Rivers in Iowa
Ioway Creek at Ames Lincoln Way
Below flood stage
2.88ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 28, 1:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 10.00 ft
- Record crest
- 18.54 ft1993
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 15.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 14.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 10.00 ft |
| Action | 8.00 ft |
- 18.50 ftWater reaches the perimeter fence at Furman Aquatic Center located at 1635 13th St.
- 17.30 ftWater affects Stange Rd north of Ioway Creek as well as the Meadow Lane trailer park.
- 17.10 ftWater affects the Iowa State Lied Recreation Center.
- 16.40 ftWater affects the Maple...Willow and Larch dormitories on the Iowa State University campus.
- 15.80 ftWater affects Lincoln Way and University Ave. Water also reaches the top of the curb in front the Target store located at 320 S Duff Ave.
- 15.50 ftWater affects Lincoln Way west of the bridge over Ioway Creek.
- 15.10 ftWater affects the Scheman Building and Hilton Coliseum. S Duff Ave is closed between Ioway Creek and S 3rd St.
- 14.50 ftWater reaches the CyRide building located at the northeast corner of 1700 University Blvd.
- 14.40 ftWater affects S Duff Ave. Water also affects the Timbercreek Apartments located at 610 Ioway Creek Dr.
- 13.80 ftWater affects the Tall Timber Apartments located at 644 Ioway Creek Dr.
- 13.50 ftWater affects 6th St near Brookside Park.
- 13.30 ftWater affects the road at 6th St through the railroad underpass in the Brookside Park area.
- 13.20 ftWater affects the parking lots of apartments along S 5th St.
- 13.00 ftWater affects the S 4th St bridge.
- 12.00 ftWater affects the parking lots of apartments along Stonehaven Dr and threatens the Veenker Golf Course Shed.
- 10.40 ftWater affects lowlands around S 4th St.
- 9.70 ftWater affects W 190th St where it crosses Ioway Creek...west of the intersection with 510th St...or 2 1/2 miles southwest of Gilbert.
- 9.00 ftWater primarily affects low-lying areas near the stream.
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
72 crests on NOAA’s list since 1918.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 9, 1993 | 18.54 ft |
| 2 | August 11, 2010 | 18.13 ft |
| 3 | June 17, 1990 | 15.97 ft |
| 4 | May 30, 2008 | 15.85 ft |
| 5 | June 17, 1996 | 15.29 ft |
| 6 | June 4, 1918 | 14.50 ft |
| 7 | September 19, 1926 | 14.20 ft |
| 8 | June 27, 1975 | 14.00 ft |
| 9 | June 13, 1984 | 12.97 ft |
| 10 | June 15, 2018 | 12.19 ft |
| 11 | March 19, 1979 | 11.81 ft |
| 12 | April 26, 2007 | 11.79 ft |
| 13 | June 15, 1998 | 11.57 ft |
| 14 | July 1, 2014 | 11.24 ft |
| 15 | May 13, 1970 | 10.74 ft |
| 16 | July 17, 1922 | 10.70 ft |
| 17 | March 1, 1965 | 10.70 ft |
| 18 | August 29, 2015 | 10.69 ft |
| 19 | March 14, 2019 | 10.68 ft |
| 20 | December 15, 2015 | 10.36 ft |
| 21 | July 18, 1982 | 10.30 ft |
| 22 | June 30, 1986 | 10.21 ft |
| 23 | June 12, 1966 | 10.15 ft |
| 24 | February 19, 1971 | 10.09 ft |
| 25 | October 4, 1926 | 9.80 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 30, 2025: 6.10 ft
- May 22, 2024: 5.38 ft
- February 27, 2023: 7.15 ft
- June 15, 2022: 8.69 ft
- March 4, 2021: 2.93 ft
- May 27, 2020: 5.44 ft
- March 14, 2019: 10.68 ft
- June 15, 2018: 12.19 ft
- May 1, 2017: 5.09 ft
- January 19, 2017: 6.67 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.