South Dakota River Levels & Streamflow
As of Aug 4, 2026, South Dakota rivers are running at 56% of normal across 97 USGS gauges — the highest is 797 cfs on the Little Minnesota River Near Peever. Live discharge, gauge height, and percent-of-normal for every USGS streamgauge in South Dakota.
Streamflow levels across South Dakota are currently 56% of normal, with the Little Minnesota River Near Peever reporting the highest discharge in the state at 797 cfs and a gauge stage of 14.28 ft.
Meanwhile, the Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd is seeing a spike today — up 44% 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.
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
100% is the historical norm. Below 70% indicates drought; above 130% can flag elevated flood risk.
Highest discharge
Gauge stage 14.28 ft
Biggest 24h spike
Now 275 cfs
Network coverage
USGS gauges feeding 0 named rivers in South Dakota.
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Foot Creek Near Aberdeen, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06471800 |
722 cfs | 9.44 ft | · | 51°F | 1,329 ft | Upper James |
|
Little Minnesota River Near Peever, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 05290000 |
636 cfs | 13.66 ft | · | 55°F | 1,015 ft | Upper Minnesota |
|
James R At Huron Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06476000 |
510 cfs | 9.70 ft | · | 56°F | 1,233 ft | Middle James |
|
James R Near Redfield Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06475000 |
500 cfs | 5.75 ft | · | 51°F | 1,264 ft | Middle James |
|
James R Near Mitchell Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06478000 |
488 cfs | 11.69 ft | · | 58°F | 1,206 ft | Lower James |
|
James R At Ashton Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06473000 |
471 cfs | 5.98 ft | · | 51°F | 1,271 ft | Middle James |
|
James R Near Scotland Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06478500 |
455 cfs | 5.02 ft | · | 60°F | 1,187 ft | Lower James |
|
Bois De Sioux River Near White Rock, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 05050000 |
447 cfs | 6.39 ft | · | 53°F | 968 ft | Bois De Sioux |
|
James River Nr Yankton Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06478513 |
398 cfs | 3.93 ft | · | 61°F | 1,164 ft | Lower James |
|
James R Near Forestburg Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06477000 |
397 cfs | 5.94 ft | · | 57°F | 1,214 ft | Lower James |
|
James R Near Stratford Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06472000 |
371 cfs | 8.86 ft | · | 51°F | 1,276 ft | Upper James |
|
Big Sioux River Near Brookings Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06480000 |
323 cfs | 3.31 ft | · | 57°F | 1,562 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R Near Dell Rapids Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06481000 |
276 cfs | 3.92 ft | · | 59°F | 1,464 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Cheyenne R Near Plainview Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06438500 |
268 cfs | 8.60 ft | 60°F | 49°F | 1,865 ft | Lower Cheyenne |
|
Big Sioux River Near Bruce, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06479770 |
236 cfs | 4.19 ft | · | 56°F | 1,630 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R At North Cliff Ave At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06482020 |
211 cfs | 5.49 ft | · | 61°F | 1,303 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Big Sioux R At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06482000 |
200 cfs | 1.92 ft | · | 61°F | 1,395 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
James R At Columbia Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06471000 |
185 cfs | 6.71 ft | · | 50°F | 1,287 ft | Upper James |
|
White R Near Oacoma Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06452000 |
183 cfs | 8.15 ft | · | 54°F | 1,394 ft | Lower White |
|
Belle Fourche R Near Sturgis Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06437000 |
168 cfs | 3.19 ft | · | 50°F | 2,546 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06438000 |
154 cfs | 4.59 ft | · | 49°F | 2,180 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Keya Paha R At Wewela Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06464500 |
139 cfs | 2.83 ft | · | 55°F | 2,053 ft | Keya Paha |
|
Big Sioux R Near Castlewood Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06479525 |
110 cfs | 5.50 ft | · | 55°F | 1,682 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Inlet Canal Above Belle Fourche Reservoir Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06434505 |
101 cfs | 4.71 ft | · | 47°F | 2,985 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Rapid Cr Below Pactola Dam Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06411500 |
91 cfs | 7.84 ft | · | 42°F | 4,420 ft | Rapid |
|
Belle Fourche R At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06428500 |
86 cfs | 4.30 ft | · | 47°F | 3,103 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
James River At Nd-Sd State Line, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06470878 |
82 cfs | 88.33 ft | 32°F | 50°F | 1,290 ft | Upper James |
|
Whetstone River Near Big Stone City, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 05291000 |
80 cfs | 2.28 ft | · | 56°F | 1,017 ft | Upper Minnesota |
|
Little White R Near Rosebud Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06449500 |
80 cfs | 3.99 ft | · | 50°F | 2,305 ft | Little White |
|
Rapid Cr At Rapid City Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06414000 |
