Big Sioux River at Watertown, SD
Is Big Sioux River at Watertown, SD flooding right now?
Big Sioux River at Watertown, SD measured 3.19 ft on 2026-09-11 01:15:00 UTC. That observation was 5.8 ft below its 9 ft flood stage. This is the latest available reading, not a guarantee of current conditions.
Gauge height
3.19 ft
Streamflow
—
Minor flooding here begins at 9 ft, with major flooding at 12 ft. The highest crest on record was 12.49 ft on Sun, Apr 6, 1997.
Flood stages at this gauge
| Category | Stage | Current distance |
|---|---|---|
| Action | 8 ft | 4.8 ft below |
| Minor flood | 9 ft | 5.8 ft below |
| Moderate flood | 10 ft | 6.8 ft below |
| Major flood | 12 ft | 8.8 ft below |
Highest crests on record
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| 12.49 ft | 1997-04-06 |
| 11.58 ft | 2001-04-07 |
| 11.4 ft | 1969-04-08 |
| 11.18 ft | 2023-04-13 |
| 10.98 ft | 2019-03-28 |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Distance | County |
|---|---|---|
| Big Sioux River at Lake Kampeska near Watertown, SD | 0.8 mi | Codington County |
| Lake Kampeska Inlet/Outlet near Watertown, SD | 1.5 mi | Codington County |
| South Branch Tributary Mud Creek near Rauville, SD | 2.1 mi | Codington County |
| Big Sioux River at Broadway at Watertown, SD | 3.9 mi | Codington County |
| Big Sioux River near Watertown, SD | 4.5 mi | Codington County |
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Provisional data: Real-time readings are provisional and subject to revision by the USGS — sensors can be affected by ice, debris, or equipment malfunction. Do not rely on this site for decisions involving personal safety; follow official guidance from the National Weather Service and local authorities.