River stage
Rock Rapids, Rock River
- River level
- 7.19 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.28 ft
- Recent high
- 8.02 ft
- Recent low
- 6.30 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS RAPI4
- 30-day change
- +0.44 ft
- Average
- 7.00 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 28.65 ft
In brief
The Rock River at Rock Rapids, IA read 7.19 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 3.81 ft below action stage. That is 0.44 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge RAPI4
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 28.65 ft | 2024-06-22 |
| 2 | 26.98 ft | 2014-06-17 |
| 3 | 22.25 ft | 2010-09-25 |
| 4 | 21.54 ft | 2019-09-14 |
| 5 | 20.80 ft | 2018-06-22 |
| 6 | 19.79 ft | 2007-03-15 |
| 7 | 19.78 ft | 2019-03-14 |
| 8 | 17.81 ft | 2006-04-08 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 13.00 ft
The lower banks become overtopped, including the lower lying areas of the Island Park Campground
- 15.00 ft
Much of the campground at Island Park in Rock Rapids is flooded.
- 16.00 ft
The higher banks on the left side become overtopped and more significant agriculture flooding begins.
- 19.00 ft
The highest banks on the right side of the river will be overtopped with water beginning to encroach into the edges of Rock Rapids structures nearest the river.
- 22.00 ft
The race track in Rock Rapids begins to flood as does N Boone St if water backs up Moon Creek
- 26.00 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the bridge on Hwy 9.
- 27.00 ft
Significant flooding will be ongoing in Rock Rapids and water reaches as far Pearl St on the east side of the river and Tama St on the west side. Hwy 75 south of Rock Rapids may also become impassable.
- 28.00 ft
Water reaches as far as Greene St on the west side of the river and the bridge on Hwy 9 in Rock Rapids is in danger of being overtopped.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the Rock River flooding at Rock Rapids?
No. The Rock River at Rock Rapids is at 7.19 ft, 3.81 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Rock Rapids?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 11 ft, minor flooding 13 ft, moderate flooding 16 ft and major flooding 19 ft.
What is the highest the Rock River has been at Rock Rapids?
The highest crest on record is 28.65 ft, on 2024-06-22.
Is the Rock River high or low right now at Rock Rapids?
At 7.19 ft it is higher than 61% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge RAPI4); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 06483290). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.