71 cfs | 3.75 ft | · | 51°F | 3,246 ft | Rapid |
|
Rapid Cr Above Canyon Lake Near Rapid City Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06412500 |
69 cfs | 2.42 ft | 35°F | 51°F | 3,416 ft | Rapid |
|
Keya Paha R Near Keyapaha Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06464100 |
68 cfs | 5.05 ft | · | 53°F | 2,220 ft | Keya Paha |
|
White River Near White River, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06447450 |
63 cfs | 3.63 ft | · | 53°F | 1,775 ft | Middle White |
|
Redwater River Above Belle Fourche Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06433000 |
61 cfs | 2.69 ft | · | 47°F | 3,018 ft | Redwater |
|
Big Sioux R At Watertown Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06479500 |
55 cfs | 4.59 ft | · | 54°F | 1,717 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Cheyenne River Near Wasta, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06423500 |
52 cfs | · | · | 50°F | 2,269 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
Little White R Below White River Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06450500 |
52 cfs | 1.72 ft | · | 52°F | 1,927 ft | Little White |
|
Fall R At Hot Springs Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06402000 |
48 cfs | · | · | 52°F | 3,430 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Cheyenne River At Redshirt, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06403700 |
46 cfs | 9.37 ft | 68°F | 50°F | 2,670 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Cheyenne R Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06402600 |
46 cfs | 2.17 ft | · | 51°F | 2,820 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Spearfish Cr At Spearfish Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06431500 |
40 cfs | 4.82 ft | · | 48°F | 3,669 ft | Redwater |
|
Grand R At Little Eagle Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06357800 |
26 cfs | 2.45 ft | · | 48°F | 1,640 ft | Grand |
|
Rapid Cr Near Farmingdale Sd, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06421500 |
26 cfs | 5.41 ft | · | 48°F | 2,711 ft | Rapid |
|
Big Sioux R Near Watertown Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06479438 |
26 cfs | 4.35 ft | · | 54°F | 1,742 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
Little White R Near Vetal Sd, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06449100 |
23 cfs | 3.03 ft | 42°F | 49°F | 2,789 ft | Little White |
|
White R Near Kadoka Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06447000 |
22 cfs | 3.91 ft | · | 48°F | 2,131 ft | Middle White |
|
Belle Fourche R Near Fruitdale Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06436000 |
21 cfs | 1.73 ft | · | 47°F | 2,940 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Vermillion River Nr Vermillion Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06479010 |
19 cfs | 1.46 ft | · | 62°F | 1,137 ft | Vermillion |
|
Spearfish Creek Near Lead, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06430770 |
16 cfs | 7.49 ft | · | 39°F | 5,312 ft | Redwater |
|
Redwater Cr At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06430500 |
16 cfs | 2.66 ft | · | 45°F | 3,424 ft | Redwater |
|
South Fork Grand R Near Cash Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06356500 |
16 cfs | · | · | 44°F | 2,425 ft | South Fork Grand |
|
Rapid Cr Above Pactola Res At Silver City, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06410500 |
15 cfs | 4.52 ft | · | 41°F | 4,628 ft | Rapid |
|
Murray Ditch Ab Headgate At Wy-Sd State Line, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06429997 |
14 cfs | 1.78 ft | · | 45°F | 3,457 ft | Redwater |
|
Little Spearfish Creek Near Lead, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06430850 |
13 cfs | 4.66 ft | · | 40°F | 5,053 ft | Redwater |
|
White R Near Interior Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06446500 |
13 cfs | 3.48 ft | · | 50°F | 2,300 ft | Middle White |
|
Elm R At Westport Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06471500 |
12 cfs | 4.25 ft | · | 51°F | 1,323 ft | Elm |
|
Castle Cr Below Deerfield Dam Sd, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06410000 |
10 cfs | 3.49 ft | · | 40°F | 5,795 ft | Rapid |
|
Cleghorn Springs At Rapid City, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06412810 |
10 cfs | 2.66 ft | · | 51°F | 3,371 ft | Rapid |
|
Castle Cr Above Deerfield Res Near Hill City Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06409000 |
9 cfs | 2.74 ft | · | 42°F | 5,929 ft | Rapid |
|
Split Rock Cr At Corson Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06482610 |
8 cfs | 1.71 ft | · | 60°F | 1,307 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Little White R Near Martin Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06447500 |
6 cfs | · | · | 49°F | 3,069 ft | Little White |
|
Moreau R Near Faith Sd, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06359500 |
5 cfs | · | · | 47°F | 2,248 ft | Lower Moreau |
|
Beaver Cr Near Buffalo Gap Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06402500 |
5 cfs | 4.47 ft | · | 52°F | 3,161 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Rhoads Fork Near Rochford Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06408700 |
4 cfs | 3.75 ft | · | 40°F | 5,981 ft | Rapid |
|
Whitewood Cr Above Whitewood, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06436180 |
4 cfs | · | · | 48°F | 3,681 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Big Sioux River Nr Florence Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06479215 |
