Flow report

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.

USGS gauges
117
State percent normal
108%
Paddle runs
0
Updated
Jul 19
Open the Iowa flow layer on the map Every USGS streamgauge filtered to Iowa.
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July
19
2026
Flow briefing

Streamflow levels across Iowa are currently 108% of normal, with the Mississippi River At Clinton reporting the highest discharge in the state at 50,000 cfs and a gauge stage of 10.08 ft.

Meanwhile, the Des Moines River Near Tracy is seeing a spike today — up 14% 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

A Heat Advisory remains in effect for portions of southwest and west central Iowa until July 20 at 10:00 PM CDT, with heat index values expected to reach 105-110 degrees. Residents in affected areas should expect dangerous heat conditions from 10 AM to 10 PM CDT on Monday, with minimal overnight relief as heat index values remain in the mid to upper 70s. Heat-related illnesses are a significant concern during this period. Vulnerable populations, including the elderly, children, and those with medical conditions, should take precautions by staying hydrated, remaining indoors during peak heat hours, and checking on neighbors. It is crucial to never leave children or pets unattended in vehicles and to limit outdoor activities during the hottest parts of the day.

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

108%

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

Highest discharge

Mississippi River At Clinton 50,000 cfs

Gauge stage 10.08 ft

Biggest 24h spike

Des Moines River Near Tracy +14%

Now 4,810 cfs

Network coverage

Gauges + rivers tracked 117 + 0

USGS gauges feeding 0 named rivers in Iowa.

