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Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls water level

River gauge, Big Sioux River, South Dakota, United States

Directions

Below flood stage

Water level

1.48ft Steady over the last 24 hours

Flow
72.9 cfs
0 5 10 15 Highest onrecord 16.90 ft Minor floodstage 8.00 ft

History

1.501.55ftOct 16Oct 17Oct 18Oct 19Oct 201.501.55ftOct 16Oct 18Oct 20
1.51.82.0ftSep 21Sep 28Oct 5Oct 13Oct 201.51.82.0ftSep 21Oct 5Oct 20
123ftOct 2025Jan 2026Apr 2026Jul 2026Oct 2026123ftOct 2025Apr 2026Oct 2026
123ftJanMarMayJulSepNov2026123ftJanAprJulOct2026

20252026

Water level Minor flood stage

What this means

The gauge at Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls reads 1.48 ft, a normal level.

It is 6.52 ft below the flood stage of 8.00 ft. A year ago it stood at 2.30 ft (−0.82 ft).

The level has held steady over the past 24 hours. Over the past 30 days it has moved between 1.47 ft and 2.17 ft.

Fall is often low-water season on rivers, until steadier rain returns.

Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge. How to read levels

Key numbers

Same day last year
2.30 ft−0.82 ft
Lowest and highest in 30 days
1.47 ft – 2.17 ft
Lowest and highest in 12 months
0.97 ft – 2.94 ft
Highest on record
16.90 ftMarch 14, 2019

What the stage means on the water

A normal level is usually prime time for floating and wade fishing, as long as the weather holds upstream.

The National Weather Service puts flood stage for this gauge at 8.00 ft, still 6.52 ft away.

What happens at each level

20.00 ft
Many of the remaining levees between Skunk Creek and Western Ave are overtopped resulting in catastrophic flooding.
19.00 ft
The lowest portions of 57th St begin to flood with significant flooding ongoing in southern Sioux Falls in areas nearest the river.
18.50 ft
The lower levees below Skunk Creek and above the Western Avenue gage will be overtopped.
16.50 ft
Numerous homes in southern Sioux Falls, especially between Minnesota Ave and S Phillips Ave, are in danger of flooding. The on and off ramps of I-229 at Cliff Ave begin to flood.
14.50 ft
Some houses in the W Twin Oaks Rd and Rose Street areas near South Minnesota Avenue may be at risk to begin flooding.
14.00 ft
The bridge into Yankton Trail Park off of 57th St may be overtopped.
13.50 ft
Water approaches Cliff Ave north of the bridge and may begin to flood the lowest portions.
11.00 ft
The entrances to Yankton Trail and Spencer Parks begin to flood.
10.00 ft
City parks in southern Sioux Falls begin to have significant flooding.
9.00 ft
The camp south of 26th St begins to flood as does portions of Tomar Park.
8.00 ft
Flooding begins to affect Spencer Dog Park and the lower portions of Tuthill Park in southern Sioux Falls. The access road under 26th St begins to flood.
6.50 ft
The lowest portion of the bike trail near Spencer Dog Park may begin to flood as well as the lowest portions of the recreation fields off of 57th and Western Ave.
1.48 ft
Right now

Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.

Highest crests on record

RankLevelDate
116.90 ftMarch 14, 2019
216.01 ftJune 17, 1957
315.80 ftJune 21, 1984
415.56 ftMarch 30, 1960
515.44 ftJune 22, 2024
614.50 ftApril 7, 1952
714.30 ftApril 6, 1951
814.20 ftApril 10, 1969
913.90 ftFebruary 28, 1948
1013.17 ftAugust 27, 2015

Weather at the gauge

The forecast is not available right now.

