Shell Rock River at Shell Rock, IA
River level and flood forecast · Butler County
Normal8.6 ftas of Mon 12:45 PM
The river is 3.4 ft below flood stage (12 ft).
Flow: 1,240 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 | 18 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 16 ft |
| Flood stage | 12 ft |
| Action stage | 10 ft |
| Record crest (September 23, 2016) | 21.4 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 21 ftWater affects the approach to the Cherry St bridge.
- 20 ftWater affects many residences.
- 18 ftWater nears the top of an arch beneath the Cherry St bridge and affects multiple roads.
- 16 ftSome residential evacuations may occur.
- 14 ftFlooding occurs in Shell Rock primarily in residential yards.
- 13.5 ftE Washington St is closed.
- 13 ftPart of S Lake St is closed.
- 12.5 ftSeepage occurs in several basements close to the river.
- 12 ftWater affects S Prairie St.
Highest crests on record
- 21.4 ft — September 23, 2016
- 20.36 ft — June 10, 2008
- 17.7 ft — January 1, 1856
- 16.73 ft — July 22, 1999
- 16.26 ft — March 28, 1961
Recent crests: 13.32 ft (August 1, 2025) · 12.94 ft (June 24, 2024) · 13.13 ft (March 1, 2023) · 11.26 ft (June 16, 2022) · 11.08 ft (August 29, 2021)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (SHRI4); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.