Raccoon River at Des Moines IA 28, IA
River level and flood forecast · Polk County
Normal26.4 ftas of Mon 2:46 PM
The river is 9.6 ft below flood stage (36 ft).
Flow: 7,570 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Sat, Oct 3, 1:30 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 40 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 38 ft |
| Flood stage | 36 ft |
| Action stage | 34 ft |
| Record crest (June 13, 2008) | 41.31 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 46.2 ftThis is the top of the West Des Moines levee.
- 43 ftThis is the top of the Des Moines levee at Iowa 28 and 63rd St.
- 42 ftWater is over I-35.
- 41.3 ftWater is at the shoulder of the southbound I-35 exit to Iowa 5.
- 41 ftThe levee is closed at Jordan Creek and Iowa 28.
- 40.5 ftWater affects Grand Ave near Raccoon River Regional Park.
- 40 ftIowa 28 is closed north of the river. Water affects the berm on the west side of Raccoon River Park...affecting the park and surrounding area.
- 39.6 ftWater affects the rangers residence at Walnut Woods State Park.
- 39 ftWater affects businesses...Commerce Dr and Raccoon River Dr from S 88th St to Grand Ave.
- 38.6 ftWater affects several buildings in West Des Moines in Walnut Woods State Park.
- 38 ftWater affects primary roads in several locations.
- 36 ftWater affects Blue Heron Lake at Raccoon River Park.
- 35.5 ftWater affects Walnut Woods Dr as well as Walnut Woods State Park.
- 30 ftThe City of West Des Moines operates the levee system including pumps.
Highest crests on record
- 41.31 ft — June 13, 2008
- 40.77 ft — July 11, 1993
- 40.37 ft — June 26, 2015
- 39.46 ft — June 16, 1998
- 38.22 ft — May 24, 2004
Recent crests: 29.99 ft (July 31, 2025) · 31.92 ft (May 22, 2024) · 28.39 ft (February 28, 2023) · 31.02 ft (June 7, 2022) · 22.44 ft (March 26, 2021)
Up and down the river, and nearby
- UpstreamRaccoon River near West Des Moines, IA
- DownstreamRaccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr, IA
- Walnut Creek at Des Moines 63rd St, IA
- Des Moines River at Des Moines SE 6th St, IA
- Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave, IA
- North River near Norwalk, IA
- Des Moines River at Saylorville Tail, IA
- Beaver Creek near Grimes, IA
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (DMWI4); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.