Des Moines River at Ottumwa, IA
USGS 05489500 · Iowa · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature
Reading Des Moines River at Ottumwa, IA…
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USGS 05489500 · Iowa · reports discharge (live), gauge height, water temperature
What the agencies suggest
During periods of high water, fish move towards the banks to find calmer water and lower velocitiesPennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visiblePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
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, 9:20 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Much above normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 10:20 PM CDT to Nov 5, 9:20 PM CST; ranging 4,900 to 22,500 ft³/s; latest 21,500 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) | Water temp (°F) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 9:20 PM CST | 21,500 | 7.84 | 59.4 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 8:20 PM CST | 21,300 | 7.77 | 59.5 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 7:20 PM CST | 21,000 | 7.71 | 59.5 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 6:20 PM CST | 20,900 | 7.66 | 59.7 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 5:20 PM CST | 20,800 | 7.64 | 59.7 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 4:20 PM CST | 20,900 | 7.66 | 59.7 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 3:20 PM CST | 21,100 | 7.72 | 59.9 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 2:20 PM CST | 21,200 | 7.76 | 59.9 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 1:20 PM CST | 21,200 | 7.74 | 59.9 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 12:20 PM CST | 21,200 | 7.76 | 59.9 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 11:20 AM CST | 21,600 | 7.86 | 59.9 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 10:20 AM CST | 21,700 | 7.88 | 59.9 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 9:20 AM CST | 21,700 | 7.9 | 59.9 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 8:20 AM CST | 21,800 | 7.92 | 60.1 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 7:20 AM CST | 21,900 | 7.95 | 60.1 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 6:20 AM CST | 21,800 | 7.92 | 60.1 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 5:20 AM CST | 21,800 | 7.92 | 60.1 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 4:20 AM CST | 21,700 | 7.9 | 60.3 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 3:20 AM CST | 21,900 | 7.94 | 60.3 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 2:20 AM CST | 21,900 | 7.96 | 60.4 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 1:20 AM CST | 21,800 | 7.92 | 60.4 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 5, 12:20 AM CST | 21,800 | 7.91 | 60.4 | 1,170–6,570 |
| Nov 4, 11:20 PM CST | 21,800 | 7.92 | 60.4 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 10:20 PM CST | 21,700 | 7.88 | 60.6 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 9:20 PM CST | 21,700 | 7.88 | 60.6 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 8:20 PM CST | 21,700 | 7.9 | 60.8 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 7:20 PM CST | 21,500 | 7.84 | 60.8 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 6:20 PM CST | 21,400 | 7.81 | 61 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 5:20 PM CST | 21,900 | 7.96 | 61 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 4:20 PM CST | 21,900 | 7.94 | 61.2 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 3:20 PM CST | 22,000 | 7.97 | 61.2 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 2:20 PM CST | 22,300 | 8.06 | 61.3 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 1:20 PM CST | 22,300 | 8.06 | 61.3 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 12:20 PM CST | 21,700 | 7.88 | 61.3 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 11:20 AM CST | 22,500 | 8.13 | 61.2 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 10:20 AM CST | 22,200 | 8.03 | 61.2 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 9:20 AM CST | 22,200 | 8.02 | 61.3 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 8:20 AM CST | 21,600 | 7.87 | 61.3 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 7:20 AM CST | 20,900 | 7.68 | 61.3 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 6:20 AM CST | 20,900 | 7.67 | 61.5 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 5:20 AM CST | 21,200 | 7.75 | 61.9 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 4:20 AM CST | 20,900 | 7.67 | 62.1 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 3:20 AM CST | 18,000 | 6.87 | 62.2 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 2:20 AM CST | 16,700 | 6.52 | 62.4 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 1:20 AM CST | 16,400 | 6.44 | 62.6 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 4, 12:20 AM CST | 16,000 | 6.32 | 62.6 | 1,340–7,460 |
