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Visit https://www.weather.gov/owp/operations for access to new EXPERIMENTAL products and services from the National Water Center: National Hydrologic Discussion, Area Hydrologic Discussion, Flood Hazard Outlook and the National Water Center Visualization Services, a suite of geospatial services depicting River Forecast Center and National Water Model information.

Weather Forecast Office Des Moines, IA

North Central River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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Raccoon River (Central IA) at Des Moines Fleur Dr

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About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (CDT)

Datum: Not Available

Metadata

NOTE: Forecasts for the Raccoon River (Central IA) at Des Moines Fleur Dr are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

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Upstream Gauge

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	25
Moderate Flood Stage:	16
Flood Stage:	12
Action Stage:	8
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 26.80 ft on 07/11/1993
(2) 24.66 ft on 06/13/2008
(3) 21.54 ft on 06/26/2015
(4) 20.45 ft on 06/16/1998
(5) 19.83 ft on 06/13/1947
(6) 19.77 ft on 03/15/2019
(7) 19.52 ft on 06/26/1947
(8) 19.45 ft on 05/24/2004
(9) 19.42 ft on 06/17/1990
(10) 19.38 ft on 07/02/1986
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 19.77 ft on 03/15/2019
(2) 16.33 ft on 07/01/2018
(3) 12.24 ft on 05/21/2017
(4) 18.09 ft on 12/15/2015
(5) 21.54 ft on 06/26/2015
(6) 14.31 ft on 09/10/2014
(7) 16.44 ft on 06/01/2013
(8) 16.43 ft on 05/31/2013
(9) 7.31 ft on 04/15/2012
(10) 13.17 ft on 06/21/2011
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 3.90 ft on 01/25/1940

For more information on your flood risk go to www.floodsmart.gov.

Show FEMA's National Flood Hazard Layers

Zoom Level:14

	Gauge Location	Disclaimer
Latitude/Longitude Disclaimer: The gauge location shown in the above map is the approximate location based on the latitude/longitude coordinates provided to the NWS by the gauge owner.

Flood Impacts & Photos

If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
31	This is the top of the levee surrounding Des Moines Water Works.
27.7	This is the top of the levee surrounding Valley Gardens.
22	The levee is closed across Southwest 22nd Street under the Fleur Drive viaduct. Levee closures also occur across three driveways into Principal Park.
21	The levee is closed across 63rd Street.
18.5	The maintenance buildings outside of the levee protection at Des Moines Water Works Park flood.
18	All the levee gates are closed in Water Works Park.
17.2	Water overtops portions of Fleur Drive.
17	The levee is closed across George Flagg Parkway just west of Fleur Drive. Levee gates are closed west of Southwest 18th Street at George Flagg Parkway, and at the railroad tracks.
16.5	Water begins affecting Fleur Drive. Above this stage...water flows through Water Works Park south of the Water Works Buildings...cutting off a large meander bend in the river and diverting increasing amounts of stream flow away from the main river channel.
15.5	Water approaches Fleur Drive and affects the Grays Lake trails.
13.5	Water affects the low areas of Water Works Park.
13.3	Southwest 30th Street is closed from George Flagg Parkway to Bell Avenue. George Flagg Parkway is closed from Southwest 30th Street to Southwest 28th Street.
11.3	George Flagg Parkway is closed from Park Avenue to Southwest 30th Street.
9.5	Water impacts the lowest portions of the Bill Riley Trail.

About This Location

Latitude: 41.582360° N, Longitude: 93.641811° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	12 ft	Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum	Elevation (gauge height = 0)	Elevation (gauge height = flood stage)	Elevation information source
NAVD88	Not Available	Not Available	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	780.70 ft	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	Not Available	Not Available	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	Not Available	Not Available

Current/Historical Observations:

Additional Information

How low could the river get?

USGS 7-Day Streamflow Duration Hydrograph for this location:

USGS Cumulative Streamflow Hydrograph for this location:

Resources

Hydrologic Resources

Additional Resources

Collaborative Agencies

The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.

NWS Information

National Weather Service
Des Moines Weather Forecast Office
9607 NW Beaver Dr.
Des Moines, IA 50131
(515) 270-2614
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Page last modified: 2-Nov-2020 7:29 PM

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