IsItFlooding

Is the Big Sioux River flooding?

South Dakota · 15 gauges · South Dakota river levels

The Big Sioux River is tracked by 15 USGS streamgauges in South Dakota. This page compares each gauge’s live water level against its official National Weather Service flood stage, refreshed every 15 minutes, so you can tell whether the Big Sioux River is running normal, rising toward flood stage, or already flooding. 15 of 15 gauges have both a usable water-level reading and a published minor flood stage. Gauges without a published flood stage show water level and flow only. For nearby rivers, see all South Dakota river levels.

data refreshed 14 min ago

Readings may be delayed; check each observation time below. This gauge summary does not rule out flooding on unmonitored stretches or nearby streets.

River facts

The longest-running gauge on this river is Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls, SD. The highest level ever recorded there was 16.90 ft on 14 March 2019, carrying 9,200 cfs. Peak records there go back to 1944 (38 annual peaks). It is currently at 1.47 ft, 15.4 ft below that record.

Drains 4,642 sq mi · gauge elevation 1,394 ft · source: USGS peak-flow record

GaugeStatusStageFlood stageUpdated
Big Sioux River near Florence, SDNo flooding2.80 ft8 ft
Big Sioux River near Watertown, SDNo flooding3.87 ft10 ft
Big Sioux River at Lake Kampeska near Watertown, SDNo flooding18.54 ft21 ft
Big Sioux River at Watertown, SDNo flooding3.19 ft9 ft
Big Sioux River at Broadway at Watertown, SDNo flooding5.07 ft10.5 ft
Big Sioux River below Watertown, SDNo flooding4.55 ft11 ft
Big Sioux River near Castlewood, SDNo flooding4.63 ft9 ft
Big Sioux River near Bruce, SDNo flooding3.26 ft8 ft
Big Sioux River near Brookings, SDNo flooding2.30 ft9 ft
Big Sioux River near Dell Rapids, SDNo flooding3.30 ft12 ft
Big Sioux River below Diversion at Sioux Falls, SDNo flooding3.15 ft15 ft
Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls, SDNo flooding1.47 ft8 ft
Big Sioux River at North Cliff Ave at Sioux Falls, SDNo flooding4.99 ft16 ft
Big Sioux River near Hawarden, IANo flooding13.02 ft20.5 ft
Big Sioux River near Jefferson, SDNo flooding9.39 ft31 ft
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.