Flow report
South Dakota streamflow
Live discharge, gauge height, water temperature, and percent-of-normal readings from every USGS streamgauge in South Dakota. Built for paddlers, anglers, water managers, and flood researchers.
USGS gauges
107
State percent normal
26%
Paddle runs
0
Updated
May 30
Open the South Dakota flow layer on the map
Every USGS streamgauge filtered to South Dakota.
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May
30
2026
Flow briefing
Streamflow levels across South Dakota are currently 26% of normal, with the James River Nr Yankton Sd reporting the highest discharge in the state at 1,060 cfs and a gauge stage of 3.24 ft.
Meanwhile, the Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd is seeing a spike today — up 17% since yesterday and currently running near peak.
Tap any gauge below for the full hydrograph, paired weather forecast, and historical context. Use the rivers panel to jump into South Dakota's named rivers.
South Dakota at a glance
State-wide streamflow overview
The South Dakota flow picture in four data points -- where the state sits versus historical norms, what's flowing hardest, and what's spiking fastest.
Percent of normal
26%
100% is the historical norm. Below 70% indicates drought; above 130% can flag elevated flood risk.
Highest discharge
James River Nr Yankton Sd
1,060 cfs
Gauge stage 3.24 ft
Biggest 24h spike
Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd
+17%
Now 487 cfs
Network coverage
Gauges + rivers tracked
107 + 11
USGS gauges feeding 11 named rivers in South Dakota.
Full streamgauge inventory
South Dakota USGS streamgauges
Every USGS gauge Snoflo tracks in South Dakota. Sortable, quickly filterable. Numeric columns heat-mapped from light to deep. Tap any gauge for its full hydrograph and forecast.
| Streamgage | Streamflow | Gage height | Water temp | Air temp | Elevation | Watershed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Whetstone River Near Big Stone City, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 05291000 |
69 cfs | 2.03 ft | · | 57°F | 1,017 ft | Upper Minnesota |
|
Little Minnesota River Near Peever, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 05290000 |
53 cfs | 10.57 ft | · | 56°F | 1,015 ft | Upper Minnesota |
|
Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 05050000 |
3 cfs | 3.63 ft | · | 56°F | 968 ft | Bois De Sioux |
|
Little Missouri R At Camp Crook Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06334500 |
5 cfs | 1.75 ft | · | 41°F | 3,102 ft | Upper Little Missouri |
|
Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06400875 |
0 cfs | 1.89 ft | · | 42°F | 3,315 ft | Angostura Reservoir |
|
Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06395000 |
4 cfs | 1.17 ft | · | 39°F | 3,422 ft | Angostura Reservoir |
|
Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06400000 |
0 cfs | 7.69 ft | · | 41°F | 3,301 ft | Hat |
|
Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06401500 |
1 cfs | 2.91 ft | · | 44°F | 3,065 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Fall R At Hot Springs Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06402000 |
39 cfs | · | · | 44°F | 3,430 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06402500 |
17 cfs | 4.77 ft | · | 44°F | 3,161 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Cheyenne R Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06402600 |
95 cfs | 2.57 ft | · | 45°F | 2,820 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Beaver Creek Near Pringle, Sd
2 years ago · USGS 06402430 |
5 cfs | 8.05 ft | · | 55°F | 4,140 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Cheyenne River At Redshirt, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06403700 |
86 cfs | 9.74 ft | 56°F | 45°F | 2,670 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
French Cr Above Fairburn Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06403300 |
2 cfs | · | · | 43°F | 3,825 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Battle Cr Below Hermosa Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06406500 |
5 cfs | 2.38 ft | · | 42°F | 2,810 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Grace Coolidge Cr Nr Game Lodge Nr Custer Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06404998 |
1 cfs | 6.68 ft | · | 43°F | 4,125 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Battle Cr At Hermosa Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06406000 |
4 cfs | 2.68 ft | · | 42°F | 3,284 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Battle Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06404000 |
2 cfs | 3.41 ft | · | 43°F | 3,815 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Spring Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06407500 |
