Wapsipinicon River Flow Today
As of October 3, 2026 at 2:30 AM, the Wapsipinicon River is flowing at 11,300 cfs near De Witt, IA and up 31% in 24 hours. 4 of 4 USGS gauges reported in the last 3 days; flows range from 2,140 to 11,300 cfs. ❤ Favorite
Wapsipinicon River map
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Wapsipinicon 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 De Witt, the Wapsipinicon River is running 11,300 cfs, up 31% since yesterday.
In the last 24 hours the river is rising at Tripoli (+229%) and Independence (+203%).
Flood watch: De Witt is at major flood stage (12.87 ft). Check NWS before heading out.
High water on the Wapsipinicon River
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt is at 12.87 ft — major flood stage (flood stage 11.0 ft).
How the Wapsipinicon 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
- Tripoli1,019 ft 2,140 cfs
- Independence889 ft 6,980 cfs
- Anamosa779 ft 4,500 cfs
- De Witt646 ft 11,300 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.
Wapsipinicon River flow report
| Streamgage | Streamflow | % of normal | 24h | Gage height | To flood stage | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli IA
Oct 3, 2:45 AM · USGS 05420680 |
2,140 cfs | · | +229% | 13.01 ft | 2.0 ft below | 1,019 ft |
|
Wapsipinicon River At Independence IA
Oct 3, 2:30 AM · USGS 05421000 |
6,980 cfs | · | +203% | 9.72 ft | 2.3 ft below | 889 ft |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa IA
Oct 3, 2:15 AM · USGS 05421740 |
4,500 cfs | · | 0% | 10.57 ft | 3.9 ft below | 779 ft |
|
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt IA
Oct 3, 2:30 AM · USGS 05422000 |
11,300 cfs | · | +31% | 12.87 ft | Major flood | 646 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 Wapsipinicon River
Releases from these dams shape the flow downstream. Tap one for its daily level and history.
Wapsipinicon River streamflow over time
Daily total flow across every monitored gauge on the river.
Maximum streamflow by year
Wapsipinicon River
The Wapsipinicon River is a 290-mile-long river that flows through Iowa and Minnesota. Its name comes from the Meskwaki word "Wapsie," meaning "white potato," and "Pinicon," meaning "river of the light-colored soil." The river has a rich history, with Native American tribes using it for transportation and fishing, and European settlers using it for mills and power. Today, the Wapsipinicon River is used for recreational activities like fishing, boating, and camping, and for agricultural purposes like irrigation and livestock watering. There are several reservoirs and dams on the river, including the Lake Delhi Dam, which was destroyed in 2010 and rebuilt in 2014, and the Central City Dam, which was built in 1914 and still provides hydroelectric power. Despite occasional flooding, the Wapsipinicon River remains an important part of Iowa's natural and cultural heritage.
About the Wapsipinicon River
How is the Wapsipinicon River flowing right now?
As of October 3, 2026, the Wapsipinicon River is flowing at 11,300 cfs near De Witt, IA. Across its 4 USGS gauges, current flows range from 2,140 to 11,300 cfs. Every gauge’s live reading is in the table above.
Is the Wapsipinicon 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 Wapsipinicon River?
The National Weather Service sets flood stages for Tripoli (15.0 ft), Independence (12.0 ft), Anamosa (14.5 ft), De Witt (11.0 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.