NWS Issues Flood Watches for Three Iowa Rivers
Flood watches cover the English, North Skunk and Iowa rivers as water levels rise and approach flood stage in parts of the state.
Updated on Nov. 3, 2026 in Current Conditions
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The National Weather Service issued flood watches for the English River at Kalona, the North Skunk River near Sigourney, and the Iowa River at Marengo. As of Monday morning, the Iowa River at Marengo was rising at 11 feet, while the North Skunk River near Sigourney was falling at 12.6 feet.
Why it matters
Flood stage on these rivers would affect agricultural land, county roads and farm houses in the affected areas across Iowa. Residents near the watched waterways should monitor official forecasts as conditions evolve.
Current gauge readings are 6.3 feet on the English River, 12.6 feet on the North Skunk River and 11 feet on the Iowa River, each below its respective flood stage of 14, 16 and 15 feet. Whether these rivers reach flood stage depends on forecast rainfall not yet confirmed.
The players
National Weather Service
The federal agency responsible for weather forecasts and flood warnings across the United States, which issued these watches through its Quad Cities office.
The details
At 14 feet, agricultural land along the English River begins to flood, while at 16 feet the North Skunk River affects farmland, some county roads and farm houses. Forecasts indicate flood stage may be reached by early Wednesday on the English River and the Iowa River at Marengo, and late Monday evening on the North Skunk River.
Timeline
Monday, November 2, 2026, 10 a.m.: English River at Kalona measured 6.3 feet and steady.
Monday, November 2, 2026, 10:30 a.m.: North Skunk River near Sigourney measured 12.6 feet and falling.
Monday evening, November 2, 2026: North Skunk River may reach its 16-foot flood stage.
Wednesday morning, November 4, 2026: English River and Iowa River at Marengo may reach flood stage.
Seasonal Patterns
Flood watches issued by the National Weather Service use published flood stage thresholds for each river, placing current readings against those fixed trigger levels. The Iowa rivers here are tracked at gauges with established flood stages of 14, 15 and 16 feet.
Residents near the English, North Skunk and Iowa rivers should monitor National Weather Service forecasts and avoid flooded roadways. Farmers with land along these waterways should be prepared for flooding of agricultural ground as levels approach their flood stages.
The takeaway
River flood stages are fixed thresholds, so comparing current gauge readings against them shows how close a waterway is to causing damage. Checking those levels against the official flood stage gives a clearer picture than the watch alone.
What happens next
Forecasts project English River at Kalona reaching flood stage by early Wednesday, November 4, and the North Skunk River near Sigourney reaching it late Monday evening, November 2.
Further reading
Track river and rainfall conditions in Current Conditions across the state.
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