Middle Raccoon River Flow Today
As of October 17, 2026 at 2:15 AM, the Middle Raccoon River is flowing at 848 cfs near Bayard, IA and up 44% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 774 to 848 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Middle Raccoon River map
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Middle Raccoon 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 Bayard, the Middle Raccoon River is running 848 cfs, up 44% since yesterday.
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Panora (+64%) and Bayard (+44%).
How the Middle Raccoon 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
- Bayard1,054 ft 848 cfs
- Panora997 ft 774 cfs
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.
Middle Raccoon River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard IA
Oct 17, 2:15 AM · USGS 05483450 |
848 cfs | · | +44% | 12.87 ft | 1,054 ft |
|
Middle Raccoon River At Panora IA
Oct 17, 2:15 AM · USGS 05483600 |
774 cfs | · | +64% | 5.69 ft | 997 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 Middle Raccoon River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Middle Raccoon River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Middle Raccoon River
The Middle Raccoon River is a 70-mile-long river located in central Iowa, United States. It has played a significant role in the history of Iowa, serving as a source of water for irrigation, transportation, and industry. The river flows through several counties, including Carroll, Dallas, and Guthrie. The hydrology of the Middle Raccoon River is influenced by several dams and reservoirs, such as the Saylorville Reservoir and the Red Rock Reservoir. These structures help regulate the river's flow, provide flood control, and support recreational activities such as boating, fishing, and camping. The river also supports agricultural activities, including crop irrigation and livestock watering. Despite facing challenges such as pollution and habitat loss, the Middle Raccoon River remains an important natural resource for the state of Iowa.
Fishing near the Middle Raccoon River
About the Middle Raccoon River
How is the Middle Raccoon River flowing right now?
As of October 17, 2026, the Middle Raccoon River is flowing at 848 cfs near Bayard, IA. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 774 to 848 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Middle Raccoon River running high or low?
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.
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.