| Nov 3, 11:20 PM CST | 15,500 | 6.18 | 62.8 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 10:20 PM CST | 13,400 | 5.56 | 63 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 9:20 PM CST | 12,000 | 5.16 | 63 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 8:20 PM CST | 11,100 | 4.88 | 63 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 7:20 PM CST | 10,700 | 4.77 | 63 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 6:20 PM CST | 10,600 | 4.75 | 63 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 5:20 PM CST | 10,300 | 4.66 | 63 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 4:20 PM CST | 9,820 | 4.5 | 63 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 3:20 PM CST | 9,690 | 4.46 | 62.8 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 2:20 PM CST | 9,750 | 4.48 | 62.6 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 1:20 PM CST | 9,690 | 4.46 | 62.6 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 12:20 PM CST | 9,820 | 4.5 | 62.4 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 11:20 AM CST | 9,980 | 4.55 | 62.2 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 10:20 AM CST | 10,000 | 4.57 | 62.1 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 9:20 AM CST | 10,000 | 4.56 | 62.1 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 8:20 AM CST | 9,460 | 4.39 | 61.9 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 7:20 AM CST | 9,040 | 4.26 | 61.9 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 6:20 AM CST | 9,260 | 4.33 | 61.9 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 5:20 AM CST | 9,430 | 4.38 | 61.9 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 4:20 AM CST | 9,590 | 4.43 | 61.9 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 3:20 AM CST | 9,650 | 4.45 | 61.7 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 2:20 AM CST | 9,880 | 4.52 | 61.7 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 1:20 AM CST | 10,200 | 4.61 | 61.7 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 3, 12:20 AM CST | 10,200 | 4.61 | 61.7 | 919–7,660 |
| Nov 2, 11:20 PM CST | 9,850 | 4.51 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 10:20 PM CST | 9,850 | 4.51 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 9:20 PM CST | 9,620 | 4.44 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 8:20 PM CST | 9,520 | 4.41 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 7:20 PM CST | 9,460 | 4.39 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 6:20 PM CST | 9,170 | 4.3 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 5:20 PM CST | 8,970 | 4.24 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 4:20 PM CST | 9,040 | 4.26 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 3:20 PM CST | 9,390 | 4.37 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 2:20 PM CST | 9,430 | 4.38 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 1:20 PM CST | 9,460 | 4.39 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 12:20 PM CST | 9,560 | 4.42 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 11:20 AM CST | 9,910 | 4.53 | 61.5 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 10:20 AM CST | 10,300 | 4.64 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 9:20 AM CST | 10,200 | 4.61 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 8:20 AM CST | 10,200 | 4.61 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 7:20 AM CST | 10,000 | 4.56 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 6:20 AM CST | 9,690 | 4.46 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 5:20 AM CST | 9,750 | 4.48 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 4:20 AM CST | 10,100 | 4.59 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 3:20 AM CST | 10,400 | 4.68 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 2:20 AM CST | 10,300 | 4.64 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 1:20 AM CST | 10,100 | 4.6 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 2, 12:20 AM CST | 10,100 | 4.6 | 61.3 | 703–7,340 |
| Nov 1, 11:20 PM CST | 9,850 | 4.51 | 61.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 10:20 PM CST | 8,390 | 4.06 | 61.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 9:20 PM CST | 7,960 | 3.93 | 61.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 8:20 PM CST | 7,020 | 3.64 | 61.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 7:20 PM CST | 6,960 | 3.62 | 61.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 6:20 PM CST | 6,990 | 3.63 | 61.