What is the current flow on Des Moines River?
Des Moines River is currently flowing at 21,300 cfs at USGS gauge 05489500 as of Aug 18, 7:20 PM UTC.
Des Moines River at Ottumwa Water Level, Temperature & Fishing Conditions
Water level (gauge height) · Live from USGS
7.78 ft
Flow 21,300 cfs · Water temp 79.3°F (26.3°C) · as of Aug 18, 7:20 PM UTC
Flow is 21,300 cfs.
Flow
21,300 cfs
Gauge Height
7.78 ft
Water Temp
79.3°F (26.3°C)
Water Temperature
79.3°F (26.3°C) · as of Aug 18, 7:20 PM UTC
About This Gauge
USGS 05489500 is a public stream gauge on Des Moines River in Iowa. Waderly uses this page as the canonical landing page for flow, water level, and fishing-condition checks on this water. There is 1 same-waterway gauge nearby for upstream and downstream comparison.
3-Day Weather Outlook
NOAA forecast data for Des Moines River is not cached on this page yet. The live Waderly map forecast will populate first, and search crawlers can still see flow, gauge height, temperature, nearby gauges, and state-hub links here.
Waderly combines real-time USGS stream gauges with weather, barometric pressure trends, and solunar activity so you know what the water is doing before you go. The "typical" comparison above is an approximation based on the historical daily median flow for this date at this gauge.
More Gauges On Des Moines River
These nearby gauges are on the same named waterway, which makes them more useful for upstream and downstream context than unrelated creeks at the same distance.
- Des Moines River at Eddyville, IA · 15.5 mi
Other Nearby Gauges
- Bear Creek at Ottumwa, IA · 2.7 mi
- Fox River at Bloomfield, IA · 16.7 mi
- North Skunk River near Sigourney, IA · 22.7 mi
- South Skunk River near Oskaloosa, IA · 27.0 mi
- Chariton River near Rathbun, IA · 28.2 mi
- Rathbun Lake near Rathbun, IA · 28.4 mi
- Chariton River near Moulton, IA · 29.0 mi
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Des Moines River above or below normal right now?
Waderly compares Des Moines River against its historical median when that gauge has enough flow history loaded. This page does not have that above-or-below-normal comparison yet.
What is the water temperature on Des Moines River?
The latest reported water temperature on Des Moines River is 79.3°F (26.3°C) as of Aug 18, 7:20 PM UTC.
What other gauges should I check near Des Moines River?
Other gauges on Des Moines River worth checking include Des Moines River at Eddyville, IA (15.5 miles away). Same-waterway gauges are usually the best upstream and downstream cross-check when you are deciding whether conditions are improving or dropping out.
What is the weather outlook for Des Moines River?
NOAA forecast data for Des Moines River is not cached on this page yet. Waderly's live map forecast usually fills in first.
Intelligence for the water
Get a free alert the moment Des Moines River hits your window — the right flow, temperature, and conditions — instead of refreshing this page. Waderly watches the gauge so you don't have to.
Set a free flow alert for Des Moines River