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Flow report

Iowa River Levels & Streamflow

As of Sep 2, 2026, Iowa rivers are running at 85% of normal across 117 USGS gauges — the highest is 32,400 cfs on the Mississippi River At Clinton. Live discharge, gauge height, and percent-of-normal for every USGS streamgauge in Iowa.

USGS gauges
117
State percent normal
85%
Paddle runs
0
Updated
Sep 2
Open the Iowa flow layer on the map Every USGS streamgauge filtered to Iowa.
Open the map →
September
2
2026
Flow briefing

Streamflow levels across Iowa are currently 85% of normal, with the Mississippi River At Clinton reporting the highest discharge in the state at 32,400 cfs and a gauge stage of 9.18 ft.

Meanwhile, the Mississippi River At Clinton is seeing a spike today — up 6% 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

# Iowa Natural Disaster Report

Iowa is currently experiencing a dangerous heat event affecting multiple regions across the state. Heat Advisories are in effect through Thursday evening, September 3rd at 7:00 PM CDT, with heat index values reaching 102-103°F across central, south-central, northeast, and southwest Iowa, including the Des Moines metro area. An Extreme Heat Warning has been issued for southeast Iowa through Friday evening, with heat indices potentially reaching 105°F. The primary concern is the prolonged duration of excessive heat combined with minimal overnight relief, with warm lows between 75-80°F, creating cumulative heat stress. Residents throughout affected areas should take precautions against heat-related illnesses, stay hydrated, limit outdoor activities during peak heat hours, and check on vulnerable populations. The National Weather Service indicates these warnings may be extended as the heatwave continues.

Source: National Weather Service

Iowa at a glance

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

85%

100% is the historical norm. Below 70% indicates drought; above 130% can flag elevated flood risk.

Highest discharge

Mississippi River At Clinton 32,400 cfs

Gauge stage 9.18 ft

Biggest 24h spike

Mississippi River At Clinton +6%

Now 32,400 cfs

Network coverage

Gauges + rivers tracked 117 + 0

USGS gauges feeding 0 named rivers in Iowa.

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.

State average 85%
0% 50% 100% · normal 150% 200%+
Much below normalunder 50% Below normal50–90% Near normal90–110% Above normal110–150% Much above normalover 150%

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 Aug 2023. The dotted line is normal.

85% of normal today
-41pts vs this day last year (126%)
287of 366 days below normal, past year
364% 3-year peak · Aug 2026 · above the axis
50% 100% normal 150% 200% 250%
Aug 2023 202420252026 Sep 2, 2026

799 daily readings from 117 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%: 32 readings above that — including the 364% peak in Aug 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.

Full streamgauge inventory

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.