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 5:20 PM CST | 7,410 | 3.76 | 61.2 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 4:20 PM CST | 7,480 | 3.78 | 61.2 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 3:20 PM CST | 8,000 | 3.94 | 61.2 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 2:20 PM CST | 8,090 | 3.97 | 61.2 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 1:20 PM CST | 8,090 | 3.97 | 61 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 12:20 PM CST | 8,350 | 4.05 | 60.8 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 11:20 AM CST | 8,390 | 4.06 | 60.8 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 10:20 AM CST | 8,390 | 4.06 | 60.4 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 9:20 AM CST | 8,420 | 4.07 | 60.4 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 8:20 AM CST | 8,450 | 4.08 | 60.4 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 7:20 AM CST | 8,390 | 4.06 | 60.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 6:20 AM CST | 8,350 | 4.05 | 60.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 5:20 AM CST | 8,450 | 4.08 | 60.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 4:20 AM CST | 8,450 | 4.08 | 60.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 3:20 AM CST | 8,450 | 4.08 | 60.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 2:20 AM CST | 8,390 | 4.06 | 60.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 1:20 AM CST | 8,260 | 4.02 | 60.3 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 1:20 AM CDT | 8,160 | 3.99 | 60.4 | 834–7,360 |
| Nov 1, 12:20 AM CDT | 7,540 | 3.8 | 60.4 | 834–7,360 |
| Oct 31, 11:20 PM CDT | 7,510 | 3.79 | 60.4 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 10:20 PM CDT | 7,800 | 3.88 | 60.4 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 9:20 PM CDT | 7,830 | 3.89 | 60.4 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 8:20 PM CDT | 7,440 | 3.77 | 60.4 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 7:20 PM CDT | 7,020 | 3.64 | 60.4 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 6:20 PM CDT | 5,780 | 3.26 | 60.4 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 5:20 PM CDT | 4,900 | 2.99 | 60.4 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 4:20 PM CDT | 5,750 | 3.25 | 60.4 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 3:20 PM CDT | 7,740 | 3.86 | 60.3 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 2:20 PM CDT | 7,740 | 3.86 | 60.3 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 1:20 PM CDT | 7,830 | 3.89 | 60.3 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 12:20 PM CDT | 7,740 | 3.86 | 60.1 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 11:20 AM CDT | 7,480 | 3.78 | 60.1 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 10:20 AM CDT | 7,480 | 3.78 | 60.1 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 9:20 AM CDT | 7,480 | 3.78 | 59.9 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 8:20 AM CDT | 7,540 | 3.8 | 59.9 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 7:20 AM CDT | 7,480 | 3.78 | 59.9 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 6:20 AM CDT | 7,440 | 3.77 | 59.9 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 5:20 AM CDT | 7,480 | 3.78 | 59.9 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 4:20 AM CDT | 7,440 | 3.77 | 59.9 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 3:20 AM CDT | 7,480 | 3.78 | 59.9 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 2:20 AM CDT | 7,440 | 3.77 | 60.1 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 1:20 AM CDT | 7,410 | 3.76 | 60.1 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 31, 12:20 AM CDT | 7,380 | 3.75 | 60.1 | 713–6,840 |
| Oct 30, 11:20 PM CDT | 6,990 | 3.63 | 60.3 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 10:20 PM CDT | 7,050 | 3.65 | 60.3 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 9:20 PM CDT | 6,960 | 3.62 | 60.3 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 8:20 PM CDT | 6,530 | 3.49 | 60.3 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 7:20 PM CDT | 6,530 | 3.49 | 60.4 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 6:20 PM CDT | 6,570 | 3.5 | 60.4 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 5:20 PM CDT | 6,530 | 3.49 | 60.4 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 4:20 PM CDT | 6,760 | 3.56 | 60.4 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 3:20 PM CDT | 7,020 | 3.64 | 60.6 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 2:20 PM CDT | 6,990 | 3.63 | 60.6 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 1:20 PM CDT | 6,960 | 3.62 | 60.6 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 12:20 PM CDT | 6,830 | 3.58 | 60.6 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 11:20 AM CDT | 6,530 | 3.49 | 60.6 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 10:20 AM CDT | 6,500 | 3.48 | 60.8 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 9:20 AM CDT | 6,570 | 3.5 | 60.8 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 8:20 AM CDT | 6,530 | 3.49 | 60.8 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 7:20 AM CDT | 6,630 | 3.52 | 61 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 6:20 AM CDT | 7,020 | 3.64 | 61.2 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 5:20 AM CDT | 6,920 | 3.61 | 61.5 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 4:20 AM CDT | 6,960 | 3.62 | 61.7 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 3:20 AM CDT | 6,570 | 3.5 | 61.9 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 2:20 AM CDT | 6,570 | 3.5 | 62.1 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 1:20 AM CDT | 6,570 | 3.5 | 62.2 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 30, 12:20 AM CDT | 6,530 | 3.49 | 62.4 | 511–6,420 |
