Rivers in Iowa
Shell Rock River at Shell Rock
Below flood stage
8.98ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 1:45 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 12.00 ft
- Record crest
- 21.40 ft2016
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 18.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 16.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 12.00 ft |
| Action | 10.00 ft |
- 21.00 ftWater affects the approach to the Cherry St bridge.
- 20.00 ftWater affects many residences.
- 18.00 ftWater nears the top of an arch beneath the Cherry St bridge and affects multiple roads.
- 16.00 ftSome residential evacuations may occur.
- 14.00 ftFlooding occurs in Shell Rock primarily in residential yards.
- 13.50 ftE Washington St is closed.
- 13.00 ftPart of S Lake St is closed.
- 12.50 ftSeepage occurs in several basements close to the river.
- 12.00 ftWater affects S Prairie St.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 10% |
| 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
73 crests on NOAA’s list since 1856.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 23, 2016 | 21.40 ft |
| 2 | June 10, 2008 | 20.36 ft |
| 3 | January 1, 1856 | 17.70 ft |
| 4 | July 22, 1999 | 16.73 ft |
| 5 | March 28, 1961 | 16.26 ft |
| 6 | May 23, 2004 | 15.87 ft |
| 7 | June 30, 1969 | 15.49 ft |
| 8 | June 11, 2018 | 15.45 ft |
| 9 | April 1, 1993 | 15.21 ft |
| 10 | April 7, 1965 | 15.09 ft |
| 11 | August 24, 1979 | 15.01 ft |
| 12 | June 14, 2013 | 14.95 ft |
| 13 | March 16, 2019 | 14.48 ft |
| 14 | May 19, 1991 | 14.36 ft |
| 15 | April 13, 2001 | 14.12 ft |
| 16 | June 22, 1954 | 14.00 ft |
| 17 | June 21, 2014 | 13.82 ft |
| 18 | March 14, 2010 | 13.64 ft |
| 19 | March 30, 1962 | 13.64 ft |
| 20 | July 29, 1990 | 13.43 ft |
| 21 | March 7, 1994 | 13.34 ft |
| 22 | August 1, 2025 | 13.32 ft |
| 23 | August 12, 1980 | 13.29 ft |
| 24 | March 1, 2023 | 13.13 ft |
| 25 | April 1, 1971 | 13.02 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 1, 2025: 13.32 ft
- June 24, 2024: 12.94 ft
- March 1, 2023: 13.13 ft
- June 16, 2022: 11.26 ft
- August 29, 2021: 11.08 ft
- June 23, 2020: 12.63 ft
- March 16, 2019: 14.48 ft
- June 11, 2018: 15.45 ft
- October 1, 2016: 12.01 ft
- September 23, 2016: 21.40 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.
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.