James River at Columbia, SD
Is James River at Columbia, SD flooding right now?
James River at Columbia, SD measured 4.11 ft on 2026-09-11 01:00:00 UTC. That observation was 8.9 ft below its 13 ft flood stage. This is the latest available reading, not a guarantee of current conditions.
Gauge height
4.11 ft
Streamflow
29 cfs
Minor flooding here begins at 13 ft, with major flooding at 18 ft. The highest crest on record was 19.81 ft on Sat, Jul 16, 2011.
Flood stages at this gauge
| Category | Stage | Current distance |
|---|---|---|
| Action | 12 ft | 7.9 ft below |
| Minor flood | 13 ft | 8.9 ft below |
| Moderate flood | 16 ft | 11.9 ft below |
| Major flood | 18 ft | 13.9 ft below |
Highest crests on record
| Stage | Date |
|---|---|
| 19.81 ft | 2011-07-16 |
| 19.73 ft | 2009-04-24 |
| 19.08 ft | 1997-04-18 |
| 19.05 ft | 2010-04-02 |
| 18.96 ft | 2019-04-21 |
Last 7 days
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Distance | County |
|---|---|---|
| James River below Columbia, SD | 0.3 mi | Brown County |
| Elm River near Ordway, SD | 5.7 mi | Brown County |
| Elm River at Westport, SD | 9.7 mi | Brown County |
| Moccasin Creek at Aberdeen, SD | 11.5 mi | Brown County |
| Foot Creek near Aberdeen, SD | 14.2 mi | Brown 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.