River stage
Fort Dodge, Des Moines River
- River level
- 4.65 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.25 ft
- Recent high
- 6.80 ft
- Recent low
- 3.50 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS FODI4
- 30-day change
- +0.76 ft
- Average
- 4.48 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 20.28 ft
In brief
The Des Moines River at Fort Dodge, IA read 4.65 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 4.35 ft below action stage. That is 0.76 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge FODI4
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 20.28 ft | 1947-06-23 |
| 2 | 19.94 ft | 1954-06-21 |
| 3 | 18.45 ft | 1965-04-08 |
| 4 | 17.12 ft | 2024-06-27 |
| 5 | 16.83 ft | 2010-06-27 |
| 6 | 16.47 ft | 1993-04-01 |
| 7 | 16.39 ft | 2008-06-08 |
| 8 | 15.60 ft | 1984-06-19 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 10.00 ft
Water affects roads to residences in Fort Dodge along the river and limits access to some subdivisions.
- 11.00 ft
Water affects lowland areas near the river and threatens residences along the river in Fort Dodge.
- 12.00 ft
Water affects campgrounds in the downstream parks between Fort Dodge and Lehigh.
- 13.00 ft
Water affects residences along the west bank of the river in Lehigh and threatens industries near Phinney Park.
- 14.00 ft
Water affects some access roads along the river in Fort Dodge as well as in Lehigh.
- 15.00 ft
Water affects some residences in Lehigh and may affect Riverside Dr in northern Webster County.
- 16.00 ft
Water threatens the Phinney Park riverside trail along the west bank.
- 17.00 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the railroad trestle approach. Extensive sandbagging also occurs along the river.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Des Moines River flooding at Fort Dodge?
No. The Des Moines River at Fort Dodge is at 4.65 ft, 4.35 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Fort Dodge?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 9 ft, minor flooding 10.5 ft, moderate flooding 16 ft and major flooding 17 ft.
What is the highest the Des Moines River has been at Fort Dodge?
The highest crest on record is 20.28 ft, on 1947-06-23.
Is the Des Moines River high or low right now at Fort Dodge?
At 4.65 ft it is higher than 55% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge FODI4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 05480500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.