Cedar River at Waterloo
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Black Hawk County, Iowa on the Cedar River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05464000, 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
21 ft
Moderate Flood
19 ft
Minor Flood
13 ft
Action Stage
8.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
30 ft
This is the height of the Waterloo levee design protection.
26 ft
Sandbagging is necessary at Fairview Cemetery.
25 ft
The 18th St bridge is closed. Levee gates are also closed throughout the downtown area of Waterloo.
24 ft
The following bridges are closed...Westfield Ave...E 6th St and W 6th St railroad...11th St as well as Park Ave.
18 ft
The access road to wastewater treatment plant is closed.
17 ft
Many storm sewers are closed along the Cedar River.
16 ft
The Riverview Recreation Area is closed.
13 ft
Many storm sewers are closed along Black Hawk Creek and the Cedar River. The Fletcher Ave levee gates are closed.
10 ft
Storm sewers are closed behind the Cattle Congress.
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 10, 2008 | 27.01 ft | 112,000 cfs |
| Jun 10, 2008 | 27.01 ft | 112,000 cfs |
| Sep 23, 2016 | 22.95 ft | 83,700 cfs |
| Sep 23, 2016 | 22.95 ft | 83,700 cfs |
| Mar 28, 1961 | 21.86 ft | 76,700 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
USGS Site
NWS LID
ALOI4
River
Cedar River
County
Black Hawk, IA
Coordinates
42.4955°N, 92.3343°W
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 Waterloo?
The Cedar River at Waterloo gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05464000) 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 Waterloo?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Cedar River at Waterloo is 13 feet. Action stage begins at 8.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 19 feet, and major flooding at 21 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 Waterloo 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 Waterloo gauge located?
The gauge is located in Black Hawk County, Iowa at coordinates 42.4955°N, 92.3343°W. USGS site number: 05464000. 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