River stage
Stratford, Des Moines River
- River level
- 7.63 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.90 ft
- Recent high
- 13.38 ft
- Recent low
- 4.92 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS STRI4
- 30-day change
- +2.33 ft
- Average
- 6.89 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 28.42 ft
In brief
The Des Moines River at Stratford, IA read 7.63 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 6.37 ft below action stage. That is 2.33 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge STRI4
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28.42 ft | 2010-06-28 |
| 2 | 27.32 ft | 2008-06-09 |
| 3 | 25.68 ft | 1993-04-02 |
| 4 | 24.08 ft | 1984-06-19 |
| 5 | 23.31 ft | 1991-06-05 |
| 6 | 23.22 ft | 1979-08-26 |
| 7 | 23.08 ft | 2018-09-24 |
| 8 | 22.89 ft | 2007-08-23 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 14.00 ft
Water primarily affects adjacent lowland areas.
- 17.80 ft
Water affects the lower Ledges road. Water also affects 155th St east of Fraser and Juniper Rd north of Fraser.
- 18.80 ft
Water affects the 400 block of Juniper Rd...west of Fraser. Water also affects the 1100 block of 155th St...east of Fraser.
- 19.00 ft
Water affects 157th St on the west side of Fraser.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Des Moines River flooding at Stratford?
No. The Des Moines River at Stratford is at 7.63 ft, 6.37 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Stratford?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 14 ft, minor flooding 19 ft, moderate flooding 25 ft and major flooding 27 ft.
What is the highest the Des Moines River has been at Stratford?
The highest crest on record is 28.42 ft, on 2010-06-28.
Is the Des Moines River high or low right now at Stratford?
At 7.63 ft it is higher than 69% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge STRI4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05481300). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.