Iowa River Levels & Streamflow
As of Oct 7, 2026, Iowa rivers are running at 694% of normal across 116 USGS gauges — the highest is 40,400 cfs on the Iowa River At Wapello. Live discharge, gauge height, and percent-of-normal for every USGS streamgauge in Iowa.
Iowa river map
See Iowa’s rivers on a live map
Every gauge, river and reservoir, one tap each:
- Rivers now — which are running high or low
- Reservoirs — how full each one is vs normal
- Rain — past 24 hrs and the 72-hr forecast, press play
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Iowa river conditions today
Where rivers are running versus normal, what’s spiking and what’s coming — refreshed daily from USGS and NOAA.
Streamflow levels across Iowa are currently 694% of normal, with the Iowa River At Wapello reporting the highest discharge in the state at 40,400 cfs and a gauge stage of 21.69 ft.
Meanwhile, the Chariton River Near Rathbun is seeing a spike today — up 168% 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
Multiple Flood Warnings remain in effect across eastern Iowa through October 13, with minor to moderate flooding occurring along the Cedar River near Conesville (affecting Muscatine and Louisa Counties), Iowa River at multiple locations including Marengo (Iowa and Benton Counties), Wapello, and Oakville (Louisa County), and the Wapsipinicon River near De Witt (Clinton and Scott Counties). The most serious threat involves the Wapsipinicon River, which is forecast to crest at 12.7 feet early Thursday afternoon, producing major flooding that will impact U.S. Highway 61. Agricultural lands are already flooded along the Iowa and Cedar Rivers, with water covering islands and secondary roads in Wapello Bottoms. Residents near affected river communities should avoid flooded areas and monitor river stages closely, as conditions are expected to gradually improve by late Friday through Monday.
How Iowa’s rivers compare to normal
Every gauge placed by its own percent of normal, and three years of the statewide trend.
Where every gauge actually sits
One dot per Iowa streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The state average is a single line through all of it.
Percent of normal compares today's discharge with the historical average for this calendar day. Tap any dot to open that gauge.
Iowa streamflow, three water years
Statewide percent of normal, every day since Oct 2023. The dotted line is normal.
799 daily readings from 116 reporting gauges. Percent of normal is today's statewide discharge against the historical average for the same calendar day — 100% is normal, not "good". The axis tops out at 250%: 53 readings above that — including the 1110% peak in Oct 2026 — are drawn along the top edge, so a few flood days cannot flatten three years of everything else. The line breaks in 2 places where the record skips more than five days — those are gaps in reporting, not readings of zero.
Iowa flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | Gage height | Water temp | Air temp | Elevation | Watershed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Iowa River At Wapello, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05465500 |
39,300 cfs | 21.50 ft | 49°F | 59°F | 554 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Mississippi River At Clinton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05420500 |
29,800 cfs | 10.24 ft | 64°F | 54°F | 593 ft | Copperas-Duck |
|
Cedar River Near Conesville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05465000 |
28,100 cfs | 13.91 ft | · | 59°F | 593 ft | Lower Cedar |
|
Des Moines River At Keosauqua, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05490500 |
26,100 cfs | 17.27 ft | 66°F | 60°F | 579 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Des Moines River At Ottumwa, Ia
11 hours ago · USGS 05489500 |
25,600 cfs | 9.00 ft | 67°F | 61°F | 635 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Des Moines River Near Tracy, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05488500 |
25,100 cfs | 9.94 ft | · | 60°F | 676 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Des Moines River Near Pella, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05488110 |
24,800 cfs | 93.89 ft | 65°F | 60°F | 689 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Cedar River At Cedar Rapids, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05464500 |
22,300 cfs | 9.98 ft | 62°F | 55°F | 712 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Skunk River At Augusta, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05474000 |
17,500 cfs | 13.38 ft | · | 59°F | 553 ft | Skunk |
|
Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05485500 |
17,300 cfs | 19.03 ft | · | 60°F | 779 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Iowa River Near Lone Tree, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05455700 |
10,700 cfs | 12.76 ft | · | 56°F | 601 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Raccoon River At Fleur Drive, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484900 |
10,100 cfs | 9.60 ft | · | 60°F | 797 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484650 |
9,590 cfs | 27.71 ft | · | 57°F | 797 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Cedar River At Waterloo, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05464000 |
