Iowa River at Iowa City
Observed Tue, Sep 29, 3:00 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 23.50 ft
- Forecast crest
- 15.40 ftThu, Oct 1, 7:00 AM CDT
- Record crest
- 31.53 ft2008
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 26.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 24.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 23.50 ft |
| Action | 21.00 ft |
- 29.00 ftSerious flood damage occurs at the University of Iowa campus.
- 27.00 ftFlood protection becomes necessary at the University of Iowa. Water affects several industrial businesses and warehouses along Commercial Drive.
- 26.50 ftNormandy Drive residences are evacuated.
- 26.00 ftIdylwild Road in Iowa City is affected. Areas of the University of Iowa campus are inundated with flood waters. Approaches to county road bridges along the river are flooded. Streets and parking lots along Commercial Drive are affected.
- 24.50 ftTaft Speedway closes. Normandy Drive is affected by flood waters.
- 23.50 ftStevens Drive is inundated by flood waters. Sidewalks near Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus are inundated. Izaak Walton Road and Sand Road are both flooded. Flood waters impact properties off Taft Speedway in Iowa City.
- 21.00 ftCrandic Park off of Rocky Shore Drive is flooded. Lower City Park floods and closes as water is over the roadway and trails.
- 19.00 ftPortions of trails in Lower City Park are closed due to flood waters.
- 17.50 ftSome low lying trails along the river become inundated and are closed to pedestrian use.
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
113 crests on NOAA’s list since 1851.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 15, 2008 | 31.53 ft |
| 2 | August 10, 1993 | 28.52 ft |
| 3 | July 12, 2014 | 25.15 ft |
| 4 | June 5, 2013 | 24.90 ft |
| 5 | June 1, 1851 | 24.10 ft |
| 6 | June 13, 1991 | 23.35 ft |
| 7 | October 6, 2018 | 23.23 ft |
| 8 | June 9, 1974 | 22.44 ft |
| 9 | May 1, 1973 | 22.04 ft |
| 10 | March 29, 1979 | 21.64 ft |
| 11 | April 9, 1975 | 21.50 ft |
| 12 | March 4, 1985 | 21.50 ft |
| 13 | June 15, 1982 | 21.44 ft |
| 14 | June 30, 1986 | 21.22 ft |
| 15 | July 17, 1881 | 21.10 ft |
| 16 | February 21, 1997 | 20.91 ft |
| 17 | April 26, 1983 | 20.72 ft |
| 18 | March 1, 1984 | 20.68 ft |
| 19 | March 20, 2001 | 20.53 ft |
| 20 | April 9, 1998 | 20.36 ft |
| 21 | March 26, 1978 | 20.34 ft |
| 22 | July 13, 2010 | 20.31 ft |
| 23 | October 1, 1993 | 20.24 ft |
| 24 | March 16, 2009 | 20.13 ft |
| 25 | April 30, 1995 | 20.11 ft |
Most recent crests
- October 6, 2018: 23.23 ft
- September 20, 2018: 20.01 ft
- April 6, 2017: 17.47 ft
- December 23, 2015: 20.05 ft
- June 13, 2015: 18.09 ft
- July 12, 2014: 25.15 ft
- June 5, 2013: 24.90 ft
- May 8, 2012: 13.51 ft
- February 22, 2011: 18.08 ft
- July 13, 2010: 20.31 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued routinely during the warm season, and as needed at other times of the year. 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.