| Oct 29, 11:20 PM CDT | 6,530 | 3.49 | 62.6 | 469–6,900 |
| Oct 29, 10:20 PM CDT | 6,570 | 3.5 | 62.8 | 469–6,900 |
Water temperature, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 10:20 PM CDT to Nov 5, 9:20 PM CST; ranging 59.4 to 63 °F; latest 59.4 °F.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Water temperature (°F) |
|---|---|
| Nov 5, 9:20 PM CST | 59.4 |
| Nov 5, 8:20 PM CST | 59.5 |
| Nov 5, 7:20 PM CST | 59.5 |
| Nov 5, 6:20 PM CST | 59.7 |
| Nov 5, 5:20 PM CST | 59.7 |
| Nov 5, 4:20 PM CST | 59.7 |
| Nov 5, 3:20 PM CST | 59.9 |
| Nov 5, 2:20 PM CST | 59.9 |
| Nov 5, 1:20 PM CST | 59.9 |
| Nov 5, 12:20 PM CST | 59.9 |
| Nov 5, 11:20 AM CST | 59.9 |
| Nov 5, 10:20 AM CST | 59.9 |
| Nov 5, 9:20 AM CST | 59.9 |
| Nov 5, 8:20 AM CST | 60.1 |
| Nov 5, 7:20 AM CST | 60.1 |
| Nov 5, 6:20 AM CST | 60.1 |
| Nov 5, 5:20 AM CST | 60.1 |
| Nov 5, 4:20 AM CST | 60.3 |
| Nov 5, 3:20 AM CST | 60.3 |
| Nov 5, 2:20 AM CST | 60.4 |
| Nov 5, 1:20 AM CST | 60.4 |
| Nov 5, 12:20 AM CST | 60.4 |
| Nov 4, 11:20 PM CST | 60.4 |
| Nov 4, 10:20 PM CST | 60.6 |
| Nov 4, 9:20 PM CST | 60.6 |
| Nov 4, 8:20 PM CST | 60.8 |
| Nov 4, 7:20 PM CST | 60.8 |
| Nov 4, 6:20 PM CST | 61 |
| Nov 4, 5:20 PM CST | 61 |
| Nov 4, 4:20 PM CST | 61.2 |
| Nov 4, 3:20 PM CST | 61.2 |
| Nov 4, 2:20 PM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 4, 1:20 PM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 4, 12:20 PM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 4, 11:20 AM CST | 61.2 |
| Nov 4, 10:20 AM CST | 61.2 |
| Nov 4, 9:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 4, 8:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 4, 7:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 4, 6:20 AM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 4, 5:20 AM CST | 61.9 |
| Nov 4, 4:20 AM CST | 62.1 |
| Nov 4, 3:20 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 4, 2:20 AM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 4, 1:20 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 4, 12:20 AM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 11:20 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 3, 10:20 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 9:20 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 8:20 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 7:20 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 6:20 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 5:20 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 4:20 PM CST | 63 |
| Nov 3, 3:20 PM CST | 62.8 |
| Nov 3, 2:20 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 1:20 PM CST | 62.6 |
| Nov 3, 12:20 PM CST | 62.4 |
| Nov 3, 11:20 AM CST | 62.2 |
| Nov 3, 10:20 AM CST | 62.1 |
| Nov 3, 9:20 AM CST | 62.1 |
| Nov 3, 8:20 AM CST | 61.9 |
| Nov 3, 7:20 AM CST | 61.9 |
| Nov 3, 6:20 AM CST | 61.9 |
| Nov 3, 5:20 AM CST | 61.9 |
| Nov 3, 4:20 AM CST | 61.9 |
| Nov 3, 3:20 AM CST | 61.7 |
| Nov 3, 2:20 AM CST | 61.7 |
| Nov 3, 1:20 AM CST | 61.7 |
| Nov 3, 12:20 AM CST | 61.7 |
| Nov 2, 11:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 10:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 9:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 8:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 7:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 6:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 5:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 4:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 3:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 2:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 1:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 12:20 PM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 11:20 AM CST | 61.5 |
| Nov 2, 10:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 9:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 8:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 7:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 6:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 5:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 4:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 3:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 2:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 1:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 2, 12:20 AM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 1, 11:20 PM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 1, 10:20 PM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 1, 9:20 PM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 1, 8:20 PM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 1, 7:20 PM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 1, 6:20 PM CST | 61.3 |