9,070 cfs | 8.11 ft | · | 55°F | 823 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Iowa River At Iowa City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454500 |
8,980 cfs | 17.90 ft | · | 56°F | 643 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
South Skunk River Near Oskaloosa, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471500 |
8,840 cfs | 20.29 ft | · | 60°F | 692 ft | South Skunk |
|
Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05453520 |
8,750 cfs | 55.10 ft | · | 56°F | 669 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05452500 |
8,600 cfs | 16.40 ft | · | 55°F | 748 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Iowa River At Marengo, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05453100 |
8,380 cfs | 15.73 ft | · | 55°F | 729 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Des Moines River At 2nd Avenue, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05482000 |
8,280 cfs | 17.69 ft | 32°F | 60°F | 808 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05422000 |
8,220 cfs | 12.14 ft | · | 55°F | 646 ft | Lower Wapsipinicon |
|
Raccoon River At Van Meter, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484500 |
7,850 cfs | 9.07 ft | 32°F | 59°F | 862 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05421740 |
7,680 cfs | 13.57 ft | · | 54°F | 779 ft | Lower Wapsipinicon |
|
Cedar River At Cedar Falls, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05463050 |
7,600 cfs | 78.70 ft | · | 54°F | 853 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Des Moines River Near Saylorville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05481650 |
6,940 cfs | 7.90 ft | · | 57°F | 819 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06810000 |
5,350 cfs | 15.41 ft | · | 81°F | 904 ft | Nishnabotna |
|
Des Moines River Near Stratford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05481300 |
4,490 cfs | 8.46 ft | · | 57°F | 902 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
Wapsipinicon River At Independence, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05421000 |
4,350 cfs | 8.05 ft | · | 53°F | 889 ft | Upper Wapsipinicon |
|
Turkey River At Garber, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05412500 |
3,600 cfs | 10.06 ft | 60°F | 55°F | 646 ft | Turkey |
|
Iowa River At Marshalltown, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451500 |
3,460 cfs | 14.30 ft | · | 58°F | 853 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
South Skunk River At Colfax, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471050 |
3,360 cfs | 13.66 ft | · | 59°F | 793 ft | South Skunk |
|
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05418500 |
2,970 cfs | 13.98 ft | · | 54°F | 646 ft | Maquoketa |
|
West Nishnabotna River At Randolph, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06808500 |
2,660 cfs | 11.47 ft | 62°F | 81°F | 956 ft | West Nishnabotna |
|
North Raccoon River Near Jefferson, Ia
1 day ago · USGS 05482500 |
2,480 cfs | 7.88 ft | 37°F | 57°F | 978 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Cedar River At Janesville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05458500 |
2,320 cfs | 3.06 ft | · | 53°F | 859 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Cedar River At Waverly, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05458300 |
2,020 cfs | 4.08 ft | 61°F | 53°F | 895 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
South Raccoon River At Redfield, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484000 |
2,000 cfs | 5.47 ft | 32°F | 59°F | 917 ft | South Raccoon |
|
Des Moines River At Fort Dodge, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05480500 |
1,860 cfs | 4.89 ft | · | 53°F | 974 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
South Skunk River Below Squaw Creek Near Ames, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471000 |
1,840 cfs | 14.77 ft | · | 55°F | 872 ft | South Skunk |
|
Shell Rock River At Shell Rock, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05462000 |
1,720 cfs | 8.95 ft | · | 53°F | 882 ft | Shell Rock |
|
North Skunk River Near Sigourney, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05472500 |
1,710 cfs | 10.12 ft | · | 56°F | 664 ft | North Skunk |
|
West Fork Cedar River At Finchford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05458900 |
1,670 cfs | 10.07 ft | · | 54°F | 859 ft | West Fork Cedar |
|
Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05412020 |
1,610 cfs | 7.32 ft | · | 54°F | 726 ft | Turkey |
|
Beaver Creek Near Grimes, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05481950 |
1,570 cfs | 8.41 ft | · | 59°F | 829 ft | Middle Des Moines |
|
West Nishnabotna River At Hancock, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06807410 |
1,240 cfs | 5.06 ft | · | 78°F | 1,089 ft | West Nishnabotna |
|
English River At Kalona, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05455500 |
1,200 cfs | 7.96 ft | · | 56°F | 655 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Big Sioux River At Akron, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06485500 |
1,170 cfs | 6.26 ft | · | 78°F | 1,151 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Little Sioux River Near Turin, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06607500 |
1,160 cfs | 8.25 ft | · | 78°F | 1,029 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Beaver Creek At New Hartford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05463000 |