3 cfs | 2.71 ft | · | 54°F | 1,787 ft | Upper Big Sioux |
|
East Fork Vermillion River Near Parker, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06478600 |
3 cfs | 5.10 ft | · | 60°F | 1,328 ft | Vermillion |
|
Skunk Cr At Sioux Falls Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06481500 |
3 cfs | 2.19 ft | · | 61°F | 1,411 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Flandreau Cr Above Flandreau Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06480650 |
3 cfs | 4.33 ft | · | 57°F | 1,571 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Bear In The Lodge Cr Near Wanblee Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06446700 |
3 cfs | 1.41 ft | · | 50°F | 2,526 ft | Middle White |
|
Little Missouri R At Camp Crook Sd, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06334500 |
3 cfs | 1.66 ft | · | 44°F | 3,102 ft | Upper Little Missouri |
|
Battle Cr At Hermosa Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06406000 |
2 cfs | 2.49 ft | · | 50°F | 3,284 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
South Fork Bad R Near Cottonwood Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06440200 |
2 cfs | 4.62 ft | · | 46°F | 2,253 ft | Bad |
|
Whitewood Creek Near Whitewood Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06436190 |
1 cfs | 5.34 ft | · | 49°F | 3,173 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Bear Butte Creek Near Deadwood, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06437020 |
1 cfs | 3.62 ft | · | 44°F | 4,753 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
Lake Cr Below Refuge Near Tuthill Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06449000 |
1 cfs | 2.47 ft | · | 49°F | 2,991 ft | Little White |
|
Bad R Near Fort Pierre Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06441500 |
1 cfs | 1.04 ft | · | 54°F | 1,437 ft | Bad |
|
Cheyenne R Below Angostura Dam Sd, Sd
4 days ago · USGS 06401500 |
1 cfs | 2.88 ft | · | 63°F | 3,065 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Platte Creek Near Platte, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06452320 |
1 cfs | 1.52 ft | · | 58°F | 1,373 ft | Fort Randall Reservoir |
|
French Cr Above Fairburn Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06403300 |
0 cfs | · | · | 51°F | 3,825 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Boxelder Cr Near Nemo Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06422500 |
0 cfs | 1.18 ft | · | 42°F | 4,334 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
Elk Cr Near Elm Springs Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06425500 |
0 cfs | 3.48 ft | · | 49°F | 2,322 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Elk |
|
West Fork Vermillion R Near Parker Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06478690 |
0 cfs | · | · | 59°F | 1,350 ft | Vermillion |
|
Grace Coolidge Cr Nr Game Lodge Nr Custer Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06404998 |
0 cfs | 6.54 ft | · | 50°F | 4,125 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Skunk Cr Nr Chester Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06481480 |
0 cfs | · | · | 59°F | 1,563 ft | Lower Big Sioux |
|
Firesteel Cr Near Mount Vernon Sd, Sd
7 hours ago · USGS 06477500 |
0 cfs | 2.02 ft | · | 57°F | 1,304 ft | Lower James |
|
Horsehead Cr At Oelrichs Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06400875 |
0 cfs | 1.89 ft | · | 50°F | 3,315 ft | Angostura Reservoir |
|
Cheyenne R At Edgemont Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06395000 |
0 cfs | · | · | 52°F | 3,422 ft | Angostura Reservoir |
|
Hat Cr Near Edgemont Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06400000 |
0 cfs | 6.57 ft | · | 52°F | 3,301 ft | Hat |
|
Battle Cr Below Hermosa Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06406500 |
0 cfs | 1.84 ft | · | 49°F | 2,810 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Battle Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06404000 |
0 cfs | 3.09 ft | · | 50°F | 3,815 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Spring Cr Near Keystone Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06407500 |
0 cfs | 3.28 ft | · | 50°F | 3,898 ft | Middle Cheyenne-Spring |
|
Whitewood Cr Above Vale Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06436198 |
0 cfs | · | · | 49°F | 2,857 ft | Lower Belle Fourche |
|
North Fork Grand R Near White Butte Sd, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06355500 |
0 cfs | · | · | 45°F | 2,318 ft | North Fork Grand |
|
Moreau R Near Whitehorse Sd, Sd
8 hours ago · USGS 06360500 |
0 cfs | 1.34 ft | · | 47°F | 1,670 ft | Lower Moreau |
|
White R Nr Ne-Sd State Line, Sd
9 hours ago · USGS 06445685 |
0 cfs | 3.25 ft | · | 49°F | 3,041 ft | Upper White |
|
White R Near Oglala Sd, Sd
3 days ago · USGS 06446000 |
0 cfs | 5.37 ft | · | 50°F | 2,880 ft | Upper White |
See every South Dakota gauge ranked against normal.
- Percentile rank & % of median for all 97 gauges
- 15-day PULSE forecast on every gauge
- Custom flow alerts & full daily history
About South Dakota streamflow
What are river levels like in South Dakota right now?
As of August 4, 2026, South Dakota rivers are running at 56% of normal across 97 USGS streamgauges, and the Little Minnesota River Near Peever is reporting the highest discharge at 797 cfs. The full sortable gauge table is below.
Which South Dakota river is running highest right now?
As of August 4, 2026, the highest discharge in South Dakota is 797 cfs on the Little Minnesota River Near Peever. 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.