Iowa’s extensive river network is crucial to the state’s ecosystem and economy. Monitoring river levels and flood conditions is vital for public safety and infrastructure management. This report provides a snapshot of current river stages across Iowa, based on data from the National Weather Service Des Moines office as of March 10, 2025, at 4:37 PM CDT. This information reflects observed conditions and should not be used for forecasting. For the latest forecasts and warnings, visit weather.gov/desmoines.
Current River Conditions Across Iowa Basins
This summary covers various river basins across Iowa, including the Mississippi, Wapsipinicon, Iowa, Cedar, Skunk, Des Moines, Raccoon, and Missouri River Basins. Data includes current stage, flood stage, observed flood category, 6-hour change, 24-hour change, and observation time.
Mississippi and Wapsipinicon River Basins
The Wapsipinicon River at Tripoli is currently at a non-flood stage, with a level of 8.92 feet. This represents a rise of 0.22 feet in the past 6 hours but a slight decrease of 0.06 feet over the past 24 hours.
Iowa River Basin
The Iowa River is also experiencing non-flood conditions at various monitoring locations, including Rowan, Steamboat Rock, Marshalltown, and Tama. Minor fluctuations in levels are observed, with some locations showing slight rises and others showing minor falls. Several tributaries of the Iowa River, such as the South Fork Iowa River, Timber Creek, and Walnut Creek, are also below flood stage.
Cedar River Basin
The Cedar River at Waverly, Janesville, Cedar Falls, and Waterloo remains below flood stage. The West Fork Cedar River and its tributaries are also exhibiting non-flood conditions. Similarly, the Winnebago River and Clear Lake are at normal levels.
Skunk and Des Moines River Basins
The Skunk River and its tributaries, including the South Skunk River and Ioway Creek, are all at non-flood stages. The Des Moines River, a major waterway in the state, is below flood stage at all monitoring points, from Estherville in the north to Ottumwa in the south. Saylorville and Red Rock Reservoirs, crucial for flood control in the Des Moines River Basin, are well below their normal pool elevations.
Raccoon and Missouri River Basins
In the Raccoon River Basin, both the North and South Raccoon Rivers are below flood stage. The East Nishnabotna River in the Missouri River Basin is also experiencing non-flood conditions. The Chariton River and its tributaries, including Rathbun Reservoir, are at normal levels.
Understanding the Data
The data presented in this summary uses specific terminology to convey river conditions:
- FS (Flood Stage): The river level at which flooding begins to cause damage.
- Cur Stg (Current Stage): The current water level of the river.
- Obs Flood Category: Indicates whether the observed river level is in a flood category (minor, moderate, major). “Non-Flood” indicates the river is below flood stage.
- 6hr Chg (6-hour Change): The change in river level over the past 6 hours.
- 24hr Chg (24-hour Change): The change in river level over the past 24 hours.
- Obs Time (Observation Time): The date and time the river level was measured.
This information is compiled from multiple sources, including the U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. While automated, it provides a valuable overview of current conditions. Remember to consult official weather forecasts for future predictions and potential flood warnings. Always prioritize safety near waterways.
