Major Flood
19 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
17 ft
Minor Flood
16 ft
Action Stage
15.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
20 ft
Yards and basements of homes along the lake shore start flooding.
17 ft
Water overflows the spillway channel, and camping areas, parks, and parking lots start to flood.
16 ft
The Emergency Lake-wide 5 mph rule on Big Spirit Lake is enacted.
14.2 ft
Water from Spirit Lake starts going over the spillway into East Okoboji Lake.
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 17, 1993 | 18.79 ft | — |
| Jun 24, 2024 | 16.48 ft | — |
| Jul 4, 2018 | 15.94 ft | — |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Spirit Lake
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 Spirit Lake near Orleans?
The Spirit Lake near Orleans gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06604000) 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 Spirit Lake near Orleans?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Spirit Lake near Orleans is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 15.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 17 feet, and major flooding at 19 feet.
How do I get alerts when Spirit Lake rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Spirit Lake near Orleans 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 Spirit Lake near Orleans gauge located?
The gauge is located in Dickinson County, Iowa at coordinates 43.4697°N, 95.1236°W. USGS site number: 06604000. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- No forecasts are available for this location
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.