River stage
Raccoon River
- River level
- Normal
- Status
- Below flood stage
Latest readings 2026-10-13 | NWS · USGS
- Gauges reporting
- 5 of 5
- Above flood stage
- 0
- Above action stage
- 0
- Overall
- Below flood stage
- Publisher
- NWS · USGS
In brief
On Oct 13, 2026, 5 of 5 gauges on the Raccoon River reported, and none was above flood stage.
Source: National Weather Service and USGS gauges
Raccoon River levels, gauge by gauge
The Raccoon River is measured at 5 gauges. Flood stages are set per gauge, so the same river is "high" at one town and normal at the next.
| Location | Level | Status |
|---|---|---|
| NWS gauge VANI4 | 848.88 ft | below flood stage |
| Des Moines Fleur Dr | 7.71 ft | below flood stage |
| Des Moines IA 28 | 26.08 ft | below flood stage |
| Van Meter | 7.78 ft | normal, falling |
| West Des Moines | 31.98 ft | no flood stage set |
Recent levels on the Raccoon River
The gauge with the fullest recent record on this river is Van Meter, IA, with 122 days of readings.
Other rivers nearby
- Walnut Creek (IA) 7 gauges
- Des Moines River 18 gauges
- Beaver Creek (IA) 10 gauges
- Indian Creek (Marion, IA) 2 gauges
- Cedar Creek (IA) 3 gauges
- Salt Creek (IA) 1 gauge
- Iowa River 15 gauges
- Indian Creek (IA) 3 gauges
Frequently asked questions
Is the Raccoon River flooding right now?
No. Every one of the 5 reporting gauges on the Raccoon River is below flood stage as of 2026-10-13.
How high is the Raccoon River?
The river is measured at several points and each reads a different height. Van Meter is at 7.78 ft.
Where is the Raccoon River measured?
The National Weather Service and USGS operate 5 gauges on the Raccoon River in Iowa.
What does flood stage mean?
Flood stage is the height at which a river begins to cause problems at that specific location. It is set per gauge, so the same river can be above flood stage in one town and normal a few miles downstream. Action stage is the lower level at which forecasters start watching closely.
River stages and flood categories from the NOAA National Weather Service; daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.