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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 IA 28

Printable Image

About this graph

Tabular Data (UTC)

Tabular Data (CDT)

Datum: Not Available

Metadata

NOTE: Forecasts for the Raccoon River (Central IA) at Des Moines IA 28 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:	40
Moderate Flood Stage:	38
Flood Stage:	36
Action Stage:	34
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 41.31 ft on 06/13/2008
(2) 40.77 ft on 07/11/1993
(3) 40.37 ft on 06/26/2015
(4) 39.46 ft on 06/16/1998
(5) 38.22 ft on 05/24/2004
(6) 37.94 ft on 04/26/2007
(7) 37.52 ft on 02/19/1997
(8) 37.43 ft on 03/15/2019
(9) 37.43 ft on 12/15/2015
(10) 36.97 ft on 06/28/2010
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 37.43 ft on 03/15/2019
(2) 34.04 ft on 06/25/2018
(3) 32.09 ft on 05/21/2017
(4) 37.43 ft on 12/15/2015
(5) 40.37 ft on 06/26/2015
(6) 34.51 ft on 09/01/2014
(7) 36.25 ft on 06/01/2013
(8) 27.85 ft on 05/07/2012
(9) 27.79 ft on 04/15/2012
(10) 33.01 ft on 06/21/2011
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.

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
46.2	This is the top of the West Des Moines levee.
43	This is the top of the Des Moines levee at Iowa 28 and 63rd Street.
42	Water is over I-35.
41.3	Water is at the shoulder of the southbound I-35 exit to Iowa 5.
41	The levee is closed at Jordan Creek and Iowa 28.
40.5	Water affects Grand Avenue near Raccoon River Regional Park.
40	Iowa 28 is closed north of the river. Water overtops the berm on the west side of Raccoon River Park...affecting the park and surrounding area.
39	Water affects businesses...Commerce Drive and Raccoon River Drive from South 88th Street to Grand Avenue.
38	Water affects primary roads in several locations.
36	Water affects Blue Heron Lake at Raccoon River Park.
35.5	Water covers Walnut Woods Drive and affects Walnut Woods State Park.
30	The City of West Des Moines operates the levee system including pumps.

About This Location

Latitude: 41.561899° N, Longitude: 93.703274° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83/WGS84

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	36 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	773.91 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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