2 cfs | 3.76 ft | · | 41°F | 3,898 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Rapid Cr Near Farmingdale Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06421500 |
49 cfs | 5.83 ft | · | 43°F | 2,711 ft | Rapid |
|
Castle Cr Above Deerfield Res Near Hill City Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06409000 |
15 cfs | 2.77 ft | · | 32°F | 5,929 ft | Rapid |
|
Rapid Cr Bl Sewage Treatment Pl Nr Rapid City, Sd
9 years ago · USGS 06418900 |
40 cfs | 2.76 ft | · | 30°F | 3,001 ft | Rapid |
|
Castle Cr Below Deerfield Dam Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06410000 |
10 cfs | 3.54 ft | · | 32°F | 5,795 ft | Rapid |
|
Rapid Cr Above Canyon Lake Near Rapid City Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06412500 |
54 cfs | 2.28 ft | 35°F | 42°F | 3,416 ft | Rapid |
|
Cleghorn Springs At Rapid City, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06412810 |
9 cfs | 2.67 ft | · | 42°F | 3,371 ft | Rapid |
|
Rapid Cr Below Pactola Dam Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06411500 |
63 cfs | 7.71 ft | · | 38°F | 4,420 ft | Rapid |
|
Rapid Cr Above Pactola Res At Silver City, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06410500 |
37 cfs | 4.72 ft | · | 38°F | 4,628 ft | Rapid |
|
Rapid Cr At Rapid City Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06414000 |
83 cfs | 3.85 ft | · | 43°F | 3,246 ft | Rapid |
|
Rhoads Fork Near Rochford Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06408700 |
4 cfs | 3.70 ft | · | 33°F | 5,981 ft | Rapid |
|
Cheyenne River Near Wasta, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06423500 |
131 cfs | · | · | 44°F | 2,269 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
Boxelder Cr Near Nemo Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06422500 |
12 cfs | 1.77 ft | · | 38°F | 4,334 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06425100 |
16 cfs | 5.30 ft | · | 42°F | 2,949 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06425500 |
1 cfs | 3.52 ft | · | 44°F | 2,322 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
Elk Cr Near Roubaix Sd, Sd
5 years ago · USGS 06424000 |
7 cfs | 6.38 ft | · | 65°F | 4,888 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06438500 |
487 cfs | 8.47 ft | 60°F | 48°F | 1,865 ft | Lower Cheyenne |
|
Bear Butte Creek Near Deadwood, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06437020 |
14 cfs | 4.15 ft | · | 36°F | 4,753 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06438000 |
176 cfs | 4.74 ft | · | 44°F | 2,180 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Whitewood Cr Above Whitewood, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06436180 |
36 cfs | · | · | 42°F | 3,681 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06437000 |
139 cfs | 3.22 ft | · | 43°F | 2,546 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Whitewood Creek Near Whitewood Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06436190 |
38 cfs | 6.04 ft | · | 42°F | 3,173 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Whitewood Cr Above Vale Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06436198 |
2 cfs | 1.57 ft | · | 42°F | 2,857 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Horse Cr Above Vale Sd, Sd
13 years ago · USGS 06436760 |
13 cfs | · | 48°F | 88°F | 2,703 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Belle Fourche R Near Fruitdale Sd, Sd
9 days ago · USGS 06436000 |
1 cfs | · | · | 38°F | 2,940 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Inlet Canal Above Belle Fourche Reservoir Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06434505 |
28 cfs | 4.26 ft | · | 44°F | 2,985 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Belle Fourche R At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06428500 |
6 cfs | 3.25 ft | · | 43°F | 3,103 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Spearfish Creek Near Lead, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06430770 |
21 cfs | 7.54 ft | · | 37°F | 5,312 ft | Redwater |
|
Annie Creek Near Lead, Sd
7 years ago · USGS 06430800 |
0 cfs | 4.03 ft | · | 55°F | 5,139 ft | Redwater |
|
Little Spearfish Creek Near Lead, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06430850 |
15 cfs | 4.55 ft | · | 38°F | 5,053 ft | Redwater |
|
Spearfish Cr At Spearfish Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06431500 |
50 cfs | 4.97 ft | · | 41°F | 3,669 ft | Redwater |
|
Crow Creek Near Beulah, Sd
7 years ago · USGS 06430532 |
32 cfs | 5.14 ft | · | 61°F | 3,354 ft | Redwater |
|
Redwater Cr At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06430500 |
26 cfs | 3.19 ft | · | 43°F | 3,424 ft | Redwater |
|
Murray Ditch Ab Headgate At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06429997 |
12 cfs | 1.89 ft | · | 43°F | 3,457 ft | Redwater |
|
Redwater River Above Belle Fourche Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06433000 |
