Cedar River at Janesville — Water Level & Flow
USGS gauge 05458500 reports gage height, discharge and water temperature from Cedar River at Janesville in IA. Big Buoy shows the latest reading with a 7-day hydrograph, alongside National Weather Service flood categories where they are published.
Latest reading
As of October 19, 2026 at 18:45 UTC, USGS gauge 05458500 on Cedar River at Janesville recorded gage height 3.00 ft and discharge 2,250 cfs.
National Weather Service flood category: No Flooding.
The Driftless Area river levels — Cedar River at Janesville is one of the gauges covered there.
Stage vs. flow — how to read a river gauge
Discharge (flow, in cubic feet per second) is comparable between gauges and is usually the better number for judging whether a river is up or down. Gage height is the water surface in feet above each gauge's own local datum, so it is local: the same 4 ft describes different rivers at two different gauges, and it is not the depth of the water. A gauge that reports nothing is shown as not reported — never as zero.
Frequently asked questions
- What is the water level on Cedar River at Janesville?
- Gage height at Cedar River at Janesville was 3.00 ft. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:45 UTC at USGS gauge 05458500 (Cedar River at Janesville, IA). Gage height is the water surface above this gauge’s own local datum, not the depth of the river.
- What is the flow on Cedar River at Janesville?
- Discharge at Cedar River at Janesville was 2,250 cubic feet per second. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:45 UTC at USGS gauge 05458500 (Cedar River at Janesville, IA). Discharge is comparable between gauges in a way gage height is not.
- Is Cedar River at Janesville flooding?
- The National Weather Service flood category for Cedar River at Janesville was “No Flooding”. Measured October 19, 2026 at 18:45 UTC at USGS gauge 05458500 (Cedar River at Janesville, IA). Flood categories are published by NOAA/NWS, not by Big Buoy.
- Where is USGS gauge 05458500?
- Cedar River at Janesville, IA (USGS 05458500) reports from 42.648°N, 92.465°W in IA.
- How often does USGS gauge 05458500 update?
- This station records about every 15 minutes and transmits hourly, so a reading can be up to an hour old when you see it. Readings past three times the reporting interval are shown as last reported rather than as current conditions.
Data: USGS National Water Information System. Flood categories: NOAA/National Weather Service.