Des Moines River blw Raccoon Riv at Des Moines, IA
USGS 05485500 · Iowa · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading Des Moines River blw Raccoon Riv at Des Moines, IA…
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USGS 05485500 · Iowa · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Stand back from the shoreline and be aware of surroundingsRhode Island Department of Environmental Management
If stream conditions are not favorable, consider fishing at a lakePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 9:00 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Highest for this date on record for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Above NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 10:00 PM CDT to Nov 5, 9:00 PM CST; ranging 6,380 to 21,300 ft³/s; latest 21,300 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 9:00 PM CST | 21,300 | 20.9 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 PM CST | 21,000 | 20.8 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM CST | 20,700 | 20.6 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM CST | 20,400 | 20.5 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM CST | 20,000 | 20.3 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM CST | 19,500 | 20.1 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM CST | 19,100 | 19.9 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM CST | 18,800 | 19.8 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM CST | 18,400 | 19.6 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM CST | 18,000 | 19.5 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM CST | 17,700 | 19.3 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM CST | 17,600 | 19.3 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM CST | 17,700 | 19.3 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM CST | 17,700 | 19.3 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM CST | 17,600 | 19.3 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM CST | 17,600 | 19.2 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM CST | 17,600 | 19.2 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM CST | 17,500 | 19.2 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM CST | 17,400 | 19.2 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM CST | 17,400 | 19.2 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM CST | 17,300 | 19.1 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM CST | 17,200 | 19.1 | 896–4,340 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM CST | 17,100 | 19 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM CST | 16,900 | 18.9 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM CST | 16,700 | 18.9 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM CST | 16,600 | 18.8 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM CST | 16,500 | 18.7 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM CST | 16,300 | 18.7 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM CST | 16,200 | 18.6 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM CST | 16,000 | 18.5 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM CST | 15,700 | 18.4 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM CST | 15,500 | 18.3 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM CST | 15,100 | 18.1 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM CST | 14,900 | 18 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM CST | 14,400 | 17.7 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM CST | 14,000 | 17.6 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM CST | 13,600 | 17.4 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM CST | 13,300 | 17.3 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM CST | 13,000 | 17.1 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM CST | 12,700 | 17 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM CST | 12,500 | 16.9 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM CST | 12,300 | 16.8 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM CST | 12,200 | 16.7 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM CST | 12,100 | 16.7 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM CST | 12,100 | 16.7 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM CST | 12,000 | 16.6 | 849–4,750 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM CST | 11,900 | 16.6 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM CST | 11,800 | 16.6 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM CST | 11,700 | 16.5 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM CST | 11,600 | 16.5 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM CST | 11,500 | 16.4 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM CST | 11,500 | 16.4 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM CST | 11,300 | 16.3 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM CST | 11,100 | 16.2 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM CST | 11,000 | 16.2 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM CST | 10,800 | 16.1 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM CST | 10,400 | 15.9 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM CST | 9,850 | 15.6 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM CST | 9,350 | 15.4 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM CST | 9,070 | 15.2 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM CST | 9,020 | 15.2 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM CST | 8,880 | 15.1 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM CST | 8,710 | 15.1 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM CST | 8,460 | 14.9 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM CST | 8,090 | 14.7 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM CST | 7,850 | 14.6 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM CST | 7,740 | 14.5 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM CST | 7,620 | 14.5 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM CST | 7,460 | 14.4 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM CST | 7,340 | 14.3 | 903–4,990 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM CST | 7,350 | 14.3 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM CST | 7,410 | 14.3 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM CST | 7,370 | 14.3 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM CST | 7,140 | 14.2 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM CST | 6,920 | 14.1 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM CST | 6,900 | 14.1 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM CST | 6,850 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM CST | 6,890 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM CST | 6,830 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM CST | 6,820 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM CST | 6,780 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM CST | 6,750 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM CST | 6,750 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM CST | 6,770 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM CST | 6,750 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM CST | 6,770 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM CST | 6,780 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM CST | 6,770 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM CST | 6,780 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM CST | 6,750 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM CST | 6,770 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM CST | 6,770 | 14 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM CST | 6,720 | 13.9 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM CST | 6,700 | 13.9 | 507–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM CST | 6,700 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM CST | 6,680 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM CST | 6,600 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM CST | 6,650 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM CST | 6,650 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM CST | 6,620 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM CST | 6,650 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM CST | 6,620 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM CST | 6,600 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM CST | 6,550 | 13.8 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM CST | 6,530 | 13.8 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM CST | 6,530 | 13.8 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM CST | 6,580 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM CST | 6,570 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM CST | 6,600 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM CST | 6,600 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM CST | 6,620 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM CST | 6,630 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM CST | 6,630 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM CST | 6,630 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM CST | 6,670 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM CST | 6,670 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM CST | 6,670 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM CDT | 6,670 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM CDT | 6,680 | 13.9 | 498–5,490 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM CDT | 6,670 | 13.9 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM CDT | 6,700 | 13.9 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM CDT | 6,670 | 13.9 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM CDT | 6,680 | 13.9 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM CDT | 6,700 | 13.9 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM CDT | 6,750 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM CDT | 6,750 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM CDT | 6,780 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM CDT | 6,820 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM CDT | 6,820 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM CDT | 6,820 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM CDT | 6,820 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM CDT | 6,830 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM CDT | 6,890 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM CDT | 6,890 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM CDT | 6,850 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM CDT | 6,870 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM CDT | 6,850 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM CDT | 6,850 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM CDT | 6,850 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM CDT | 6,850 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM CDT | 6,830 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM CDT | 6,830 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM CDT | 6,870 | 14 | 680–4,850 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM CDT | 6,780 | 14 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM CDT | 6,720 | 13.9 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM CDT | 6,670 | 13.9 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM CDT | 6,650 | 13.9 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM CDT | 6,620 | 13.9 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM CDT | 6,570 | 13.9 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM CDT | 6,570 | 13.9 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM CDT | 6,520 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM CDT | 6,520 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM CDT | 6,470 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM CDT | 6,480 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM CDT | 6,500 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM CDT | 6,500 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM CDT | 6,470 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM CDT | 6,470 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM CDT | 6,380 | 13.7 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM CDT | 6,380 | 13.7 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM CDT | 6,430 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM CDT | 6,420 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM CDT | 6,430 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM CDT | 6,430 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM CDT | 6,400 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM CDT | 6,430 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM CDT | 6,400 | 13.8 | 634–4,740 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM CDT | 6,430 | 13.8 | 682–4,490 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM CDT | 6,430 | 13.8 | 682–4,490 |
Map of USGS gauge 05485500 and the river around it
Where Des Moines River blw Raccoon Riv at Des Moines, IA sits, with 3 other gauges on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. Iowa DNR publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a Iowa rule, with Iowa DNR's own figure added: 68°F and 75°F.
Normal for Nov 5: 896–4,340 ft³/s (middle half of 49 years of record). Now: 21,300 ft³/s, highest for this date on record.
Highest for this date on record for this date. 21,300 ft³/s is above the highest daily mean recorded on this date of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 49 years of record (1978–2026): 10th 426, 25th 896, median 2,350, 75th 4,340, 90th 9,960 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 352 ft³/s, highest 17,200 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 27.5%, from 16,700 to 21,300 ft³/s. Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the Iowa Department of Natural Resources: Iowa fishing regulations and laws.
Above NWS action stage. Above action stage: high, fast water. Don't wade.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)NWS forecast: Above NWS action stage. The National Weather Service river forecast for this gauge reaches that category. Plan around it and check the forecast again before you go.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 27.5%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Flow above the record for this date. Higher than any daily mean USGS has recorded on this date at this gauge. Expect much higher, faster water than usual for the season.
hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) Statistics documentation (percentiles of daily mean discharge) (U.S. Geological Survey)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Above NWS action stage. Above action stage: high, fast water. Don't wade.
NWS observed 20.8 ft stage, 21,100 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:45 PM CST (NWS gauge DESI4; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
NWS river forecast forecast issued Nov 5, 8:06 PM CST. Highest point: 21.8 ft, 23,600 ft³/s on Nov 6, 6:00 PM CST (Above NWS action stage).
| Day | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Fri, Nov 6 | 21.8 ft | 23,600 ft³/s |
| Sat, Nov 7 | 21.8 ft | 23,600 ft³/s |
| Sun, Nov 8 | 21 ft | 21,600 ft³/s |
| Mon, Nov 9 | 19.1 ft | 17,300 ft³/s |
| Tue, Nov 10 | 16.8 ft | 12,300 ft³/s |
| Wed, Nov 11 | 16 ft | 10,600 ft³/s |
| Thu, Nov 12 | 15.5 ft | 9,590 ft³/s |
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:53 PM CST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.