| Nov 1, 5:20 PM CST | 61.2 |
| Nov 1, 4:20 PM CST | 61.2 |
| Nov 1, 3:20 PM CST | 61.2 |
| Nov 1, 2:20 PM CST | 61.2 |
| Nov 1, 1:20 PM CST | 61 |
| Nov 1, 12:20 PM CST | 60.8 |
| Nov 1, 11:20 AM CST | 60.8 |
| Nov 1, 10:20 AM CST | 60.4 |
| Nov 1, 9:20 AM CST | 60.4 |
| Nov 1, 8:20 AM CST | 60.4 |
| Nov 1, 7:20 AM CST | 60.3 |
| Nov 1, 6:20 AM CST | 60.3 |
| Nov 1, 5:20 AM CST | 60.3 |
| Nov 1, 4:20 AM CST | 60.3 |
| Nov 1, 3:20 AM CST | 60.3 |
| Nov 1, 2:20 AM CST | 60.3 |
| Nov 1, 1:20 AM CST | 60.3 |
| Nov 1, 1:20 AM CDT | 60.4 |
| Nov 1, 12:20 AM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 31, 11:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 31, 10:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 31, 9:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 31, 8:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 31, 7:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 31, 6:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 31, 5:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 31, 4:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 31, 3:20 PM CDT | 60.3 |
| Oct 31, 2:20 PM CDT | 60.3 |
| Oct 31, 1:20 PM CDT | 60.3 |
| Oct 31, 12:20 PM CDT | 60.1 |
| Oct 31, 11:20 AM CDT | 60.1 |
| Oct 31, 10:20 AM CDT | 60.1 |
| Oct 31, 9:20 AM CDT | 59.9 |
| Oct 31, 8:20 AM CDT | 59.9 |
| Oct 31, 7:20 AM CDT | 59.9 |
| Oct 31, 6:20 AM CDT | 59.9 |
| Oct 31, 5:20 AM CDT | 59.9 |
| Oct 31, 4:20 AM CDT | 59.9 |
| Oct 31, 3:20 AM CDT | 59.9 |
| Oct 31, 2:20 AM CDT | 60.1 |
| Oct 31, 1:20 AM CDT | 60.1 |
| Oct 31, 12:20 AM CDT | 60.1 |
| Oct 30, 11:20 PM CDT | 60.3 |
| Oct 30, 10:20 PM CDT | 60.3 |
| Oct 30, 9:20 PM CDT | 60.3 |
| Oct 30, 8:20 PM CDT | 60.3 |
| Oct 30, 7:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 30, 6:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 30, 5:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 30, 4:20 PM CDT | 60.4 |
| Oct 30, 3:20 PM CDT | 60.6 |
| Oct 30, 2:20 PM CDT | 60.6 |
| Oct 30, 1:20 PM CDT | 60.6 |
| Oct 30, 12:20 PM CDT | 60.6 |
| Oct 30, 11:20 AM CDT | 60.6 |
| Oct 30, 10:20 AM CDT | 60.8 |
| Oct 30, 9:20 AM CDT | 60.8 |
| Oct 30, 8:20 AM CDT | 60.8 |
| Oct 30, 7:20 AM CDT | 61 |
| Oct 30, 6:20 AM CDT | 61.2 |
| Oct 30, 5:20 AM CDT | 61.5 |
| Oct 30, 4:20 AM CDT | 61.7 |
| Oct 30, 3:20 AM CDT | 61.9 |
| Oct 30, 2:20 AM CDT | 62.1 |
| Oct 30, 1:20 AM CDT | 62.2 |
| Oct 30, 12:20 AM CDT | 62.4 |
| Oct 29, 11:20 PM CDT | 62.6 |
| Oct 29, 10:20 PM CDT | 62.8 |
Map of USGS gauge 05489500 and the river around it
Where Des Moines River at Ottumwa, IA sits, with 2 other gauges on the same river.
Federal guidance. 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:
Under the federal 68°F line. Water 59.4°F now; the highest in the last 24 hours was 60.6°F. That is under the 68°F at which the National Park Service, at Grand Teton National Park, recommends anglers stop fishing in the afternoon (“cease fishing at 2 p.m. when water temperatures are likely to exceed 68°F”). Water warms through the afternoon, so check again later in the day: “Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperature.”
Normal for Nov 5: 1,170–6,570 ft³/s (middle half of 57 years of record). Now: 21,500 ft³/s, much above normal.
Much above normal for this date. 21,500 ft³/s is above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 57 years of record (1970–2026): 10th 371, 25th 1,170, median 3,370, 75th 6,570, 90th 16,300 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 239 ft³/s, highest 24,800 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).
Steady over 24 hours (−0.9% discharge). 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.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Flow far above normal. Above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for this date (USGS class “much above normal”), from 57 years of record. Expect 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)Cold water. Water 59.4°F. NWS: “Cold shock can be just as severe and dangerous from water temperatures of 50-60°F (10-15°C) as it is from water at 35°F (2°C).” “Always wear a life jacket in and around the water.”
Cold Water Hazards and Safety (National Weather Service)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.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 7.84 ft stage, 21,500 ft³/s at Nov 5, 9:20 PM CST (NWS gauge OTMI4; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:54 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.