Major Flood
27.5 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
25 ft
Minor Flood
21 ft
Action Stage
18.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
42 ft
Water overtops the Wapello levee system which extends 3.5 to 5.0 mi downstream from the city.
41 ft
Water is at the bottom of the U.S. Highway 61 bridge.
38 ft
Water is at the bottom of the Iowa Highway 99 bridge at Wapello.
32 ft
Water affects unprotected areas of Wapello.
27.5 ft
Water affects U.S. Highway 61 north of Wapello.
25 ft
Widespread flooding of agricultural land. Numerous secondary roads are under water.
22 ft
Water affects residences near the U.S. Highway 61 bridge.
21 ft
Agricultural land near the river is flooded and water covers most islands. Water starts rising onto secondary roads in Wapello Bottoms.
20 ft
Low lying areas begin taking on water.
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 | 32.15 ft | 188,000 cfs |
| Jul 3, 2014 | 30.18 ft | 107,000 cfs |
| Jul 6, 1993 | 29.53 ft | — |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Iowa 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 Iowa River at Wapello?
The Iowa River at Wapello gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05465500) 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 Iowa River at Wapello?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Iowa River at Wapello is 21 feet. Action stage begins at 18.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 25 feet, and major flooding at 27.5 feet.
How do I get alerts when Iowa River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Iowa River at Wapello 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 Iowa River at Wapello gauge located?
The gauge is located in Louisa County, Iowa at coordinates 41.1781°N, 91.1821°W. USGS site number: 05465500. 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.