Little Sioux River at Cherokee
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Cherokee County, Iowa on the Little Sioux 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: CHKI4). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
24 ft
Moderate Flood
21 ft
Minor Flood
17 ft
Action Stage
15 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
29 ft
Significant flooding within Cherokee continues. Water reaches the IFC sensor feed-horn and may result in a loss of river readings.
27 ft
Numerous homes and businesses are isolated or flooded in Cherokee, and Highway 59 south of Cherokee is flooded.
26 ft
L51 north of Quimbly may flood.
25 ft
Significant flooding in Cherokee begins with many areas south of a N Roosevelt Ave/E Willow St to E Locust St/Hwy 59 line flooded on the north side of the river.
24 ft
County Highway C38E is closed due to flooding, and the water reaches Beech Street in Cherokee. County Road C44 between Highway 159 and County Road L56 is flooded.
22.5 ft
Highway 59 south of Cherokee begins to get water over the road.
22 ft
East Main Street on the far east end of Cherokee begins flooding.
21 ft
Water begins to approach some structures on the southeast part of Cherokee north of the river. The lowest portion of Hwy 59 north of the bridge may begin to flood. Old Highway 5 East begins to flood.
19 ft
The north bank of the river begins to overflow.
18 ft
Cherokee city park begins to flood on the south bank of the river.
17 ft
Minor lowland flooding begins
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 23, 2024 | 32.98 ft | — |
| Jun 23, 2024 | 32.98 ft | — |
| Mar 13, 2019 | 28.4 ft | — |
| Mar 13, 2019 | 28.4 ft | — |
| May 26, 2013 | 27.9 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
CHKI4
River
Little Sioux River
County
Cherokee, IA
Coordinates
42.7451°N, 95.5516°W
Get Flood Alerts for Little Sioux 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 Little Sioux River at Cherokee?
The Little Sioux River at Cherokee 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 Little Sioux River at Cherokee?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Little Sioux River at Cherokee is 17 feet. Action stage begins at 15 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 21 feet, and major flooding at 24 feet.
How do I get alerts when Little Sioux River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Little Sioux River at Cherokee 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 Little Sioux River at Cherokee gauge located?
The gauge is located in Cherokee County, Iowa at coordinates 42.7451°N, 95.5516°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 Iowa Flood Center
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- 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.
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.