Maquoketa River Flow Today
As of October 31, 2026 at 2:15 AM, the Maquoketa River is flowing at 1,390 cfs near Maquoketa, IA — 152% of normal for the date and down 3% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 265 to 1,390 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Maquoketa River map
See the Maquoketa River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Maquoketa River conditions today
Where the river is running versus normal, what’s rising or dropping, and what it means for a trip — built from the live USGS readings below.
At Maquoketa, the Maquoketa River is running 1,390 cfs — 152% of normal, down 3% since yesterday. Along the river, 2 of 2 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 206% of normal).
How the Maquoketa River compares to normal
Every reporting gauge from the top of the river to the bottom: bar length is today’s flow, colour is percent of normal for the date.
Flow along the river, upstream to downstream
- Manchester920 ft 265 cfs260%
- Maquoketa646 ft 1,390 cfs152%
Bar length uses a square-root scale so small headwater flows stay visible next to big downstream ones. Colour: <50% 50–90 90–110 110–150 150%+ of normal.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per Maquoketa River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (206%).
Maquoketa River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Maquoketa River At Manchester IA
Oct 31, 2:15 AM · USGS 05416900 |
265 cfs | 260% | -5% | 4.69 ft | 9.3 ft below | 920 ft |
|
Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa IA
Oct 31, 2:15 AM · USGS 05418500 |
1,390 cfs | 152% | -3% | 11.90 ft | 12.1 ft below | 646 ft |
USGS provisional data. Readings are in each gauge’s local time; gauges silent for more than 3 days are marked “Last reported”. Tap any gauge for its hydrograph, forecast and history.
Dams & reservoirs on the Maquoketa River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Maquoketa River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Maquoketa River
The Maquoketa River is a tributary of the Mississippi River located in the Midwest United States. The river stretches for approximately 150 miles, starting from its source in Hancock County, Iowa and ending at its confluence with the Mississippi River in Jackson County, Iowa. The river is known for its rich history, including Native American settlements and European exploration. Today, the river is used for a variety of recreational activities such as fishing, boating, and camping. The river also serves as a source of irrigation for agricultural purposes. However, the river has faced challenges due to the construction of several dams and reservoirs that have altered its natural hydrology. These include the Backbone Lake Dam and the Lake Delhi Dam, which have been the subject of controversy due to their environmental impact.
Fishing near the Maquoketa River
About the Maquoketa River
How is the Maquoketa River flowing right now?
As of October 31, 2026, the Maquoketa River is flowing at 1,390 cfs near Maquoketa, IA, about 152% of normal for the date. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 265 to 1,390 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Maquoketa River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Maquoketa River is at 206% of normal for the date. Above 100% means higher than the historical average for this calendar day; below 100% means lower. The profile above shows which reaches are high or low.
What is flood stage on the Maquoketa River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Manchester (14.0 ft), Maquoketa (24.0 ft). The table shows how far each gauge is below its flood stage right now.
Where does the data come from?
Discharge and gage height are from the USGS National Water Information System; flood stages from the National Weather Service. The history chart sums every monitored gauge on the river.
Can I get alerts for a gauge?
Yes — open any gauge from the table, favorite it in the Snoflo app and set a flow threshold.