49 cfs | 2.70 ft | · | 45°F | 3,018 ft | Redwater |
|
Oak Cr Near Wakpala Sd, Sd
9 years ago · USGS 06354882 |
10 cfs | 2.40 ft | · | 63°F | 1,687 ft | Upper Lake Oahe |
|
North Fork Grand R Near White Butte Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06355500 |
0 cfs | · | · | 49°F | 2,318 ft | North Fork Grand |
|
South Fork Grand R Near Cash Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06356500 |
10 cfs | · | · | 46°F | 2,425 ft | South Fork Grand |
|
Grand R At Little Eagle Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06357800 |
65 cfs | 2.82 ft | · | 52°F | 1,640 ft | Grand |
|
Moreau R Near Faith Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06359500 |
12 cfs | · | · | 50°F | 2,248 ft | Lower Moreau |
|
Moreau R Near Whitehorse Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06360500 |
49 cfs | 2.36 ft | · | 51°F | 1,670 ft | Lower Moreau |
|
Platte Creek Near Platte, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06452320 |
1 cfs | 1.81 ft | · | 54°F | 1,373 ft | Fort Randall Reservoir |
|
South Fork Bad R Near Cottonwood Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06440200 |
0 cfs | 4.31 ft | · | 44°F | 2,253 ft | Bad |
|
Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06441500 |
5 cfs | 1.17 ft | · | 55°F | 1,437 ft | Bad |
|
White R Nr Ne-Sd State Line, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06445685 |
5 cfs | 3.59 ft | · | 42°F | 3,041 ft | Upper White |
|
White R Near Oglala Sd, Sd
1 year ago · USGS 06446000 |
101 cfs | 6.62 ft | · | 42°F | 2,880 ft | Upper White |
|
Bear In The Lodge Cr Near Wanblee Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06446700 |
31 cfs | 2.20 ft | · | 48°F | 2,526 ft | Middle White |
|
White R Near Interior Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06446500 |
31 cfs | 3.69 ft | · | 45°F | 2,300 ft | Middle White |
|
White River Near White River, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06447450 |
138 cfs | 3.85 ft | · | 55°F | 1,775 ft | Middle White |
|
White R Near Kadoka Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06447000 |
56 cfs | 3.97 ft | · | 49°F | 2,131 ft | Middle White |
|
Black Pipe Creek Nr Belvidere, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06447230 |
19 cfs | 2.59 ft | · | 51°F | 2,055 ft | Middle White |
|
Lake Cr Above Refuge Near Tuthill Sd, Sd
10 years ago · USGS 06448000 |
26 cfs | 0.95 ft | · | 74°F | 3,028 ft | Little White |
|
Little White R Near Vetal Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06449100 |
112 cfs | 3.62 ft | 42°F | 52°F | 2,789 ft | Little White |
|
Lake Cr Below Refuge Near Tuthill Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06449000 |
18 cfs | 3.04 ft | · | 50°F | 2,991 ft | Little White |
|
Little White R Near Martin Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06447500 |
20 cfs | 1.16 ft | · | 50°F | 3,069 ft | Little White |
|
Little White R Near Rosebud Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06449500 |
139 cfs | 4.26 ft | · | 54°F | 2,305 ft | Little White |
|
Little White R Below White River Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06450500 |
152 cfs | 2.10 ft | · | 54°F | 1,927 ft | Little White |
|
White R Near Oacoma Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06452000 |
138 cfs | 8.10 ft | · | 52°F | 1,394 ft | Lower White |
|
Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06464500 |
67 cfs | 2.34 ft | · | 53°F | 2,053 ft | Keya Paha |
|
Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06464100 |
27 cfs | 4.56 ft | · | 53°F | 2,220 ft | Keya Paha |
|
James R Near Stratford Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06472000 |
761 cfs | 11.82 ft | · | 59°F | 1,276 ft | Upper James |
|
Foot Creek Near Aberdeen, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06471800 |
118 cfs | 7.83 ft | · | 57°F | 1,329 ft | Upper James |
|
James R At Columbia Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06471000 |
601 cfs | 9.74 ft | · | 57°F | 1,287 ft | Upper James |
|
James River At Nd-Sd State Line, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06470878 |
697 cfs | 89.48 ft | 32°F | 57°F | 1,290 ft | Upper James |
|
Elm R At Westport Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06471500 |
28 cfs | 4.40 ft | · | 57°F | 1,323 ft | Elm |
|
James R At Huron Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06476000 |
952 cfs | 10.09 ft | · | 49°F | 1,233 ft | Middle James |
|
James R Near Redfield Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06475000 |
934 cfs | 7.42 ft | · | 61°F | 1,264 ft | Middle James |
|
James R At Ashton Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06473000 |
883 cfs | 8.07 ft | · | 60°F | 1,271 ft | Middle James |
|
James River Nr Yankton Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06478513 |
1,060 cfs | 3.24 ft | · | 51°F | 1,164 ft | Lower James |
