River stage
Van Meter, Raccoon River
- River level
- 7.78 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -1.51 ft
- Recent high
- 14.81 ft
- Recent low
- 2.41 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS VNMI4
- 30-day change
- +3.56 ft
- Average
- 4.93 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 26.34 ft
In brief
The Raccoon River at Van Meter, IA read 7.78 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.22 ft below action stage. That is 3.56 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge VNMI4
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26.34 ft | 1993-07-10 |
| 2 | 23.29 ft | 1998-06-15 |
| 3 | 23.09 ft | 2015-06-25 |
| 4 | 22.69 ft | 1986-07-01 |
| 5 | 22.67 ft | 2008-06-12 |
| 6 | 21.77 ft | 1958-07-03 |
| 7 | 21.74 ft | 1973-07-04 |
| 8 | 21.59 ft | 2004-05-23 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 12.00 ft
Water affects agricultural land primarily along the upstream north bank.
- 13.00 ft
Overflow occurs onto much of the east bank.
- 15.00 ft
Flooding occurs in the sand and gravel quarries just south of I-80.
- 17.00 ft
Water threatens secondary bridges along US 6 east of Adel.
- 19.00 ft
Flooding of several county roads occurs.
- 20.00 ft
Water affects R Ave just north of the river.
- 22.70 ft
Water is at the shoulder of the southbound I-35 exit to Iowa 5.
- 23.30 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the I-80 bridge near Van Meter.
- 23.80 ft
Water is over I-80 near Van Meter.
- 26.00 ft
Water affects the railroad line north of Van Meter.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Raccoon River flooding at Van Meter?
No. The Raccoon River at Van Meter is at 7.78 ft, 7.22 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Van Meter?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 15 ft, minor flooding 17 ft, moderate flooding 22 ft and major flooding 23 ft.
What is the highest the Raccoon River has been at Van Meter?
The highest crest on record is 26.34 ft, on 1993-07-10.
Is the Raccoon River high or low right now at Van Meter?
At 7.78 ft it is higher than 89% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge VNMI4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05484500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.