Iowa River Levels & Streamflow
As of Aug 2, 2026, Iowa rivers are running at 72% of normal across 117 USGS gauges — the highest is 36,800 cfs on the Mississippi River At Clinton. Live discharge, gauge height, and percent-of-normal for every USGS streamgauge in Iowa.
Streamflow levels across Iowa are currently 72% of normal, with the Mississippi River At Clinton reporting the highest discharge in the state at 36,800 cfs and a gauge stage of 8.90 ft.
Meanwhile, the South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames is seeing a spike today — up 50% 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.
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
100% is the historical norm. Below 70% indicates drought; above 130% can flag elevated flood risk.
Highest discharge
Gauge stage 8.90 ft
Biggest 24h spike
Now 334 cfs
Network coverage
USGS gauges feeding 0 named rivers in Iowa.
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.
| Streamgage | Streamflow | Gage height | Water temp | Air temp | Elevation | Watershed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Mississippi River At Clinton, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05420500 |
36,000 cfs | 9.09 ft | 78°F | 68°F | 593 ft | Copperas-Duck |
|
Iowa River At Wapello, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05465500 |
8,500 cfs | 14.12 ft | 49°F | 69°F | 554 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Cedar River Near Conesville, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05465000 |
7,440 cfs | 8.53 ft | · | 69°F | 593 ft | Lower Cedar |
|
Cedar River At Cedar Rapids, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05464500 |
6,250 cfs | 5.24 ft | 62°F | 64°F | 712 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Cedar River At Waterloo, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05464000 |
3,970 cfs | 6.65 ft | · | 62°F | 823 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Des Moines River Near Tracy, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05488500 |
3,660 cfs | 3.81 ft | · | 63°F | 676 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Des Moines River Near Pella, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05488110 |
3,560 cfs | 85.75 ft | 80°F | 63°F | 689 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Des Moines River At Keosauqua, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05490500 |
3,470 cfs | 11.37 ft | 80°F | 68°F | 579 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Cedar River At Cedar Falls, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05463050 |
3,240 cfs | 78.70 ft | · | 62°F | 853 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05418500 |
2,500 cfs | 13.40 ft | · | 64°F | 646 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Turkey River At Garber, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05412500 |
2,390 cfs | 8.94 ft | 67°F | 62°F | 646 ft | Turkey |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05421740 |
2,330 cfs | 7.89 ft | · | 66°F | 779 ft | Lower Wapsipinicon |
|
Iowa River Near Lone Tree, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05455700 |
2,090 cfs | 6.39 ft | · | 69°F | 601 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Des Moines River At Ottumwa, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05489500 |
2,050 cfs | 2.25 ft | 80°F | 64°F | 635 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05485500 |
1,920 cfs | 10.10 ft | · | 63°F | 779 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05422000 |
1,860 cfs | 7.54 ft | · | 68°F | 646 ft | Lower Wapsipinicon |
|
Skunk River At Augusta, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05474000 |
1,640 cfs | 3.16 ft | · | 66°F | 553 ft | Skunk |
|
Maquoketa River At Manchester, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05416900 |
1,600 cfs | 8.68 ft | · | 62°F | 920 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Iowa River At Marengo, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05453100 |
1,510 cfs | 8.09 ft | · | 63°F | 729 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Iowa River At Iowa City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05454500 |
1,450 cfs | 10.98 ft | · | 68°F | 643 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05452500 |
1,410 cfs | 7.92 ft | · | 63°F | 748 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05453520 |
1,340 cfs | 50.16 ft | · | 65°F | 669 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Cedar River At Janesville, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05458500 |
1,290 cfs | 2.16 ft | · | 64°F | 859 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05482000 |
1,250 cfs | 15.39 ft | 32°F | 63°F | 808 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05471500 |
1,020 cfs | 10.72 ft | · | 63°F | 692 ft | South Skunk |
|
