Des Moines River at Ottumwa
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Wapello County, Iowa on the Des Moines River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05489500, 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
19 ft
Moderate Flood
15 ft
Minor Flood
13 ft
Action Stage
9 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
25 ft
The City of Ottumwa is protected by a 25 foot levee.
23 ft
The levee opening at the south end of the Market St bridge may need to be planked and sandbagged.
22 ft
Sandbagging and planking operations may be needed for openings along Vine St.
19.5 ft
Water affects the Market St parking lot. The entrance to the Market St bridge is sandbagged.
18.5 ft
Sewer backup will reach the road surface at Market St and Commercial St.
18 ft
Water affects the Fairport area along the railroad tracks. Sandbagging may be needed at the Vine St diversion chamber. Evacuations may begin at the trailer court.
17.5 ft
Sewer backup in basements occurs at businesses along Main St.
17 ft
Water affects Paris St. The Market St bridge is closed.
15 ft
Flooding occurs in rural areas both upstream and downstream of Ottumwa.
13 ft
Water affects Eldon. Water also affects some secondary roads.
11 ft
Bear Creek reaches bankfull.
10 ft
Some agricultural flooding begins along most of the reach between Ottumwa and Eldon.
9 ft
Some agricultural flooding begins primarily downstream of Ottumwa.
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 11, 1993 | 22.15 ft | 112,000 cfs |
| Jul 11, 1993 | 22.15 ft | 112,000 cfs |
| Jun 6, 1947 | 20.97 ft | 135,000 cfs |
| Jun 6, 1947 | 20.97 ft | 135,000 cfs |
| Jun 16, 2008 | 20.6 ft | 102,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
OTMI4
River
Des Moines River
County
Wapello, IA
Coordinates
41.0108°N, 92.4113°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 Ottumwa?
The Des Moines River at Ottumwa gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05489500) 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 Ottumwa?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Des Moines River at Ottumwa is 13 feet. Action stage begins at 9 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 15 feet, and major flooding at 19 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 Ottumwa 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 Ottumwa gauge located?
The gauge is located in Wapello County, Iowa at coordinates 41.0108°N, 92.4113°W. USGS site number: 05489500. 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