Rivers in Iowa
East Fork Des Moines River at Dakota City
Below flood stage
8.42ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 4:00 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 20.00 ft
- Record crest
- 23.35 ft1993
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 28.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 24.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 20.00 ft |
| Action | 18.00 ft |
- 28.00 ftWater affects the Humboldt County Museum just northeast of the Dakota City bridge.
- 24.00 ftWater affects the Dakota City bridge as well as 20650 acres of agriculural land north and south of town.
- 22.00 ftWater affects the Dakota City bridge just south of town.
- 21.70 ftWater affects all lower camp sites at, the parking lot at and the entrance to the city park. Water also floods agricultural land on the east side of the river just south of IA 3 bridge.
- 20.00 ftWater affects the lower camp sites at the city park on the west side of the river just north of the 1st Ave N bridge. The City of Dakota City is situated on locally high ground and is generally not affected by flooding at this stage.
- 18.00 ftWater affects the riverside parking area at the city park just north of the 1st Ave N bridge. Water also completely floods agricultural land on both sides of 170th St.
- 16.10 ftWater affects portions of 170th St east of the Foster bridge.
- 16.00 ftWater affects the Martin/Marietta gravel pit.
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
92 crests on NOAA’s list since 1938.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 1, 1993 | 23.35 ft |
| 2 | April 9, 1965 | 23.13 ft |
| 3 | August 25, 1979 | 21.71 ft |
| 4 | June 24, 2024 | 21.65 ft |
| 5 | May 18, 1991 | 21.16 ft |
| 6 | March 17, 2010 | 21.13 ft |
| 7 | April 1, 1962 | 20.48 ft |
| 8 | March 20, 2019 | 19.82 ft |
| 9 | June 19, 2014 | 19.82 ft |
| 10 | June 18, 2014 | 19.80 ft |
| 11 | September 23, 2018 | 19.78 ft |
| 12 | June 18, 1984 | 19.19 ft |
| 13 | March 28, 1961 | 19.12 ft |
| 14 | June 14, 2008 | 19.09 ft |
| 15 | June 24, 1981 | 18.68 ft |
| 16 | May 6, 2001 | 17.57 ft |
| 17 | March 29, 1960 | 17.49 ft |
| 18 | September 1, 1938 | 17.40 ft |
| 19 | May 22, 1959 | 16.97 ft |
| 20 | May 28, 2013 | 16.95 ft |
| 21 | June 21, 1954 | 16.95 ft |
| 22 | April 16, 1983 | 16.87 ft |
| 23 | March 17, 1971 | 16.67 ft |
| 24 | May 26, 2004 | 16.64 ft |
| 25 | May 14, 2005 | 16.46 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 1, 2025: 16.12 ft
- June 24, 2024: 21.65 ft
- February 28, 2023: 14.69 ft
- May 5, 2022: 10.77 ft
- March 28, 2021: 9.53 ft
- May 22, 2020: 13.24 ft
- March 20, 2019: 19.82 ft
- September 23, 2018: 19.78 ft
- October 1, 2016: 13.49 ft
- September 25, 2016: 15.70 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.