|
James R Near Scotland Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06478500 |
1,020 cfs | 5.74 ft | · | 50°F | 1,187 ft | Lower James |
|
James R Near Mitchell Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06478000 |
944 cfs | 13.03 ft | · | 50°F | 1,206 ft | Lower James |
|
Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06477500 |
0 cfs | 2.08 ft | · | 50°F | 1,304 ft | Lower James |
|
James R Near Forestburg Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06477000 |
923 cfs | 7.44 ft | · | 50°F | 1,214 ft | Lower James |
|
Vermillion River Nr Vermillion Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06479010 |
94 cfs | 2.58 ft | · | 54°F | 1,137 ft | Vermillion |
|
West Fork Vermillion R Near Parker Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06478690 |
0 cfs | · | · | 49°F | 1,350 ft | Vermillion |
|
East Fork Vermillion River Near Parker, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06478600 |
9 cfs | 5.26 ft | · | 49°F | 1,328 ft | Vermillion |
|
Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06480000 |
252 cfs | 3.16 ft | · | 51°F | 1,562 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux River Near Bruce, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06479770 |
203 cfs | 3.88 ft | · | 51°F | 1,630 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R Near Castlewood Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06479525 |
93 cfs | 5.31 ft | · | 59°F | 1,682 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R At Watertown Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06479500 |
26 cfs | 3.76 ft | · | 57°F | 1,717 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R Near Watertown Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06479438 |
30 cfs | 4.19 ft | · | 57°F | 1,742 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux River Nr Florence Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06479215 |
6 cfs | 2.86 ft | · | 55°F | 1,787 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06482000 |
27 cfs | 1.21 ft | · | 49°F | 1,395 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Skunk Cr At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06481500 |
6 cfs | 2.40 ft | · | 53°F | 1,411 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R At North Cliff Ave At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06482020 |
265 cfs | 5.73 ft | · | 49°F | 1,303 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Split Rock Cr At Corson Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06482610 |
14 cfs | 1.79 ft | · | 49°F | 1,307 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R Near Dell Rapids Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06481000 |
305 cfs | 4.04 ft | · | 48°F | 1,464 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Skunk Cr Nr Chester Sd, Sd
7 days ago · USGS 06481480 |
0 cfs | · | · | 51°F | 1,563 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Flandreau Cr Above Flandreau Sd, Sd
8 days ago · USGS 06480650 |
2 cfs | 3.05 ft | · | 47°F | 1,571 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
By river
Explore South Dakota's named rivers
Rivers across South Dakota with USGS gauge coverage. Tap any one to see every gauge that reports on it -- great for paddlers, anglers, and watershed researchers narrowing in on a specific drainage.
Flow report FAQ
About South Dakota streamflow
Where does the South Dakota streamflow data come from?
The U.S. Geological Survey National Water Information System. USGS streamgauges report continuously (every 15 minutes) and the data is the canonical real-time record for U.S. rivers. Snoflo pulls the latest readings and joins them to a 7-day NOAA weather forecast for each station.
What is cfs?
Cubic feet per second — the standard unit for streamflow. One cfs is about 7.5 gallons per second. Small creeks run at single-digit cfs; the Mississippi at hundreds of thousands.
What does Gauge Height mean?
The water level at the gauge in feet above the reference datum. Used together with discharge to track river state. Flood stage and runnable levels are typically expressed in gauge height (e.g., "flood at 16 ft").
How fresh is the South Dakota data?
USGS streamgauges report every 15 minutes; Snoflo re-pulls throughout the day. The AI briefing regenerates daily.
Can I get a flow alert for a South Dakota gauge?
Yes. Save any USGS gauge as a favorite in the Snoflo iOS app, set a discharge or stage threshold (e.g. "alert me when discharge crosses 2,000 cfs"), and you'll get a push the moment it crosses.
Is this a substitute for an NWS flood warning?
No. Snoflo is informational. For flood life-safety decisions always follow guidance from your local NWS forecast office and state emergency management. Snoflo data is one input among several.
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