Des Moines River at Ottumwa, IA
Is Des Moines River at Ottumwa, IA flooding right now?
Des Moines River at Ottumwa, IA measured 6.65 ft on 2026-09-11 01:50:00 UTC. That observation was 6.3 ft below its 13 ft flood stage. This is the latest available reading, not a guarantee of current conditions.
Gauge height
6.65 ft
Streamflow
17,200 cfs
Minor flooding here begins at 13 ft, with major flooding at 19 ft. The highest crest on record was 22.15 ft on Mon, Jul 12, 1993.
Streamflow outlook
Flood stages at this gauge
| Category | Stage | Current distance |
|---|---|---|
| Action | 9 ft | 2.3 ft below |
| Minor flood | 13 ft | 6.3 ft below |
| Moderate flood | 15 ft | 8.3 ft below |
| Major flood | 19 ft | 12.3 ft below |
Highest crests on record
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| 22.15 ft | 1993-07-12 |
| 20.97 ft | 1947-06-07 |
| 20.6 ft | 2008-06-17 |
| 20.23 ft | 1903-05-31 |
| 20.04 ft | 2010-08-11 |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Distance | County |
|---|---|---|
| Bear Creek at Ottumwa, IA | 2.7 mi | Wapello County |
| Des Moines River at Eddyville, IA | 15.5 mi | Wapello County |
| Fox River at Bloomfield, IA | 16.7 mi | Davis County |
| North Skunk River near Sigourney, IA | 22.7 mi | Keokuk County |
| South Skunk River near Oskaloosa, IA | 27.0 mi | Mahaska County |
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Provisional data: Real-time readings are provisional and subject to revision by the USGS — sensors can be affected by ice, debris, or equipment malfunction. Do not rely on this site for decisions involving personal safety; follow official guidance from the National Weather Service and local authorities.