2025-12-20T00:00:00-07:00
...CRITICAL FIRE WEATHER CONDITIONS FRIDAY... Critical fire weather conditions over the northeast plains will gradually ease into this evening. Strong winds will redevelop in the foothills overnight, with high winds spreading slowly east across the nearby adjacent plains west of I-25 through the afternoon. Extremely high wind gusts of 85-100 mph combined with humidities dropping into the 10-20 percent range will create potential for fast moving wildfires, should any new starts occur. Winds toward I-25 and eastward will be slower to develop, and also speeds will be considerably lighter. That said, gusts of 25-40 mph are still expected to combine with very low humidity and cured grasses to support critical fire weather conditions. Areas farther east into eastern Adams, Arapahoe, Elbert, and Lincoln counties have more uncertainty if those winds even develop, so those locations remain under a Fire Weather Watch. Such conditions may be a longer duration than usual, with potential for low humidity to extend well into the evening hours. The National Weather Service in Denver has issued a Red Flag Warning for wind and low relative humidity, which is in effect from 10 AM Friday to midnight MST Friday night. The Fire Weather Watch is no longer in effect. * AFFECTED AREA...Fire Weather Zones 238, 239, 240, 241 and 243. * TIMING...From 10 AM Friday to midnight MST Friday night. * WINDS...West 20 to 35 mph, with gusts up to 80 mph or more immediately next to the foothills. Gusts closer to 40 mph along and east of I-25. * RELATIVE HUMIDITY...As low as 8 percent. * IMPACTS...Conditions will be favorable for rapid fire spread. Avoid outdoor burning and any activity that may produce a spark and start a fast moving wildfire.
Summary
Total streamflow across the
Wapsipinicon River
was last observed at
285
cfs, and is expected to yield approximately
565
acre-ft of water today; about 9%
of normal.
River levels are low and may signify a drought.
Average streamflow for this time of year is
3,217 cfs,
with recent peaks last observed
on
2018-09-09 when daily discharge volume was observed at
64,950 cfs.
Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt
reporting a streamflow rate of 559 cfs.
However, the streamgauge with the highest stage along the river is the
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli
with a gauge stage of 7.63 ft.
This river is monitored from 4 different streamgauging stations along the Wapsipinicon River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 1,019 ft, the
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli.
River Details
| Last Updated | 2025-12-04 |
| Discharge Volume | 565 ACRE-FT |
| Streamflow |
285.0 cfs
-878.0 cfs (-75.49%) |
| Percent of Normal | 8.86% |
| Maximum |
64,950.0 cfs
2018-09-09 |
| Seasonal Avg | 3,217 cfs |
River Streamflow Levels
| Streamgauge | Streamflow | Gauge Stage | 24hr Change (%) | % Normal | Minimum (cfs) | Maximum (cfs) | Air Temp | Elevation |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Tripoli
USGS 05420680 |
106 cfs | 7.63 ft | -2.75 | |||||
|
Wapsipinicon River At Independence
USGS 05421000 |
214 cfs | 4.69 ft | 0 | |||||
|
Wapsipinicon River Near Anamosa
USGS 05421740 |
321 cfs | 5 ft | 78.33 | |||||
|
Wapsipinicon River Near De Witt
USGS 05422000 |
559 cfs | 5.99 ft | 4.68 |
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Streamflow Elevation Profile
The Wapsipinicon River (locally known as the Wapsi) is a tributary of the Mississippi River, approximately 300 miles (480 km) long, in southeastern Minnesota and northeastern Iowa in the United States. It drains a rural farming region of rolling hills and bluffs north of Waterloo and Cedar Rapids.
It rises in Mower County, Minnesota and enters Iowa in northern Mitchell County. It flows generally southeast across rural Chickasaw, Bremer, and Buchanan counties, past Independence and Anamosa. Along its lower 25 miles (40 km) it turns east, forming the boundary between Clinton and Scott counties. It joins the Mississippi from the west approximately 10 miles (16 km) southwest of Clinton.
It defines the western boundary of the Driftless Area. While the Wapsi has a soft, recent catchment, the Driftless, to the east and north, tumbles down to the Mississippi in rugged canyons.
The name of the river in the Ojibwe language is Waabizipinikaan-ziibi ("river abundant in swan-potatoes"), on account of the large quantity of arrowheads or wild artichokes, known as "swan-potatoes" (waabizipiniin, singular waabizipin), once found near its banks. Severe flooding on the river in 1993, as part of the larger floods in region, caused widespread damage to the surrounding cropland.
The Wapsipinicon River runs alongside the Iowa cities and communities of McIntire, Riceville, Deerfield, Frederika, Tripoli, Littleton, Otterville, Independence, Quasqueton, Troy Mills, Paris, Central City, Waubeek, Stone City, Anamosa, Olin, Oxford Junction, Oxford Mills, Massillon, Toronto, Wheatland, McCausland, Folletts, and Shaffton before emptying into the Mississippi River. Cedar Rock State Park is located on the Wapsipinicon near Quasqueton. Wapsipinicon State Park is located along its southern bank at Anamosa. Many regional parks also border the river.
The Wapsipinicon is known for excellent fishing for catfish, although it also contains abundant northern pike, carp, sunfish, and walleye (in some areas).