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Iowa River at Iowa City, IA (IOWI4)

Data Type




Inundation Levels
NAVD88 Stage

651.2*34.0*
650.7*33.5*
650.2*33.0*
649.7*32.5*
649.2*32.0*
Record Crest: 31.53 ft
648.731.5
648.231.0
647.730.5
647.230.0
646.729.5
646.229.0
645.728.5
645.228.0
644.727.5
644.227.0
643.726.5
Major Flooding Begins

643.226.0
642.725.5
642.225.0
Moderate Flooding Begins

641.724.5
641.224.0
Minor Flooding Begins

640.723.5
640.223.0
639.722.5
639.222.0
638.721.5
Near Flooding Begins

638.221.0
637.720.5
637.220.0
636.719.5
636.219.0
635.718.5
635.218.0
634.717.5
634.217.0
Below Flooding Begins

* = Extended rating
Weather Forecast Office Quad Cities, IA North Central River Forecast Center
Hydrograph River at a Glance Download Inundation
Mapping
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Click on mapped inundation to see water depth values for that location, or hold shift and drag to zoom to area.

Current Stage:
11.1 ft at 04/30/2024 02:00:00 UTC
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Inundation Legend
Depth in feet
USGS Gauge Location Gauge Location
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Disclaimer

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Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Gauge Information Collapse

Map Overlays
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 26
Moderate Flood Stage: 24.5
Flood Stage: 23.5
Action Stage: 21
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 31.53 ft on 06/15/2008
(2) 28.52 ft on 08/10/1993
(3) 25.15 ft on 07/12/2014
(4) 24.90 ft on 06/05/2013
(5) 24.10 ft on 06/01/1851
(6) 23.35 ft on 06/13/1991
(7) 23.23 ft on 10/06/2018
(8) 22.44 ft on 06/09/1974
(9) 22.04 ft on 05/01/1973
(10) 21.64 ft on 03/29/1979
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 23.23 ft on 10/06/2018
(2) 20.01 ft on 09/20/2018
(3) 17.47 ft on 04/06/2017
(4) 20.05 ft on 12/23/2015
(5) 18.09 ft on 06/13/2015
(6) 25.15 ft on 07/12/2014
(7) 24.90 ft on 06/05/2013
(8) 13.51 ft on 05/08/2012
(9) 18.08 ft on 02/22/2011
(10) 20.31 ft on 07/13/2010
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.

Site-specific information:
These inundation maps for the Iowa River at Iowa City were developed by the Iowa Flood Center, and made available on this site through funding by the City of Iowa City.

Extended rating:
Rating Curve Extension - The Rating Curve Extension is calculated by using either a linear, logarithmic, or hydraulic technique to extend the rating curve above the currently established relationship between stage and flow.
Flood Impacts Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
29 Serious flood damage occurs at the University of Iowa campus.
27 Flood protection becomes necessary at the University of Iowa. Water affects several industrial businesses and warehouses along Commercial Drive.
26.5 Normandy Drive residences are evacuated.
26 Major Flood Stage. Idylwild Road in Iowa City is affected. Areas of the University of Iowa campus are inundated with flood waters. Approaches to county road bridges along the river are flooded. Streets and parking lots along Commercial Drive are affected.
24.5 Moderate Flood Stage. Taft Speedway closes. Normandy Drive is affected by flood waters.
23.5 Flood Stage. Stevens Drive is inundated by flood waters. Sidewalks near Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus are inundated. Izaak Walton Road and Sand Road are both flooded. Flood waters impact properties off Taft Speedway in Iowa City.
21 Taft Speedway by Terrill Mill Park Road closes due to flood waters. Crandic Park off of Rocky Shore Drive is flooded. Lower City Park floods and closes as water is over the roadway and trails.
19 Portions of trails in Lower City Park are closed due to flood waters.
17.5 Some low lying trails along the river become inundated and are closed to pedestrian use.
Other Data Sources Collapse
Additional Information Collapse
Iowa City Inundation Maps developed in partnership with the Iowa Flood Center
Iowa City Inundation Maps funded by the City of Iowa City
How low could the river get?
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The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
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Graphical representation of flood inundation for NWS flood categories are based on steady state hydraulic modeling of water surface elevations for incremented discharges. Map shows approximate inundation areas for given water surface elevations and should not be used for navigation or permitting or other legal purposes, but strictly as a planning reference tool.