South River near Ackworth, IA
River level and flood forecast · Warren County
Normal5.9 ftas of Mon 2:15 PM
The river is 23.1 ft below flood stage (29 ft).
Flow: 151 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Thu, Oct 1, 8:25 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 32 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 30 ft |
| Flood stage | 29 ft |
| Action stage | 26 ft |
| Record crest (July 5, 1981) | 32.85 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 33 ftWater affects 168th Ave near the bridge over the river.
- 31.8 ftWater affects Iowa 92 east of Ackworth.
- 31 ftWater reaches the underside of the bridge at 168th Ave.
- 30 ftWater affects portions of Iowa 92 and many other rural county roads. Widespread agricultural flooding occurs.
- 28.6 ftWater is over Iowa 92 between mile markers 137.5 and 139.
- 26 ftRoad closures are possible near creeks adjoining the river.
- 19 ftWater affects lowlands.
Highest crests on record
- 32.85 ft — July 5, 1981
- 32 ft — July 16, 1982
- 31.87 ft — June 25, 2015
- 31.57 ft — July 29, 2008
- 31.25 ft — June 17, 1990
Recent crests: 25.49 ft (August 7, 2025) · 22.68 ft (May 20, 2024) · 11.45 ft (February 27, 2023) · 15.24 ft (May 3, 2022) · 18.36 ft (April 8, 2021)
Up and down the river, and nearby
- DownstreamDes Moines River near Swan, IA
- Middle River near Indianola, IA
- White Breast Creek near Melcher-Dallas, IA
- North River near Norwalk, IA
- Des Moines River at Des Moines SE 6th St, IA
- Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr, IA
- Raccoon River at Des Moines IA 28, IA
- Fourmile Creek at Des Moines Easton Blvd, IA
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (AKWI4); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.