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
6 hours ago · USGS 05420500
48,000 cfs 9.84 ft 85°F 66°F 593 ft Copperas-Duck
Iowa River At Wapello, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05465500
17,700 cfs 17.03 ft 49°F 68°F 554 ft Lower Iowa
Cedar River Near Conesville, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05465000
11,800 cfs 10.14 ft · 67°F 593 ft Lower Cedar
Cedar River At Cedar Rapids, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05464500
9,320 cfs 6.15 ft 62°F 66°F 712 ft Middle Cedar
Skunk River At Augusta, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05474000
6,260 cfs 6.85 ft · 69°F 553 ft Skunk
Des Moines River At Keosauqua, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05490500
5,340 cfs 12.03 ft 88°F 69°F 579 ft Lower Des Moines
Cedar River At Waterloo, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05464000
5,200 cfs 7.02 ft · 65°F 823 ft Middle Cedar
Cedar River At Cedar Falls, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05463050
4,790 cfs 78.70 ft · 64°F 853 ft Middle Cedar
Des Moines River Near Tracy, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05488500
4,780 cfs 4.20 ft · 66°F 676 ft Lower Des Moines
Des Moines River At Ottumwa, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05489500
4,440 cfs 2.95 ft 88°F 68°F 635 ft Lower Des Moines
Des Moines River Near Pella, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05488110
4,060 cfs 86.07 ft 85°F 66°F 689 ft Lower Des Moines
Iowa River Near Lone Tree, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05455700
3,740 cfs 7.99 ft · 67°F 601 ft Lower Iowa
Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05485500
3,220 cfs 11.34 ft · 67°F 779 ft Lake Red Rock
Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05453520
2,800 cfs 51.32 ft · 66°F 669 ft Middle Iowa
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05422000
2,780 cfs 8.55 ft · 67°F 646 ft Lower Wapsipinicon
Iowa River At Iowa City, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05454500
2,750 cfs 12.30 ft · 67°F 643 ft Lower Iowa
Iowa River At Marengo, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05453100
2,590 cfs 9.55 ft · 64°F 729 ft Middle Iowa
Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05482000
2,540 cfs 14.16 ft 32°F 67°F 808 ft Middle Des Moines
South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05471500
2,430 cfs 12.35 ft · 66°F 692 ft South Skunk
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05452500
2,250 cfs 9.34 ft · 64°F 748 ft Middle Iowa
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05421740
2,040 cfs 7.30 ft · 65°F 779 ft Lower Wapsipinicon
Cedar River At Janesville, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05458500
2,020 cfs 2.81 ft · 63°F 859 ft Upper Cedar
Des Moines River Near Saylorville, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05481650
1,890 cfs 4.04 ft · 66°F 819 ft Middle Des Moines
Cedar River At Waverly, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05458300
1,650 cfs 5.04 ft 80°F 63°F 895 ft Upper Cedar
Des Moines River Near Stratford, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05481300
1,590 cfs 6.31 ft · 64°F 902 ft Middle Des Moines
Shell Rock River At Shell Rock, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05462000
1,480 cfs 8.77 ft · 63°F 882 ft Shell Rock
Big Sioux River At Akron, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06485500
1,480 cfs 7.01 ft · 66°F 1,151 ft Lower Big Sioux
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05418500
1,430 cfs 11.95 ft · 66°F 646 ft Maquoketa
Des Moines River At Fort Dodge, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05480500
1,270 cfs 4.51 ft · 63°F 974 ft Middle Des Moines
Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06810000
1,090 cfs 9.28 ft · 76°F 904 ft Nishnabotna
Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05388250
1,070 cfs 8.11 ft · 63°F 668 ft Upper Iowa
Turkey River At Garber, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05412500
1,070 cfs 7.43 ft 80°F 65°F 646 ft Turkey
Raccoon River Near West Des Moines, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05484600
1,040 cfs 27.51 ft · 70°F 844 ft North Raccoon
Little Sioux River Near Turin, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06607500
1,020 cfs 8.03 ft · 72°F 1,029 ft Little Sioux
Iowa River At Marshalltown, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05451500
988 cfs 11.31 ft · 63°F 853 ft Middle Iowa
Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05484650
918 cfs 21.16 ft · 68°F 797 ft North Raccoon
Raccoon River At Van Meter, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05484500
890 cfs 3.48 ft 32°F 67°F 862 ft North Raccoon
Cedar River At Charles City, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05457700
864 cfs 3.31 ft · 63°F 977 ft Upper Cedar
South Skunk River At Colfax, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05471050
853 cfs 9.25 ft · 65°F 793 ft South Skunk
West Fork Cedar River At Finchford, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05458900
840 cfs 8.30 ft · 63°F 859 ft West Fork Cedar
Wapsipinicon River At Independence, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05421000
814 cfs 5.59 ft · 64°F 889 ft Upper Wapsipinicon
Raccoon River At Fleur Drive, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05484900
810 cfs 2.32 ft · 68°F 797 ft North Raccoon
Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05412020
774 cfs 6.05 ft · 64°F 726 ft Turkey
Upper Iowa River At Decorah, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05387500
760 cfs 2.56 ft · 63°F 854 ft Upper Iowa
Little Sioux River At Correctionville, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06606600
693 cfs 5.57 ft · 65°F 1,106 ft Little Sioux
Upper Iowa River At Bluffton, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05387440
599 cfs 4.24 ft · 63°F 970 ft Upper Iowa
Des Moines River At Humboldt, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05476750
597 cfs 4.09 ft · 62°F 1,066 ft Upper Des Moines
West Nishnabotna River At Randolph, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06808500
594 cfs 8.55 ft 84°F 75°F 956 ft West Nishnabotna
East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05479000
462 cfs 8.61 ft · 62°F 1,043 ft East Fork Des Moines
North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05418400
438 cfs 3.52 ft 39°F 66°F 689 ft Maquoketa
South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05471000
410 cfs 11.29 ft · 64°F 872 ft South Skunk
North Raccoon River Near Jefferson, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05482500
387 cfs 5.42 ft 37°F 64°F 978 ft North Raccoon
Turkey River Near Eldorado, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05411850
379 cfs 5.75 ft · 63°F 897 ft Turkey
Little Sioux River At Linn Grove, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06605850
370 cfs 6.18 ft · 61°F 1,249 ft Little Sioux
North Skunk River Near Sigourney, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05472500
355 cfs 5.52 ft · 66°F 664 ft North Skunk
Floyd River At James, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06600500
326 cfs 8.96 ft · 66°F 1,117 ft Floyd
Volga River At Littleport, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05412400
304 cfs 5.26 ft · 67°F 694 ft Turkey
Rock River Near Rock Valley, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06483500
280 cfs 5.01 ft · 64°F 1,238 ft Rock
