Wapsipinicon River at Independence

1. 22.00 ftWater affects Iowa Highway 150 from the cemetery to Three Elms Park Road in Independence. Water also floods most residences and businesses from the river to 2nd Avenue NE.
2. 21.80 ftWater affects 1st Street from 2nd Avenue E to 3rd Avenue W including the river bridge surface.
3. 21.50 ftWater reaches the bottom of the 2nd Street S bridge deck and reaches the alleyway on the east bank between 1st Street and 2nd Street S.
4. 21.30 ftWater reaches the bottom of the railroad bridge on the north end of Independence.
5. 21.10 ftWater affects the fronts of businesses on 1st Street in Independence.
6. 21.00 ftWater affects residences on the south side of 2nd Street S and also reaches the bottom 1st Street bridge deck. Water reaches the guardrails of the Iowa Highway 150 bridge and floods much of the cemetery.
7. 20.00 ftWater affects most residences, businesses, and parks in Independence. Flooding also occurs in Fairbank, Littleton, and Central City. Water also floods farmland and a few residences in Quasqueton.
8. 19.00 ftWater affects the backs of businesses on 1st Street in Independence.
9. 18.00 ftWater affects 1st Street and reaches the bottom of the Iowa Highway 150 bridge deck.
10. 16.00 ftWater affects many residences, businesses, and parks in Independence and Littleton.
11. 15.00 ftWater affects the cemetery on the south side of Independence. In Littleton, water affects residences along Water, State, and Benton Streets, and cabins west of the river.
12. 14.00 ftWater affects residences and streets in low-lying areas of Independence and Littleton.
13. 12.00 ftWater affects low-lying streets in Independence.

Chance of flooding, September to November

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

Most recent crests

• September 1, 2021: 14.77 ft
• June 10, 2020: 12.01 ft
• March 15, 2019: 13.37 ft
• September 5, 2018: 16.86 ft
• July 23, 2017: 15.43 ft
• September 25, 2016: 19.29 ft
• May 29, 2015: 7.35 ft
• June 20, 2014: 13.21 ft
• May 31, 2013: 14.46 ft
• May 9, 2012: 6.84 ft

• UpstreamWapsipinicon River
• DownstreamWapsipinicon River at Anamosa Shaw Rd
• Crane Creek
• Wolf Creek
• Elk Run Creek
• Little Wapsipinicon River
• Miller Creek
• Cedar River at Vinton
• Cedar River at Waterloo

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.

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.