Des Moines River at Ottumwa
Critical Stages
9' - Action
11.5' - Flood
15' - Moderate
19' - Major
Latest Observation
Updated: 11:50 AM CST 12/15/25
Status: No Flooding
Stage: 1.69 ft
Flow: 1.24 kcfs
Forecast
Forecast not available for this location.
| Time | Stage (ft) | Flow (kcfs) |
|---|---|---|
| 12:20 PM 12/15 | 1.66 | 1.19 |
| 12:10 PM 12/15 | 1.65 | 1.18 |
| 12:00 PM 12/15 | 1.64 | 1.16 |
| 11:50 AM 12/15 | 1.69 | 1.24 |
| 11:40 AM 12/15 | 1.74 | 1.33 |
| 11:30 AM 12/15 | 1.72 | 1.3 |
| 11:20 AM 12/15 | 1.72 | 1.3 |
| 11:10 AM 12/15 | 1.78 | 1.4 |
| 11:00 AM 12/15 | 1.77 | 1.39 |
| 10:50 AM 12/15 | 1.78 | 1.4 |
| 10:40 AM 12/15 | 1.81 | 1.46 |
| 10:30 AM 12/15 | 1.85 | 1.54 |
| 10:20 AM 12/15 | 1.91 | 1.66 |
| 10:10 AM 12/15 | 1.98 | 1.82 |
| 10:00 AM 12/15 | 2.03 | 1.93 |
| 9:50 AM 12/15 | 2.1 | 2.1 |
| 9:40 AM 12/15 | 2.16 | 2.26 |
| 9:30 AM 12/15 | 2.22 | 2.42 |
| 9:20 AM 12/15 | 2.29 | 2.61 |
| 9:10 AM 12/15 | 2.32 | 2.69 |
| 9:00 AM 12/15 | 2.37 | 2.83 |
| 8:50 AM 12/15 | 2.41 | 2.94 |
| 8:40 AM 12/15 | 2.42 | 2.97 |
| 8:30 AM 12/15 | 2.44 | 3.03 |
| 8:20 AM 12/15 | 2.46 | 3.09 |
| 8:10 AM 12/15 | 2.48 | 3.15 |
| 8:00 AM 12/15 | 2.49 | 3.18 |
| 7:50 AM 12/15 | 2.51 | 3.24 |
| 7:40 AM 12/15 | 2.55 | 3.36 |
| 7:30 AM 12/15 | 2.57 | 3.43 |
25' -
The City of Ottumwa is protected by a 25 foot levee.
23' -
The levee opening at the south end of the Market St bridge may need to be planked and sandbagged.
22' -
Sandbagging and planking operations may be needed for openings along Vine St.
19.5' -
Water affects the Market St parking lot. The entrance to the Market St bridge is sandbagged.
18.5' -
Sewer backup will reach the road surface at Market St and Commercial St.
18' -
Water affects the Fairport area along the railroad tracks. Sandbagging may be needed at the Vine St diversion chamber. Evacuations may begin at the trailer court.
17.5' -
Sewer backup in basements occurs at businesses along Main St.
17' -
Water affects Paris St. The Market St bridge is closed.
15' -
Flooding occurs in rural areas both upstream and downstream of Ottumwa.
12' -
Water affects Eldon.
11.5' -
Water affects the northeast side of Rabbit Run Rd.
11' -
Bear Creek reaches bankfull.
10' -
Agricultural flooding occurs along most of the reach between Ottumwa and Eldon.
9' -
Water affects rural fields primarily downstream of Ottumwa.
| Date | Stage (ft) |
|---|---|
| Jul 12, 1993 | 22.15 |
| Jun 7, 1947 | 20.97 |
| Jun 17, 2008 | 20.6 |
| May 31, 1903 | 20.23 |
| Aug 11, 2010 | 20.04 |
| Apr 11, 1965 | 18.33 |
| May 24, 1944 | 18.27 |
| Apr 1, 1960 | 18.26 |
| Jun 28, 1954 | 17.66 |
| Jun 10, 1917 | 17.63 |
| May 29, 2019 | 16.28 |
| Jun 28, 1935 | 16.22 |
| Apr 18, 2013 | 15.99 |
| Apr 4, 1951 | 15.92 |
| Mar 6, 1937 | 15.54 |
| Mar 23, 1948 | 15.51 |
| Mar 17, 1929 | 15.33 |
| Apr 6, 1962 | 15.24 |
| May 7, 1919 | 15.23 |
| Jan 8, 1946 | 15.11 |
Data provided by the National Weather Service.
