Shell Rock River Flow Today
As of October 2, 2026 at 2:45 AM, the Shell Rock River is flowing at 3,220 cfs at Shell Rock, IA — 797% of normal for the date and up 82% in 24 hours. ❤ Favorite
Shell Rock River map
See the Shell Rock River on a live map
Every gauge, dam and paddle run on the river, one tap each:
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Shell Rock 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 Shell Rock, the Shell Rock River is running 3,220 cfs — 797% of normal, up 82% since yesterday. Along the river, 1 of 1 reporting gauges are above normal (the typical gauge is at 797% of normal).
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Shell Rock (+82%).
How the Shell Rock 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
- Shell Rock882 ft 3,220 cfs797%
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 Shell Rock River streamgauge, placed by its own percent of normal. The line is the typical gauge (797%).
Shell Rock River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Shell Rock River At Shell Rock IA
Oct 2, 2:45 AM · USGS 05462000 |
3,220 cfs | 797% | +82% | 9.82 ft | 3.7 ft below | 882 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 Shell Rock River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Shell Rock River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river (this total last updated earlier; the live gauge readings above are current).
Shell Rock River
The Shell Rock River is a 116-mile-long tributary of the Cedar River in Iowa. The river was named after the abundance of shell rocks found in its bed. It originates in Minnesota and flows into the Cedar River near Shell Rock, Iowa. The river’s watershed covers approximately 1,300 square miles, and its main tributaries are the Winnebago and West Fork Shell Rock Rivers. The river is used for recreational activities such as fishing, hiking, and kayaking. The Shell Rock River also provides water for agricultural purposes as it runs through several farming communities. The river is managed by multiple dams, including the Clarksville Dam, the Greene Dam, and the Shell Rock Dam, which are used to regulate water levels and prevent flooding.
Fishing near the Shell Rock River
About the Shell Rock River
How is the Shell Rock River flowing right now?
As of October 2, 2026, the Shell Rock River is flowing at 3,220 cfs at Shell Rock, IA, about 797% of normal for the date. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Shell Rock River running high or low?
The typical gauge on the Shell Rock River is at 797% 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 Shell Rock River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Shell Rock (13.5 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.