Iowa River Near Belle Plaine flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Iowa River Near Belle Plaine is flowing at 3,740 cfs with a gage height of 11.48 ft, receding 12% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05452500, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine at a glance
How Iowa River Near Belle Plaine is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine is flowing at 3,740 cfs, with the water sitting 11.48 ft at the gage. Flow is down 12% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05452500 in Iowa. Over the past 10 days the average has been 5,731 cfs, peaking at 7,500 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Iowa River Near Belle Plaine is expected to recede from today's 3740 cfs, toward roughly 3103 cfs by 2026-07-18 (likely range 1290-7467 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.
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine
The river is a major source of water for local municipalities and farmers. The main constituents of the river are sediment, nutrients, and organic matter. There are several tributaries that feed into the river, including the English River and the Cedar River. The river has several dams, including the Coralville Dam, which was built for flood control and hydroelectric power. The flow of the river is affected by seasonal trends, with higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and lower flows in the summer due to decreased precipitation. Interesting fact: The Iowa River was the site of the 2008 floods, which caused significant damage to the surrounding communities.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Iowa River Near Belle Plaine's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Iowa River Near Belle Plaine | 3,740 cfs |
| Walnut Creek Near Hartwick | 24 cfs |
| Salt Creek Near Elberon | 276 cfs |
| Big Bear Creek At Ladora | 127 cfs |
| Richland Creek Near Haven | 23 cfs |
| Iowa River At Marengo | 4,440 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Iowa River Near Belle Plaine. 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 |
|---|---|
| Belle Plaine | 0 in |
| Fairfax 4.0 Nw | 0 in |
| Cedar Rapids 2.5 Wsw | 0 in |
| Coralville 1.4 S | 0 in |
| Cedar Rapids No 1 | 0 in |
| Waterloo 1.9 Sse | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Iowa River Near Belle Plaine.
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 Iowa River Near Belle Plaine in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Iowa River Near Belle Plaine crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Iowa River Near Belle Plaine
Where does the streamflow data for Iowa River Near Belle Plaine come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05452500. 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 Iowa River Near Belle Plaine 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 Iowa River Near Belle Plaine report
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