River stage
Iowa City, Iowa River
- River level
- 17.92 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- +0.02 ft
- Recent high
- 19.40 ft
- Recent low
- 9.85 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS IOWI4
- 30-day change
- +7.49 ft
- Average
- 13.63 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 31.53 ft
In brief
The Iowa River at Iowa City, IA read 17.92 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 3.08 ft below action stage. That is 7.49 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge IOWI4
At this level: Some low lying trails along the river become inundated and are closed to pedestrian use.
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 31.53 ft | 2008-06-15 |
| 2 | 28.52 ft | 1993-08-10 |
| 3 | 25.15 ft | 2014-07-12 |
| 4 | 24.90 ft | 2013-06-05 |
| 5 | 24.10 ft | 1851-06-01 |
| 6 | 23.35 ft | 1991-06-13 |
| 7 | 23.23 ft | 2018-10-06 |
| 8 | 22.44 ft | 1974-06-09 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 17.50 ft
Some low lying trails along the river become inundated and are closed to pedestrian use.
- 19.00 ft
Portions of trails in Lower City Park are closed due to flood waters.
- 21.00 ft
Crandic Park off of Rocky Shore Drive is flooded. Lower City Park floods and closes as water is over the roadway and trails.
- 23.50 ft
Stevens Drive is inundated by flood waters. Sidewalks near Iowa Memorial Union on the University of Iowa campus are inundated. Izaak Walton Road and Sand Road are both flooded. Flood waters impact properties off Taft Speedway in Iowa City.
- 24.50 ft
Taft Speedway closes. Normandy Drive is affected by flood waters.
- 26.00 ft
Idylwild Road in Iowa City is affected. Areas of the University of Iowa campus are inundated with flood waters. Approaches to county road bridges along the river are flooded. Streets and parking lots along Commercial Drive are affected.
- 26.50 ft
Normandy Drive residences are evacuated.
- 27.00 ft
Flood protection becomes necessary at the University of Iowa. Water affects several industrial businesses and warehouses along Commercial Drive.
- 29.00 ft
Serious flood damage occurs at the University of Iowa campus.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Iowa River flooding at Iowa City?
No. The Iowa River at Iowa City is at 17.92 ft, 3.08 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Iowa City?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 21 ft, minor flooding 23.5 ft, moderate flooding 24.5 ft and major flooding 26 ft.
What is the highest the Iowa River has been at Iowa City?
The highest crest on record is 31.53 ft, on 2008-06-15.
Is the Iowa River high or low right now at Iowa City?
At 17.92 ft it is higher than 93% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge IOWI4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05454500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.