Des Moines River blw Raccoon Riv at Des Moines, IA: river conditions

USGS gauge 05485500 · near Des Moines, IA

NWS forecast for this spot

Numbers are provisional real-time data. We don't rate rivers as safe or unsafe. Check local conditions, posted signs and official advisories (NWS warnings, park and dam-release notices) before you launch.

Kayak types for this river

We don't have verified river-class or character data for this stretch, so this is based only on USGS flow. Typical flow is about 2,470 cfs (median of daily medians, USGS daily statistics 1978–2026). In spring the 90th-percentile flow reaches about 9.4× that, so boats made for calm water (recreational sit-inside, inflatable, foldable, tandem) aren't suited at typical high spring flows; sit-on-top, fishing and touring kayaks handle moving water better (REI kayak guide).

• Sit-on-top: Pelican Bandit 100NXT (max 300 lb)
• Fishing: Eddyline Sandpiper 130 (max 390 lb)
• Touring: Wilderness Systems Tsunami 140 with Rudder (max 325 lb)

Check today's conditions for your kayak
Flow, wind, water temperature, flood stage and NWS alerts

Save to My rivers

Documented hazards near this gauge

Dams on this river within 5 miles of the gauge, from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Inventory of Dams (updated 2026-10-23):

• Des Moines-Scott Street Milldam (NID IA01276, 7 ft high, 0.3 mi from the gauge) · Map
• Des Moines-Center Street Milldam (NID IA01286, 11 ft high, 1.1 mi from the gauge) · Map
• Red Rock Dam - Avon Station Remedial Works (NID IA00013, 15 ft high, 3.8 mi from the gauge) · Map
• Ilex Dam (NID IA04375, 10 ft high, 4.8 mi from the gauge) · Map

Tip: Portage around dams. Low-head dams can form a recirculating current at the base that is hard to see from upstream and hard to escape; rescuers should throw a line from shore rather than approach by boat (Ohio DNR; Indiana DNR).

When flow is high: above the 90th percentile for the date or near NWS flood stage, expect more floating debris and strainers (downed trees that let water through but trap people and boats). Steer well clear of them (PA Fish and Boat Commission). Today's check flags this.

Wildlife

No documented records of the wildlife we track (bears, moose, bison, alligators, cottonmouths) within 25 km in openly licensed GBIF data.

Water quality

We don't yet have harmful algal bloom (HAB) advisories for this spot. Check the Iowa HAB or beach advisory program before contact with the water, and keep pets out of discolored or scummy water (EPA harmful algal blooms).

Cold water

Iowa paddling rules
Registration, permits, life jackets and AIS stickers

Float time estimator
How long a stretch of river might take

Cold water and life jacket guide
From NWS and Coast Guard guidance

Data: USGS (provisional, real-time; percentiles from USGS daily statistics 1978–2026) · Forecast: NOAA/NWS.