Fire Weather Watch
2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00

...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS THURSDAY AND FRIDAY... Strong northwest winds will spread across the northeast plains after sunrise today, with gusts 45 to 65 mph creating critical fire weather conditions despite somewhat marginal humidity values near 20%. Early Friday, westerly downslope winds will bring strong gusts to the Front Range mountains and foothills, with potential for these to spread into wind-favored portions of the adjacent lower elevations. Peak gusts of 70-90 mph are increasing in likelihood for the windiest locations (considerably lower for areas along and east of I-25). With a warmer and drier air mass in place, humidity values in the teens look to extend into much of the foothills, and certainly across the lower elevations. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend into the evening hours prior to the arrival of a front. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Fire Weather Watch for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from Friday morning through Friday evening. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 215, 216, 241, 243, 245, 246 and 247. * TIMING...From Friday morning through late Friday evening. * WINDS...West 25 to 35 mph with gusts up to 80 mph in and near the foothills. West 15 to 25 mph with gusts up to 45 mph for areas roughly along and east of I-25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 10 to 15%. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a wildfire.


Turkey River River Levels

Last Updated: December 18, 2025

The Turkey River is a 180-mile-long river located in northeastern Iowa.


Summary

Total streamflow across the Turkey River was last observed at 631 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 1,251 acre-ft of water today; about 35% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 1,796 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2021-08-29 when daily discharge volume was observed at 67,780 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader reporting a streamflow rate of 397 cfs. However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the Turkey River At Garber with a gauge stage of 6.83 ft. This river is monitored from 4 different streamgauging stations along the Turkey River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,067 ft, the Turkey River At Spillville.

River Details

Last Updated 2025-12-08
Discharge Volume 1,251 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 630.5 cfs
-103.5 cfs (-14.1%)
Percent of Normal 35.11%
Maximum 67,780.0 cfs
2021-08-29
Seasonal Avg 1,796 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Streamgauge Streamflow Gauge Stage 24hr Change (%) % Normal Minimum (cfs) Maximum (cfs) Air Temp Elevation
Turkey River At Spillville
USGS 05411600
28 cfs 2.69 ft -76.29
Turkey River Near Eldorado
USGS 05411850
206 cfs 5.67 ft -22.26
Turkey River Above French Hollow Cr At Elkader
USGS 05412020
397 cfs 5.4 ft 12.46
Turkey River At Garber
USGS 05412500
388 cfs 6.83 ft 35.66
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile

Turkey River is an unincorporated community in Clayton County, Iowa, United States. The community of Turkey River borders the Mississippi River, and the Turkey River. Turkey River also is on Iowa's border with Wisconsin.