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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the North Central River Forecast Center.
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About this graph
Forecasts for the Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

More information on datums is available at www.ngs.noaa.gov/faq.shtml

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Downstream Gauge Downstream Gauge - at Des Moines SE 6th St
Zoom Level:14
Flood Categories (in feet)
Major Flood Stage: 30
Moderate Flood Stage: 26
Flood Stage: 23
Action Stage: 19
Low Stage (in feet): -9999

Historic Crests
(1) 31.57 ft on 06/13/2008
(2) 30.16 ft on 06/24/1954
(3) 27.30 ft on 05/31/1903
(4) 26.50 ft on 06/26/1947
(5) 26.08 ft on 07/02/2010
(6) 25.25 ft on 04/01/1960
(7) 24.40 ft on 05/23/1944
(8) 24.00 ft on 07/01/2018
(9) 23.80 ft on 03/31/1951
(10) 22.55 ft on 03/31/1961
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 18.23 ft on 06/17/2022
(2) 14.41 ft on 03/27/2021
(3) 16.40 ft on 03/23/2021
(4) 19.37 ft on 05/28/2020
(5) 20.49 ft on 10/12/2019
(6) 21.61 ft on 03/22/2019
(7) 21.20 ft on 10/12/2018
(8) 24.00 ft on 07/01/2018
(9) 20.29 ft on 10/01/2016
(10) 20.30 ft on 09/30/2016
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
Currently none available.
KML Image
Gauge LocationGauge Map Marker
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 Collapse
If you notice any errors in the below information, please contact our Webmaster
37.2 This is the top of the Birdland and Central Place levees at 2nd Avenue.
33 Levee closures occur across 2nd Avenue.
30 Levee closures occur across Grand Avenue, Locust Street, Walnut Street and Court Avenue in downtown Des Moines.
28.5 Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway is closed from Urbandale Avenue to Euclid Avenue.
27.7 Water is several feet deep against the Birdland Marina boathouse.
26.5 Euclid Avenue is closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to 16th Street.
26 Water is across the Polk County Human Services Department parking lot.
25.5 Water affects portions of the Polk County Human Services Department parking lot...on the north side of Euclid Avenue and on the west side of the river.
25 The levee is closed across Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway north of Clarkson Avenue.
24.5 Levee closures occur across Saylor Road.
23 Birdland Park floods.
20.5 Prospect Road is closed from Martin Luther King Jr. Parkway to Hickman Road.
20 Birdland Drive is closed from Saylor Road to 6th Avenue.
18.5 Water affects low lying sections of the Neal Smith Trail in the Birdland Park area.

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

Additional Information Collapse
  • USGS 7-Day Streamflow Duration Hydrograph for this location:
    Duration Hydrograph

    Duration Hydrograph Legend


  • USGS Cumulative Streamflow Hydrograph for this location:
    Duration Hydrograph of Cumulative Streamflow
Collaborative Agencies Collapse
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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