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SwedenWalnut Creek at Des Moines water level
River gauge, Walnut Creek, Iowa, United States
Right now
Below flood stage
Water level
- Flow
- 105 cfs
History
What this means
Walnut Creek at Des Moines is at 3.94 ft, in the normal range.
It is 10.06 ft below the flood stage of 14.00 ft.
It has dropped 0.05 ft over the past 24 hours. In the last month it has stayed between 3.93 ft and 4.33 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.
Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Highest on record
- 19.08 ftJune 30, 2018
Floating and fishing near Walnut Creek at Des Moines
Normal flows mean predictable rapids and good access at most put-ins.
Flood stage here is 14.00 ft, 10.06 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 25.40 ft
- This is the top of the West Des Moines levee.
- 25.00 ft
- This is the top of the floodwall on the east side of 63rd St.
- 23.90 ft
- Water reaches the road surface of 63rd St.
- 18.50 ft
- Water affects 73rd St near I-235. Water reaches the underside of the 63rd St bridge and affects businesses just east of the railroad tracks on Grand Ave.
- 17.70 ft
- Water reaches the base of the railroad bridge upstream of 63rd St.
- 17.50 ft
- The 63rd St overhead gates are closed.
- 16.50 ft
- The Grand Ave overhead gates are closed.
- 16.00 ft
- Water affects Grand Ave in Des Moines...some nearby residences and Colby Park in Windsor Heights.
- 14.00 ft
- N Valley Dr is closed. Water affects Hoak Rd between Center St as well as the levee affecting several businesses.
- 13.00 ft
- Walnut Hill Dr is closed. Lowland flooding occurs along the east river bank downstream of 63rd St.
- 3.94 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 19.08 ft | June 30, 2018 |
| 2 | 18.69 ft | June 25, 2015 |
| 3 | 18.59 ft | August 9, 2010 |
| 4 | 18.32 ft | May 10, 1986 |
| 5 | 18.00 ft | June 16, 1990 |
| 6 | 17.72 ft | July 1, 1973 |
| 7 | 17.56 ft | August 29, 1993 |
| 8 | 17.44 ft | June 9, 1974 |
| 9 | 17.00 ft | August 27, 1975 |
| 10 | 15.85 ft | June 18, 1998 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on Walnut Creek
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walnut Creek near HartwickRiver gauge, Walnut Creek | 2.11 ft | Below flood stage | −0.09 ft | 70 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Raccoon River at 63rd Street at Des MoinesRiver gauge, Raccoon River | 26.32 ft | Below flood stage | −0.54 ft | 1.8 mi |
| Raccoon River at Fleur Drive at Des MoinesRiver gauge, Raccoon River | 7.97 ft | Below flood stage | −0.49 ft | 3.2 mi |
| Des Moines River at 2nd Avenue at Des MoinesRiver gauge, Des Moines River | 17.23 ft | Below flood stage | −0.43 ft | 4.6 mi |
| Des Moines River below Raccoon River at Des MoinesRiver gauge, Des Moines River | 17.31 ft | Below flood stage | −0.93 ft | 5.1 mi |
| Raccoon River near West Des MoinesRiver gauge, Raccoon River | 32.26 ft | Very high | −0.50 ft | 5.8 mi |
| Des Moines River near SaylorvilleRiver gauge, Des Moines River | 5,960 cfs | High | −1,140.0 cfs | 7 mi |
| Beaver Creek near GrimesRiver gauge, Beaver Creek | 6.80 ft | Below flood stage | −0.65 ft | 7 mi |
| Fourmile Creek at Des MoinesRiver gauge, Fourmile Creek | 4.35 ft | Below flood stage | −0.06 ft | 8 mi |
Questions and answers
What is flood stage for Walnut Creek at Des Moines?
The official flood stage is 14.00 ft. The level is currently 10.06 ft below it.
Is gage height the same as water depth?
No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.
What is the water level of Walnut Creek at Des Moines today?
On Oct 19, 2026, 07:45 PM CDT, the water level was 3.94 ft. Down 0.05 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is Walnut Creek at Des Moines rising or falling?
Down 0.05 ft over the last 24 hours.
Is the level of Walnut Creek at Des Moines normal?
Below flood stage. Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge.
What is the highest water level ever recorded at Walnut Creek at Des Moines?
The highest level on record is 19.08 ft on June 30, 2018.
How often is this data updated?
The U.S. Geological Survey publishes a new reading every 15 minutes. This page refreshes within minutes of each update.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:05484800(Agency page)- Coordinates
41.58747, -93.70331(WGS84)- Vertical datum
- NAVD88
- Update interval
- every 15 minutes
- Licence
- Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision
Published series
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 3.94 ft | 2026-10-20 00:45 | Provisional |
| Flow | 105 cfs | 2026-10-20 00:45 | Provisional |
Download
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How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Walnut Creek at Des Moines (usgs:05484800). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/iowa/walnut-creek-at-des-moines
How we check values
Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.
Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer