Major Flood
30 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
26 ft
Minor Flood
24 ft
Action Stage
20 ft
What Floods at Each Level
37.3 ft
This is the top of the levee on the downstream side of SE 6th St.
35 ft
Water affects the grass bowl of the Simon Estes Amphitheater.
34 ft
Water surrounds Principal Park and approaches its entrances.
30 ft
Water from the Des Moines River causes backwater impacts along portions of Fourmile Creek in the Vandalia Rd and S Pleasant Hill Blvd areas.
28.7 ft
Simon Estes Amphitheater is inundated up to intersection of the arcing sidewalks.
28.5 ft
Hartford Ave is closed from SE 22nd St to SE 30th Ct.
26.3 ft
Water affects Arthur St east of Carlisle.
25.7 ft
Water surrounds the base of Simon Estes Amphitheater.
24 ft
The bike trail is closed east of Water St. Water affects portions of other bike trails.
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 | 35.55 ft | 104,000 cfs |
| Jul 10, 1993 | 34.29 ft | 116,000 cfs |
| May 30, 1903 | 32.06 ft | — |
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 SE 6th St?
The Des Moines River at Des Moines SE 6th St gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05485500) 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 SE 6th St?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Des Moines River at Des Moines SE 6th St is 24 feet. Action stage begins at 20 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 SE 6th St to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Des Moines River at Des Moines SE 6th St gauge located?
The gauge is located in Polk County, Iowa at coordinates 41.5786°N, 93.6056°W. USGS site number: 05485500. 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