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
97
State percent normal
67%
Paddle runs
0
Updated
Jul 15
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Every USGS streamgauge filtered to South Dakota.
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July
15
2026
Flow briefing
Streamflow levels across South Dakota are currently 67% of normal, with the James River Nr Yankton Sd reporting the highest discharge in the state at 1,540 cfs and a gauge stage of 3.90 ft.
Meanwhile, the Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd is seeing a spike today — up 691% 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.
River levels near South Dakota towns
Active weather warnings for South Dakota
# South Dakota Storm Center Report
Multiple Heat Advisories remain in effect across South Dakota through Thursday evening as dangerously hot conditions persist. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for central and northern counties including Buffalo, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Lyman, Stanley, and Sully Counties, with heat index values reaching 99-100°F. Northwestern and southwestern portions of the state face even more severe conditions, with heat indices between 95-105°F affecting areas near Rapid City and the Black Hills region. High humidity combined with extreme temperatures significantly increases the risk of heat-related illnesses. Residents across the state are urged to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated, check on vulnerable populations, and seek air-conditioned shelter during peak afternoon hours. The advisory remains in effect until 9-10 PM CDT/MDT Thursday.
Multiple Heat Advisories remain in effect across South Dakota through Thursday evening as dangerously hot conditions persist. The National Weather Service has issued warnings for central and northern counties including Buffalo, Hand, Hughes, Hyde, Jones, Lyman, Stanley, and Sully Counties, with heat index values reaching 99-100°F. Northwestern and southwestern portions of the state face even more severe conditions, with heat indices between 95-105°F affecting areas near Rapid City and the Black Hills region. High humidity combined with extreme temperatures significantly increases the risk of heat-related illnesses. Residents across the state are urged to limit outdoor activities, stay hydrated, check on vulnerable populations, and seek air-conditioned shelter during peak afternoon hours. The advisory remains in effect until 9-10 PM CDT/MDT Thursday.
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
67%
100% is the historical norm. Below 70% indicates drought; above 130% can flag elevated flood risk.
Highest discharge
James River Nr Yankton Sd
1,540 cfs
Gauge stage 3.90 ft
Biggest 24h spike
Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd
+691%
Now 257 cfs
Network coverage
Gauges + rivers tracked
97 + 0
USGS gauges feeding 0 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06480000 |
1,110 cfs | 5.85 ft | · | 66°F | 1,562 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R Near Dell Rapids Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06481000 |
1,060 cfs | 6.35 ft | · | 67°F | 1,464 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R At North Cliff Ave At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06482020 |
1,050 cfs | 7.50 ft | · | 68°F | 1,303 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
James River Nr Yankton Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06478513 |
942 cfs | 4.00 ft | · | 68°F | 1,164 ft | Lower James |
|
James R Near Scotland Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06478500 |
822 cfs | 5.16 ft | · | 68°F | 1,187 ft | Lower James |
|
James R Near Redfield Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06475000 |
784 cfs | 6.92 ft | · | 66°F | 1,264 ft | Middle James |
|
James R At Ashton Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06473000 |
780 cfs | 7.39 ft | · | 67°F | 1,271 ft | Middle James |
|
James R At Huron Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06476000 |
768 cfs | 9.93 ft | · | 68°F | 1,233 ft | Middle James |
|
James R Near Forestburg Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06477000 |
722 cfs | 6.72 ft | · | 68°F | 1,214 ft | Lower James |
|
Big Sioux River Near Bruce, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06479770 |
619 cfs | 5.69 ft | · | 67°F | 1,630 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
James R Near Mitchell Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06478000 |
541 cfs | 12.01 ft | · | 67°F | 1,206 ft | Lower James |
|
James R Near Stratford Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06472000 |
489 cfs | 9.89 ft | · | 66°F | 1,276 ft | Upper James |
|
James River At Nd-Sd State Line, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06470878 |
324 cfs | 88.85 ft | 32°F | 67°F | 1,290 ft | Upper James |
|
Big Sioux R Near Castlewood Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06479525 |
295 cfs | 6.85 ft | · | 68°F | 1,682 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
5 days ago · USGS 06402500 |
257 cfs | 9.46 ft | · | 71°F | 3,161 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Big Sioux R At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06482000 |
236 cfs | 1.99 ft | · | 69°F | 1,395 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 05050000 |
170 cfs | 5.02 ft | · | 68°F | 968 ft | Bois De Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R At Watertown Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06479500 |
156 cfs | 6.52 ft | · | 68°F | 1,717 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06437000 |
139 cfs | 3.07 ft | · | 71°F | 2,546 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
White River Near White River, Sd
2 days ago · USGS 06447450 |
117 cfs | 3.97 ft | · | 67°F | 1,775 ft | Middle White |
|
