River stage
Charles City, Cedar River
- River level
- 3.16 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.47 ft
- Recent high
- 16.76 ft
- Recent low
- 2.40 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS CCYI4
- 30-day change
- +0.69 ft
- Average
- 3.79 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 25.33 ft
In brief
The Cedar River at Charles City, IA read 3.16 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 5.84 ft below action stage. That is 0.69 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge CCYI4
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 25.33 ft | 2008-06-09 |
| 2 | 22.81 ft | 1999-07-21 |
| 3 | 21.64 ft | 1965-03-02 |
| 4 | 21.60 ft | 1961-03-27 |
| 5 | 21.57 ft | 2024-06-24 |
| 6 | 21.44 ft | 1993-08-16 |
| 7 | 21.20 ft | 1933-03-17 |
| 8 | 21.00 ft | 2016-09-24 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 12.00 ft
Barricading of streets begins, and the intersection of Riverside and North Illinois Streets may be flooded. Cable pedestrian bridge is closed.
- 14.00 ft
Bracket Street begins to flood and is closed.
- 15.00 ft
Leland Avenue and Park Drive at 19th Avenue begins to flood.
- 17.00 ft
Residences south of Riverside Drive may be flooded.
- 17.50 ft
Riverside Drive at St. Marys Street begins to flood.
- 18.00 ft
Fourth Street at South Grand Avenue begins to flood. East Riverside Drive at Brantingham Streets are closed. Sandbag efforts begin along Gilbert Street.
- 19.00 ft
Brackett Street and Riverside Drive at North Johnson street are flooded. The Lions Field cottages are threatened and Highway 18 begins to flood.
- 19.50 ft
Riverside Drive at North Iowa and Joslin streets begins to flood. Gilbert Street begins to flood with sandbagging required.
- 20.00 ft
Clark Street at Leland Street and Court Street at South Illinois Street begins to flood.
- 21.00 ft
Highway 218 and Brantinham at South Grand Avenue begins to flood.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Cedar River flooding at Charles City?
No. The Cedar River at Charles City is at 3.16 ft, 5.84 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Charles City?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 9 ft, minor flooding 12 ft, moderate flooding 15 ft and major flooding 18 ft.
What is the highest the Cedar River has been at Charles City?
The highest crest on record is 25.33 ft, on 2008-06-09.
Is the Cedar River high or low right now at Charles City?
At 3.16 ft it is higher than 50% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge CCYI4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05457700). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.