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This probabilistic forecast is issued by the North Central River Forecast Center.

	Hydrograph			River at a Glance			Download			Probability Information Weekly Chance of Exceeding Levels Chance of Exceeding Levels During Entire Period Short-term Probabilistic Guidance (Experimental) Not Available

About this graph

Forecasts for the Raccoon River (Central IA) at Van Meter are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

Return to Area Map

Upstream Gauge

Zoom Level:14

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	23
Moderate Flood Stage:	22
Flood Stage:	17
Action Stage:	15
Low Stage (in feet):	-9999

Historic Crests
(1) 26.34 ft on 07/10/1993
(2) 23.29 ft on 06/15/1998
(3) 23.09 ft on 06/25/2015
(4) 22.69 ft on 07/01/1986
(5) 22.67 ft on 06/12/2008
(6) 21.77 ft on 07/03/1958
(7) 21.74 ft on 07/04/1973
(8) 21.59 ft on 05/23/2004
(9) 21.40 ft on 06/13/1947
(10) 21.39 ft on 06/16/1990
Show More Historic Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Recent Crests
(1) 20.08 ft on 03/14/2019
(2) 14.83 ft on 06/25/2018
(3) 13.13 ft on 05/21/2017
(4) 15.16 ft on 01/22/2017
(5) 10.44 ft on 09/16/2016
(6) 11.39 ft on 05/27/2016
(7) 11.69 ft on 05/10/2016
(8) 14.62 ft on 05/01/2016
(9) 13.05 ft on 02/23/2016
(10) 19.34 ft on 12/15/2015
Show More Recent Crests

(P): Preliminary values subject to further review.

Low Water Records
(1) 0.70 ft on 02/15/1935
(2) 1.20 ft on 10/04/1962
(3) 1.52 ft on 02/13/1999
(4) 1.72 ft on 01/31/1996
(5) 1.86 ft on 12/25/1989
Show More Low Water Records

	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
26	The railroad line north of Van Meter is overtopped.
23.8	Water is over I-80 near Van Meter.
23.3	Water reaches the bottom of the I-80 bridge near Van Meter.
22.7	Water is at the shoulder of the southbound I-35 exit to Iowa 5.
21	The rangers residence at Walnut Woods State Park is affected.
20	Avenue R north just north of the river is overtopped. In West Des Moines...several buildings in Walnut Woods State Park flood.
19	Flooding of several county roads occurs.
17	Secondary bridges are threatened along US 6 east of Adel.
15	Flooding occurs in the sand and gravel quarries just south of I-80.
13	There is overflow onto much of the east bank.
12	Water affects agricultural land primarily along the upstream north bank.

Other Real-time and/or Archive Data Sources:

Additional Information

How low could the river get?

USGS 7-Day Streamflow Duration Hydrograph for this location:

USGS Cumulative Streamflow Hydrograph for this location:

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: 6-Nov-2019 2:40 PM

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