Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave
Observed Tue, Sep 29, 3:15 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 23.00 ft
- Record crest
- 31.57 ft2008
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 30.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 26.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 23.00 ft |
| Action | 19.00 ft |
- 37.20 ftThis is the top of the Birdland and Central Place levees at 2nd Ave.
- 33.00 ftLevee closures occur across 2nd Ave.
- 30.00 ftLevee closures occur across Grand Ave...Locust St...Walnut St and Ct Ave in downtown Des Moines.
- 28.50 ftMartin Luther King Jr. Parkway is closed from Urbandale Ave to Euclid Ave.
- 27.70 ftWater is several feet deep against the Birdland Marina boathouse.
- 26.50 ftEuclid Ave is closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to 16th St.
- 26.00 ftWater is across the Polk County Human Services Department parking lot.
- 25.50 ftWater affects portions of the Polk County Human Services Department parking lot...on the north side of Euclid Ave and on the west side of the river.
- 25.00 ftThe levee is closed across Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway north of Clarkson Ave.
- 24.50 ftLevee closures occur across Saylor Rd.
- 23.00 ftWater affects Birdland Park.
- 20.50 ftProspect Rd is closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to Hickman Rd.
- 20.00 ftBirdland Dr is closed from Saylor Rd to 6th Ave.
- 18.50 ftWater affects low-lying sections of the Neal Smith Trail in the Birdland Park area.
Flood outlook
Significant river flooding is possible here through October 4.
Weather conditions indicate that significant flooding could occur; it is neither certain nor imminent.
Chance of flooding, October to December
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The five-day outlook is from the Weather Prediction Center with the River Forecast Centers. The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 25, 2026.
Crest history
86 crests on NOAA’s list since 1903.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 13, 2008 | 31.57 ft |
| 2 | June 24, 1954 | 30.16 ft |
| 3 | May 31, 1903 | 27.40 ft |
| 4 | June 26, 1947 | 26.50 ft |
| 5 | July 2, 2010 | 26.08 ft |
| 6 | April 1, 1960 | 25.25 ft |
| 7 | May 23, 1944 | 24.40 ft |
| 8 | July 1, 2018 | 24.00 ft |
| 9 | March 31, 1951 | 23.80 ft |
| 10 | March 31, 1961 | 22.55 ft |
| 11 | June 27, 2014 | 21.67 ft |
| 12 | March 22, 2019 | 21.61 ft |
| 13 | March 19, 1948 | 21.21 ft |
| 14 | October 12, 2018 | 21.20 ft |
| 15 | August 25, 2007 | 20.72 ft |
| 16 | September 1, 2015 | 20.55 ft |
| 17 | May 23, 2024 | 20.55 ft |
| 18 | October 12, 2019 | 20.49 ft |
| 19 | June 26, 2015 | 20.47 ft |
| 20 | March 21, 2007 | 20.47 ft |
| 21 | June 4, 1945 | 20.46 ft |
| 22 | April 17, 2001 | 20.41 ft |
| 23 | September 30, 2016 | 20.30 ft |
| 24 | October 1, 2016 | 20.29 ft |
| 25 | April 3, 1952 | 20.20 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 1, 2025: 19.88 ft
- May 23, 2024: 20.55 ft
- March 1, 2023: 19.88 ft
- June 17, 2022: 18.23 ft
- March 27, 2021: 14.41 ft
- March 23, 2021: 16.40 ft
- May 28, 2020: 19.37 ft
- October 12, 2019: 20.49 ft
- March 22, 2019: 21.61 ft
- October 12, 2018: 21.20 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamDes Moines River at Saylorville Tail
- DownstreamDes Moines River at Des Moines SE 6th St
- Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr
- Fourmile Creek at Des Moines Easton Blvd
- Walnut Creek at Des Moines 63rd St
- Fourmile Creek at Altoona I-80
- Fourmile Creek at IFC--Altoona NE 54th Ave
- North Walnut Creek at IFC--Windsor Heights College Dr
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.