Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli flow report
As of July 14, 2026, Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli is flowing at 972 cfs with a gage height of 11.58 ft, holding steady over the past 24 hours. Source: USGS gauge #05420680, refreshed throughout the day.
Historical Data
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli at a glance
How Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli is running right now, where it sits on the map, and the key gauge stats.
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli is flowing at 972 cfs, with the water sitting 11.58 ft at the gage. Flow has held roughly steady over the past 24 hours.
This is USGS gauge #05420680 in Iowa. Over the past 10 days the average has been 817 cfs, peaking at 1,000 cfs.
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
Over the next 5 days, Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli is expected to recede from today's 972 cfs, toward roughly 660 cfs by 2026-07-19 (likely range 234-1861 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.
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.
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli
The stream gauge provides data about the river's flow rate, which is influenced by precipitation and water withdrawals. The river is fed by several tributaries, including the Little Wapsipinicon River and the Maquoketa River. The river's flow rate is highest during the spring months due to snowmelt and rainfall, while it is lowest during the summer months. The Wapsipinicon River is also home to several species of fish, including walleye and smallmouth bass. One interesting fact about this river is that it was once home to a bustling trade of logs that were transported down the river.
Nearby streamflow levels
Cross-check Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli's discharge against nearby gauges to spot whether the change here is local or regional.
| Gauge | Streamflow |
|---|---|
| Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli | 972 cfs |
| Cedar River At Waverly | 5,640 cfs |
| Cedar River At Janesville | 7,010 cfs |
| Little Cedar River Near Ionia | 649 cfs |
| Shell Rock River At Shell Rock | 2,740 cfs |
| West Fork Cedar River At Finchford | 2,770 cfs |
Nearby snowpack data
Snowpack at SNOTEL stations near Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli. 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 |
|---|---|
| Waterloo Municipal Airport | 0 in |
| Fayette | 0 in |
| Waterloo Snow | 1 in |
| Cedar Falls 0.4 Wnw | 0 in |
| Waterloo 1.9 Sse | 0 in |
| Charles City | 0 in |
Plan a trip
Reservoirs, boat launches, river runs, and fishing spots within driving distance of Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli.
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 Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli in the Snoflo app
Save this gauge as a favorite, set push alerts when streamflow crosses a threshold (e.g. "alert me when Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli crosses 5,000 cfs"), and Snoflo's iOS app will push the moment USGS reports the crossing.
About Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli
Where does the streamflow data for Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli come from?
Discharge, gage height, and water temperature come directly from the USGS streamflow gauge 05420680. 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 Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli 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 Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli report
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