Iowa River at Wapello
Observed Sun, Sep 20, 12:00 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 21.00 ft
- Forecast crest
- 20.90 ftWed, Sep 23, 7:00 PM CDT
- Record crest
- 32.15 ft2008
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 27.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 25.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 21.00 ft |
| Action | 18.50 ft |
- 42.00 ftWater overtops the Wapello levee system which extends 3.5 to 5.0 mi downstream from the city.
- 41.00 ftWater is at the bottom of the U.S. Highway 61 bridge.
- 38.00 ftWater is at the bottom of the Iowa Highway 99 bridge at Wapello.
- 32.00 ftWater affects unprotected areas of Wapello.
- 27.50 ftWater affects U.S. Highway 61 north of Wapello.
- 25.00 ftWidespread flooding of agricultural land. Numerous secondary roads are under water.
- 22.00 ftWater affects residences near the U.S. Highway 61 bridge.
- 21.00 ftAgricultural land near the river is flooded and water covers most islands. Water starts rising onto secondary roads in Wapello Bottoms.
- 20.00 ftLow lying areas begin taking on water.
Flood outlook
Significant river flooding is possible here through September 25.
Weather conditions indicate that significant flooding could occur; it is neither certain nor imminent.
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 20% |
| 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 August 28, 2026.
Crest history
120 crests on NOAA’s list since 1912.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 14, 2008 | 32.15 ft |
| 2 | July 3, 2014 | 30.18 ft |
| 3 | July 7, 1993 | 29.53 ft |
| 4 | June 19, 1990 | 28.91 ft |
| 5 | April 22, 1973 | 28.63 ft |
| 6 | April 20, 2013 | 28.15 ft |
| 7 | May 19, 1974 | 28.12 ft |
| 8 | July 8, 1993 | 28.10 ft |
| 9 | May 31, 2019 | 27.21 ft |
| 10 | September 30, 2016 | 27.20 ft |
| 11 | October 11, 2018 | 26.78 ft |
| 12 | May 31, 2004 | 26.65 ft |
| 13 | March 21, 2019 | 26.47 ft |
| 14 | September 8, 2018 | 25.81 ft |
| 15 | March 22, 1979 | 25.30 ft |
| 16 | May 19, 1986 | 25.14 ft |
| 17 | July 29, 1999 | 25.09 ft |
| 18 | May 12, 1996 | 24.77 ft |
| 19 | February 23, 1997 | 24.70 ft |
| 20 | March 19, 2010 | 24.40 ft |
| 21 | June 28, 2020 | 24.03 ft |
| 22 | May 26, 1991 | 23.82 ft |
| 23 | July 20, 1982 | 23.61 ft |
| 24 | August 31, 2009 | 23.37 ft |
| 25 | February 25, 1985 | 23.37 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 28, 2020: 24.03 ft
- May 31, 2019: 27.21 ft
- May 21, 2019: 21.49 ft
- March 21, 2019: 26.47 ft
- October 11, 2018: 26.78 ft
- September 8, 2018: 25.81 ft
- April 8, 2017: 19.89 ft
- September 30, 2016: 27.20 ft
- June 17, 2015: 20.76 ft
- July 3, 2014: 30.18 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.