Major Flood
40 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
38 ft
Minor Flood
36 ft
Action Stage
34 ft
What Floods at Each Level
46.2 ft
This is the top of the West Des Moines levee.
43 ft
This is the top of the Des Moines levee at Iowa 28 and 63rd St.
42 ft
Water is over I-35.
41.3 ft
Water is at the shoulder of the southbound I-35 exit to Iowa 5.
41 ft
The levee is closed at Jordan Creek and Iowa 28.
40.5 ft
Water affects Grand Ave near Raccoon River Regional Park.
40 ft
Iowa 28 is closed north of the river. Water affects the berm on the west side of Raccoon River Park...affecting the park and surrounding area.
39.6 ft
Water affects the rangers residence at Walnut Woods State Park.
39 ft
Water affects businesses...Commerce Dr and Raccoon River Dr from S 88th St to Grand Ave.
38.6 ft
Water affects several buildings in West Des Moines in Walnut Woods State Park.
38 ft
Water affects primary roads in several locations.
36 ft
Water affects Blue Heron Lake at Raccoon River Park.
35.5 ft
Water affects Walnut Woods Dr as well as Walnut Woods State Park.
30 ft
The City of West Des Moines operates the levee system including pumps.
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 12, 2008 | 41.31 ft | 52,000 cfs |
| Jul 10, 1993 | 40.77 ft | 66,000 cfs |
| Jun 25, 2015 | 40.37 ft | 46,600 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Raccoon 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 Raccoon River at Des Moines IA 28?
The Raccoon River at Des Moines IA 28 gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05484650) 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 Raccoon River at Des Moines IA 28?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Raccoon River at Des Moines IA 28 is 36 feet. Action stage begins at 34 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 38 feet, and major flooding at 40 feet.
How do I get alerts when Raccoon River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Raccoon River at Des Moines IA 28 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 Raccoon River at Des Moines IA 28 gauge located?
The gauge is located in Polk County, Iowa at coordinates 41.5617°N, 93.7033°W. USGS site number: 05484650. 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