Cedar River At Waverly, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05458300 |
1,020 cfs | 5.07 ft | 71°F | 61°F | 895 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Shell Rock River At Shell Rock, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05462000 |
1,010 cfs | 8.40 ft | · | 64°F | 882 ft | Shell Rock |
|
Des Moines River Near Saylorville, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05481650 |
1,010 cfs | 3.03 ft | · | 62°F | 819 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06810000 |
949 cfs | 8.95 ft | · | 63°F | 904 ft | Nishnabotna |
|
North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05418400 |
939 cfs | 5.03 ft | 39°F | 64°F | 689 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Volga River At Littleport, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05412400 |
853 cfs | 6.75 ft | · | 62°F | 694 ft | Turkey |
|
Wapsipinicon River At Independence, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05421000 |
814 cfs | 5.57 ft | · | 63°F | 889 ft | Upper Wapsipinicon |
|
Des Moines River Near Stratford, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05481300 |
764 cfs | 5.45 ft | · | 63°F | 902 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05412020 |
750 cfs | 6.19 ft | · | 64°F | 726 ft | Turkey |
|
Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05388250 |
680 cfs | 7.57 ft | · | 63°F | 668 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Des Moines River At Fort Dodge, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05480500 |
639 cfs | 3.91 ft | · | 62°F | 974 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Cedar River At Charles City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05457700 |
627 cfs | 2.92 ft | · | 63°F | 977 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
South Skunk River At Colfax, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05471050 |
616 cfs | 8.77 ft | · | 63°F | 793 ft | South Skunk |
|
Big Sioux River At Akron, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06485500 |
600 cfs | 5.24 ft | · | 63°F | 1,151 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Little Sioux River Near Turin, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06607500 |
589 cfs | 7.25 ft | · | 60°F | 1,029 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Iowa River At Marshalltown, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05451500 |
577 cfs | 10.58 ft | · | 61°F | 853 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
West Fork Cedar River At Finchford, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05458900 |
561 cfs | 7.58 ft | · | 61°F | 859 ft | West Fork Cedar |
|
West Nishnabotna River At Randolph, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06808500 |
540 cfs | 8.42 ft | 72°F | 63°F | 956 ft | West Nishnabotna |
|
Raccoon River At Fleur Drive, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05484900 |
528 cfs | 1.37 ft | · | 63°F | 797 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05484650 |
527 cfs | 20.42 ft | · | 63°F | 797 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Upper Iowa River At Decorah, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05387500 |
481 cfs | 2.26 ft | · | 63°F | 854 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Wolf Creek Near Dysart, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05464220 |
465 cfs | 3.70 ft | · | 63°F | 835 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Raccoon River Near West Des Moines, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05484600 |
464 cfs | 26.54 ft | · | 62°F | 844 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Raccoon River At Van Meter, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05484500 |
447 cfs | 2.74 ft | 32°F | 62°F | 862 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Turkey River Near Eldorado, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05411850 |
391 cfs | 5.83 ft | · | 63°F | 897 ft | Turkey |
|
Upper Iowa River At Bluffton, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05387440 |
376 cfs | 3.81 ft | · | 60°F | 970 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05471000 |
324 cfs | 11.03 ft | · | 62°F | 872 ft | South Skunk |
|
Little Sioux River At Correctionville, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06606600 |
301 cfs | 4.86 ft | · | 62°F | 1,106 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Black Hawk Creek At Hudson, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05463500 |
296 cfs | 7.17 ft | · | 61°F | 897 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Des Moines River At Humboldt, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05476750 |
275 cfs | 3.40 ft | · | 62°F | 1,066 ft | Upper Des Moines |
|
Boyer River At Logan, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06609500 |
