Rock River at Rock Valley
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 11:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 16.00 ft
- Record crest
- 27.70 ft2024
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 19.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 17.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 16.00 ft |
| Action | 14.00 ft |
- 26.00 ftSignificant flooding will be ongoing in Rock Valley with most houses and businesses north of downtown flooded. Portions of the bridge on 340th St are overtopped.
- 23.00 ftElmwood Ave is flooded near the gauge and numerous houses on the north side of Rock Valley near the river are flooded.
- 21.00 ftWater begins to enter the northern portions of Rock Valley on the south side of the river.
- 20.00 ftHwy 18 west of Rock Valley is flooded. The lower portions of 300th Ave in Rock Valley north of the river and west of Elmwood Ave may flood. Major agricultural flooding is ongoing throughout the floodplain.
- 19.00 ftRock Valley begins to experience increasing flood problems and at least a couple of houses nearest the river begin to flood. Sandbagging of storm sewers in the city begins. Portions of 360th will be flooded.
- 18.00 ftWater reaches the backyards of some houses north of the river and west of Elmwood Ave in Rock Valley and some outbuildings are flooded. The Rivers Bend Campground on the northwest side of Rock Valley begins to flood.
- 16.00 ftSignificant amounts of agricultural lands are flooded, and some rural roads are also threatened by high water.
- 13.00 ftThe lowest lying pasture and farm land will experience some minor flooding
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 23, 2026.
Crest history
52 crests on NOAA’s list since 1936.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 22, 2024 | 27.70 ft |
| 2 | June 17, 2014 | 22.72 ft |
| 3 | June 22, 2018 | 21.20 ft |
| 4 | March 15, 2019 | 20.61 ft |
| 5 | September 26, 2010 | 20.24 ft |
| 6 | May 9, 1993 | 19.97 ft |
| 7 | September 25, 2010 | 19.89 ft |
| 8 | March 23, 1979 | 18.91 ft |
| 9 | June 20, 1983 | 18.85 ft |
| 10 | June 14, 1994 | 18.27 ft |
| 11 | June 18, 1984 | 18.06 ft |
| 12 | March 15, 2007 | 17.96 ft |
| 13 | April 24, 2001 | 17.74 ft |
| 14 | April 7, 1936 | 17.32 ft |
| 15 | January 1, 1997 | 17.00 ft |
| 16 | March 30, 1962 | 16.91 ft |
| 17 | March 19, 1986 | 16.88 ft |
| 18 | April 9, 2006 | 16.44 ft |
| 19 | April 24, 1985 | 16.07 ft |
| 20 | June 8, 1953 | 15.99 ft |
| 21 | June 21, 1954 | 15.86 ft |
| 22 | March 21, 1978 | 15.32 ft |
| 23 | March 29, 1997 | 15.17 ft |
| 24 | February 24, 1982 | 14.61 ft |
| 25 | June 6, 2008 | 14.54 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 2, 2025: 7.63 ft
- June 22, 2024: 27.70 ft
- June 1, 2022: 9.56 ft
- April 10, 2021: 6.72 ft
- July 8, 2020: 11.63 ft
- March 15, 2019: 20.61 ft
- June 22, 2018: 21.20 ft
- May 2, 2016: 11.44 ft
- August 21, 2015: 8.83 ft
- June 17, 2014: 22.72 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Missouri Basin 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. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. Gauge reading may be affected by ice.
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.