What is the average water temperature in Iowa?

The current average water temperature across Iowa's monitored water bodies is 57.1°F.

🌡️

Iowa Water Temperatures

Q: What is the warmest lake in Iowa today?

Beaver Slough At 3Rd Street At Clinton, Ia at 75.9°F.

Current lake & river temperatures in Iowa — updated daily from USGS sensors.

With Data

57.1°F

State Avg

75.9°F

Warmest

75.9°F

Warmest

Beaver Slough At 3Rd Street At Clinton, Ia

57.1°F

State Average

100 water bodies

32°F

Coldest

Iowa River At Marshalltown, Ia

🏊

Swimming Conditions

🚫 Too cold for most swimmers

Based on avg 57.1°F

🎣

Fishing Conditions

🎣 Good — trout, walleye, bass

Based on avg 57.1°F

Iowa — Ranked by Temperature

51 with data

#	Water Body	°F	°C	Condition	🏊	Date
1	Beaver Slough At 3Rd Street At Clinton, Ia Lake	75.9°	24.4°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 5
2	Des Moines River At Ottumwa, Ia River	75.6°	24.2°	☀️ Warm	✅ Good	Jun 5
3	Des Moines River Near Pella, Ia River	74.1°	23.4°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
4	Cedar River At Blairs Ferry Road At Palo, Ia River	72.9°	22.7°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Sep 16
5	Cedar River At Waverly, Ia River	72.1°	22.3°	🌤️ Comfortable	✅ Good	Jun 5
6	Middle Raccoon River At Panora, Ia River	71.6°	22°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 18
7	Des Moines River Near Saylorville, Ia River	71.6°	22°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 17
8	Thompson River At Davis City, Ia River	69.8°	21°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
9	Cedar River At Cedar Rapids, Ia River	68.9°	20.5°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
10	Iowa River At Wapello, Ia River	68.7°	20.4°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Apr 22
11	West Nishnabotna River At Randolph, Ia River	68.2°	20.1°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
12	Mississippi River At Mcgregor, Ia River	68°	20°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 27
13	Skunk River At Augusta, Ia River	68°	20°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
14	Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa, Ia River	68°	20°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Aug 31
15	Morgan Creek Near Covington, Ia River	66.9°	19.4°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Jun 5
16	Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester, Ia River	66.2°	19°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 15
17	Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg, Ia River	66.2°	19°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
18	Chariton River Near Chariton, Ia River	65.3°	18.5°	🌤️ Comfortable	⚠️ Brisk	Sep 29
19	Mississippi River At Clinton, Ia River	64.4°	18°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 29
20	East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak, Ia River	62.6°	17°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 28
21	Chariton River Near Rathbun, Ia River	62.6°	17°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 29
22	Shell Rock River At Shell Rock, Ia River	62.6°	17°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 17
23	White Breast Creek Near Dallas, Ia River	61.7°	16.5°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 29
24	Iowa River Near Rowan, Ia River	59.9°	15.5°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 29
25	Nodaway River At Clarinda, Ia River	59°	15°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Jun 5
26	Bloody Run Creek Near Marquette, Ia River	59°	15°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 29
27	Floyd River At James, Ia River	59°	15°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 29
28	Wapsipinicon River At Independence, Ia River	58.1°	14.5°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 29
29	Turkey River At Garber, Ia River	57.9°	14.4°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Jun 5
30	Little Sioux River At Correctionville, Ia River	57°	13.9°	🌊 Cool	🚫 Cold	Sep 29
31	Middle River Near Indianola, Ia River	52°	11.1°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Sep 29
32	Iowa River At Iowa City, Ia River	51.8°	11°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Sep 29
33	Des Moines River Blw Raccoon Riv At Des Moines, Ia River	51.8°	11°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Sep 29
34	South Fork Iowa River Near Blairsburg, Ia River	51.3°	10.7°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Jun 2
35	Miss R At Aux Lock 14 (Us) At Pleasant Valley, Ia Lake	50.7°	10.4°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Apr 23
36	West Okoboji Lake At Lakeside Lab Near Milford, Ia Lake	49.8°	9.9°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Oct 29
37	Old Mans Creek Near Iowa City, Ia River	49.1°	9.5°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Nov 8
38	Des Moines River At 2Nd Avenue At Des Moines, Ia River	48°	8.9°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Jun 5
39	North Fork Maquoketa River Near Fulton, Ia River	46.4°	8°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Nov 10
40	Middle Raccoon River Near Bayard, Ia River	46.4°	8°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Sep 29
41	Missouri River At Decatur, Ne River	45°	7.2°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Nov 20
42	Cedar River At Vinton, Ia River	45°	7.2°	❄️ Cold	⛔ Very cold	Apr 6
43	Upper Iowa River At Decorah, Ia River	43.7°	6.5°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Sep 29
44	Maquoketa River At Manchester, Ia River	43°	6.1°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Oct 30
45	Miss R At Aux Lock 14 (Ds) At Pleasant Valley, Ia Lake	42.8°	6°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Apr 6
46	Mississippi River At Keokuk, Ia River	40.1°	4.5°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Jun 5
47	Spirit Lake Near Orleans, Ia Lake	38.3°	3.5°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Sep 29
48	South Fork Iowa River Ne Of New Providence, Ia River	37.6°	3.1°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Nov 28
49	South Skunk River At Colfax, Ia River	33.8°	1°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Dec 30
50	Crow Creek At Bettendorf, Ia River	32°	0°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Dec 31
51	Iowa River At Marshalltown, Ia River	32°	0°	🧊 Very Cold	⛔ Very cold	Feb 2
52	South Branch Ralston Creek At Iowa City, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
53	Iowa River Below Coralville Dam Nr Coralville, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
54	Rock River Near Rock Valley, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
55	Iowa River At Columbus Junction, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
56	Iowa River Near Lone Tree, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
57	Lizard Creek Near Fort Dodge, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
58	Black Hawk Creek At Hudson, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
59	Raccoon River At Fleur Drive At Des Moines, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
60	Cedar River Below Indian Creek At Cedar Rapids, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
61	South Fork Chariton River Near Promise City, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
62	Perry Creek At 38Th Street At Sioux City, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
63	South Skunk River Below Ioway Creek Near Ames, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
64	West Nodaway River At Massena, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
65	Lake Keomah Near Oskaloosa, Ia Lake	—	—	—	—	—
66	Volga River At Littleport, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
67	Walnut Creek At Des Moines, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
68	Little Wapsipinicon River Near Oran, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
69	Timber Creek Near Marshalltown, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
70	Iowa River Near Belle Plaine, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
71	Willow Creek Near Mason City, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
72	Monona-Harrison Ditch Near Turin, Ia Lake	—	—	—	—	—
73	Des Moines River At Emmetsburg, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
74	Winnebago River At Mason City, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
75	West Nishnabotna River At Hancock, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
76	Brushy Fork Creek Near Templeton, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
77	Elk Creek Near Decatur City, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
78	Big Sioux River At Sioux City, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
79	Iowa River At Oakville, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
80	Tarkio River Near Elliott, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
81	Cedar Creek Near Oakland Mills, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
82	Lower Pine Lake At Eldora, Ia Lake	—	—	—	—	—
83	Turkey River At Spillville, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
84	Des Moines River Near Stratford, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
85	Lake Ahquabi Near Indianola, Ia Lake	—	—	—	—	—
86	South Raccoon River At Redfield, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
87	Deer Creek Near Carpenter, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
88	Muddy Creek At Coralville, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
89	West Branch Floyd River Near Struble, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
90	Keigley Branch Near Story City, Ia Lake	—	—	—	—	—
91	Little Sioux River Near Turin, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
92	White Fox Creek At Clarion, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
93	Wolf Creek Near Dysart, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
94	Bear Creek At Ottumwa, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
95	Wb Wapsinonoc Cr At College St At West Branch, Ia Lake	—	—	—	—	—
96	Chariton River Near Moulton, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
97	Elliott Creek At Lawton, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
98	Indian Creek Near Mingo, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
99	East Fork Des Moines River At Dakota City, Ia River	—	—	—	—	—
100	Black Hawk Lake At Lake View, Ia Lake	—	—	—	—	—