117 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow Gage height Water temp Air temp Elevation Watershed
Mississippi River At Clinton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05420500
27,900 cfs 9.05 ft 79°F 73°F 593 ft Copperas-Duck
Iowa River At Wapello, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05465500
5,640 cfs 12.90 ft 49°F 74°F 554 ft Lower Iowa
Cedar River Near Conesville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05465000
4,130 cfs 6.97 ft · 73°F 593 ft Lower Cedar
Cedar River At Cedar Rapids, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05464500
3,050 cfs 4.21 ft 62°F 73°F 712 ft Middle Cedar
Cedar River At Waterloo, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05464000
2,170 cfs 6.02 ft · 71°F 823 ft Middle Cedar
Des Moines River Near Tracy, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05488500
1,790 cfs 3.02 ft · 75°F 676 ft Lower Des Moines
Cedar River At Cedar Falls, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05463050
1,780 cfs 78.70 ft · 71°F 853 ft Middle Cedar
Des Moines River At Keosauqua, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05490500
1,740 cfs 10.60 ft 82°F 75°F 579 ft Lower Des Moines
Des Moines River At Ottumwa, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05489500
1,440 cfs 1.77 ft 82°F 76°F 635 ft Lower Des Moines
Iowa River Near Lone Tree, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05455700
1,370 cfs 5.53 ft · 73°F 601 ft Lower Iowa
Des Moines River Near Pella, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05488110
1,360 cfs 83.93 ft 77°F 76°F 689 ft Lower Des Moines
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05422000
1,150 cfs 6.55 ft · 73°F 646 ft Lower Wapsipinicon
Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05453520
1,110 cfs 49.95 ft · 75°F 669 ft Middle Iowa
Iowa River At Iowa City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454500
1,060 cfs 10.53 ft · 73°F 643 ft Lower Iowa
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05418500
1,030 cfs 11.28 ft · 72°F 646 ft Maquoketa
Skunk River At Augusta, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05474000
996 cfs 2.50 ft · 75°F 553 ft Skunk
Iowa River At Marengo, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05453100
891 cfs 7.16 ft · 73°F 729 ft Middle Iowa
Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05485500
871 cfs 9.20 ft · 79°F 779 ft Lake Red Rock
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05421740
816 cfs 5.57 ft · 73°F 779 ft Lower Wapsipinicon
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05452500
791 cfs 6.77 ft · 73°F 748 ft Middle Iowa
Cedar River At Janesville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05458500
770 cfs 1.63 ft · 74°F 859 ft Upper Cedar
Shell Rock River At Shell Rock, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05462000
705 cfs 8.11 ft · 70°F 882 ft Shell Rock
Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06810000
653 cfs 8.18 ft · 76°F 904 ft Nishnabotna
South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471500
648 cfs 9.38 ft · 77°F 692 ft South Skunk
Cedar River At Waverly, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05458300
539 cfs 4.97 ft 75°F 70°F 895 ft Upper Cedar
Turkey River At Garber, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05412500
501 cfs 6.57 ft 75°F 74°F 646 ft Turkey
Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05482000
484 cfs 14.96 ft 32°F 79°F 808 ft Middle Des Moines
Des Moines River Near Stratford, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05481300
428 cfs 5.06 ft · 70°F 902 ft Middle Des Moines
Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05412020
401 cfs 5.51 ft · 71°F 726 ft Turkey
Des Moines River Near Saylorville, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05481650
377 cfs 2.11 ft · 78°F 819 ft Middle Des Moines
Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05484650
366 cfs 20.11 ft · 79°F 797 ft North Raccoon
Cedar River At Charles City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05457700
361 cfs 2.44 ft · 69°F 977 ft Upper Cedar
Big Sioux River At Akron, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06485500
358 cfs 4.45 ft · 67°F 1,151 ft Lower Big Sioux
Wapsipinicon River At Independence, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05421000
340 cfs 5.04 ft · 71°F 889 ft Upper Wapsipinicon
North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05418400
327 cfs 3.12 ft 39°F 72°F 689 ft Maquoketa
Raccoon River At Van Meter, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05484500
314 cfs 2.49 ft 32°F 78°F 862 ft North Raccoon
Raccoon River Near West Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484600
311 cfs 26.24 ft · 79°F 844 ft North Raccoon
Little Sioux River Near Turin, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06607500
309 cfs 6.55 ft · 72°F 1,029 ft Little Sioux
West Nishnabotna River At Randolph, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06808500
281 cfs 7.93 ft 80°F 80°F 956 ft West Nishnabotna
Raccoon River At Fleur Drive, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484900
