500 |
839 cfs | 2.65 ft | · | 48°F | 854 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
North Raccoon River Near Sac City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05482300 |
827 cfs | 9.89 ft | 75°F | 49°F | 1,179 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05473450 |
818 cfs | 7.82 ft | · | 44°F | 672 ft | Skunk |
|
Rock River Near Rock Valley, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06483500 |
812 cfs | 6.12 ft | · | 72°F | 1,238 ft | Rock |
|
Yellow River At Ion, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05389000 |
753 cfs | 7.50 ft | · | 46°F | 681 ft | Coon-Yellow |
|
Salt Creek Near Elberon, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05452000 |
752 cfs | 10.22 ft | · | 47°F | 802 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05479000 |
568 cfs | 8.99 ft | · | 49°F | 1,043 ft | East Fork Des Moines |
|
Clear Creek Near Coralville, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05454300 |
554 cfs | 4.79 ft | · | 45°F | 660 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Little Sioux River At Linn Grove, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06605850 |
550 cfs | 6.92 ft | · | 69°F | 1,249 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Upper Iowa River At Bluffton, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05387440 |
540 cfs | 4.13 ft | · | 47°F | 970 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Turkey River At Spillville, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05411600 |
460 cfs | 3.68 ft | · | 44°F | 1,067 ft | Turkey |
|
Fourmile Creek At Des Moines, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05485640 |
436 cfs | 5.30 ft | · | 49°F | 813 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Timber Creek Near Marshalltown, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05451700 |
418 cfs | 6.16 ft | · | 43°F | 862 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Chariton River Near Rathbun, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06903900 |
418 cfs | 4.43 ft | · | 69°F | 855 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Maple River At Mapleton, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06607200 |
385 cfs | 5.45 ft | · | 70°F | 1,114 ft | Maple |
|
Little Cedar River Near Ionia, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05458000 |
363 cfs | 4.75 ft | · | 47°F | 1,000 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Walnut Creek At Des Moines, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05484800 |
345 cfs | 4.93 ft | · | 49°F | 808 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Winnebago River At Mason City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05459500 |
311 cfs | 5.42 ft | · | 47°F | 1,101 ft | Winnebago |
|
Walnut Creek Near Hartwick, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05452200 |
301 cfs | 4.56 ft | · | 47°F | 806 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05485605 |
299 cfs | 4.03 ft | · | 48°F | 911 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Clear Creek Near Oxford, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05454220 |
291 cfs | 5.82 ft | · | 45°F | 722 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Soldier River At Pisgah, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06608500 |
279 cfs | 3.69 ft | · | 70°F | 1,047 ft | Blackbird-Soldier |
|
Floyd River At James, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06600500 |
277 cfs | 8.74 ft | · | 71°F | 1,117 ft | Floyd |
|
Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06602400 |
266 cfs | 5.12 ft | · | 70°F | 1,021 ft | Monona-Harrison Ditch |
|
English Creek Near Knoxville, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05488200 |
257 cfs | 11.54 ft | · | 49°F | 749 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Richland Creek Near Haven, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05451900 |
206 cfs | 12.98 ft | · | 47°F | 817 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06903700 |
204 cfs | 4.76 ft | · | 69°F | 922 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Iowa River Near Rowan, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05449500 |
195 cfs | 4.76 ft | · | 48°F | 1,187 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Ocheyedan River Near Spencer, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06605000 |
193 cfs | 3.13 ft | · | 69°F | 1,317 ft | Little Sioux |
|
East Fork 102 River At Bedford, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06819185 |
191 cfs | 12.03 ft | · | 70°F | 1,084 ft | One Hundred And Two |
|
Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06483290 |
182 cfs | 7.72 ft | · | 71°F | 1,316 ft | Rock |
|
Floyd River At Alton, Ia
8 hours ago · USGS 06600100 |
125 cfs | 6.09 ft | · | 70°F | 1,289 ft | Floyd |
|
Rapid Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05454000 |
111 cfs | 5.24 ft | · | 45°F | 688 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 05389400 |
58 cfs | 4.48 ft | · | 43°F | 634 ft | Coon-Yellow |
About Iowa streamflow
What are river levels like in Iowa right now?
As of October 3, 2026, Iowa rivers are running at 1074% of normal across 116 USGS streamgauges, and the Mississippi River At Clinton is reporting the highest discharge at 49,600 cfs. The full sortable gauge table is below.
Which Iowa river is running highest right now?
As of October 3, 2026, the highest discharge in Iowa is 49,600 cfs on the Mississippi River At Clinton. See the sortable gauge table for the full statewide ranking.
Are Iowa rivers high or low right now?
Compare the statewide percent-of-normal on this page: above 100% means Iowa rivers are running higher than the seasonal average for the date, below 100% means lower (a dry spell or drought). Each gauge also shows its own percent of median.
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.