Beaver Slough At 3Rd Street At Clinton, Ia Lake

75.9°F

☀️ Warm

Des Moines River At Ottumwa, Ia River

75.6°F

☀️ Warm

Des Moines River Near Pella, Ia River

74.1°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Cedar River At Blairs Ferry Road At Palo, Ia River

72.9°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Cedar River At Waverly, Ia River

72.1°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Middle Raccoon River At Panora, Ia River

71.6°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Des Moines River Near Saylorville, Ia River

71.6°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Thompson River At Davis City, Ia River

69.8°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Cedar River At Cedar Rapids, Ia River

68.9°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Iowa River At Wapello, Ia River

68.7°F

🌤️ Comfortable

West Nishnabotna River At Randolph, Ia River

68.2°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Mississippi River At Mcgregor, Ia River

68°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Skunk River At Augusta, Ia River

68°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Maquoketa River Near Maquoketa, Ia River

68°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Morgan Creek Near Covington, Ia River

66.9°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Upper Iowa River Near Dorchester, Ia River

66.2°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Nishnabotna River Above Hamburg, Ia River

66.2°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Chariton River Near Chariton, Ia River

65.3°F

🌤️ Comfortable

Mississippi River At Clinton, Ia River

64.4°F

🌊 Cool

East Nishnabotna River At Red Oak, Ia River

62.6°F

🌊 Cool

More Iowa Resources

🗺️ Iowa Water Levels 🎣 Weekly Fishing Report ⛵ Boat Ramp Status 🌵 Drought Conditions 🌡️ All States

❓ Iowa Water Temperature FAQ

What is the warmest lake in Iowa today?

Based on our latest USGS data, Beaver Slough At 3Rd Street At Clinton, Ia is currently the warmest water body in Iowa at 75.9°F.

Which Iowa lakes are good for swimming right now?

Lakes with water temperatures above 72°F are generally comfortable for swimming. Currently, Iowa's average water temperature is 57.1°F — check individual lakes above for specific conditions.

What is the best water temperature for fishing in Iowa?

The optimal temperature range depends on your target species. For bass fishing, look for water bodies between 65–75°F. For trout, target the coldest water bodies in Iowa — typically 50–65°F. Use the table above to identify which lakes are in the ideal range for your target species.

🔬 Data Methodology & Sources

Water temperature readings on this site are collected from USGS (United States Geological Survey) monitoring stations installed at lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the country. Sensors measure water surface temperature in Celsius, which is converted to Fahrenheit for display. Data is retrieved and stored daily. Temperatures shown reflect the most recent available sensor reading for each water body, typically from the past 1–30 days depending on station reporting frequency.

⚠️ Water temperatures can vary significantly across a water body due to depth, currents, and time of day. Sensor readings represent conditions at the monitoring station location. Always exercise caution when swimming and consult local authorities for official safety advisories.