Little Cedar River Near Ionia flow report
As of July 15, 2026, Little Cedar River Near Ionia is flowing at 492 cfs with a gage height of 5.13 ft, receding 24% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05458000, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Little Cedar River Near Ionia at a glance
How Little Cedar River Near Ionia is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Little Cedar River Near Ionia is flowing at 492 cfs, with the water sitting 5.13 ft at the gage. Flow is down 24% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05458000 in Iowa. Over the past 10 days the average has been 1,499 cfs, peaking at 4,680 cfs.
For real-time updates and historical context, see the realtime view or the historical comparison. Browse other gauges in the Iowa flow report.
Engineering Data
Flow-duration statistics and observed peak-flow context computed from this gauge’s complete daily record (USGS #05458000).
Percentiles are flow-duration values computed from this gauge’s observed daily record as archived by Snoflo. Return periods are Weibull plotting-position estimates from observed annual maxima, provided as general reference context only. Always verify against official USGS NWIS records. Part of Snoflo for Engineering.
Streamflow Forecast
Over the next 5 days, Little Cedar River Near Ionia is expected to recede from today's 492 cfs, toward roughly 358 cfs by 2026-07-20 (likely range 122-1054 cfs) -- about normal for the date.
Powered by PULSE — Snoflo’s forecast engine, trained on this gauge’s full record of storms, snowmelt, and dry spells.
| Date | Expected (p50) | Likely range (p25–p75) | vs normal | Projected stage |
|---|
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.
Little Cedar River Near Ionia
The river is fed by precipitation and nearby tributaries such as the Wapsipinicon River. There are no significant dams on the river, but seasonal trends show that the flow increases in the spring due to snowmelt and precipitation. Interestingly, the hydrology of the river has been impacted by human activity, such as agriculture and urbanization. Nonetheless, the Little Cedar River remains an important source of water and habitat for aquatic life in the region.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Little Cedar River Near Ionia's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Little Cedar River Near Ionia | 492 cfs |
| Cedar River At Charles City | 2,140 cfs |
| Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli | 1,000 cfs |
| Cedar River At Waverly | 3,950 cfs |
| Shell Rock River At Shell Rock | 2,220 cfs |
| Cedar River At Janesville | 4,240 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Little Cedar River Near Ionia. 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 |
|---|---|
| Charles City | 0 in |
| Elma Iowa | 0 in |
| Allison | 0 in |
| Waterloo Municipal Airport | 0 in |
| Waterloo Snow | 1 in |
| Cedar Falls 0.4 Wnw | 0 in |
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 Little Cedar River Near Ionia in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Little Cedar River Near Ionia crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Little Cedar River Near Ionia
Where does the streamflow data for Little Cedar River Near Ionia come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05458000. 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 Little Cedar River Near Ionia 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 Little Cedar River Near Ionia report
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