Sunrise 07:48 AM Sunset 06:37 PM Daylight 10 hr, 49 min First quarter 69%

Map

Other gauges on the Big Sioux River

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Big Sioux River at Broadway at WatertownRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 5.04 ft Below flood stage −0.03 ft 98 mi
Big Sioux River below WatertownRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 4.47 ft Below flood stage −0.01 ft 94 mi
Big Sioux River near CastlewoodRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 4.79 ft Below flood stage +0.03 ft 86 mi
Big Sioux River near BruceRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 3.12 ft Below flood stage −0.02 ft 67 mi
Big Sioux River near BrookingsRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 2.28 ft Below flood stage −0.01 ft 47 mi
Big Sioux River near Dell RapidsRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 3.24 ft Below flood stage −0.01 ft 20 mi
Big Sioux River below Diversion at Sioux FallsRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 3.13 ft Below flood stage ±0 5.0 mi
Big Sioux River at North Cliff Ave at Sioux FallsRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 5.05 ft Below flood stage −0.02 ft 4.9 mi
Big Sioux River near HawardenRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 12.00 ft Below flood stage −0.05 ft 34 mi
Big Sioux River at AkronRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 5.60 ft Below flood stage −0.08 ft 47 mi
Big Sioux River near JeffersonRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 9.40 ft Below flood stage −0.12 ft 62 mi
Big Sioux River at Sioux CityRiver gauge, Big Sioux River 9.92 ft Very low −0.09 ft 69 mi

Nearby gauges

Gauge Level Compared with normal 24 hours Distance
Skunk Creek at Sioux FallsRiver gauge, Skunk Creek 2.22 ft Below flood stage +0.01 ft 3.1 mi
Silver Creek at Sioux FallsRiver gauge, Silver Creek 0.92 ft Below flood stage +0.01 ft 7 mi
Willow Creek near CrooksRiver gauge, Willow Creek 3.70 ft Below flood stage +0.02 ft 10 mi
Skunk Creek near HartfordRiver gauge, Skunk Creek 3.58 ft Below flood stage −0.02 ft 12 mi
Split Rock Creek at CorsonRiver gauge, Split Rock Creek 1.82 ft Below flood stage −0.01 ft 12 mi
East Fork Vermillion River near ParkerRiver gauge, East Fork Vermillion River 10.91 ft Below flood stage +5.89 ft 19 mi
West Fork Vermillion River near ParkerRiver gauge, West Fork Vermillion River 1.37 ft Normal +0.01 ft 24 mi

Questions and answers

How does the Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls compare with last year?

It is 0.82 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 2.30 ft.

What is flood stage for the Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls?

The official flood stage is 8.00 ft. The level is currently 6.52 ft below it.

Is gage height the same as water depth?

No. Gage height is measured from a fixed reference point chosen by the agency, so a reading of 10 ft does not mean the river is 10 ft deep.

What is the water level of Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls today?

On Oct 20, 2026, 08:00 AM CDT, the water level was 1.48 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.

Is Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls rising or falling?

Steady over the last 24 hours. Steady over the last 7 days.

Is the level of Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls normal?

Below flood stage. Judged against the official flood stage for this gauge.

What is the highest water level ever recorded at Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls?

The highest level on record is 16.90 ft on March 14, 2019.

For specialists

Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
Operator
U.S. Geological Survey
Station code
usgs:06482000 (Agency page)
Coordinates
43.50111, -96.74806 (WGS84)
Vertical datum
NAVD88
Update interval
every 15 minutes
Licence
Public domain. Data: U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), provisional data subject to revision

Published series

ParameterLast valueTime (UTC)Quality
Water level 1.48 ft 2026-10-20 13:00 Provisional
Flow 72.9 cfs 2026-10-20 13:00 Provisional

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How to cite

U.S. Geological Survey: Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls (usgs:06482000). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/south-dakota/big-sioux-river-at-sioux-falls

How we check values

Each reading is stored as published. We hold back values that jump faster than physically plausible and show the measurement time with every value.

Readings are provisional, can be delayed or wrong and are not a flood warning. Read the disclaimer