1,140 cfs | 6.49 ft | · | 57°F | 890 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05473400 |
1,130 cfs | 8.39 ft | · | 56°F | 590 ft | Skunk |
|
East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06809500 |
1,130 cfs | 9.51 ft | · | 80°F | 1,013 ft | East Nishnabotna |
|
Chariton River Near Moulton, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06904010 |
1,130 cfs | 24.11 ft | · | 80°F | 847 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Chariton River Near Rathbun, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06903900 |
1,110 cfs | 7.22 ft | · | 79°F | 855 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Cedar River At Charles City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05457700 |
1,080 cfs | 3.62 ft | · | 53°F | 977 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
South Skunk River Near Ames, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05470000 |
1,070 cfs | 6.33 ft | · | 55°F | 928 ft | South Skunk |
|
Turkey River Near Eldorado, Ia
11 hours ago · USGS 05411850 |
1,050 cfs | 7.01 ft | · | 53°F | 897 ft | Turkey |
|
Black Hawk Creek At Hudson, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05463500 |
1,010 cfs | 10.62 ft | · | 54°F | 897 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Thompson River At Davis City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06898000 |
932 cfs | 2.90 ft | · | 80°F | 910 ft | Thompson |
|
Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05483450 |
930 cfs | 13.15 ft | · | 58°F | 1,054 ft | South Raccoon |
|
Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05388250 |
914 cfs | 7.91 ft | · | 53°F | 668 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Middle River Near Indianola, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05486490 |
895 cfs | 10.28 ft | · | 60°F | 794 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
East Nishnabotna River Near Atlantic, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06809210 |
883 cfs | 5.06 ft | · | 78°F | 1,109 ft | East Nishnabotna |
|
Volga River At Littleport, Ia
11 hours ago · USGS 05412400 |
828 cfs | 6.69 ft | · | 55°F | 694 ft | Turkey |
|
Middle Raccoon River At Panora, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05483600 |
814 cfs | 5.74 ft | 35°F | 58°F | 997 ft | South Raccoon |
|
Wolf Creek Near Dysart, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05464220 |
796 cfs | 4.59 ft | · | 54°F | 835 ft | Middle Cedar |
|
Boone River Near Webster City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05481000 |
773 cfs | 3.65 ft | 35°F | 55°F | 1,028 ft | Boone |
|
Squaw Creek At Ames, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05470500 |
741 cfs | 3.32 ft | · | 55°F | 907 ft | South Skunk |
|
Little Sioux River At Correctionville, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06606600 |
722 cfs | 5.62 ft | · | 77°F | 1,106 ft | Little Sioux |
|
South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451210 |
708 cfs | 5.97 ft | · | 54°F | 963 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
North River Near Norwalk, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05486000 |
702 cfs | 10.65 ft | · | 60°F | 811 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Des Moines River At Humboldt, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05476750 |
691 cfs | 4.32 ft | · | 55°F | 1,066 ft | Upper Des Moines |
|
North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05418400 |
686 cfs | 4.34 ft | 39°F | 54°F | 689 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Rock River Near Rock Valley, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06483500 |
676 cfs | 5.72 ft | · | 76°F | 1,238 ft | Rock |
|
Indian Creek Near Mingo, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05471200 |
663 cfs | 5.92 ft | · | 59°F | 827 ft | South Skunk |
|
Upper Iowa River At Decorah, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05387500 |
625 cfs | 2.40 ft | · | 53°F | 854 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Boyer River At Logan, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06609500 |
616 cfs | 4.96 ft | · | 78°F | 1,014 ft | Boyer |
|
Maquoketa River At Manchester, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05416900 |
587 cfs | 5.88 ft | · | 53°F | 920 ft | Maquoketa |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli, Ia
11 hours ago · USGS 05420680 |
495 cfs | 9.79 ft | · | 53°F | 1,019 ft | Upper Wapsipinicon |
|
East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05479000 |
467 cfs | 8.77 ft | · | 55°F | 1,043 ft | East Fork Des Moines |
|
Salt Creek Near Elberon, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05452000 |
432 cfs | 8.48 ft | · | 59°F | 802 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Upper Iowa River At Bluffton, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05387440 |
426 cfs | 3.91 ft | · | 53°F | 970 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Little Sioux River At Linn Grove, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06605850 |
401 cfs | 6.32 ft | · | 77°F | 1,249 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Big Bear Creek At Ladora, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05453000 |
385 cfs | 12.92 ft | · | 55°F | 771 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Yellow River At Ion, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05389000 |