Little White R Near Rosebud Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06449500 |
109 cfs | 4.18 ft | · | 67°F | 2,305 ft | Little White |
|
White R Near Oacoma Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06452000 |
107 cfs | 7.85 ft | · | 69°F | 1,394 ft | Lower White |
|
Little White R Below White River Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06450500 |
94 cfs | 1.92 ft | · | 72°F | 1,927 ft | Little White |
|
Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06438000 |
90 cfs | 4.28 ft | · | 73°F | 2,180 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
James R At Columbia Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06471000 |
89 cfs | 6.20 ft | · | 66°F | 1,287 ft | Upper James |
|
Little White R Near Vetal Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06449100 |
84 cfs | 3.48 ft | 42°F | 64°F | 2,789 ft | Little White |
|
Foot Creek Near Aberdeen, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06471800 |
78 cfs | 6.44 ft | · | 66°F | 1,329 ft | Upper James |
|
Big Sioux R Near Watertown Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06479438 |
75 cfs | 5.06 ft | · | 68°F | 1,742 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Rapid Cr Below Pactola Dam Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06411500 |
69 cfs | 7.72 ft | · | 64°F | 4,420 ft | Rapid |
|
Whetstone River Near Big Stone City, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 05291000 |
65 cfs | 2.15 ft | · | 73°F | 1,017 ft | Upper Minnesota |
|
Vermillion River Nr Vermillion Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06479010 |
62 cfs | 1.89 ft | · | 68°F | 1,137 ft | Vermillion |
|
Elm R At Westport Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06471500 |
55 cfs | 4.54 ft | · | 65°F | 1,323 ft | Elm |
|
Rapid Cr Above Canyon Lake Near Rapid City Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06412500 |
51 cfs | 2.25 ft | 35°F | 72°F | 3,416 ft | Rapid |
|
Rapid Cr At Rapid City Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06414000 |
50 cfs | 3.58 ft | · | 70°F | 3,246 ft | Rapid |
|
Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06438500 |
45 cfs | 8.20 ft | 60°F | 71°F | 1,865 ft | Lower Cheyenne |
|
Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06464500 |
45 cfs | 2.22 ft | · | 66°F | 2,053 ft | Keya Paha |
|
Fall R At Hot Springs Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06402000 |
42 cfs | · | · | 67°F | 3,430 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Spearfish Cr At Spearfish Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06431500 |
42 cfs | 4.91 ft | · | 74°F | 3,669 ft | Redwater |
|
Cheyenne River Near Wasta, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06423500 |
40 cfs | · | · | 72°F | 2,269 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
White R Near Kadoka Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06447000 |
39 cfs | 3.86 ft | · | 70°F | 2,131 ft | Middle White |
|
Cheyenne River At Redshirt, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06403700 |
38 cfs | 9.25 ft | 79°F | 69°F | 2,670 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
East Fork Vermillion River Near Parker, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06478600 |
36 cfs | 5.71 ft | · | 68°F | 1,328 ft | Vermillion |
|
Little Minnesota River Near Peever, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 05290000 |
31 cfs | 10.39 ft | · | 72°F | 1,015 ft | Upper Minnesota |
|
Cheyenne R Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06402600 |
29 cfs | 1.97 ft | · | 68°F | 2,820 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Redwater River Above Belle Fourche Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06433000 |
29 cfs | 2.24 ft | · | 66°F | 3,018 ft | Redwater |
|
Grand R At Little Eagle Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06357800 |
28 cfs | 2.47 ft | · | 67°F | 1,640 ft | Grand |
|
Lake Cr Below Refuge Near Tuthill Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06449000 |
19 cfs | 3.08 ft | · | 65°F | 2,991 ft | Little White |
|
Spearfish Creek Near Lead, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06430770 |
17 cfs | 7.50 ft | · | 60°F | 5,312 ft | Redwater |
|
Little Spearfish Creek Near Lead, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06430850 |
15 cfs | 4.63 ft | · | 63°F | 5,053 ft | Redwater |
|
Rapid Cr Above Pactola Res At Silver City, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06410500 |
15 cfs | 4.52 ft | · | 63°F | 4,628 ft | Rapid |
|
South Fork Grand R Near Cash Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06356500 |
12 cfs | · | · | 70°F | 2,425 ft | South Fork Grand |
|
Rapid Cr Near Farmingdale Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06421500 |
12 cfs | 5.19 ft | · | 69°F | 2,711 ft | Rapid |
|
Split Rock Cr At Corson Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06482610 |
12 cfs | 1.77 ft | · | 67°F | 1,307 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Castle Cr Below Deerfield Dam Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06410000 |
11 cfs | 3.53 ft | · | 60°F | 5,795 ft | Rapid |
|
Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd, Sd
22 hours ago · USGS 06464100 |
11 cfs | 4.22 ft | · | 65°F | 2,220 ft | Keya Paha |
|
Murray Ditch Ab Headgate At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06429997 |
11 cfs | 1.80 ft | · | 69°F | 3,457 ft | Redwater |
|
Skunk Cr At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06481500 |
11 cfs | 2.45 ft | · | 69°F | 1,411 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Cleghorn Springs At Rapid City, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06412810 |
9 cfs | 2.62 ft | · | 72°F | 3,371 ft | Rapid |
|
Moreau R Near Whitehorse Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06360500 |
9 cfs | 1.98 ft | · | 69°F | 1,670 ft | Lower Moreau |
|
