Cedar River at Cedar Rapids
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Linn County, Iowa on the Cedar River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05464500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
16 ft
Moderate Flood
14 ft
Minor Flood
12 ft
Action Stage
10 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
27 ft
Water affects Mercy Hospital in Cedar Rapids.
24.2 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the 1st Avenue bridge deck in downtown Cedar Rapids.
23.5 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the County Road F28 bridge deck at Cedar Bluff.
22.5 ft
Water reaches the top of a levee along 1st Street SW in Cedar Rapids.
22.2 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the 2nd Avenue bridge deck in downtown Cedar Rapids.
20.2 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the 3rd Avenue bridge deck and affects several homes along the river on 1st Street NW in Cedar Rapids.
19.5 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the Blairs Ferry Road bridge deck.
19 ft
Water reaches the bottom of a railroad bridge over the river near 1st Street NW and I Avenue NW in Cedar Rapids.
18.5 ft
Water affects the lowest residences in Palo.
18.2 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the railroad bridge along 8th Avenue in Cedar Rapids.
18 ft
Water affects the lowest sections of Edgewood Road NW between Ellis Road NW and the Cedar River.
17.7 ft
Water affects the lowest sections of the main road through Ellis Boat Harbor on Ellis Road NW. Water affects the lowest sections of Blairs Ferry Road near the Cedar River.
16.5 ft
Water affects the lowest sections of Ellis Road NW near the Ellis Pool and affects the entrance road to Ellis Boat Harbor on Ellis Road NW in Cedar Rapids.
15.5 ft
Water affects the lowest sections of Old River Road SW.
15.2 ft
Water affects the parks along the river between 1st Avenue and 2nd Avenue and between 2nd Avenue and 3rd Avenue.
14.2 ft
Water affects the lowest sections of C Street SW near Prairie Creek.
14 ft
Water affects many residences in Cedar Bluff.
13.5 ft
Water affects the lowest sections of Palo.
13 ft
Water affects the lowest residences in Cedar Bluff.
11.5 ft
Water affects Osborn Park in Cedar Rapids.
9.5 ft
Water affects the lowest sections of Otis Road SE.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 12, 2008 | 31.12 ft | 140,000 cfs |
| Jun 12, 2008 | 31.12 ft | 140,000 cfs |
| Sep 27, 2016 | 21.97 ft | 81,600 cfs |
| Sep 27, 2016 | 21.97 ft | 81,600 cfs |
| May 31, 1851 | 20 ft | 65,000 cfs |
Flood Inundation Map
NOAA has mapped what areas flood at different water levels for this gauge. View the interactive flood inundation map →
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Cedar River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Cedar River at Cedar Rapids?
The Cedar River at Cedar Rapids gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05464500) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Cedar River at Cedar Rapids?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cedar River at Cedar Rapids is 12 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 14 feet, and major flooding at 16 feet.
How do I get alerts when Cedar River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Cedar River at Cedar Rapids to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Cedar River at Cedar Rapids gauge located?
The gauge is located in Linn County, Iowa at coordinates 41.9719°N, 91.6669°W. USGS site number: 05464500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- 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.