Current Flood Conditions

If you have questions related to current flood conditions, please contact the Iowa Flood Center at 319-384-1729.

The Iowa Flood Center (IFC) at the University of Iowa has an online tool, the Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS), allowing all Iowans to access the latest community-based flood conditions, including current stream and river levels at nearly 300 US Geological Survey and IFC gauges across the state.

To access IFIS, go to http://ifis.iowafloodcenter.org.  From this page, users can launch IFIS.

IFIS, developed by the Iowa Flood Center, is a user-friendly online application based on a Google Maps-interface.  IFIS displays up-to-the-minute community-specific information on rainfall, stream levels, and more, including:

  • Real-time stream levels at nearly 300 locations in Iowa;
  • Current flood warnings and stream forecasts;
  • Real-time rainfall maps displaying current conditions and past rainfall accumulation; and
  • Flood inundation maps for select communities, including Ames, Cedar Rapids, Charles City, Des Moines, Iowa City, Mason City, Ottumwa, Spencer, and Waterloo/Cedar Falls.
IFIS_inundationmap

One tool in IFIS allows users to view possible inundation in some communities.

IFIS_rain&conditions

Another tool allows users to view daily rainfall alongside current river conditions.

The Iowa Flood Center is part of IIHR—Hydroscience & Engineering, a research institute based at the University of Iowa’s College of Engineering. The IFC was established in 2009 to provide accurate, state-of-the-science-based information to help Iowans better understand their flood risks. It is the nation’s first academic center devoted solely to the study of floods.

CONTACT:
Sara Steussy, Iowa Flood Center, 319-384-1729, sara-steussy@uiowa.edu