Melting of winter snow cover caused flooding of rivers, small streams and lakes in a few counties of northwest Iowa. The flooding included farmland and other lowlands, with some roads flooded and damaged. High water and groundwater levels resulting from record precipitation in the previous year contributed to the rapid onset of the flooding. The flooding began with warm weather which arrived at the middle of the month, and continued through the end of the month.

Flood in O'BRIEN, IOWA
From 16-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: RITTER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused flooding of lowlands, lakes, and streams. There was considerable flooding of farmland. Several roads in the county were flooded. Some of the roads were closed, and a few were washed out in spots. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in CLAY, IOWA
From 16-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: EVERLY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate flooding of the Little Sioux River, as well as flooding of lowlands, lakes, and streams. The Little Sioux River crested at 2.22 feet above flood stage at Spencer on March 20th. There was considerable flooding of farmland. Several roads in the county were flooded. Some of the roads were closed, and a few were washed out in spots. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in SIOUX, IOWA
From 16-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: FAIRVIEW
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate to major flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of lowlands, lakes, and streams near to and away from the river. The Big Sioux River crested at 5.30 feet above flood stage at Hawarden on March 26th. There was considerable flooding of farmland. Several roads in the county were flooded. Some of the roads were closed, and a few were washed out in spots. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in OSCEOLA, IOWA
From 16-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: SIBLEY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused flooding of lowlands, lakes, and streams. There was considerable flooding of farmland. Several roads in the county were flooded. Some of the roads were closed, and a few were washed out in spots. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in LYON, IOWA
From 16-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: GRANITE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate to major flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of lowlands, lakes, and streams near to and away from the river. There was considerable flooding of farmland. Several roads in the county were flooded. Some of the roads were closed, and a few were washed out in spots. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in DICKINSON, IOWA
From 16-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: LAKE PARK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate flooding of the Little Sioux River, as well as flooding of lowlands, lakes, and streams. The Little Sioux River crested at 3.12 feet above flood stage at Milford on March 19th. There was considerable flooding of farmland. Several roads in the county were flooded. Some of the roads were closed, and a few were washed out in spots. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in PLYMOUTH, IOWA
From 16-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: AKRON
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate to major flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of lowlands, lakes, and streams near to and away from the river. The Big Sioux River crested at 4.39 feet above flood stage at Akron on March 26th. There was considerable flooding of farmland. Several roads in the county were flooded. Some of the roads were closed, and a few were washed out in spots. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.