Canada
United States
Belgium
France
Ireland
Netherlands
United Kingdom
Austria
Czechia
Germany
Poland
Slovenia
Switzerland
Italy
Spain
Türkiye
Denmark
Finland
Norway
SwedenCheyenne River near Eagle Butte water level
River gauge, Cheyenne River, South Dakota, United States
Right now
Very low for mid-October
Water level
History
20252026
What this means
The Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte is running far below normal at 10.31 ft.
The median for mid-October is 10.62 ft, based on 6 years of readings, so the river stage is 0.31 ft below typical. It is 10.69 ft below the flood stage of 21.00 ft. On the same day last year the reading was 10.59 ft, a difference of −0.28 ft.
It has barely moved over the past 24 hours. Without real rain upstream, that is unlikely to change quickly. In the last month it has stayed between 10.25 ft and 10.99 ft.
Fall is often low-water season on rivers, and it usually takes a few days of steady rain to change that.
Compared with 6 years of daily readings for this time of year. How to read levels
Key numbers
- Median for this date
- 10.62 ft0.31 ft below the median for this date
- Normal for this date
- 10.35 ft – 11.95 ft8 years in 10 fall in this range (6 years of records)
- Same day last year
- 10.59 ft−0.28 ft
- Lowest and highest in 30 days
- 10.25 ft – 10.99 ft
- Lowest and highest in 12 months
- 10.16 ft – 14.99 ft
- Highest on record
- 26.82 ftJune 7, 2008
Floating and fishing near Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte
Low water exposes gravel bars that make good wading access, but some boat ramps may be left high and dry.
Flood stage here is 21.00 ft, 10.69 ft above the current reading. Beyond it, the National Weather Service also defines moderate and major flood stages.
What happens at each level
- 24.00 ft
- Extensive flooding along the Cheyenne River with extensive inundation of structures and roads possible.
- 23.00 ft
- Some inundation of structures and roads along the Cheyenne River are possible.
- 21.00 ft
- Minor flood stage. Minor flooding of low lying areas along the Cheyenne River. Water will begin to surround the trees along the banks.
- 19.00 ft
- Around this stage the river will begin to overflow the lower banks with water beginning to pond at the base of the tress along the banks.
- 10.31 ft
- Right now
Impact statements from the U.S. National Weather Service.
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Level | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26.82 ft | June 7, 2008 |
| 2 | 22.56 ft | May 15, 2023 |
| 3 | 17.57 ft | October 14, 2023 |
| 4 | 17.10 ft | October 14, 2021 |
| 5 | 16.26 ft | June 18, 2007 |
| 6 | 14.83 ft | March 6, 2021 |
| 7 | 12.20 ft | June 11, 1941 |
| 8 | 7.90 ft | March 22, 1960 |
| 9 | 7.32 ft | March 28, 1951 |
Weather at the gauge
The forecast is not available right now.
Map
Other gauges on the Cheyenne River
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheyenne River near Buffalo GapRiver gauge, Cheyenne River | 2.33 ft | Below flood stage | +0.01 ft | 124 mi |
| Cheyenne River at Red ShirtRiver gauge, Cheyenne River | 9.49 ft | Below flood stage | −0.03 ft | 109 mi |
| Cheyenne River near ScenicRiver gauge, Cheyenne River | 6.23 ft | Below flood stage | −0.01 ft | 90 mi |
| Cheyenne River near WastaRiver gauge, Cheyenne River | 0.47 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 72 mi |
| Cheyenne River near PlainviewRiver gauge, Cheyenne River | 8.20 ft | Below flood stage | +0.01 ft | 37 mi |
Nearby gauges
| Gauge | Level | Compared with normal | 24 hours | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cherry Creek near PlainviewRiver gauge, Cherry Creek | 2.66 ft | Below flood stage | ±0 | 41 mi |
| Moreau River near WhitehorseRiver gauge, Moreau River | 1.73 ft | Below flood stage | −0.02 ft | 43 mi |
| Bad River near Fort PierreRiver gauge, Bad River | 5.4 cfs | Normal | +0.4 cfs | 48 mi |
Questions and answers
Is the Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte higher than last year?
No, it is 0.28 ft lower than on the same day last year, when the reading was 10.59 ft.
What is flood stage for the Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte?
The official flood stage is 21.00 ft. The level is currently 10.69 ft below it.
What is a normal level for the Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte in mid-October?
The median for mid-October is 10.62 ft. In 8 years out of 10 the reading falls between 10.35 ft and 11.95 ft, based on 6 years of records.
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 Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte today?
On Oct 20, 2026, 01:00 AM MDT, the water level was 10.31 ft. Steady over the last 24 hours.
Is Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte rising or falling?
Steady over the last 24 hours. Up 0.04 ft over the last 7 days.
Is the level of Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte normal?
Very low for mid-October. Compared with 6 years of daily readings for this time of year.
For specialists
Station codes, datum, parameters, data quality and downloads
- Operator
- U.S. Geological Survey
- Station code
usgs:06439500(Agency page)- Coordinates
44.69639, -101.21694(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
| Parameter | Last value | Time (UTC) | Quality |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water level | 10.31 ft | 2026-10-20 07:00 | Provisional |
Download
Embed this gauge
Add a live card for this gauge to your website. It updates on its own and links back here.
How to cite
U.S. Geological Survey: Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte (usgs:06439500). Accessed October 20, 2026 via Nivelmap, https://nivelmap.com/en/united-states/south-dakota/cheyenne-river-near-eagle-butte
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