Raccoon River at Van Meter
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Dallas County, Iowa on the Raccoon River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05484500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
23 ft
Moderate Flood
22 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
26 ft
Water affects the railroad line north of Van Meter.
23.8 ft
Water is over I-80 near Van Meter.
23.3 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the I-80 bridge near Van Meter.
22.7 ft
Water is at the shoulder of the southbound I-35 exit to Iowa 5.
20 ft
Water affects R Ave just north of the river.
19 ft
Flooding of several county roads occurs.
17 ft
Water threatens secondary bridges along US 6 east of Adel.
15 ft
Flooding occurs in the sand and gravel quarries just south of I-80.
13 ft
Overflow occurs onto much of the east bank.
12 ft
Water affects agricultural land primarily along the upstream north bank.
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 9, 1993 | 26.34 ft | 70,100 cfs |
| Jul 9, 1993 | 26.34 ft | 70,100 cfs |
| Jun 14, 1998 | 23.29 ft | 47,400 cfs |
| Jun 14, 1998 | 23.29 ft | 47,400 cfs |
| Jun 24, 2015 | 23.09 ft | 49,400 cfs |
About This Gauge
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Raccoon River at Van Meter?
The Raccoon River at Van Meter gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05484500) 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 Van Meter?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Raccoon River at Van Meter is 17 feet. Action stage begins at 15 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 22 feet, and major flooding at 23 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 Van Meter 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 Raccoon River at Van Meter gauge located?
The gauge is located in Dallas County, Iowa at coordinates 41.5340°N, 93.9498°W. USGS site number: 05484500. 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