Rivers in Iowa
South River near Ackworth
Below flood stage
13.59ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 12:15 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 29.00 ft
- Record crest
- 32.85 ft1981
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 32.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 30.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 29.00 ft |
| Action | 26.00 ft |
- 33.00 ftWater affects 168th Ave near the bridge over the river.
- 31.80 ftWater affects Iowa 92 east of Ackworth.
- 31.00 ftWater reaches the underside of the bridge at 168th Ave.
- 30.00 ftWater affects portions of Iowa 92 and many other rural county roads. Widespread agricultural flooding occurs.
- 28.60 ftWater is over Iowa 92 between mile markers 137.5 and 139.
- 26.00 ftRoad closures are possible near creeks adjoining the river.
- 19.00 ftWater affects lowlands.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 25, 2026.
Crest history
87 crests on NOAA’s list since 1930.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 5, 1981 | 32.85 ft |
| 2 | July 16, 1982 | 32.00 ft |
| 3 | June 25, 2015 | 31.87 ft |
| 4 | July 29, 2008 | 31.57 ft |
| 5 | June 17, 1990 | 31.25 ft |
| 6 | July 6, 1993 | 30.02 ft |
| 7 | September 10, 2014 | 29.91 ft |
| 8 | August 27, 1987 | 29.55 ft |
| 9 | June 10, 1974 | 29.07 ft |
| 10 | May 7, 2007 | 28.42 ft |
| 11 | July 18, 1969 | 28.20 ft |
| 12 | August 8, 1970 | 27.46 ft |
| 13 | April 18, 2013 | 27.38 ft |
| 14 | February 2, 1973 | 27.35 ft |
| 15 | August 26, 1977 | 26.99 ft |
| 16 | April 19, 1991 | 26.93 ft |
| 17 | September 16, 1992 | 26.77 ft |
| 18 | May 10, 1996 | 26.04 ft |
| 19 | July 20, 2010 | 25.91 ft |
| 20 | March 30, 1998 | 25.91 ft |
| 21 | May 25, 2011 | 25.82 ft |
| 22 | May 15, 1966 | 25.58 ft |
| 23 | March 19, 1962 | 25.53 ft |
| 24 | August 7, 2025 | 25.49 ft |
| 25 | March 17, 1965 | 25.47 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 7, 2025: 25.49 ft
- May 20, 2024: 22.68 ft
- February 27, 2023: 11.45 ft
- May 3, 2022: 15.24 ft
- April 8, 2021: 18.36 ft
- March 20, 2020: 19.43 ft
- May 28, 2019: 24.06 ft
- September 4, 2018: 15.63 ft
- April 5, 2017: 16.87 ft
- December 14, 2015: 24.27 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.