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 16
Open the South Dakota flow layer on the map Every USGS streamgauge filtered to South Dakota.
Open the map →
May
16
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 1,070 cfs and a gauge stage of 3.26 ft.

Meanwhile, the James River At Nd-Sd State Line is seeing a spike today — up 19% 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.

Active weather warnings for South Dakota

# South Dakota Storm Center Report

A Red Flag Warning is in effect for central South Dakota until 10 PM CDT today (May 16), affecting Stanley, Sully, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Lyman, and Buffalo counties. East winds of 15-25 mph with gusts reaching 35 mph combined with critically low humidity levels as low as 18 percent create extremely dangerous fire conditions. Any fires that develop will spread rapidly and become difficult to control. Residents in the Oahe area and surrounding communities should exercise extreme caution with any outdoor activities involving fire, avoid burning debris, and remain vigilant for smoke. Keep fire suppression equipment readily available and monitor local conditions closely through this evening.

Source: National Weather Service

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 1,070 cfs

Gauge stage 3.26 ft

Biggest 24h spike

James River At Nd-Sd State Line +19%

Now 623 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.

107 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow Gage height Water temp Air temp Elevation Watershed
Whetstone River Near Big Stone City, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 05291000
60 cfs 1.95 ft · 77°F 1,017 ft Upper Minnesota
Little Minnesota River Near Peever, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 05290000
49 cfs 10.52 ft · 76°F 1,015 ft Upper Minnesota
Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 05050000
93 cfs 4.74 ft · 75°F 968 ft Bois De Sioux
Little Missouri R At Camp Crook Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06334500
5 cfs 1.75 ft · 75°F 3,102 ft Upper Little Missouri
Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06400875
0 cfs 1.89 ft · 84°F 3,315 ft Angostura Reservoir
Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06395000
3 cfs 1.15 ft · 82°F 3,422 ft Angostura Reservoir
Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06400000
0 cfs 7.63 ft · 84°F 3,301 ft Hat
Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06401500
1 cfs 2.85 ft · 83°F 3,065 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Fall R At Hot Springs Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06402000
35 cfs · · 82°F 3,430 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06402500
3 cfs 3.74 ft · 83°F 3,161 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Cheyenne R Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06402600
77 cfs 2.44 ft · 84°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
13 hours ago · USGS 06403700
75 cfs 9.64 ft 65°F 84°F 2,670 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
French Cr Above Fairburn Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06403300
2 cfs · · 78°F 3,825 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Battle Cr Below Hermosa Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06406500
1 cfs 2.23 ft · 84°F 2,810 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Grace Coolidge Cr Nr Game Lodge Nr Custer Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06404998
0 cfs 6.64 ft · 77°F 4,125 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Battle Cr At Hermosa Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06406000
3 cfs 2.66 ft · 81°F 3,284 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Battle Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06404000
1 cfs 3.32 ft · 77°F 3,815 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Spring Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06407500
1 cfs 3.69 ft · 76°F 3,898 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Rapid Cr Near Farmingdale Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06421500
0 cfs 4.95 ft · 84°F 2,711 ft Rapid
Castle Cr Above Deerfield Res Near Hill City Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06409000
10 cfs 2.65 ft · 67°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
13 hours ago · USGS 06410000
10 cfs 3.55 ft · 66°F 5,795 ft Rapid
Rapid Cr Above Canyon Lake Near Rapid City Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06412500
53 cfs 2.27 ft 35°F 80°F 3,416 ft Rapid
Cleghorn Springs At Rapid City, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06412810
9 cfs 2.67 ft · 80°F 3,371 ft Rapid
Rapid Cr Below Pactola Dam Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06411500
79 cfs 7.81 ft · 73°F 4,420 ft Rapid
