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Flow report

South Dakota River Levels & Streamflow

As of Aug 8, 2026, South Dakota rivers are running at 46% of normal across 95 USGS gauges — the highest is 589 cfs on the James R Near Redfield Sd. Live discharge, gauge height, and percent-of-normal for every USGS streamgauge in South Dakota.

USGS gauges
95
State percent normal
46%
Paddle runs
0
Updated
Aug 8
Open the South Dakota flow layer on the map Every USGS streamgauge filtered to South Dakota.
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August
8
2026
Flow briefing

Streamflow levels across South Dakota are currently 46% of normal, with the James R Near Redfield Sd reporting the highest discharge in the state at 589 cfs and a gauge stage of 6.19 ft.

Meanwhile, the James R Near Redfield Sd is seeing a spike today — up 10% 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 residents in the northern Black Hills region, including areas around Butte County, Campbell County, Crook County, and Weston County Plains, are under a Red Flag Warning until 8:00 PM MDT on August 8th. Gusty northwest winds of 10-20 mph with gusts up to 30 mph combined with critically low relative humidity levels of 8-15 percent create dangerous fire conditions. Any fires that develop will spread rapidly across affected fire weather zones. Outdoor burning is strongly discouraged, and residents should exercise extreme caution with any potential ignition sources. Those in Rapid City and surrounding communities should remain vigilant and prepared for potential fire activity throughout the afternoon and evening hours.

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

46%

100% is the historical norm. Below 70% indicates drought; above 130% can flag elevated flood risk.

Highest discharge

James R Near Redfield Sd 589 cfs

Gauge stage 6.19 ft

Biggest 24h spike

James R Near Redfield Sd +10%

Now 589 cfs

Network coverage

Gauges + rivers tracked 95 + 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.

