Rock River at Watertown
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 8:00 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 5.50 ft
- Record crest
- 7.81 ft2008
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 6.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 6.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 5.50 ft |
| Action | 4.00 ft |
- 7.00 ftFloodwaters affect some streets in Watertown. Riverside Park is flooded. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside park along Highway 16 and Kanow Park are flooded. Rock River Road near Highway 16 is flooded. Water impacts structures at end of Riverview Rd. Water may impact Riverdale Circle.
- 6.50 ftFloodwaters affect some streets in Watertown. Water is in Riverside Park. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside park along Highway 16 and Kanow Park is flooded. Rock River Road near Highway 16 is flooded. Water approaches structures at end of Riverview Rd. Water impacts the end of Willow St.
- 6.00 ftWater nears some streets in Watertown. Water is in Riverside Park in Watertown. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside park on Highway 16, and Kanow Park is flooded. Rock River Road near Highway 16 is flooded.
- 5.50 ftThere is widespread lowland flooding in rural areas around Watertown. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside park along Highway 16 and Kanow Park are flooded and Rock River Road is impacted.
- 5.00 ftThere is minor lowland flooding in rural areas around Watertown. About 6 miles upstream near Ixonia, Wayside Park along Hwy 16 ais flooded, water impacts Rock River Road and Kanow Park near Highway 16 is flooded.
- 4.00 ftThere is minor lowland flooding in rural areas around Watertown. Flood waters start to affect Wayside park on Highway 16 as well as Kanow Park on Rock River Road about 6 miles upstream near Ixonia.
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 25, 2026.
Crest history
50 crests on NOAA’s list since 1938.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 13, 2008 | 7.81 ft |
| 2 | January 17, 1997 | 6.96 ft |
| 3 | April 4, 1959 | 6.32 ft |
| 4 | April 18, 2013 | 6.27 ft |
| 5 | March 31, 1979 | 6.19 ft |
| 6 | September 9, 2018 | 6.17 ft |
| 7 | June 12, 2004 | 6.09 ft |
| 8 | April 20, 1993 | 6.03 ft |
| 9 | April 15, 2026 | 6.00 ft |
| 10 | February 20, 1994 | 5.95 ft |
| 11 | May 31, 2004 | 5.89 ft |
| 12 | April 11, 2008 | 5.89 ft |
| 13 | August 17, 2018 | 5.77 ft |
| 14 | March 24, 1952 | 5.69 ft |
| 15 | October 11, 2019 | 5.62 ft |
| 16 | July 22, 2010 | 5.60 ft |
| 17 | March 24, 1986 | 5.54 ft |
| 18 | June 18, 1996 | 5.51 ft |
| 19 | April 20, 2026 | 5.50 ft |
| 20 | October 5, 1986 | 5.49 ft |
| 21 | March 15, 2009 | 5.45 ft |
| 22 | March 14, 2019 | 5.42 ft |
| 23 | May 19, 2000 | 5.37 ft |
| 24 | March 16, 1943 | 5.36 ft |
| 25 | June 23, 2010 | 5.32 ft |
Most recent crests
- April 20, 2026: 5.50 ft
- April 15, 2026: 6.00 ft
- October 11, 2019: 5.62 ft
- March 14, 2019: 5.42 ft
- September 9, 2018: 6.17 ft
- August 17, 2018: 5.77 ft
- March 12, 2017: 4.42 ft
- January 30, 2017: 3.72 ft
- April 10, 2015: 4.44 ft
- July 2, 2014: 5.24 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. 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.
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.