Raccoon River Flow Today
As of October 15, 2026 at 1:45 AM, the Raccoon River is flowing at 5,580 cfs at Fleur Drive, IA — 964% of normal for the date and down 15% in 24 hours. 3 of 4 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 4,740 to 5,580 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Raccoon River map
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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 Fleur Drive, the Raccoon River is running 5,580 cfs — 964% of normal, down 15% since yesterday. Along the river, 3 of 3 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 756% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Des Moines (-16%) and Fleur Drive (-15%).
Highest against normal: Fleur Drive at 964%. Lowest: Van Meter at 687%.
How the 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
- Van Meter862 ft 4,740 cfs687%
- Des Moines797 ft 5,450 cfs756%
- Fleur Drive797 ft 5,580 cfs964%
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 Raccoon River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (756%).
Raccoon River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Raccoon River At Van Meter IA
Oct 15, 2:00 AM · USGS 05484500 |
4,740 cfs | 687% | -13% | 6.89 ft | 10.1 ft below | 862 ft |
|
Raccoon River Near West Des Moines IA
Last reported Sep 15 · USGS 05484600 |
1,320 cfs | · | · | 31.02 ft | · | 844 ft |
|
Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines IA
Oct 15, 2:15 AM · USGS 05484650 |
5,450 cfs | 756% | -16% | 24.97 ft | 11.0 ft below | 797 ft |
|
Raccoon River At Fleur Drive IA
Oct 15, 1:45 AM · USGS 05484900 |
5,580 cfs | 964% | -15% | 6.47 ft | 5.5 ft below | 797 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 Raccoon River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Raccoon River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Raccoon River
The Raccoon River is a 30-mile river in central Iowa, running through the state capital of Des Moines. It was named after the abundant population of raccoons living in the area. The river has a rich history, with Native American tribes using it for transportation and fishing. Today, the river is used for various recreational activities, including fishing, kayaking, and camping. However, it is also used for agricultural purposes, with numerous farms located along its banks. In terms of hydrology, the river has a relatively flat gradient, leading to slow-moving waters. There are several reservoirs and dams along the river, including Saylorville Dam and Lake Red Rock, which provide flood control and recreational opportunities. Despite its importance to the local community, the Raccoon River has faced issues with pollution and sedimentation, prompting conservation efforts to protect this valuable natural resource.
Fishing near the Raccoon River
About the Raccoon River
How is the Raccoon River flowing right now?
As of October 15, 2026, the Raccoon River is flowing at 5,580 cfs at Fleur Drive, IA, about 964% of normal for the date. Across its 4 USGS gauges, current flows range from 4,740 to 5,580 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Raccoon River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Raccoon River is at 756% 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 Raccoon River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Van Meter (17.0 ft), Des Moines (36.0 ft), Fleur Drive (12.0 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.