Rivers in Iowa

Cedar River at Palo

Linn County, IowaNWS PLOI4USGS 05464420Davenport office

Below flood stage
9.00ftStage

Observed Tue, Sep 22, 12:15 AM CDT

Flood stage
12.50 ft
Record crest
23.22 ft2008

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood17.00 ft
Moderate flood15.50 ft
Minor flood12.50 ft
Action11.00 ft
  1. 23.22 ftWater reaches the box culvert on Vinton Street east of the railroad tracks in Palo.
  2. 21.10 ftWater reaches the bridge deck on 1st Street in Palo.
  3. 18.50 ftWater reaches the box culvert on West Main Street in Palo.
  4. 17.80 ftWater reaches Blairs Ferry Road east of 1st Street in Palo.
  5. 17.00 ftResidences across the eastern part of the city of Palo are affected by flood waters.
  6. 16.50 ftWater reaches the bottom of the bridge deck on Blairs Ferry Road.
  7. 15.50 ftWater reaches residences along Dry Creek in Palo.
  8. 15.00 ftThe walking bridge from East Main Street to 1st Street in Palo is impacted by flood waters. Trails along the river are under water.
  9. 14.30 ftThe boat ramp just west of the Blairs Ferry Road bridge is closed.
  10. 14.00 ftDry Creek begins to back up into the City of Palo due to high water on the Cedar River.
  11. 13.50 ftChain Bridge Road accessing the boat ramp is closed.
  12. 13.00 ftPortions of Linn Drive in Palo are affected by flood waters.
  13. 12.50 ftThe Chain Lakes area is affected by flood waters.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor flooding8%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 28, 2026.

Crest history

12 crests on NOAA’s list since 2008.

#DateStage
1June 13, 200823.22 ft
2September 27, 201618.07 ft
3June 1, 201315.67 ft
4March 19, 201915.30 ft
5June 24, 201415.00 ft
6March 17, 201014.18 ft
7June 25, 202013.86 ft
8June 28, 202413.56 ft
9March 28, 201112.37 ft
10June 28, 201511.49 ft
11January 25, 201711.35 ft
12May 10, 20127.60 ft

Most recent crests

  • June 28, 2024: 13.56 ft
  • June 25, 2020: 13.86 ft
  • March 19, 2019: 15.30 ft
  • January 25, 2017: 11.35 ft
  • September 27, 2016: 18.07 ft
  • June 28, 2015: 11.49 ft
  • June 24, 2014: 15.00 ft
  • June 1, 2013: 15.67 ft
  • May 10, 2012: 7.60 ft
  • March 28, 2011: 12.37 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 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.