201 cfs | 3.78 ft | · | 62°F | 1,014 ft | Boyer |
|
Salt Creek Near Elberon, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05452000 |
193 cfs | 6.95 ft | · | 61°F | 802 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Indian Creek Near Mingo, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05471200 |
191 cfs | 4.15 ft | · | 62°F | 827 ft | South Skunk |
|
North Skunk River Near Sigourney, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05472500 |
191 cfs | 4.54 ft | · | 64°F | 664 ft | North Skunk |
|
Floyd River At James, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06600500 |
182 cfs | 8.41 ft | · | 59°F | 1,117 ft | Floyd |
|
East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06809500 |
182 cfs | 5.79 ft | · | 65°F | 1,013 ft | East Nishnabotna |
|
Little Sioux River At Linn Grove, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06605850 |
172 cfs | 5.09 ft | · | 57°F | 1,249 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Beaver Creek At New Hartford, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05463000 |
168 cfs | 2.44 ft | · | 64°F | 890 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05479000 |
165 cfs | 7.89 ft | · | 62°F | 1,043 ft | East Fork Des Moines |
|
South Raccoon River At Redfield, Ia
1 day ago · USGS 05484000 |
161 cfs | 2.46 ft | 32°F | 61°F | 917 ft | South Raccoon |
|
Squaw Creek At Ames, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05470500 |
157 cfs | 2.04 ft | · | 62°F | 907 ft | South Skunk |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05420680 |
152 cfs | 7.90 ft | · | 61°F | 1,019 ft | Upper Wapsipinicon |
|
West Nishnabotna River At Hancock, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06807410 |
149 cfs | 2.15 ft | · | 64°F | 1,089 ft | West Nishnabotna |
|
South Skunk River Near Ames, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05470000 |
148 cfs | 3.52 ft | · | 62°F | 928 ft | South Skunk |
|
Boone River Near Webster City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05481000 |
147 cfs | 2.12 ft | 35°F | 62°F | 1,028 ft | Boone |
|
Yellow River At Ion, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05389000 |
146 cfs | 5.90 ft | · | 63°F | 681 ft | Coon-Yellow |
|
Little Cedar River Near Ionia, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05458000 |
142 cfs | 3.89 ft | · | 63°F | 1,000 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Rock River Near Rock Valley, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06483500 |
137 cfs | 4.46 ft | · | 62°F | 1,238 ft | Rock |
|
Winnebago River At Mason City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05459500 |
133 cfs | 4.95 ft | · | 62°F | 1,101 ft | Winnebago |
|
North Raccoon River Near Jefferson, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05482500 |
132 cfs | 4.92 ft | 37°F | 63°F | 978 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Turkey River At Spillville, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05411600 |
125 cfs | 2.45 ft | · | 63°F | 1,067 ft | Turkey |
|
Maple River At Mapleton, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06607200 |
125 cfs | 4.49 ft | · | 60°F | 1,114 ft | Maple |
|
Nodaway River At Clarinda, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06817000 |
112 cfs | 10.70 ft | · | 63°F | 966 ft | West Nodaway |
|
Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06602400 |
102 cfs | 4.74 ft | · | 60°F | 1,021 ft | Monona-Harrison Ditch |
|
Fourmile Creek At Des Moines, Ia
1 day ago · USGS 05485640 |
98 cfs | 4.27 ft | · | 63°F | 813 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Big Bear Creek At Ladora, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05453000 |
97 cfs | 11.37 ft | · | 63°F | 771 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Walnut Creek At Des Moines, Ia
1 day ago · USGS 05484800 |
93 cfs | 4.04 ft | · | 63°F | 808 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Iowa River Near Rowan, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05449500 |
89 cfs | 3.85 ft | · | 62°F | 1,187 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
English River At Kalona, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05455500 |
88 cfs | 3.94 ft | · | 68°F | 655 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Timber Creek Near Marshalltown, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05451700 |
82 cfs | 2.99 ft | · | 61°F | 862 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Soldier River At Pisgah, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06608500 |
81 cfs | 2.70 ft | · | 63°F | 1,047 ft | Blackbird-Soldier |
|
Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05473400 |
78 cfs | 2.99 ft | · | 66°F | 590 ft | Skunk |
|
Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05455100 |
77 cfs | 2.14 ft | 46°F | 68°F | 654 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
