IowaReservoir, 13,869 acres
loading
0pm to 0pm
score
00kt
Gusts 00
NE
Blowing from
00°F
High
Dry%
next 6 hours
905.73ft
Down 0.31 ft this week
Sailing
CheckingReading the forecast
Kayak and SUP
CheckingReading the forecast
Power boating
CheckingReading the forecast
Fishing
CheckingReading the forecast
Outlook. Monday: ESE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 74°F. Tuesday: S wind 4 to 7 kt, gusts to 13 kt, high near 70°F.
7-day wind forecastLoads when you scroll here
Radar will load here
Last hour of NOAA MRMS radar, 1 km resolution. Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors, OpenMapTiles, OpenFreeMap.
905.73ft NAVD88
-0.31 ft in 7 days1.51 ft above the October normal
Reading from Oct 26, 2026. Shaded band: range of October averages on record; dashed line is the typical level.
Rathbun Lake was at 905.73 ft on October 26, falling 0.31 ft over the past week. That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 904.22 ft, so the lake is 1.51 ft above its usual mark.
Background reading: Rathbun Lake on Wikipedia
Rathbun Lake covers about 13,869 acres in Iowa and is classed as a reservoir.
Water level on this page comes from USGS gauge 06903880 (Rathbun Lake near Rathbun, IA), about 2 mi from the middle of the lake. Wind, gusts and rain come from the National Weather Service forecast grid that covers the water.
With this much open water, waves build quickly when the wind lines up with the long axis of the lake. Pick a launch on the upwind shore on breezy days and the ride home is easier. Reservoir levels move with releases and inflow, so ramps and beaches can change week to week. The water level page tracks that day by day.
The go or no-go calls above are a starting point, not a guarantee. Read how we score conditions, and always check local rules and posted warnings before you launch.
The National Weather Service forecast for the lake from October 26: Monday: ESE wind 1 to 4 kt, gusts to 10 kt, high near 74°F. The panel at the top of this page refreshes the current wind, gusts and direction when you open it and turns them into a call for sailing, paddling, power boating and fishing.
Rathbun Lake was at 905.73 ft on October 26, falling 0.31 ft over the past week. That is near normal for October: the typical October level is 904.22 ft, so the lake is 1.51 ft above its usual mark.
Rathbun Lake covers about 13,869 acres (22 square miles) of surface water.
If Rathbun is blown out, these are the closest alternatives. Tap through for their conditions.