Rock River at Rock Rapids
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 4:15 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 13.00 ft
- Record crest
- 28.65 ft2024
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 19.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 16.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 13.00 ft |
| Action | 11.00 ft |
- 28.00 ftWater reaches as far as Greene St on the west side of the river and the bridge on Hwy 9 in Rock Rapids is in danger of being overtopped.
- 27.00 ftSignificant flooding will be ongoing in Rock Rapids and water reaches as far Pearl St on the east side of the river and Tama St on the west side. Hwy 75 south of Rock Rapids may also become impassable.
- 26.00 ftWater reaches the bottom of the bridge on Hwy 9.
- 22.00 ftThe race track in Rock Rapids begins to flood as does N Boone St if water backs up Moon Creek
- 19.00 ftThe highest banks on the right side of the river will be overtopped with water beginning to encroach into the edges of Rock Rapids structures nearest the river.
- 16.00 ftThe higher banks on the left side become overtopped and more significant agriculture flooding begins.
- 15.00 ftMuch of the campground at Island Park in Rock Rapids is flooded.
- 13.00 ftThe lower banks become overtopped, including the lower lying areas of the Island Park Campground
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 8% |
| Moderate flooding | 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued August 26, 2026.
Crest history
25 crests on NOAA’s list since 2002.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 22, 2024 | 28.65 ft |
| 2 | June 17, 2014 | 26.98 ft |
| 3 | September 25, 2010 | 22.25 ft |
| 4 | September 14, 2019 | 21.54 ft |
| 5 | June 22, 2018 | 20.80 ft |
| 6 | March 15, 2007 | 19.79 ft |
| 7 | March 14, 2019 | 19.78 ft |
| 8 | April 8, 2006 | 17.81 ft |
| 9 | June 6, 2008 | 16.49 ft |
| 10 | March 22, 2011 | 15.66 ft |
| 11 | May 28, 2012 | 14.92 ft |
| 12 | March 2, 2004 | 14.27 ft |
| 13 | June 24, 2013 | 13.86 ft |
| 14 | July 7, 2020 | 13.80 ft |
| 15 | April 13, 2023 | 13.40 ft |
| 16 | September 17, 2016 | 13.02 ft |
| 17 | February 10, 2009 | 12.83 ft |
| 18 | July 25, 2005 | 12.57 ft |
| 19 | July 6, 2022 | 12.11 ft |
| 20 | August 20, 2015 | 11.96 ft |
| 21 | May 22, 2017 | 11.46 ft |
| 22 | July 1, 2025 | 10.61 ft |
| 23 | March 30, 2002 | 9.95 ft |
| 24 | April 20, 2003 | 9.66 ft |
| 25 | September 4, 2021 | 9.26 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 1, 2025: 10.61 ft
- June 22, 2024: 28.65 ft
- April 13, 2023: 13.40 ft
- July 6, 2022: 12.11 ft
- September 4, 2021: 9.26 ft
- July 7, 2020: 13.80 ft
- September 14, 2019: 21.54 ft
- March 14, 2019: 19.78 ft
- June 22, 2018: 20.80 ft
- May 22, 2017: 11.46 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.