2026-02-16T18:00:00-07:00
...PROLONGED PERIOD OF CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS EARLY TO MID NEXT WEEK... .Recent dry conditions combining with above normal temperatures and much stronger winds early next week will bring potentially critical fire weather conditions Monday and Tuesday, possibly lasting into Wednesday. There is potential for extreme fire weather conditions on Tuesday as widespread strong and gusty winds to around 60 mph are expected. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Monday morning through Monday afternoon. A Fire Weather Watch has also been issued from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 216, 240, 241, 244, 245, 246, 247 and 249. * TIMING...For the first Fire Weather Watch, from late Monday morning through Monday afternoon. For the second Fire Weather Watch, from Tuesday morning through Tuesday evening. * WINDS...Southwest 15 to 25 mph with gusts to 35 mph on Monday. On Tuesday, west winds 30 to 40 mph with gusts around 60 mph. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 11 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire. There is potential for extreme fire weather conditions on Tuesday.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Iowa River
was last observed at
2,011
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
3,989
acre-ft of water today; about 47%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
4,256 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2014-07-04 when daily discharge volume was observed at
225,800 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Iowa River At Wapello
reporting a streamflow rate of 7,560 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville
with a gauge stage of 49.92 ft.
This river is monitored from 8 different streamgauging stations along the Iowa River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,187 ft, the
Iowa River Near Rowan.
15-Day Weather Outlook
River Details
| Last Updated | 2026-02-13 |
| Discharge Volume | 3,989 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
2,011.0 cfs
-349.0 cfs (-14.79%) |
| Percent of Normal | 47.25% |
| Maximum |
225,800.0 cfs
2014-07-04 |
| Seasonal Avg | 4,256 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Iowa River Near Rowan
USGS 05449500 |
195 cfs | 4.8 ft | -10.55 | |||||
|
Iowa River At Marshalltown
USGS 05451500 |
1040 cfs | 11.39 ft | -8.77 | |||||
|
Iowa River Near Belle Plaine
USGS 05452500 |
966 cfs | 8.39 ft | 11.29 | |||||
|
Iowa River At Marengo
USGS 05453100 |
818 cfs | 8.37 ft | -19.8 | |||||
|
Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville
USGS 05453520 |
931 cfs | 49.92 ft | -15.36 | |||||
|
Iowa River At Iowa City
USGS 05454500 |
1080 cfs | 10.55 ft | -14.29 | |||||
|
Iowa River Near Lone Tree
USGS 05455700 |
1990 cfs | 6.02 ft | -1.49 | |||||
|
Iowa River At Wapello
USGS 05465500 |
7560 cfs | 13.17 ft | 0.4 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Iowa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River in the state of Iowa in the United States. It is about 323 miles (520 km) long and is open to small river craft to Iowa City, about 65 miles (105 km) from its mouth. Its major tributary is the Cedar River.