« Back to Taylor Cemetery Rivers
Des Moines River at Ottumwa
Critical Stages
9' - Action
11.5' - Flood
15' - Moderate
19' - Major
Latest Observation
Updated: 4:50 PM CST 12/15/25
Status: No Flooding
Stage: 1.8 ft
Flow: 1.44 kcfs
Forecast
Forecast not available for this location.
| Time | Stage (ft) | Flow (kcfs) |
|---|---|---|
| 4:50 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 4:40 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 4:30 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 4:20 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 4:10 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 4:00 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 3:50 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 3:40 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 3:30 PM 12/15 | 1.81 | 1.46 |
| 3:20 PM 12/15 | 1.81 | 1.46 |
| 3:10 PM 12/15 | 1.81 | 1.46 |
| 3:00 PM 12/15 | 1.82 | 1.48 |
| 2:50 PM 12/15 | 1.82 | 1.48 |
| 2:40 PM 12/15 | 1.82 | 1.48 |
| 2:30 PM 12/15 | 1.82 | 1.48 |
| 2:20 PM 12/15 | 1.82 | 1.48 |
| 2:10 PM 12/15 | 1.83 | 1.5 |
| 2:00 PM 12/15 | 1.81 | 1.46 |
| 1:50 PM 12/15 | 1.83 | 1.5 |
| 1:40 PM 12/15 | 1.83 | 1.5 |
| 1:30 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 1:20 PM 12/15 | 1.79 | 1.42 |
| 1:10 PM 12/15 | 1.81 | 1.46 |
| 1:00 PM 12/15 | 1.8 | 1.44 |
| 12:50 PM 12/15 | 1.77 | 1.39 |
| 12:40 PM 12/15 | 1.72 | 1.3 |
| 12:30 PM 12/15 | 1.66 | 1.19 |
| 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 |
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.
