Des Moines River at Saylorville Reservoir
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Polk County, Iowa on the Des Moines River. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: SAYI4). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Minor Flood
884 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
915.5 ft
This is the top of the Saylorville Dam.
892.83 ft
Water reaches the low beams of the Iowa 415 bridge.
892.02 ft
The Iowa 415 bridge is closed.
890 ft
This is the top of the Saylorville Dam spillway when pneumatic crest gates are used. Without the crest gates...the top of the spillway is 884 feet.
886 ft
Water affects US 30 west of Boone.
884 ft
This is the top of the Saylorville Dam spillway when pneumatic crest gates are not used. If the pool approaches...or is forecast to exceed 884 feet then pneumatic crest gates can be used to raise the spillway elevation to 890 feet.
870 ft
Water affects the main entrance to Jester Park.
858 ft
Water affects Ledges State Park Rd.
847 ft
NW Jester Park Dr is closed.
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 10, 1993 | 892.03 ft | — |
| Jul 10, 1993 | 892.03 ft | — |
| Jun 11, 2008 | 891.03 ft | — |
| Jun 11, 2008 | 891.03 ft | — |
| Jun 21, 1984 | 889.25 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
SAYI4
River
Des Moines River
County
Polk, IA
Coordinates
41.7036°N, 93.6892°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 Saylorville Reservoir?
The Des Moines River at Saylorville Reservoir gauge is maintained by USGS 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 Saylorville Reservoir?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Des Moines River at Saylorville Reservoir is 884 feet. Action stage begins at N/A feet. Moderate flooding starts at N/A feet, and major flooding at N/A 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 Saylorville Reservoir 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 Saylorville Reservoir gauge located?
The gauge is located in Polk County, Iowa at coordinates 41.7036°N, 93.6892°W. 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. Army Corps of Engineers