Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny is flowing at 212 cfs with a gage height of 3.21 ft, receding 13% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05485605, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny at a glance
How Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny is flowing at 212 cfs, with the water sitting 3.21 ft at the gage. Flow is down 13% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05485605 in Iowa. Over the past 10 days the average has been 990 cfs, peaking at 3,570 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny is expected to recede from today's 212 cfs, toward roughly 74 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 19-286 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.
Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny
The primary constituents of the stream are the runoff from the surrounding urban and agricultural areas. The creek has several tributaries, including Spring Creek and Squaw Creek. There are no major dams on the creek. The flow of the creek is influenced by seasonal trends, with higher flows during spring and fall due to increased precipitation. An interesting fact about the creek is that it is known for its quality fishing, with a variety of fish species such as bass, bluegill, and catfish found in its waters.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny | 212 cfs |
| Des Moines River Near Saylorville | 6,220 cfs |
| Fourmile Creek At Des Moines | 118 cfs |
| Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue | 6,450 cfs |
| Beaver Creek Near Grimes | 487 cfs |
| Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines | 9,250 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny. 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 |
|---|---|
| Ankeny 1.5 Nne | 0 in |
| Ankeny | 0 in |
| Des Moines | 0 in |
| Johnston 3.7 Nnw | 0 in |
| Des Moines 3.7 Nw | 0 in |
| Des Moines 5.4 Wnw | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny.
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 Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny
Where does the streamflow data for Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05485605. 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 Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny 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 Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny report
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