North River Near Norwalk, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05486000 |
76 cfs | 5.68 ft | · | 63°F | 811 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05451210 |
74 cfs | 2.81 ft | · | 63°F | 963 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Middle Raccoon River At Panora, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05483600 |
70 cfs | 4.21 ft | 35°F | 63°F | 997 ft | South Raccoon |
|
East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06809210 |
68 cfs | 2.42 ft | · | 64°F | 1,109 ft | East Nishnabotna |
|
Middle River Near Indianola, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05486490 |
60 cfs | 7.32 ft | · | 63°F | 794 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05485605 |
56 cfs | 2.69 ft | · | 62°F | 911 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Thompson River At Davis City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06898000 |
53 cfs | · | · | 62°F | 910 ft | Thompson |
|
Clear Creek Near Coralville, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05454300 |
52 cfs | 1.35 ft | · | 65°F | 660 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
South River Near Ackworth, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05487470 |
51 cfs | 5.02 ft | · | 62°F | 805 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Rapid Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05454000 |
50 cfs | 4.74 ft | · | 65°F | 688 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Beaver Creek Near Grimes, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05481950 |
50 cfs | 3.33 ft | · | 62°F | 829 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05483450 |
49 cfs | 8.95 ft | · | 63°F | 1,054 ft | South Raccoon |
|
North Raccoon River Near Sac City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05482300 |
46 cfs | 6.77 ft | 75°F | 62°F | 1,179 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05389400 |
38 cfs | 4.38 ft | · | 61°F | 634 ft | Coon-Yellow |
|
Ocheyedan River Near Spencer, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06605000 |
37 cfs | 2.04 ft | · | 57°F | 1,317 ft | Little Sioux |
|
East Fork 102 River At Bedford, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06819185 |
30 cfs | 10.96 ft | · | 62°F | 1,084 ft | One Hundred And Two |
|
Chariton River Near Moulton, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06904010 |
29 cfs | 18.43 ft | · | 63°F | 847 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06483290 |
27 cfs | 6.59 ft | · | 58°F | 1,316 ft | Rock |
|
Clear Creek Near Oxford, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05454220 |
26 cfs | 2.17 ft | · | 64°F | 722 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
White Breast Creek Near Dallas, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05487980 |
26 cfs | 6.18 ft | · | 63°F | 773 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05473450 |
23 cfs | 3.57 ft | · | 68°F | 672 ft | Skunk |
|
Cedar Creek Near Bussey, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05489000 |
20 cfs | 4.54 ft | · | 63°F | 696 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Walnut Creek Near Hartwick, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05452200 |
18 cfs | 1.16 ft | · | 61°F | 806 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Richland Creek Near Haven, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05451900 |
17 cfs | 10.53 ft | · | 61°F | 817 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Floyd River At Alton, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06600100 |
13 cfs | 5.31 ft | · | 62°F | 1,289 ft | Floyd |
|
Chariton River Near Rathbun, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06903900 |
12 cfs | 2.24 ft | · | 63°F | 855 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
English Creek Near Knoxville, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 05488200 |
10 cfs | 8.35 ft | · | 63°F | 749 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06903700 |
5 cfs | 3.01 ft | · | 62°F | 922 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Chariton River Near Chariton, Ia
23 hours ago · USGS 06903400 |
4 cfs | 4.13 ft | · | 62°F | 968 ft | Upper Chariton |
See every Iowa gauge ranked against normal.
- Percentile rank & % of median for all 117 gauges
- 15-day PULSE forecast on every gauge
- Custom flow alerts & full daily history
About Iowa streamflow
What are river levels like in Iowa right now?
As of August 2, 2026, Iowa rivers are running at 72% of normal across 117 USGS streamgauges, and the Mississippi River At Clinton is reporting the highest discharge at 36,800 cfs. The full sortable gauge table is below.
Which Iowa river is running highest right now?
As of August 2, 2026, the highest discharge in Iowa is 36,800 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.