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
Maquoketa River
was last observed at
663
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
1,315
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
1,397 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2019-03-16 when daily discharge volume was observed at
30,150 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa
reporting a streamflow rate of 569 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Maquoketa River, with a gauge stage of
11.63 ft at this location.
This river is monitored from 2 different streamgauging stations along the Maquoketa River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 920 ft, the
Maquoketa River At Manchester.
15-Day Weather Outlook
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-03 |
| Discharge Volume | 1,315 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
662.9 cfs
-13.8 cfs (-2.04%) |
| Percent of Normal | 47.46% |
| Maximum |
30,150.0 cfs
2019-03-16 |
| Seasonal Avg | 1,397 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Maquoketa River At Manchester
USGS 05416900 |
68 cfs | 3.96 ft | -24.13 | |||||
|
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa
USGS 05418500 |
569 cfs | 11.63 ft | -2.9 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Maquoketa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 150 miles (240 km) long, in northeastern Iowa in the United States. Its watershed covers 1,694 square miles (4,387 km2) within a rural region of rolling hills and farmland southwest of Dubuque. It is not to be confused with the Little Maquoketa River, another distinct direct tributary of the Upper Mississippi River meeting the Big River north of Dubuque. The river and its tributaries mark the border of the Driftless Area of Iowa, with the areas east of it not having been covered by ice during the last ice age. Its name derives from Maquaw-Autaw, which means "Bear River" in Meskwaki.