Raccoon River Flow Today
As of November 10, 2026 at 1:45 AM, the Raccoon River is flowing at 6,160 cfs at Fleur Drive, IA and down 17% in 24 hours. 3 of 4 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 5,600 to 6,160 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 6,160 cfs, down 17% since yesterday.
In the last 24 hours the river is dropping at Fleur Drive (-17%) and Des Moines (-16%).
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 5,600 cfs
- Des Moines797 ft 6,130 cfs
- Fleur Drive797 ft 6,160 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.
Raccoon River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Raccoon River At Van Meter IA
Nov 10, 1:00 AM · USGS 05484500 |
5,600 cfs | · | -15% | 7.73 ft | 9.3 ft below | 862 ft |
|
Raccoon River Near West Des Moines IA
Last reported Sep 15 · USGS 05484600 |
1,320 cfs | · | · | 31.97 ft | · | 844 ft |
|
Raccoon River At 63rd Street At Des Moines IA
Nov 10, 1:15 AM · USGS 05484650 |
6,130 cfs | · | -16% | 26.06 ft | 9.9 ft below | 797 ft |
|
Raccoon River At Fleur Drive IA
Nov 10, 1:45 AM · USGS 05484900 |
6,160 cfs | · | -17% | 7.46 ft | 4.5 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 November 10, 2026, the Raccoon River is flowing at 6,160 cfs at Fleur Drive, IA. Across its 4 USGS gauges, current flows range from 5,600 to 6,160 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the 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.
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.