270 cfs · · 79°F 797 ft North Raccoon
Iowa River At Marshalltown, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451500
260 cfs 9.88 ft · 73°F 853 ft Middle Iowa
Turkey River Near Eldorado, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05411850
231 cfs 5.38 ft · 69°F 897 ft Turkey
West Fork Cedar River At Finchford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05458900
230 cfs 6.61 ft · 74°F 859 ft West Fork Cedar
South Skunk River At Colfax, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471050
219 cfs 8.07 ft · 75°F 793 ft South Skunk
Des Moines River At Fort Dodge, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05480500
189 cfs 3.49 ft · 69°F 974 ft Middle Des Moines
Upper Iowa River At Bluffton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05387440
179 cfs 3.31 ft · 69°F 970 ft Upper Iowa
Upper Iowa River At Decorah, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05387500
177 cfs 1.79 ft · 69°F 854 ft Upper Iowa
Maquoketa River At Manchester, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05416900
167 cfs 4.20 ft · 72°F 920 ft Maquoketa
East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06809500
167 cfs 5.81 ft · 80°F 1,013 ft East Nishnabotna
Volga River At Littleport, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05412400
163 cfs 4.75 ft · 74°F 694 ft Turkey
South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471000
161 cfs 10.54 ft · 72°F 872 ft South Skunk
Boyer River At Logan, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06609500
134 cfs 3.47 ft · 73°F 1,014 ft Boyer
Wolf Creek Near Dysart, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05464220
124 cfs 2.80 ft · 71°F 835 ft Middle Cedar
North Skunk River Near Sigourney, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05472500
120 cfs 4.05 ft · 73°F 664 ft North Skunk
Black Hawk Creek At Hudson, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05463500
120 cfs 5.83 ft · 74°F 897 ft Middle Cedar
North River Near Norwalk, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05486000
116 cfs 6.48 ft · 79°F 811 ft Lake Red Rock
Middle River Near Indianola, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05486490
109 cfs 7.47 ft · 77°F 794 ft Lake Red Rock
South Skunk River Near Ames, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05470000
106 cfs 3.17 ft · 72°F 928 ft South Skunk
South Raccoon River At Redfield, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484000
106 cfs 2.29 ft 32°F 77°F 917 ft South Raccoon
Squaw Creek At Ames, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05470500
104 cfs 1.68 ft · 72°F 907 ft South Skunk
Salt Creek Near Elberon, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05452000
103 cfs 6.21 ft · 73°F 802 ft Middle Iowa
Beaver Creek At New Hartford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05463000
100 cfs 1.92 ft · 74°F 890 ft Middle Cedar
West Nishnabotna River At Hancock, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06807410
97 cfs 1.82 ft · 73°F 1,089 ft West Nishnabotna
Yellow River At Ion, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05389000
93 cfs 5.58 ft · 70°F 681 ft Coon-Yellow
Little Sioux River At Correctionville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06606600
91 cfs 4.42 ft · 70°F 1,106 ft Little Sioux
Winnebago River At Mason City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05459500
87 cfs 4.65 ft · 66°F 1,101 ft Winnebago
Little Sioux River At Linn Grove, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06605850
85 cfs 4.54 ft · 67°F 1,249 ft Little Sioux
Floyd River At James, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06600500
84 cfs 7.88 ft · 69°F 1,117 ft Floyd
Maple River At Mapleton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06607200
83 cfs 4.27 ft · 71°F 1,114 ft Maple
Little Cedar River Near Ionia, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05458000
80 cfs 3.45 ft · 69°F 1,000 ft Upper Cedar
Des Moines River At Humboldt, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05476750
80 cfs 2.81 ft · 71°F 1,066 ft Upper Des Moines
Rock River Near Rock Valley, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06483500
79 cfs 4.22 ft · 66°F 1,238 ft Rock
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05420680
77 cfs 7.24 ft · 69°F 1,019 ft Upper Wapsipinicon
East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06809210
77 cfs 2.47 ft · 76°F 1,109 ft East Nishnabotna
English River At Kalona, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05455500
73 cfs 3.80 ft · 73°F 655 ft Lower Iowa
Indian Creek Near Mingo, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05471200
73 cfs 3.39 ft · 77°F 827 ft South Skunk
Soldier River At Pisgah, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06608500
63 cfs 2.61 ft · 75°F 1,047 ft Blackbird-Soldier
Fourmile Creek At Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05485640
62 cfs 3.85 ft · 78°F 813 ft Lake Red Rock
South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451210
59 cfs 2.43 ft · 74°F 963 ft Upper Iowa
Beaver Creek Near Grimes, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05481950
