Summary
Total streamflow across the
Maquoketa River
was last observed at
1,296
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
2,571
acre-ft of water today; about 66%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
1,952 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 1,050 cfs.
This is also the highest stage along the Maquoketa River, with a gauge stage of
11.31 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 | 2026-03-27 |
| Discharge Volume | 2,571 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
1,296.0 cfs
-47.0 cfs (-3.5%) |
| Percent of Normal | 66.38% |
| Maximum |
30,150.0 cfs
2019-03-16 |
| Seasonal Avg | 1,952 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Maquoketa River At Manchester
USGS 05416900 |
246 cfs | 4.47 ft | -6.46 | |||||
|
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa
USGS 05418500 |
1050 cfs | 11.31 ft | -2.78 |
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.