Rivers in Iowa
Iowa River at Columbus Jct
Below flood stage
17.40ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 8:00 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 23.00 ft
- Record crest
- 32.30 ft2008
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 26.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 25.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 23.00 ft |
| Action | 19.00 ft |
- 36.00 ftWater goes over the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge roadway.
- 31.80 ftWater reaches the lowest portion of the midspan of the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge.
- 31.30 ftWater reaches the lowest portion of the west abutment of the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge.
- 31.00 ftWater is over the west approach to the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge. Water also reaches the lowest portion of the east abutment of the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge.
- 27.20 ftWater goes over Iowa State Highway 92.
- 26.80 ftWater begins rising onto Iowa State Highway 92.
- 26.50 ftWater goes over U.S. Highway 61 downstream of Columbus Junction.
- 25.10 ftWater reaches the old railroad bridge on the south side of the Fairgrounds.
- 25.00 ftIntersection of Highway G36 and 165th St is underwater and closed.
- 23.00 ftWater affects residential property along the river south of the Iowa Highway 92 Bridge. Locust St is closed at the bridge over Monkey Run.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 8% |
| 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
15 crests on NOAA’s list since 1993.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 15, 2008 | 32.30 ft |
| 2 | July 7, 1993 | 28.30 ft |
| 3 | July 3, 2014 | 27.67 ft |
| 4 | April 19, 2013 | 25.82 ft |
| 5 | September 30, 2016 | 25.29 ft |
| 6 | May 31, 2019 | 24.95 ft |
| 7 | October 1, 2016 | 24.80 ft |
| 8 | October 9, 2018 | 24.32 ft |
| 9 | May 30, 2004 | 24.28 ft |
| 10 | March 21, 2019 | 24.21 ft |
| 11 | September 8, 2018 | 23.91 ft |
| 12 | May 12, 1996 | 23.50 ft |
| 13 | February 23, 1997 | 23.50 ft |
| 14 | February 19, 2011 | 19.38 ft |
| 15 | June 17, 2015 | 19.08 ft |
Most recent crests
- May 31, 2019: 24.95 ft
- March 21, 2019: 24.21 ft
- October 9, 2018: 24.32 ft
- September 8, 2018: 23.91 ft
- October 1, 2016: 24.80 ft
- September 30, 2016: 25.29 ft
- June 17, 2015: 19.08 ft
- July 3, 2014: 27.67 ft
- April 19, 2013: 25.82 ft
- February 19, 2011: 19.38 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. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
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.