Cottonwood River (MN) above Springfield
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 8:30 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 24.00 ft
- Record crest
- 32.89 ft2010
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 32.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 27.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 24.00 ft |
| Action | 21.00 ft |
- 35.00 ftTop of the earthen levee along the north side of the river between S Cass Ave and East End Ave.
- 32.00 ftWater from storm drains backs up into the road causing flooding at the intersection of Marshall Ave and E Lincoln St.
- 30.50 ftThe Springfield Swimming Pool and main building begin to flood at this level. The remainder of Riverside Park is already fully inundated at this level.
- 30.00 ftThe Springfield Golf Course clubhouse begins to flood near this level. The golf course parking lot is inundated as well.
- 28.50 ftRothenburg Campround is fully inundated near this level. Flood waters extend to the intersection of S Cass Ave and Riverside Dr. near the Springfield Swimming Pool.
- 27.50 ftFlood waters approach the low sport of S Cass Ave near the Rothenburg campground.
- 27.00 ftThe entrance to the Rothenburg Campground is flooded at this level.
- 26.50 ftS O'Connell Ave begins to flood, closing off access to the Springfield Golf Course. The field east of S Cass Ave begins to flood near the picnic shelter and playground.
- 26.00 ftThe pedestrian path at the Rothenburg Campground begins to flood.
- 23.50 ftWater begins leaving the riverbank just below this level near the Rothenburg Campground and adjacent to the Springfield football and baseball fields.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 7% |
| 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
48 crests on NOAA’s list since 1969.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 24, 2010 | 32.89 ft |
| 2 | July 4, 2018 | 32.81 ft |
| 3 | April 24, 2001 | 32.70 ft |
| 4 | April 8, 1969 | 31.55 ft |
| 5 | June 18, 1993 | 31.40 ft |
| 6 | June 23, 2024 | 30.91 ft |
| 7 | March 23, 2011 | 30.06 ft |
| 8 | June 22, 2018 | 29.58 ft |
| 9 | March 23, 2019 | 29.49 ft |
| 10 | June 25, 1984 | 29.12 ft |
| 11 | May 8, 1983 | 28.79 ft |
| 12 | March 29, 1997 | 28.77 ft |
| 13 | May 16, 2023 | 28.22 ft |
| 14 | September 14, 2019 | 28.20 ft |
| 15 | July 18, 2016 | 28.01 ft |
| 16 | September 22, 1986 | 26.82 ft |
| 17 | March 14, 1985 | 26.62 ft |
| 18 | March 31, 1979 | 26.62 ft |
| 19 | March 13, 2007 | 26.45 ft |
| 20 | August 19, 2025 | 25.89 ft |
| 21 | June 18, 1996 | 25.77 ft |
| 22 | June 19, 2014 | 25.70 ft |
| 23 | June 1, 2004 | 25.05 ft |
| 24 | October 4, 2017 | 24.87 ft |
| 25 | April 13, 2023 | 24.24 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 19, 2025: 25.89 ft
- June 23, 2024: 30.91 ft
- May 16, 2023: 28.22 ft
- April 13, 2023: 24.24 ft
- May 15, 2022: 23.00 ft
- March 25, 2021: 17.33 ft
- March 30, 2020: 23.62 ft
- September 14, 2019: 28.20 ft
- March 23, 2019: 29.49 ft
- July 4, 2018: 32.81 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamCottonwood River (MN) at Lamberton
- DownstreamCottonwood River (MN) at New Ulm
- Cottonwood River (MN) at Leavenworth
- Sleepy Eye Creek at Cobden CR8
- West Fork Des Moines River at Windom
- Redwood River at Redwood Falls
- Minnesota River at Morton
- Beaver Creek (MN) at Beaver Falls
- West Fork Des Moines River at Avoca
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. 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. 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. Stage 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.