95 gauges
Streamgage Streamflow Gage height Water temp Air temp Elevation Watershed
James R Near Redfield Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06475000
618 cfs 6.27 ft · 52°F 1,264 ft Middle James
James R At Ashton Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06473000
590 cfs 6.63 ft · 52°F 1,271 ft Middle James
James R At Huron Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06476000
529 cfs 9.72 ft · 55°F 1,233 ft Middle James
James R Near Mitchell Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06478000
445 cfs 11.54 ft · 55°F 1,206 ft Lower James
James R Near Scotland Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06478500
427 cfs 4.97 ft · 57°F 1,187 ft Lower James
James R Near Forestburg Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06477000
427 cfs 6.05 ft · 55°F 1,214 ft Lower James
James River Nr Yankton Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06478513
413 cfs 3.95 ft · 57°F 1,164 ft Lower James
James R Near Stratford Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06472000
339 cfs 8.60 ft · 51°F 1,276 ft Upper James
Big Sioux R Near Dell Rapids Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06481000
242 cfs 3.80 ft · 54°F 1,464 ft Lower Big Sioux
Big Sioux R At North Cliff Ave At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06482020
229 cfs 5.54 ft · 55°F 1,303 ft Lower Big Sioux
Little Minnesota River Near Peever, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 05290000
209 cfs 11.86 ft · 55°F 1,015 ft Upper Minnesota
Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06480000
206 cfs 2.88 ft · 52°F 1,562 ft Lower Big Sioux
Big Sioux R At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06482000
195 cfs 1.90 ft · 56°F 1,395 ft Lower Big Sioux
Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06438500
167 cfs 8.45 ft 60°F 62°F 1,865 ft Lower Cheyenne
Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06437000
158 cfs 3.15 ft · 62°F 2,546 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Big Sioux River Near Bruce, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06479770
151 cfs 3.75 ft · 52°F 1,630 ft Upper Big Sioux
Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 05050000
128 cfs 4.80 ft · 53°F 968 ft Bois De Sioux
Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06438000
123 cfs 4.46 ft · 63°F 2,180 ft Lower Belle Fourche
White R Near Oacoma Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06452000
99 cfs 7.81 ft · 57°F 1,394 ft Lower White
Belle Fourche R At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06428500
90 cfs 4.34 ft · 58°F 3,103 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Rapid Cr Below Pactola Dam Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06411500
83 cfs 7.80 ft · 56°F 4,420 ft Rapid
James R At Columbia Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06471000
82 cfs 5.50 ft · 53°F 1,287 ft Upper James
Inlet Canal Above Belle Fourche Reservoir Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06434505
76 cfs 4.60 ft · 59°F 2,985 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Little White R Near Rosebud Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06449500
72 cfs 3.93 ft · 60°F 2,305 ft Little White
Rapid Cr Above Canyon Lake Near Rapid City Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06412500
69 cfs 2.37 ft 35°F 64°F 3,416 ft Rapid
Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06464500
67 cfs 2.37 ft · 59°F 2,053 ft Keya Paha
Rapid Cr At Rapid City Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06414000
66 cfs 3.71 ft · 62°F 3,246 ft Rapid
Big Sioux R Near Castlewood Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06479525
66 cfs 5.14 ft · 53°F 1,682 ft Upper Big Sioux
Cheyenne River Near Wasta, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06423500
57 cfs · · 63°F 2,269 ft Middle Cheyenne-Elk
Fall R At Hot Springs Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06402000
50 cfs · · 63°F 3,430 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Cheyenne R Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06402600
41 cfs 2.11 ft · 59°F 2,820 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Cheyenne River At Redshirt, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06403700
39 cfs 9.27 ft 73°F 59°F 2,670 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
James River At Nd-Sd State Line, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06470878
39 cfs 87.94 ft 32°F 50°F 1,290 ft Upper James
Spearfish Cr At Spearfish Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06431500
39 cfs 4.81 ft · 67°F 3,669 ft Redwater
Little White R Below White River Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06450500
37 cfs 1.65 ft · 61°F 1,927 ft Little White
Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06464100
34 cfs 4.63 ft · 59°F 2,220 ft Keya Paha
Whetstone River Near Big Stone City, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 05291000
32 cfs 1.79 ft · 57°F 1,017 ft Upper Minnesota
White River Near White River, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06447450
28 cfs 3.41 ft · 56°F 1,775 ft Middle White
Rapid Cr Near Farmingdale Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06421500
27 cfs 5.42 ft · 57°F 2,711 ft Rapid
Grand R At Little Eagle Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06357800
26 cfs 2.42 ft · 57°F 1,640 ft Grand
Big Sioux R At Watertown Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06479500
25 cfs 4.04 ft · 56°F 1,717 ft Upper Big Sioux
White R Near Kadoka Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06447000
22 cfs 3.91 ft · 59°F 2,131 ft Middle White
Redwater River Above Belle Fourche Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06433000
20 cfs 2.28 ft · 59°F 3,018 ft Redwater
Little White R Near Vetal Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06449100
18 cfs 2.98 ft 42°F 60°F 2,789 ft Little White
Big Sioux R Near Watertown Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06479438
18 cfs 4.24 ft · 56°F 1,742 ft Upper Big Sioux
Vermillion River Nr Vermillion Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06479010
17 cfs 1.41 ft · 57°F 1,137 ft Vermillion
Spearfish Creek Near Lead, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06430770
16 cfs 7.45 ft · 53°F 5,312 ft Redwater
Little Spearfish Creek Near Lead, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06430850
14 cfs 4.67 ft · 58°F 5,053 ft Redwater
Murray Ditch Ab Headgate At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06429997
14 cfs 1.79 ft · 62°F 3,457 ft Redwater
Rapid Cr Above Pactola Res At Silver City, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06410500
13 cfs 4.50 ft · 55°F 4,628 ft Rapid
Elm R At Westport Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06471500
13 cfs 4.26 ft · 51°F 1,323 ft Elm
