Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester flow report
As of July 13, 2026, Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester is flowing at 2,430 cfs with a gage height of 9.51 ft, receding 33% over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05388250, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester at a glance
How Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester is flowing at 2,430 cfs, with the water sitting 9.51 ft at the gage. Flow is down 33% since yesterday as the gauge recedes.
This is USGS gauge #05388250 in Iowa. Over the past 10 days the average has been 3,680 cfs, peaking at 8,300 cfs.
Over the next 5 days, Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester is expected to recede from today's 3650 cfs, toward roughly 2428 cfs by 2026-07-17 (likely range 1141-5163 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.
Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester
The river has several tributaries, including the Turkey River and the Yellow River. There are no major dams on the Upper Iowa River, but there are several smaller dams used for irrigation and recreation. The river experiences seasonal trends, with higher flows in the spring due to snowmelt and lower flows in the summer and fall. The hydrology of the river is important for the local ecosystem and provides recreational opportunities for activities such as fishing, kayaking, and canoeing.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester | 2,430 cfs |
| Upper Iowa River At Decorah | 1,900 cfs |
| Upper Iowa River At Bluffton | 1,490 cfs |
| South Fork Root River Near Houston | 298 cfs |
| Root River Near Houston | 2,190 cfs |
| Yellow River At Ion | 143 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester. 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 |
|---|---|
| Caledonia | 0 in |
| Genoa Dam 8 | 0 in |
| Postville 5.5 Ne | 0 in |
| La Crosse | 0 in |
| Gays Mills | 0 in |
| Holmen 2s | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester.
Boat launches
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River runs
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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 Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester
Where does the streamflow data for Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05388250. 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 Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester 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 Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester report
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