Mississippi River at Burlington
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Des Moines County, Iowa on the Mississippi 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: BRLI4). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
18 ft
Moderate Flood
16.5 ft
Minor Flood
15 ft
Action Stage
14 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
28 ft
Water reaches the top of the levee that protects industry at the north end of Burlington.
26.5 ft
Water affects Main Street in Burlington.
26 ft
Water reaches the top of the Gulfport town levee.
23.9 ft
Water reaches the top of the number 1 and 2 Henderson levees.
23 ft
Water affects the Port of Burlington and Front Street businesses in Burlington.
22.6 ft
Water affects the Burlington water treatment plant.
22.5 ft
Water reaches Port of Burlington. Water also affects sewer lines on Front Street and other areas downtown.
22 ft
Water overtops the permanent flood wall at Burlington.
21.5 ft
Water reaches the tracks for the Burlington Jct railroad. Water also affects Illinois Highway 96 between Niota and Dallas City.
21 ft
Water affects the floor of the lift station at Market Street. Water also reaches the top of the railroad tracks for the BNSF railroad.
20.5 ft
Water affects several homes on First Street in Dallas City. Carman Road Blacktop is affected by floodwaters. Water also reaches the top of the Niota town levee.
20 ft
Water affects industries at the south end of town. Water affects most of Riverview Park in Fort Madison.
19.5 ft
Water affects residences on First Street in Dallas City. Water also affects several homes in Pontoosuc.
19 ft
Water goes over the new seawall on the riverfront. Water affects streets bordering the river in Pontoosuc.
18.5 ft
Water is over the bank south of the Burlington auditorium. Water also reaches the base of Old Fort Madison.
18 ft
Water affects Bluff Harbor Marina. Water affects North Shore Marina in Fort Madison. In Dallas City, water affects First Street at the ball park.
16 ft
Water affects low lying buildings and homes in Montrose and Niota.
15 ft
Agricultural flooding occurs.
14 ft
Water covers Cabin Road in Gulfport.
13.5 ft
Water affects Sullivan Slough Road south of Burlington.
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 16, 2008 | 25.73 ft | — |
| Jun 16, 2008 | 25.73 ft | — |
| Jul 9, 1993 | 25.1 ft | — |
| Jul 9, 1993 | 25.1 ft | — |
| Jun 1, 2019 | 24.47 ft | 398,110 cfs |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
BRLI4
River
Mississippi River
County
Des Moines, IA
Coordinates
40.7981°N, 91.0917°W
Get Flood Alerts for Mississippi 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 Mississippi River at Burlington?
The Mississippi River at Burlington 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 Mississippi River at Burlington?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Mississippi River at Burlington is 15 feet. Action stage begins at 14 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 16.5 feet, and major flooding at 18 feet.
How do I get alerts when Mississippi River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Mississippi River at Burlington 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 Mississippi River at Burlington gauge located?
The gauge is located in Des Moines County, Iowa at coordinates 40.7981°N, 91.0917°W. 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. Army Corps of Engineers, 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.