Wolf Creek Near Dysart, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05464220
278 cfs 3.24 ft · 64°F 835 ft Middle Cedar
Boyer River At Logan, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06609500
275 cfs 3.96 ft · 69°F 1,014 ft Boyer
Maquoketa River At Manchester, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05416900
265 cfs 4.55 ft · 64°F 920 ft Maquoketa
Indian Creek Near Mingo, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05471200
254 cfs 4.45 ft · 65°F 827 ft South Skunk
Black Hawk Creek At Hudson, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05463500
253 cfs 6.87 ft · 64°F 897 ft Middle Cedar
Little Cedar River Near Ionia, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05458000
248 cfs 4.37 ft · 63°F 1,000 ft Upper Cedar
East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06809500
229 cfs 5.96 ft · 71°F 1,013 ft East Nishnabotna
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05420680
226 cfs 8.38 ft · 63°F 1,019 ft Upper Wapsipinicon
Beaver Creek At New Hartford, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05463000
216 cfs 2.76 ft · 63°F 890 ft Middle Cedar
West Nishnabotna River At Hancock, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06807410
196 cfs 2.31 ft · 70°F 1,089 ft West Nishnabotna
Boone River Near Webster City, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05481000
194 cfs 2.27 ft 35°F 63°F 1,028 ft Boone
South Skunk River Near Ames, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05470000
180 cfs 3.67 ft · 64°F 928 ft South Skunk
Squaw Creek At Ames, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05470500
178 cfs 2.13 ft · 65°F 907 ft South Skunk
South Raccoon River At Redfield, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05484000
177 cfs 2.64 ft 32°F 66°F 917 ft South Raccoon
Iowa River Near Rowan, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05449500
175 cfs 4.52 ft · 63°F 1,187 ft Upper Iowa
Salt Creek Near Elberon, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05452000
162 cfs 6.82 ft · 66°F 802 ft Middle Iowa
English River At Kalona, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05455500
162 cfs 4.49 ft · 66°F 655 ft Lower Iowa
Maple River At Mapleton, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06607200
160 cfs 4.72 ft · 70°F 1,114 ft Maple
Nodaway River At Clarinda, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 06817000
158 cfs 10.80 ft · 75°F 966 ft West Nodaway
Winnebago River At Mason City, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05459500
149 cfs 5.03 ft · 62°F 1,101 ft Winnebago
North Raccoon River Near Sac City, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05482300
142 cfs 7.09 ft 75°F 63°F 1,179 ft North Raccoon
Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06602400
133 cfs 5.01 ft · 72°F 1,021 ft Monona-Harrison Ditch
Yellow River At Ion, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05389000
128 cfs 5.80 ft · 64°F 681 ft Coon-Yellow
Beaver Creek Near Grimes, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05481950
116 cfs 3.84 ft · 66°F 829 ft Middle Des Moines
Timber Creek Near Marshalltown, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05451700
109 cfs 3.32 ft · 63°F 862 ft Middle Iowa
Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05485605
108 cfs 2.47 ft · 66°F 911 ft Lake Red Rock
North River Near Norwalk, Ia
4 hours ago · USGS 05486000
105 cfs 6.07 ft · 89°F 811 ft Lake Red Rock
Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05455100
103 cfs 2.47 ft 46°F 66°F 654 ft Lower Iowa
East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06809210
103 cfs 2.65 ft · 69°F 1,109 ft East Nishnabotna
Big Bear Creek At Ladora, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05453000
94 cfs 11.35 ft · 64°F 771 ft Middle Iowa
Turkey River At Spillville, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05411600
92 cfs 2.46 ft · 63°F 1,067 ft Turkey
Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05473400
90 cfs 3.11 ft · 67°F 590 ft Skunk
Middle Raccoon River At Panora, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05483600
85 cfs 4.28 ft 35°F 66°F 997 ft South Raccoon
South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05451210
80 cfs 2.87 ft · 63°F 963 ft Upper Iowa
Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05483450
76 cfs 9.22 ft · 66°F 1,054 ft South Raccoon
Ocheyedan River Near Spencer, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 06605000
76 cfs 2.39 ft · 61°F 1,317 ft Little Sioux
Chariton River Near Moulton, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06904010
69 cfs 18.65 ft · 70°F 847 ft Upper Chariton
Soldier River At Pisgah, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06608500
63 cfs 2.81 ft · 69°F 1,047 ft Blackbird-Soldier
Middle River Near Indianola, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05486490
61 cfs 7.33 ft · 67°F 794 ft Lake Red Rock
Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 06483290
49 cfs 6.89 ft · 63°F 1,316 ft Rock
Floyd River At Alton, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06600100
38 cfs 5.63 ft · 63°F 1,289 ft Floyd
Fourmile Creek At Des Moines, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05485640
38 cfs 3.83 ft · 66°F 813 ft Lake Red Rock
Clear Creek Near Coralville, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05454300
37 cfs 1.15 ft · 66°F 660 ft Lower Iowa
South River Near Ackworth, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05487470
34 cfs 4.81 ft · 67°F 805 ft Lake Red Rock
Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05389400
32 cfs 4.22 ft · 67°F 634 ft Coon-Yellow
Thompson River At Davis City, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06898000
29 cfs 1.07 ft · 74°F 910 ft Thompson
Walnut Creek At Des Moines, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05484800
27 cfs 3.35 ft · 68°F 808 ft North Raccoon
Chariton River Near Chariton, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06903400
24 cfs 4.13 ft · 68°F 968 ft Upper Chariton
Clear Creek Near Oxford, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05454220
21 cfs 2.05 ft · 66°F 722 ft Lower Iowa
Walnut Creek Near Hartwick, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05452200
19 cfs 1.13 ft · 66°F 806 ft Middle Iowa
Chariton River Near Rathbun, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06903900
16 cfs 2.24 ft · 70°F 855 ft Upper Chariton
Cedar Creek Near Bussey, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05489000
16 cfs 4.49 ft · 67°F 696 ft Lower Des Moines
Richland Creek Near Haven, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05451900
15 cfs 10.59 ft · 63°F 817 ft Middle Iowa
Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05473450
10 cfs 3.31 ft · 67°F 672 ft Skunk
White Breast Creek Near Dallas, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05487980
10 cfs 6.00 ft · 67°F 773 ft Lake Red Rock
Rapid Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 05454000
8 cfs 3.92 ft · 67°F 688 ft Lower Iowa
East Fork 102 River At Bedford, Ia
7 hours ago · USGS 06819185
4 cfs 10.72 ft · 71°F 1,084 ft One Hundred And Two
English Creek Near Knoxville, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 05488200
4 cfs 8.05 ft · 67°F 749 ft Lower Des Moines
South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City, Ia
6 hours ago · USGS 06903700
3 cfs 2.98 ft · 69°F 922 ft Upper Chariton
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Flow report FAQ

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.