River stage
Rock Valley, Rock River
- River level
- 5.30 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.45 ft
- Recent high
- 7.02 ft
- Recent low
- 4.00 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS RKVI4
- 30-day change
- +0.05 ft
- Average
- 5.15 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 27.70 ft
In brief
The Rock River at Rock Valley, IA read 5.30 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 8.70 ft below action stage. That is 0.05 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge RKVI4
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 27.70 ft | 2024-06-22 |
| 2 | 22.72 ft | 2014-06-17 |
| 3 | 21.20 ft | 2018-06-22 |
| 4 | 20.61 ft | 2019-03-15 |
| 5 | 20.24 ft | 2010-09-26 |
| 6 | 19.97 ft | 1993-05-09 |
| 7 | 19.89 ft | 2010-09-25 |
| 8 | 18.91 ft | 1979-03-23 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 13.00 ft
The lowest lying pasture and farm land will experience some minor flooding
- 16.00 ft
Significant amounts of agricultural lands are flooded, and some rural roads are also threatened by high water.
- 18.00 ft
Water reaches the backyards of some houses north of the river and west of Elmwood Ave in Rock Valley and some outbuildings are flooded. The Rivers Bend Campground on the northwest side of Rock Valley begins to flood.
- 19.00 ft
Rock Valley begins to experience increasing flood problems and at least a couple of houses nearest the river begin to flood. Sandbagging of storm sewers in the city begins. Portions of 360th will be flooded.
- 20.00 ft
Hwy 18 west of Rock Valley is flooded. The lower portions of 300th Ave in Rock Valley north of the river and west of Elmwood Ave may flood. Major agricultural flooding is ongoing throughout the floodplain.
- 21.00 ft
Water begins to enter the northern portions of Rock Valley on the south side of the river.
- 23.00 ft
Elmwood Ave is flooded near the gauge and numerous houses on the north side of Rock Valley near the river are flooded.
- 26.00 ft
Significant flooding will be ongoing in Rock Valley with most houses and businesses north of downtown flooded. Portions of the bridge on 340th St are overtopped.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rock River flooding at Rock Valley?
No. The Rock River at Rock Valley is at 5.3 ft, 8.7 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Rock Valley?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 14 ft, minor flooding 16 ft, moderate flooding 17 ft and major flooding 19 ft.
What is the highest the Rock River has been at Rock Valley?
The highest crest on record is 27.7 ft, on 2024-06-22.
Is the Rock River high or low right now at Rock Valley?
At 5.3 ft it is higher than 61% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge RKVI4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 06483500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.