Advanced Hydrologic Prediction Service: La Crosse: Upper Iowa River at Decorah

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Observations
courtesy of

Weather Forecast Office La Crosse, WI

North Central River Forecast Center

Hydrograph

River at a Glance

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Weekly Chance of
Exceeding Levels

Chance of Exceeding Levels
During Entire Period

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About this graph

Tabular Data

Datum: N/A

Metadata

NOTE: Gauge reading may be affected by ice.

NOTE: Forecasts for the Upper Iowa River at Decorah are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.

Return to Area Map

Downstream Gauge

Flood Categories (in feet)

Major Flood Stage:	14
Moderate Flood Stage:	13
Flood Stage:	12
Action Stage:	9

Historical Crests
(1) 17.90 ft on 06/09/2008
(2) 15.20 ft on 05/29/1941
(3) 14.35 ft on 08/17/1993
(4) 13.08 ft on 03/27/1961
(5) 12.31 ft on 06/01/2000
Show More Historical Crests

Low Water Records
(1) 2.4 ft on 09/01/1989
(2) 2.5 ft on 12/27/2003

Upper Iowa River at Decorah location map

Flood Impacts & Photos

19.5	Water may begin to overtop the protective levee.
14.0	Major flooding may occur outside the areas protected by the levee.
13.0	Residential flooding on the west side of town is possible. Street and storm sewer flooding on the east side of town south of the levee can cause basement flooding if flood stage is exceeded for an extended period of time.
12.0	Residential areas are threatened on the west edge of Decorah just before the levee protecting the town begins. Some agricultural flooding may also occur.

Photos
(1) Upstream view from the gage shelter at Decorah, June 2002. Stage = 2.65 ft
(2) Downstream view from the gage shelter at Decorah, June 2002. College St. Bridge in the background.

About This Location

Latitude: 43.305000° N, Longitude: 91.797000° W, Horizontal Datum: NAD83

River Stage Reference Frame	Gauge Height	Flood Stage	Uses
NWS stage	0 ft	12 ft	Interpreting hydrographs and NWS watch, warnings, and forecasts, and inundation maps
Vertical Datum	Elevation (gauge height = 0)	Elevation (gauge height = flood stage)	Elevation information source
NAVD88	N/A	N/A	Survey grade GPS equipment, FEMA flood plain maps, newer USGS topographic maps
NGVD 29	850 ft	862 ft	Older USGS topographic maps, NGVD29 benchmarks
MSL	N/A	N/A	Older USGS topographic maps, MSL benchmarks
Other	N/A	N/A

Other Data Sources:
Corps of Engineers (COE) Info for Decorah
U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) Data and Site Info for Decorah

Additional Information

How low could the river get?

Resources

Hydrologic Resources

Additional Resources

Collaborative Agencies

The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.

NWS Information

National Weather Service
La Crosse Weather Forecast Office
N2788 County Rd FA
La Crosse, WI 54601
(608) 784-7294
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Page last modified: 15-Apr-2009 6:43 PM

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