North Raccoon River Flow Today
As of October 6, 2026 at 1:15 PM, the North Raccoon River is flowing at 2,480 cfs near Jefferson, IA and down 28% in 24 hours. 2 of 2 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 360 to 2,480 cfs. ❤ Favorite
North Raccoon River map
See the North Raccoon River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
- Gauges now — which reaches are high or low
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North 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 Jefferson, the North Raccoon River is running 2,480 cfs, down 28% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 415% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Jefferson (-28%).
How the North 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
- Sac City1,179 ft 360 cfs415%
- Jefferson978 ft 2,480 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.
Where every gauge sits
One dot per North Raccoon River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (415%).
North Raccoon River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
North Raccoon River Near Sac City IA
Oct 7, 2:15 AM · USGS 05482300 |
360 cfs | 415% | -10% | 8.32 ft | · | 1,179 ft |
|
North Raccoon River Near Jefferson IA
Oct 6, 1:15 PM · USGS 05482500 |
2,480 cfs | · | -28% | 7.88 ft | 11.1 ft below | 978 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 North Raccoon River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
North Raccoon River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
North Raccoon River
The North Raccoon River is a 92-mile-long river that flows through northwestern and central Iowa. It is a major tributary of the Raccoon River and is an important source of water for agriculture and recreation in the region. The river has a rich history, with Native American tribes using it as a source of food and transportation for thousands of years. Today, the river is home to several important reservoirs and dams, including Brushy Creek Lake, Black Hawk Lake, and the Lake Panorama Dam. These reservoirs provide water for irrigation, flood control, and recreational activities such as fishing and boating. The North Raccoon River is an important resource for Iowa's agricultural community, and it plays a vital role in the region's economy and natural environment.
Fishing near the North Raccoon River
About the North Raccoon River
How is the North Raccoon River flowing right now?
As of October 6, 2026, the North Raccoon River is flowing at 2,480 cfs near Jefferson, IA. Across its 2 USGS gauges, current flows range from 360 to 2,480 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the North Raccoon River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the North Raccoon River is at 415% 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 North Raccoon River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Jefferson (19.0 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.