379 cfs | 6.73 ft | · | 54°F | 681 ft | Coon-Yellow |
|
North Raccoon River Near Sac City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05482300 |
360 cfs | 8.32 ft | 75°F | 57°F | 1,179 ft | North Raccoon |
|
South River Near Ackworth, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05487470 |
359 cfs | 6.91 ft | · | 60°F | 805 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05455100 |
342 cfs | 4.58 ft | 46°F | 56°F | 654 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Turkey River At Spillville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05411600 |
307 cfs | 3.14 ft | · | 53°F | 1,067 ft | Turkey |
|
Maple River At Mapleton, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06607200 |
272 cfs | 5.06 ft | · | 77°F | 1,114 ft | Maple |
|
Winnebago River At Mason City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05459500 |
256 cfs | 5.22 ft | · | 51°F | 1,101 ft | Winnebago |
|
Little Cedar River Near Ionia, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05458000 |
240 cfs | 4.34 ft | · | 53°F | 1,000 ft | Upper Cedar |
|
Cedar Creek Near Bussey, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05489000 |
234 cfs | 5.74 ft | · | 61°F | 696 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
Fourmile Creek At Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05485640 |
227 cfs | 4.51 ft | · | 57°F | 813 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Floyd River At James, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06600500 |
225 cfs | 8.54 ft | · | 78°F | 1,117 ft | Floyd |
|
Clear Creek Near Coralville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454300 |
209 cfs | 2.67 ft | · | 56°F | 660 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Soldier River At Pisgah, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06608500 |
177 cfs | 3.27 ft | · | 78°F | 1,047 ft | Blackbird-Soldier |
|
Timber Creek Near Marshalltown, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451700 |
176 cfs | 4.16 ft | · | 58°F | 862 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
White Breast Creek Near Dallas, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05487980 |
175 cfs | 7.07 ft | · | 61°F | 773 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Nodaway River At Clarinda, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06817000 |
169 cfs | 11.77 ft | · | 80°F | 966 ft | West Nodaway |
|
Walnut Creek At Des Moines, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05484800 |
165 cfs | 4.21 ft | · | 60°F | 808 ft | North Raccoon |
|
Ocheyedan River Near Spencer, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06605000 |
152 cfs | 2.89 ft | · | 76°F | 1,317 ft | Little Sioux |
|
Clear Creek Near Oxford, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454220 |
135 cfs | 3.84 ft | · | 56°F | 722 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
Fourmile Creek Near Ankeny, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05485605 |
135 cfs | 2.91 ft | · | 59°F | 911 ft | Lake Red Rock |
|
Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06602400 |
130 cfs | 4.73 ft | · | 79°F | 1,021 ft | Monona-Harrison Ditch |
|
Rock River Below Tom Creek At Rock Rapids, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06483290 |
128 cfs | 7.46 ft | · | 76°F | 1,316 ft | Rock |
|
Walnut Creek Near Hartwick, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05452200 |
123 cfs | 2.96 ft | · | 59°F | 806 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Iowa River Near Rowan, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05449500 |
116 cfs | 4.18 ft | · | 51°F | 1,187 ft | Upper Iowa |
|
Richland Creek Near Haven, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05451900 |
111 cfs | 11.95 ft | · | 59°F | 817 ft | Middle Iowa |
|
Floyd River At Alton, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06600100 |
87 cfs | 5.91 ft | · | 76°F | 1,289 ft | Floyd |
|
Big Creek Near Mt. Pleasant, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05473450 |
78 cfs | 4.32 ft | · | 55°F | 672 ft | Skunk |
|
Rapid Creek Near Iowa City, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05454000 |
65 cfs | 4.62 ft | · | 56°F | 688 ft | Lower Iowa |
|
English Creek Near Knoxville, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05488200 |
62 cfs | 9.42 ft | · | 61°F | 749 ft | Lower Des Moines |
|
East Fork 102 River At Bedford, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06819185 |
58 cfs | 11.26 ft | · | 81°F | 1,084 ft | One Hundred And Two |
|
Chariton River Near Chariton, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06903400 |
44 cfs | 5.65 ft | · | 78°F | 968 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City, Ia
10 hours ago · USGS 06903700 |
43 cfs | 3.49 ft | · | 79°F | 922 ft | Upper Chariton |
|
Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette, Ia
12 hours ago · USGS 05389400 |
31 cfs | 4.21 ft | · | 54°F | 634 ft | Coon-Yellow |
About Iowa streamflow
What are river levels like in Iowa right now?
As of October 7, 2026, Iowa rivers are running at 694% of normal across 116 USGS streamgauges, and the Iowa River At Wapello is reporting the highest discharge at 40,400 cfs. The full sortable gauge table is below.
Which Iowa river is running highest right now?
As of October 7, 2026, the highest discharge in Iowa is 40,400 cfs on the Iowa River At Wapello. 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.