Rapid Cr Above Pactola Res At Silver City, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06410500
22 cfs 4.61 ft · 73°F 4,628 ft Rapid
Rapid Cr At Rapid City Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06414000
71 cfs 3.76 ft · 80°F 3,246 ft Rapid
Rhoads Fork Near Rochford Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06408700
4 cfs 3.68 ft · 67°F 5,981 ft Rapid
Cheyenne River Near Wasta, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06423500
54 cfs · · 84°F 2,269 ft Middle Cheyenne-Elk
Boxelder Cr Near Nemo Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06422500
6 cfs 1.53 ft · 75°F 4,334 ft Middle Cheyenne-Elk
Elk Cr Nr Rapid City Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06425100
13 cfs 5.26 ft · 81°F 2,949 ft Middle Cheyenne-Elk
Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06425500
1 cfs 3.57 ft · 83°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
14 hours ago · USGS 06438500
239 cfs 8.12 ft 60°F 80°F 1,865 ft Lower Cheyenne
Bear Butte Creek Near Deadwood, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06437020
1 cfs 3.62 ft · 74°F 4,753 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06438000
97 cfs 4.39 ft · 83°F 2,180 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Whitewood Cr Above Whitewood, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06436180
9 cfs · · 77°F 3,681 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06437000
88 cfs 2.96 ft · 81°F 2,546 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Whitewood Creek Near Whitewood Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06436190
6 cfs 5.49 ft · 78°F 3,173 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Whitewood Cr Above Vale Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06436198
0 cfs 1.37 ft · 80°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
14 hours ago · USGS 06436000
21 cfs 1.72 ft · 79°F 2,940 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Inlet Canal Above Belle Fourche Reservoir Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06434505
5 cfs 3.98 ft · 79°F 2,985 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Belle Fourche R At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06428500
7 cfs 3.26 ft · 79°F 3,103 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Spearfish Creek Near Lead, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06430770
19 cfs 7.52 ft · 69°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
13 hours ago · USGS 06430850
14 cfs 4.51 ft · 72°F 5,053 ft Redwater
Spearfish Cr At Spearfish Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06431500
45 cfs 4.93 ft · 78°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
13 hours ago · USGS 06430500
12 cfs 2.93 ft · 79°F 3,424 ft Redwater
Murray Ditch Ab Headgate At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06429997
11 cfs 1.82 ft · 79°F 3,457 ft Redwater
Redwater River Above Belle Fourche Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06433000
31 cfs 2.53 ft · 79°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
13 hours ago · USGS 06355500
0 cfs · · 76°F 2,318 ft North Fork Grand
South Fork Grand R Near Cash Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06356500
8 cfs · · 76°F 2,425 ft South Fork Grand
Grand R At Little Eagle Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06357800
41 cfs 2.65 ft · 78°F 1,640 ft Grand
Moreau R Near Faith Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06359500
5 cfs · · 78°F 2,248 ft Lower Moreau
Moreau R Near Whitehorse Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06360500
52 cfs 2.38 ft · 80°F 1,670 ft Lower Moreau
Platte Creek Near Platte, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06452320
0 cfs 1.66 ft · 81°F 1,373 ft Fort Randall Reservoir
South Fork Bad R Near Cottonwood Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06440200
0 cfs 4.23 ft · 83°F 2,253 ft Bad
Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06441500
4 cfs 1.01 ft · 82°F 1,437 ft Bad
White R Nr Ne-Sd State Line, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06445685
5 cfs 3.58 ft · 86°F 3,041 ft Upper White
White R Near Oglala Sd, Sd
1 year ago · USGS 06446000
101 cfs 6.82 ft · 85°F 2,880 ft Upper White
Bear In The Lodge Cr Near Wanblee Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06446700
10 cfs 1.69 ft · 83°F 2,526 ft Middle White
White R Near Interior Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06446500
20 cfs 3.60 ft · 85°F 2,300 ft Middle White
White River Near White River, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06447450
26 cfs 3.14 ft · 82°F 1,775 ft Middle White
White R Near Kadoka Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06447000
45 cfs 3.83 ft · 83°F 2,131 ft Middle White
