Upper Iowa River at Bluffton
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Winneshiek County, Iowa on the Upper Iowa River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 05387440, 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
15 ft
Moderate Flood
13 ft
Minor Flood
12 ft
Action Stage
10 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
16 ft
Water is higher than the flood of record in 2008. Nearly the entire valley in the Bluffton Area is under water.
14 ft
Severe property damage is occurring in Bluffton at this level. Water goes over 244th Avenue near Bluffton's Lower Access Canoe Landing.
12 ft
River is significantly outside of its banks impacting both Bluffton Canoe Landings. Campgrounds along the river in Bluffton are underwater.
10 ft
Low-lying areas near the river in Bluffton begin to inundate as water leaves the riverbanks.
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 9, 2008 | 15.49 ft | 16,600 cfs |
| Jun 9, 2008 | 15.49 ft | 16,600 cfs |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 14.41 ft | 13,800 cfs |
| Aug 24, 2016 | 14.41 ft | 13,800 cfs |
| Jun 9, 2018 | 14.11 ft | 13,200 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
BLFI4
River
Upper Iowa River
County
Winneshiek, IA
Coordinates
43.4069°N, 91.8990°W
Get Flood Alerts for Upper Iowa 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 Upper Iowa River at Bluffton?
The Upper Iowa River at Bluffton gauge is maintained by USGS (site 05387440) 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 Upper Iowa River at Bluffton?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Upper Iowa River at Bluffton is 12 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 13 feet, and major flooding at 15 feet.
How do I get alerts when Upper Iowa River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Upper Iowa River at Bluffton 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 Upper Iowa River at Bluffton gauge located?
The gauge is located in Winneshiek County, Iowa at coordinates 43.4069°N, 91.8990°W. USGS site number: 05387440. 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
- 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.