Rivers in Iowa
West Fork Des Moines River at Humboldt
Below flood stage
4.43ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 11:30 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 10.00 ft
- Record crest
- 16.82 ft2024
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 14.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 13.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 10.00 ft |
| Action | 7.00 ft |
- 17.00 ftWater affects the Berkhimer Bridge deck on 215th St north of Humboldt. Water is 2 to 3 ft high on some homes on the north end of W Fork Dr, Country Club Dr and W River Dr. Water affects the lower section of Lower Sheldon Park. Homes along 9th St S are getting water in their basements. In Bradgate, water covers the majority of the south side of town. Water affects fields and roadways on the north side of town.
- 16.00 ftWater affects homes along the west end of W River Rd and along May St. Water affects 15th St N between 7th and 8th Ave N and the boat ramp at the Reasoner dam. Water floods Tourist Park. In Bradgate, water affects the city well area, Fox St E and Minturn St south from Percy to the south edge of town. Water affects the park at Minturn St N and E King St. In Rutland, water covers the turnaround area near the dam and affects the campground grass field.
- 15.00 ftWater affects the area south of 13th Ave S. Backup water flows north from the recycling plant to 11th Ave S and affects homes. In Bradgate, water affects the west side of town from Public St to Garfield St S south of King St. In Rutland, water affects the campground areas but does not back up through the creek or drainage ditch.
- 14.00 ftHomes along the far west side and W River Dr have water 2 to 3 ft from their foundations. The homes east have water in their back yards. In Bradgate, water affects the parking and facility lots of the cooperative in town. Homes on the west side of town see water in their yards.
- 13.00 ftWater affects homes along Country Club Ln from 20-160. Homes from 15-21 W Fork Dr are seeing flood waters nearing their foundations and sandbagging begins. Homeowners along 9th St S from 9th Ave S to 13th Ave S are seeing water over the banks but not threatening homes. In Bradgate, water is up to the foundations of homes on the west Side of Public Road in town. No other flooding in town is noted due to the river. Water covers 180th St from Colorado Ave to Delaware Ave.
- 12.00 ftWater affects homes from 22-24 W Fork Dr and affects Tourist Park. In Bradgate, water affects agricultural land west, north and south of town getting deeper and spreading out but not impacting homes in town.
- 11.00 ftWater affects homes from 20 to 160 Country Club Ln. Water is out of the banks along W Fork Rd north of IA 3. Water is 3 to 4 ft from foundations. Water affects Tourist Park south of Sumner Ave. Homes along W River road have water in some of the backyards. In Bradgate, water affects Arizona Ave from 160th St to 165th St. Water affects Public Rd or 180th St from town to Colorado Ave. Water is up to Public Rd in the city limits.
- 10.00 ftWater affects the Cottonwood trail from the dam south.
- 9.50 ftWater affects homes from 120 through 160 Country Club Ln. In Bradgate, water affects portions of Arizona Ave north of town between 160th St and 165th St, portions of Public Rd/180th St from town south to Colorado Ave, portions of 190th St south of town from Elm Ave to Florida Ave and Pilot Creek Rd at 465th St northwest of Bradgate.
- 9.00 ftWater affects docks of homes along Country Club Ln and house backyards along W Fork Rd and W River Dr. In Bradgate, water affects agricultural land along Arizona Ave from 150th to 160th St and along Public Rd/180th St from Bradgate south to Colorado Ave.
- 8.00 ftWater begins affecting docks of homes along the County Club Ln. In Bradgate, water begins affecting the natural land near the river. No roads are impacted.
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 August 28, 2026.
Crest history
84 crests on NOAA’s list since 1940.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 27, 2024 | 16.82 ft |
| 2 | April 14, 1969 | 15.40 ft |
| 3 | July 13, 1993 | 15.22 ft |
| 4 | March 20, 2019 | 14.95 ft |
| 5 | April 8, 1965 | 13.90 ft |
| 6 | July 6, 2018 | 13.50 ft |
| 7 | June 20, 2014 | 13.46 ft |
| 8 | June 18, 1984 | 12.50 ft |
| 9 | June 29, 2010 | 12.31 ft |
| 10 | June 23, 1947 | 12.20 ft |
| 11 | May 3, 2001 | 12.10 ft |
| 12 | June 25, 1994 | 11.72 ft |
| 13 | March 29, 1961 | 11.56 ft |
| 14 | June 22, 1954 | 11.33 ft |
| 15 | April 5, 1951 | 11.30 ft |
| 16 | April 1, 1962 | 11.12 ft |
| 17 | June 14, 2008 | 10.87 ft |
| 18 | March 16, 2007 | 10.39 ft |
| 19 | May 20, 1944 | 10.33 ft |
| 20 | June 6, 1991 | 10.32 ft |
| 21 | August 26, 1979 | 10.26 ft |
| 22 | June 28, 2011 | 10.23 ft |
| 23 | April 2, 2011 | 9.96 ft |
| 24 | April 13, 2006 | 9.82 ft |
| 25 | April 7, 1997 | 9.76 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 1, 2025: 9.06 ft
- June 27, 2024: 16.82 ft
- May 15, 2023: 9.71 ft
- June 17, 2022: 6.99 ft
- April 15, 2021: 4.80 ft
- May 28, 2020: 9.22 ft
- March 20, 2019: 14.95 ft
- July 6, 2018: 13.50 ft
- May 24, 2017: 9.58 ft
- May 3, 2016: 9.62 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.