Rivers in Iowa
South Skunk River at Colfax
Below flood stage
11.42ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 4:45 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 18.00 ft
- Record crest
- 23.85 ft2010
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 21.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 19.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 18.00 ft |
| Action | 15.00 ft |
- 24.00 ftWater reaches the bottom of the I-80 bridge as well as the Iowa 117 bridge.
- 22.00 ftWater affects I-80 between mile markers 155 and 159...as well as much of downtown Colfax and numerous residences on the west and northwest side of town.
- 21.00 ftWater threatens I-80 between mile markers 155 and 159 due to backup from Indian Creek. Water also affects the railroad trestle.
- 20.90 ftWater affects the levee near the Iowa 117 bridge as well as the first two downtown blocks of Colfax adjacent to the river.
- 20.00 ftWater affects Iowa 14 south of Newton.
- 19.00 ftWater affects the earthen levee west of town near the sewage disposal area. Evacuations may occur on the northwest side of Colfax. Flooding occurs in Reasnor.
- 15.50 ftStorm sewers are closed. Water affects nearby agricultural land.
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 August 28, 2026.
Crest history
42 crests on NOAA’s list since 1986.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | August 14, 2010 | 23.85 ft |
| 2 | July 12, 1993 | 21.53 ft |
| 3 | June 14, 2008 | 20.25 ft |
| 4 | June 20, 1990 | 19.07 ft |
| 5 | April 28, 2007 | 19.02 ft |
| 6 | July 3, 2014 | 18.90 ft |
| 7 | March 16, 2019 | 18.80 ft |
| 8 | December 17, 2015 | 18.71 ft |
| 9 | June 20, 1998 | 18.68 ft |
| 10 | May 30, 2013 | 18.54 ft |
| 11 | May 24, 2004 | 18.38 ft |
| 12 | June 19, 1996 | 18.23 ft |
| 13 | September 1, 2015 | 18.16 ft |
| 14 | July 2, 2018 | 18.07 ft |
| 15 | June 6, 1991 | 18.05 ft |
| 16 | August 27, 1987 | 17.35 ft |
| 17 | July 1, 1986 | 17.15 ft |
| 18 | April 28, 2009 | 16.80 ft |
| 19 | May 22, 2024 | 16.42 ft |
| 20 | June 12, 1999 | 16.42 ft |
| 21 | July 31, 2025 | 15.80 ft |
| 22 | May 14, 2005 | 15.78 ft |
| 23 | June 16, 2022 | 15.67 ft |
| 24 | July 10, 2003 | 15.61 ft |
| 25 | May 10, 1995 | 15.28 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 31, 2025: 15.80 ft
- May 22, 2024: 16.42 ft
- June 16, 2022: 15.67 ft
- March 26, 2021: 9.19 ft
- May 27, 2020: 14.53 ft
- March 16, 2019: 18.80 ft
- July 2, 2018: 18.07 ft
- May 20, 2017: 14.01 ft
- May 2, 2017: 14.05 ft
- December 17, 2015: 18.71 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.