Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Polk County, Iowa on the Des Moines River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05482000, 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
30 ft
Moderate Flood
26 ft
Minor Flood
23 ft
Action Stage
19 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
37.2 ft
This is the top of the Birdland and Central Place levees at 2nd Ave.
33 ft
Levee closures occur across 2nd Ave.
30 ft
Levee closures occur across Grand Ave...Locust St...Walnut St and Ct Ave in downtown Des Moines.
28.5 ft
Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway is closed from Urbandale Ave to Euclid Ave.
27.7 ft
Water is several feet deep against the Birdland Marina boathouse.
26.5 ft
Euclid Ave is closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to 16th St.
26 ft
Water is across the Polk County Human Services Department parking lot.
25.5 ft
Water affects portions of the Polk County Human Services Department parking lot...on the north side of Euclid Ave and on the west side of the river.
25 ft
The levee is closed across Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway north of Clarkson Ave.
24.5 ft
Levee closures occur across Saylor Rd.
23 ft
Water affects Birdland Park.
20.5 ft
Prospect Rd is closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to Hickman Rd.
20 ft
Birdland Dr is closed from Saylor Rd to 6th Ave.
18.5 ft
Water affects low-lying sections of the Neal Smith Trail in the Birdland Park area.
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 13, 2008 | 31.57 ft | — |
| Jun 13, 2008 | 31.57 ft | — |
| Jun 23, 1954 | 30.16 ft | 60,200 cfs |
| Jun 23, 1954 | 30.16 ft | 60,200 cfs |
| May 30, 1903 | 27.4 ft | 42,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Des Moines 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 Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave?
The Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05482000) 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 Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave is 23 feet. Action stage begins at 19 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 26 feet, and major flooding at 30 feet.
How do I get alerts when Des Moines River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave 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 Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave gauge located?
The gauge is located in Polk County, Iowa at coordinates 41.6119°N, 93.6197°W. USGS site number: 05482000. 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