Black Pipe Creek Nr Belvidere, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06447230
9 cfs 2.38 ft · 81°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
13 hours ago · USGS 06449100
39 cfs 3.17 ft 42°F 81°F 2,789 ft Little White
Lake Cr Below Refuge Near Tuthill Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06449000
1 cfs 2.44 ft · 81°F 2,991 ft Little White
Little White R Near Martin Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06447500
12 cfs · · 81°F 3,069 ft Little White
Little White R Near Rosebud Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06449500
125 cfs 4.19 ft · 82°F 2,305 ft Little White
Little White R Below White River Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06450500
104 cfs 1.93 ft · 82°F 1,927 ft Little White
White R Near Oacoma Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06452000
119 cfs 8.02 ft · 82°F 1,394 ft Lower White
Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06464500
52 cfs 2.22 ft · 80°F 2,053 ft Keya Paha
Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06464100
22 cfs 4.48 ft · 80°F 2,220 ft Keya Paha
James R Near Stratford Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06472000
770 cfs 11.87 ft · 79°F 1,276 ft Upper James
Foot Creek Near Aberdeen, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06471800
105 cfs 7.73 ft · 77°F 1,329 ft Upper James
James R At Columbia Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06471000
621 cfs 9.86 ft · 77°F 1,287 ft Upper James
James River At Nd-Sd State Line, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06470878
623 cfs 89.25 ft 32°F 77°F 1,290 ft Upper James
Elm R At Westport Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06471500
28 cfs 4.40 ft · 77°F 1,323 ft Elm
James R At Huron Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06476000
980 cfs 10.11 ft · 83°F 1,233 ft Middle James
James R Near Redfield Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06475000
942 cfs 7.45 ft · 80°F 1,264 ft Middle James
James R At Ashton Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06473000
894 cfs 8.12 ft · 80°F 1,271 ft Middle James
James River Nr Yankton Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06478513
1,070 cfs 3.26 ft · 85°F 1,164 ft Lower James
James R Near Scotland Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06478500
1,070 cfs 5.83 ft · 85°F 1,187 ft Lower James
James R Near Mitchell Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06478000
970 cfs 13.09 ft · 86°F 1,206 ft Lower James
Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06477500
0 cfs 2.06 ft · 84°F 1,304 ft Lower James
James R Near Forestburg Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06477000
976 cfs 7.61 ft · 84°F 1,214 ft Lower James
Vermillion River Nr Vermillion Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06479010
40 cfs 1.88 ft · 86°F 1,137 ft Vermillion
West Fork Vermillion R Near Parker Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06478690
0 cfs · · 84°F 1,350 ft Vermillion
East Fork Vermillion River Near Parker, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06478600
4 cfs 5.14 ft · 84°F 1,328 ft Vermillion
Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06480000
297 cfs 3.32 ft · 82°F 1,562 ft Lower Big Sioux
Big Sioux River Near Bruce, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06479770
243 cfs 4.07 ft · 81°F 1,630 ft Upper Big Sioux
Big Sioux R Near Castlewood Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06479525
92 cfs 5.30 ft · 78°F 1,682 ft Upper Big Sioux
Big Sioux R At Watertown Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06479500
22 cfs 3.71 ft · 76°F 1,717 ft Upper Big Sioux
Big Sioux R Near Watertown Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06479438
24 cfs 4.12 ft · 76°F 1,742 ft Upper Big Sioux
Big Sioux River Nr Florence Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06479215
5 cfs 2.81 ft · 75°F 1,787 ft Upper Big Sioux
Big Sioux R At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06482000
32 cfs 1.26 ft · 84°F 1,395 ft Lower Big Sioux
Skunk Cr At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06481500
3 cfs 2.30 ft · 84°F 1,411 ft Lower Big Sioux
Big Sioux R At North Cliff Ave At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06482020
372 cfs 6.02 ft · 84°F 1,303 ft Lower Big Sioux
Split Rock Cr At Corson Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06482610
11 cfs 1.73 ft · 85°F 1,307 ft Lower Big Sioux
Big Sioux R Near Dell Rapids Sd, Sd
13 hours ago · USGS 06481000
365 cfs 4.27 ft · 83°F 1,464 ft Lower Big Sioux
Skunk Cr Nr Chester Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06481480
0 cfs · · 83°F 1,563 ft Lower Big Sioux
Flandreau Cr Above Flandreau Sd, Sd
12 hours ago · USGS 06480650
2 cfs 3.04 ft · 82°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.