Redwater Cr At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06430500
12 cfs 2.57 ft · 62°F 3,424 ft Redwater
South Fork Grand R Near Cash Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06356500
11 cfs · · 57°F 2,425 ft South Fork Grand
Castle Cr Below Deerfield Dam Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06410000
10 cfs 3.50 ft · 54°F 5,795 ft Rapid
Cleghorn Springs At Rapid City, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06412810
10 cfs 2.65 ft · 64°F 3,371 ft Rapid
Belle Fourche R Near Fruitdale Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06436000
9 cfs 1.65 ft · 59°F 2,940 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Castle Cr Above Deerfield Res Near Hill City Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06409000
9 cfs 2.74 ft · 55°F 5,929 ft Rapid
Split Rock Cr At Corson Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06482610
7 cfs 1.70 ft · 54°F 1,307 ft Lower Big Sioux
Little White R Near Martin Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06447500
6 cfs · · 60°F 3,069 ft Little White
Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06402500
6 cfs 4.55 ft · 61°F 3,161 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Rhoads Fork Near Rochford Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06408700
4 cfs 3.74 ft · 58°F 5,981 ft Rapid
Flandreau Cr Above Flandreau Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06480650
3 cfs 4.35 ft · 52°F 1,571 ft Lower Big Sioux
Whitewood Cr Above Whitewood, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06436180
3 cfs · · 67°F 3,681 ft Lower Belle Fourche
East Fork Vermillion River Near Parker, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06478600
3 cfs 5.01 ft · 54°F 1,328 ft Vermillion
Little Missouri R At Camp Crook Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06334500
2 cfs 1.65 ft · 59°F 3,102 ft Upper Little Missouri
Skunk Cr At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06481500
2 cfs 2.14 ft · 56°F 1,411 ft Lower Big Sioux
Bear In The Lodge Cr Near Wanblee Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06446700
2 cfs 1.37 ft · 61°F 2,526 ft Middle White
Moreau R Near Faith Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06359500
2 cfs · · 62°F 2,248 ft Lower Moreau
Battle Cr At Hermosa Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06406000
2 cfs 2.49 ft · 57°F 3,284 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
White R Near Interior Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06446500
2 cfs 3.31 ft · 61°F 2,300 ft Middle White
Big Sioux River Nr Florence Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06479215
2 cfs 2.50 ft · 54°F 1,787 ft Upper Big Sioux
Whitewood Creek Near Whitewood Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06436190
1 cfs 5.34 ft · 62°F 3,173 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Bear Butte Creek Near Deadwood, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06437020
1 cfs 3.61 ft · 61°F 4,753 ft Lower Belle Fourche
Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06441500
0 cfs · · 59°F 1,437 ft Bad
French Cr Above Fairburn Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06403300
0 cfs · · 63°F 3,825 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Lake Cr Below Refuge Near Tuthill Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06449000
0 cfs 2.39 ft · 60°F 2,991 ft Little White
Foot Creek Near Aberdeen, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06471800
0 cfs 4.09 ft · 52°F 1,329 ft Upper James
Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06425500
0 cfs 3.47 ft · 62°F 2,322 ft Middle Cheyenne-Elk
Boxelder Cr Near Nemo Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06422500
0 cfs 1.13 ft · 57°F 4,334 ft Middle Cheyenne-Elk
West Fork Vermillion R Near Parker Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06478690
0 cfs · · 56°F 1,350 ft Vermillion
Platte Creek Near Platte, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06452320
0 cfs 1.38 ft · 59°F 1,373 ft Fort Randall Reservoir
Grace Coolidge Cr Nr Game Lodge Nr Custer Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06404998
0 cfs 6.51 ft · 62°F 4,125 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Skunk Cr Nr Chester Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06481480
0 cfs · · 54°F 1,563 ft Lower Big Sioux
Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06400875
0 cfs 1.89 ft · 63°F 3,315 ft Angostura Reservoir
Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06395000
0 cfs · · 62°F 3,422 ft Angostura Reservoir
Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06400000
0 cfs 6.59 ft · 62°F 3,301 ft Hat
Battle Cr Below Hermosa Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06406500
0 cfs 1.84 ft · 58°F 2,810 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Battle Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06404000
0 cfs 3.09 ft · 63°F 3,815 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Spring Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06407500
0 cfs 3.28 ft · 62°F 3,898 ft Middle Cheyenne-Spring
Whitewood Cr Above Vale Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06436198
0 cfs · · 61°F 2,857 ft Lower Belle Fourche
North Fork Grand R Near White Butte Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06355500
0 cfs · · 55°F 2,318 ft North Fork Grand
Moreau R Near Whitehorse Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06360500
0 cfs 1.33 ft · 60°F 1,670 ft Lower Moreau
South Fork Bad R Near Cottonwood Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06440200
0 cfs 4.26 ft · 59°F 2,253 ft Bad
White R Nr Ne-Sd State Line, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06445685
0 cfs 3.03 ft · 65°F 3,041 ft Upper White
Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd, Sd
6 hours ago · USGS 06477500
0 cfs 1.98 ft · 56°F 1,304 ft Lower James
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Flow report FAQ

About South Dakota streamflow

What are river levels like in South Dakota right now?

As of August 8, 2026, South Dakota rivers are running at 46% of normal across 95 USGS streamgauges, and the James R Near Redfield Sd is reporting the highest discharge at 589 cfs. The full sortable gauge table is below.

Which South Dakota river is running highest right now?

As of August 8, 2026, the highest discharge in South Dakota is 589 cfs on the James R Near Redfield Sd. See the sortable gauge table for the full statewide ranking.

Are South Dakota rivers high or low right now?

Compare the statewide percent-of-normal on this page: above 100% means South Dakota rivers are running higher than the seasonal average for the date, below 100% means lower (a dry spell or drought). Each gauge also shows its own percent of median.

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.