Des Moines River at Keosauqua
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Van Buren County, Iowa on the Des Moines River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05490500, 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
27 ft
Moderate Flood
25 ft
Minor Flood
22 ft
Action Stage
21 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
38 ft
Water affects nearly all of downtown Keosauqua.
36 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the Iowa Highway 1 bridge deck at Keosauqua.
35 ft
Water affects much of downtown Keosauqua.
33.5 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the County Rd J40 bridge deck at Bonaparte.
33 ft
Water reaches a critical level for levees 30 to 50 miles downstream of Keosauqua.
32.5 ft
Water is 1 to 2 feet deep in areas of downtown Keosauqua.
30.5 ft
Water is at the base of the Hotel Manning in Keosauqua.
30 ft
Water affects downtown sections of Keosauqua as well as First Street and the County Road J40 bridge approach in Bonaparte.
29 ft
Water affects residential and commercial areas in Bonaparte.
28 ft
Water affects streets in Keosauqua and affects the approach to the Highway 1 bridge. Water also affects residential areas in Farmington and Bentonsport.
27 ft
Water is over the river banks in Selma, Keosauqua, Bentonsport, Bonaparte, and Farmington.
25 ft
Flooding occurs in Keosauqua, Selma, Bonaparte, and Farmington. Water affects streets near the nursery on the east end of Keosauqua.
22 ft
Water affects low-lying agricultural areas.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 12, 1993 | 32.66 ft | 111,000 cfs |
| Jul 12, 1993 | 32.66 ft | 111,000 cfs |
| Jun 15, 2008 | 30.49 ft | 106,000 cfs |
| Jun 15, 2008 | 30.49 ft | 106,000 cfs |
| Aug 11, 2010 | 28.18 ft | 90,200 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
KEQI4
River
Des Moines River
County
Van Buren, IA
Coordinates
40.7278°N, 91.9594°W
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 Keosauqua?
The Des Moines River at Keosauqua gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05490500) 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 Keosauqua?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Des Moines River at Keosauqua is 22 feet. Action stage begins at 21 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 25 feet, and major flooding at 27 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 Keosauqua 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 Keosauqua gauge located?
The gauge is located in Van Buren County, Iowa at coordinates 40.7278°N, 91.9594°W. USGS site number: 05490500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: U.S. Geological Survey, 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.