About IFIS
The Iowa Flood Information System (IFIS) is a web platform developed by the Iowa Flood Center (IFC) at the University of Iowa. IFIS provides a user-friendly and interactive environment for over 1000 communities in Iowa regarding flood conditions, flood forecasts, data visualizations, and flood-related data, information and applications.
The IFIS provides community-centric watershed and river characteristics, weather (rainfall) conditions, and streamflow data and visualization tools. Interactive interfaces allow access to inundation maps for different stage and return period values, and flooding scenarios with contributions from multiple rivers. Real-time and historical data of water levels, stage heights, and rainfall conditions are available in the IFIS by streaming data from automated IFC bridge sensors, USGS stream gauges, NEXRAD radars, and NWS forecasts. 2D and 3D interactive visualizations in the IFIS make the data more understandable to general public. Users are able to filter data sources for their communities and selected rivers.
The IFIS includes a rainfall-runoff forecast model to provide a five-day flood risk estimate for over 1000 communities in Iowa. Multiple view modes in the IFIS accommodate different user types from general public to researchers and decision makers by providing different level of tools and details. River view mode allows users to visualize data from multiple IFC bridge sensors and USGS stream gauges to follow flooding condition along a river.
The IFIS helps communities make better-informed decisions on the occurrence of floods, and alerts communities in advance to help minimize damage of floods.
Flood Alerts
You can now receive IFIS email alerts to be notified about flooding in your community.
IFIS Key Resources
Stream Sensor Network
River levels updated every 15 minutes
Flood Alerts
Flood alerts and forecasts enhance flood preparedness
Flood Inundation Maps
Community-based flood inundation maps for all 99 Iowa counties, showing predicted flood extent and depth
Soil and Drought Conditions
Soil moisture and temperature, as well as drought monitoring conditions available
Extra Assistance
Coming Soon: Tutorial Videos
Data Resources
The Hydroshare platform provides a repository of hydrostation and stream sensor data from across the state.
Find data on wind speed & direction, rainfall, river levels, soil moisture & temperature, and more.
Award Winning!
The Iowa Flood Information System is nationally recognized for its innovative approach to communicating flood risks and reducing flood impacts.
The IFIS structure allows other state and regional institutions to easily develop similar systems for transferring knowledge and disseminating flood-related data and information to the public. This publication provides an overview of the design and capabilities of the IFIS developed as a platform to provide one-stop access to flood-related information.
Contact IFIS
If you have questions related to current flooding, projects, or programs of the Iowa Flood Center, please contact:
