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West Fork Des Moines River at Humboldt, IA

River level and flood forecast · Humboldt County

Normal4.1 ftas of Mon 2:30 PM

The river is 5.9 ft below flood stage (10 ft).

Flow: 555 cubic feet per second (USGS).

The last 7 days and the forecast

2.557.51012.515TueWedThuFriSatSunMonAction 7 ftFlood 10 ftModerate 13 ftMajor 14 ftNowObserved (ft)NWS forecast

NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 6 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.

Flood stages

Major flood stage14 ft
Moderate flood stage13 ft
Flood stage10 ft
Action stage7 ft
Record crest (June 27, 2024)16.82 ft

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

  • 17 ftWater affects the Berkhimer Bridge deck on 215th St north of Humboldt. Water is 2 to 3 ft high on some homes on the north end of W Fork Dr, Country Club Dr and W River Dr. Water affects the lower section of Lower Sheldon Park. Homes along 9th St S are getting water in their basements. In Bradgate, water covers the majority of the south side of town. Water affects fields and roadways on the north side of town.
  • 16 ftWater affects homes along the west end of W River Rd and along May St. Water affects 15th St N between 7th and 8th Ave N and the boat ramp at the Reasoner dam. Water floods Tourist Park. In Bradgate, water affects the city well area, Fox St E and Minturn St south from Percy to the south edge of town. Water affects the park at Minturn St N and E King St. In Rutland, water covers the turnaround area near the dam and affects the campground grass field.
  • 15 ftWater affects the area south of 13th Ave S. Backup water flows north from the recycling plant to 11th Ave S and affects homes. In Bradgate, water affects the west side of town from Public St to Garfield St S south of King St. In Rutland, water affects the campground areas but does not back up through the creek or drainage ditch.
  • 14 ftHomes along the far west side and W River Dr have water 2 to 3 ft from their foundations. The homes east have water in their back yards. In Bradgate, water affects the parking and facility lots of the cooperative in town. Homes on the west side of town see water in their yards.
  • 13 ftWater affects homes along Country Club Ln from 20-160. Homes from 15-21 W Fork Dr are seeing flood waters nearing their foundations and sandbagging begins. Homeowners along 9th St S from 9th Ave S to 13th Ave S are seeing water over the banks but not threatening homes. In Bradgate, water is up to the foundations of homes on the west Side of Public Road in town. No other flooding in town is noted due to the river. Water covers 180th St from Colorado Ave to Delaware Ave.
  • 12 ftWater affects homes from 22-24 W Fork Dr and affects Tourist Park. In Bradgate, water affects agricultural land west, north and south of town getting deeper and spreading out but not impacting homes in town.
  • 11 ftWater affects homes from 20 to 160 Country Club Ln. Water is out of the banks along W Fork Rd north of IA 3. Water is 3 to 4 ft from foundations. Water affects Tourist Park south of Sumner Ave. Homes along W River road have water in some of the backyards. In Bradgate, water affects Arizona Ave from 160th St to 165th St. Water affects Public Rd or 180th St from town to Colorado Ave. Water is up to Public Rd in the city limits.
  • 10 ftWater affects the Cottonwood trail from the dam south.
  • 9.5 ftWater affects homes from 120 through 160 Country Club Ln. In Bradgate, water affects portions of Arizona Ave north of town between 160th St and 165th St, portions of Public Rd/180th St from town south to Colorado Ave, portions of 190th St south of town from Elm Ave to Florida Ave and Pilot Creek Rd at 465th St northwest of Bradgate.
  • 9 ftWater affects docks of homes along Country Club Ln and house backyards along W Fork Rd and W River Dr. In Bradgate, water affects agricultural land along Arizona Ave from 150th to 160th St and along Public Rd/180th St from Bradgate south to Colorado Ave.
  • 8 ftWater begins affecting docks of homes along the County Club Ln. In Bradgate, water begins affecting the natural land near the river. No roads are impacted.

Highest crests on record

  1. 16.82 ft — June 27, 2024
  2. 15.4 ft — April 14, 1969
  3. 15.22 ft — July 13, 1993
  4. 14.95 ft — March 20, 2019
  5. 13.9 ft — April 8, 1965

Recent crests: 9.06 ft (August 1, 2025) · 16.82 ft (June 27, 2024) · 9.71 ft (May 15, 2023) · 6.99 ft (June 17, 2022) · 4.8 ft (April 15, 2021)

Up and down the river, and nearby

See it on the live map →Radar & warnings for Humboldt CountyNWS gauge pageUSGS gauge 05476750

Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (HBTI4); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.