Castle Cr Above Deerfield Res Near Hill City Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06409000 |
8 cfs | 2.73 ft | · | 60°F | 5,929 ft | Rapid |
|
White R Near Interior Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06446500 |
8 cfs | 3.42 ft | · | 70°F | 2,300 ft | Middle White |
|
Little White R Near Martin Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06447500 |
7 cfs | · | · | 64°F | 3,069 ft | Little White |
|
Big Sioux River Nr Florence Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06479215 |
7 cfs | 2.92 ft | · | 68°F | 1,787 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Whitewood Cr Above Whitewood, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06436180 |
6 cfs | · | · | 75°F | 3,681 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Belle Fourche R Near Fruitdale Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06436000 |
5 cfs | 1.38 ft | · | 66°F | 2,940 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Redwater Cr At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06430500 |
5 cfs | 2.38 ft | · | 69°F | 3,424 ft | Redwater |
|
Rhoads Fork Near Rochford Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06408700 |
5 cfs | 3.71 ft | · | 61°F | 5,981 ft | Rapid |
|
Bear In The Lodge Cr Near Wanblee Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06446700 |
3 cfs | 1.46 ft | · | 68°F | 2,526 ft | Middle White |
|
Flandreau Cr Above Flandreau Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06480650 |
3 cfs | 3.90 ft | · | 66°F | 1,571 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Little Missouri R At Camp Crook Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06334500 |
3 cfs | 1.69 ft | · | 68°F | 3,102 ft | Upper Little Missouri |
|
White R Near Oglala Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06446000 |
3 cfs | 6.18 ft | · | 69°F | 2,880 ft | Upper White |
|
West Fork Vermillion R Near Parker Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06478690 |
3 cfs | · | · | 68°F | 1,350 ft | Vermillion |
|
Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06441500 |
2 cfs | · | · | 72°F | 1,437 ft | Bad |
|
Whitewood Creek Near Whitewood Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06436190 |
2 cfs | 5.31 ft | · | 69°F | 3,173 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Boxelder Cr Near Nemo Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06422500 |
2 cfs | 1.46 ft | · | 65°F | 4,334 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
Battle Cr At Hermosa Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06406000 |
2 cfs | 2.48 ft | · | 67°F | 3,284 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Bear Butte Creek Near Deadwood, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06437020 |
1 cfs | 3.64 ft | · | 66°F | 4,753 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Belle Fourche R At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06428500 |
1 cfs | 2.90 ft | · | 67°F | 3,103 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Inlet Canal Above Belle Fourche Reservoir Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06434505 |
1 cfs | 3.89 ft | · | 66°F | 2,985 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06401500 |
1 cfs | 2.84 ft | · | 68°F | 3,065 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
French Cr Above Fairburn Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06403300 |
1 cfs | · | · | 69°F | 3,825 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
White R Nr Ne-Sd State Line, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06445685 |
1 cfs | 3.45 ft | · | 69°F | 3,041 ft | Upper White |
|
Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06425500 |
0 cfs | 3.49 ft | · | 71°F | 2,322 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
Platte Creek Near Platte, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06452320 |
0 cfs | 1.57 ft | · | 68°F | 1,373 ft | Fort Randall Reservoir |
|
Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd, Sd
14 hours ago · USGS 06477500 |
0 cfs | 2.10 ft | · | 67°F | 1,304 ft | Lower James |
|
Spring Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06407500 |
0 cfs | 3.49 ft | · | 70°F | 3,898 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Skunk Cr Nr Chester Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06481480 |
0 cfs | · | · | 67°F | 1,563 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Grace Coolidge Cr Nr Game Lodge Nr Custer Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06404998 |
0 cfs | 6.33 ft | · | 68°F | 4,125 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06400875 |
0 cfs | 1.89 ft | · | 68°F | 3,315 ft | Angostura Reservoir |
|
Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06395000 |
0 cfs | · | · | 69°F | 3,422 ft | Angostura Reservoir |
|
Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06400000 |
0 cfs | 6.55 ft | · | 68°F | 3,301 ft | Hat |
|
Battle Cr Below Hermosa Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06406500 |
0 cfs | 1.84 ft | · | 68°F | 2,810 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Battle Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06404000 |
0 cfs | 3.09 ft | · | 70°F | 3,815 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Whitewood Cr Above Vale Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06436198 |
0 cfs | 1.03 ft | · | 68°F | 2,857 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
North Fork Grand R Near White Butte Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06355500 |
0 cfs | · | · | 70°F | 2,318 ft | North Fork Grand |
|
Moreau R Near Faith Sd, Sd
16 hours ago · USGS 06359500 |
0 cfs | · | · | 70°F | 2,248 ft | Lower Moreau |
|
South Fork Bad R Near Cottonwood Sd, Sd
15 hours ago · USGS 06440200 |
0 cfs | 4.23 ft | · | 70°F | 2,253 ft | Bad |
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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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