River stage
Columbus Jct, Iowa River
- River level
- 15.73 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -3.45 ft
- Recent high
- 21.61 ft
- Recent low
- 10.25 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS CJTI4
- 30-day change
- +5.18 ft
- Average
- 14.46 ft
- Readings
- 120
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 32.30 ft
In brief
The Iowa River at Columbus Jct, IA read 15.73 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 3.27 ft below action stage. That is 5.18 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge CJTI4
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 32.30 ft | 2008-06-15 |
| 2 | 28.30 ft | 1993-07-07 |
| 3 | 27.67 ft | 2014-07-03 |
| 4 | 25.82 ft | 2013-04-19 |
| 5 | 25.29 ft | 2016-09-30 |
| 6 | 24.95 ft | 2019-05-31 |
| 7 | 24.80 ft | 2016-10-01 |
| 8 | 24.32 ft | 2018-10-09 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 23.00 ft
Water affects residential property along the river south of the Iowa Highway 92 Bridge. Locust St is closed at the bridge over Monkey Run.
- 25.00 ft
Intersection of Highway G36 and 165th St is underwater and closed.
- 25.10 ft
Water reaches the old railroad bridge on the south side of the Fairgrounds.
- 26.50 ft
Water goes over U.S. Highway 61 downstream of Columbus Junction.
- 26.80 ft
Water begins rising onto Iowa State Highway 92.
- 27.20 ft
Water goes over Iowa State Highway 92.
- 31.00 ft
Water is over the west approach to the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge. Water also reaches the lowest portion of the east abutment of the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge.
- 31.30 ft
Water reaches the lowest portion of the west abutment of the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge.
- 31.80 ft
Water reaches the lowest portion of the midspan of the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge.
- 36.00 ft
Water goes over the Iowa State Highway 92 bridge roadway.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Iowa River flooding at Columbus Jct?
No. The Iowa River at Columbus Jct is at 15.73 ft, 3.27 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Columbus Jct?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 19 ft, minor flooding 23 ft, moderate flooding 25 ft and major flooding 26.5 ft.
What is the highest the Iowa River has been at Columbus Jct?
The highest crest on record is 32.3 ft, on 2008-06-15.
Is the Iowa River high or low right now at Columbus Jct?
At 15.73 ft it is higher than 63% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge CJTI4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05465100). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.