By: Matt Scher, [email protected]
Humboldt Co., IA – The National Weather Service has issued a flood watch for the East and West forks of the Des Moines River.
The East Fork watch includes the area from 100th St. south to Lotts Creek north of Livermore. River levels in Algona are forecasted to reach levels near 17.9 feet by June 26.
This water will impact Humboldt County starting Tuesday and Wednesday of next week. Right now, there is not a watch for the East Fork of the Des Moines River in the Dakota City area.
The West Fork watch includes the area from Hwy 3 and 220th St. south to 280th St. near the Humboldt-Webster County line. River levels are forecasted to reach the 12-foot mark in Humboldt on Thursday, June 27. The minor flood stage level at the river gauge in Humboldt is 10 feet. This watch includes the City of Humboldt and could impact Bradgate and Rutland as well.
Earlier this year the West Fork of the Des Moines River reached the 11-foot level. This flooding is being caused by rainfall along the East and West branches of Des Moines River in northern Iowa, Minnesota and South Dakota. As the water makes its way south into our river basins, we will see river levels rise and flooding may occur. River forecasts include observed precipitation plus forecast precipitation over the next 48 hours.
For the latest river and stream observations and forecasts, you can go to weather.gov/desmoines/water.