58 cfs 3.12 ft · 78°F 829 ft Middle Des Moines
Nodaway River At Clarinda, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 06817000
57 cfs 10.56 ft · 80°F 966 ft West Nodaway
Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 06483290
57 cfs 7.04 ft · 65°F 1,316 ft Rock
Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06602400
55 cfs 4.54 ft · 72°F 1,021 ft Monona-Harrison Ditch
Boone River Near Webster City, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05481000
53 cfs 1.83 ft 35°F 73°F 1,028 ft Boone
Thompson River At Davis City, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 06898000
51 cfs · · 74°F 910 ft Thompson
North Raccoon River Near Jefferson, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05482500
50 cfs 4.70 ft 37°F 75°F 978 ft North Raccoon
East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05479000
42 cfs 7.45 ft · 71°F 1,043 ft East Fork Des Moines
Middle Raccoon River At Panora, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05483600
41 cfs 4.06 ft 35°F 73°F 997 ft South Raccoon
Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05485605
41 cfs 2.12 ft · 75°F 911 ft Lake Red Rock
Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05455100
39 cfs 1.76 ft 46°F 73°F 654 ft Lower Iowa
Turkey River At Spillville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05411600
39 cfs 2.03 ft · 69°F 1,067 ft Turkey
Iowa River Near Rowan, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05449500
36 cfs 3.50 ft · 72°F 1,187 ft Upper Iowa
Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05473400
35 cfs 3.06 ft · 73°F 590 ft Skunk
Big Bear Creek At Ladora, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05453000
29 cfs 10.72 ft · 76°F 771 ft Middle Iowa
Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05483450
28 cfs 8.75 ft · 76°F 1,054 ft South Raccoon
North Raccoon River Near Sac City, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05482300
26 cfs 6.55 ft 75°F 72°F 1,179 ft North Raccoon
South River Near Ackworth, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05487470
26 cfs 4.83 ft · 77°F 805 ft Lake Red Rock
Floyd River At Alton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06600100
21 cfs 5.28 ft · 67°F 1,289 ft Floyd
Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05388250
21 cfs 6.21 ft · 69°F 668 ft Upper Iowa
Timber Creek Near Marshalltown, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451700
20 cfs 2.03 ft · 73°F 862 ft Middle Iowa
Cedar Creek Near Bussey, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05489000
20 cfs 4.54 ft · 78°F 696 ft Lower Des Moines
Chariton River Near Moulton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06904010
18 cfs 18.23 ft · 75°F 847 ft Upper Chariton
Ocheyedan River Near Spencer, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06605000
17 cfs 1.60 ft · 67°F 1,317 ft Little Sioux
Chariton River Near Rathbun, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06903900
16 cfs 2.29 ft · 75°F 855 ft Upper Chariton
Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05389400
14 cfs 4.07 ft · 70°F 634 ft Coon-Yellow
Clear Creek Near Coralville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454300
13 cfs · · 76°F 660 ft Lower Iowa
White Breast Creek Near Dallas, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05487980
12 cfs 6.03 ft · 76°F 773 ft Lake Red Rock
Walnut Creek At Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484800
9 cfs 3.35 ft · 79°F 808 ft North Raccoon
Walnut Creek Near Hartwick, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05452200
8 cfs · · 74°F 806 ft Middle Iowa
Clear Creek Near Oxford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454220
7 cfs 1.59 ft · 73°F 722 ft Lower Iowa
Richland Creek Near Haven, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451900
5 cfs 10.19 ft · 74°F 817 ft Middle Iowa
Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05473450
5 cfs 3.24 ft · 73°F 672 ft Skunk
South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06903700
5 cfs 3.01 ft · 75°F 922 ft Upper Chariton
Chariton River Near Chariton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06903400
4 cfs 4.18 ft · 75°F 968 ft Upper Chariton
Rapid Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05454000
4 cfs 3.80 ft · 75°F 688 ft Lower Iowa
English Creek Near Knoxville, Ia
13 hours ago · USGS 05488200
3 cfs 7.97 ft · 79°F 749 ft Lower Des Moines
East Fork 102 River At Bedford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 06819185
1 cfs 10.66 ft · 75°F 1,084 ft One Hundred And Two
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Flow report FAQ

About Iowa streamflow

What are river levels like in Iowa right now?

As of September 2, 2026, Iowa rivers are running at 85% of normal across 117 USGS streamgauges, and the Mississippi River At Clinton is reporting the highest discharge at 32,400 cfs. The full sortable gauge table is below.

Which Iowa river is running highest right now?

As of September 2, 2026, the highest discharge in Iowa is 32,400 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.