South Skunk River at Colfax, IA
River level and flood forecast · Jasper County
Normal12.4 ftas of Mon 2:45 PM
The river is 5.6 ft below flood stage (18 ft).
Flow: 2,610 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Wed, Oct 7, 2:03 AM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 21 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 19 ft |
| Flood stage | 18 ft |
| Action stage | 15 ft |
| Record crest (August 14, 2010) | 23.85 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 24 ftWater reaches the bottom of the I-80 bridge as well as the Iowa 117 bridge.
- 22 ftWater affects I-80 between mile markers 155 and 159...as well as much of downtown Colfax and numerous residences on the west and northwest side of town.
- 21 ftWater threatens I-80 between mile markers 155 and 159 due to backup from Indian Creek. Water also affects the railroad trestle.
- 20.9 ftWater affects the levee near the Iowa 117 bridge as well as the first two downtown blocks of Colfax adjacent to the river.
- 20 ftWater affects Iowa 14 south of Newton.
- 19 ftWater affects the earthen levee west of town near the sewage disposal area. Evacuations may occur on the northwest side of Colfax. Flooding occurs in Reasnor.
- 15.5 ftStorm sewers are closed. Water affects nearby agricultural land.
Highest crests on record
- 23.85 ft — August 14, 2010
- 21.53 ft — July 12, 1993
- 20.25 ft — June 14, 2008
- 19.07 ft — June 20, 1990
- 19.02 ft — April 28, 2007
Recent crests: 15.8 ft (July 31, 2025) · 16.42 ft (May 22, 2024) · 15.67 ft (June 16, 2022) · 9.19 ft (March 26, 2021) · 14.53 ft (May 27, 2020)
Up and down the river, and nearby
- UpstreamSouth Skunk River near Ames US 30, IA
- Indian Creek near Mingo, IA
- Des Moines River near Swan, IA
- Fourmile Creek at Des Moines Easton Blvd, IA
- Fourmile Creek near Ankeny NE 86th Ave, IA
- Des Moines River at Des Moines 2nd Ave, IA
- Des Moines River at Des Moines SE 6th St, IA
- Raccoon River at Des Moines Fleur Dr, IA
- Des Moines River at Saylorville Tail, IA
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (CFXI4); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.