SNOFLO
 



BELLE FOURCHE RIVER

RIVER LEVELS
May 3, 2025


Total streamflow across the Belle Fourche River was last observed at 131 cfs, and is expected to yield approximately 260 acre-ft of water today; about 20% of normal. River levels are low and may signify a drought. Average streamflow for this time of year is 646 cfs, with recent peaks last observed on 2011-05-26 when daily discharge volume was observed at 34,019 cfs.

Maximum discharge along the river is currently at the Belle Fourche River Near Elm Springs reporting a streamflow rate of 106 cfs. This is also the highest stage along the Belle Fourche River, with a gauge stage of 4.47 ft at this location. This river is monitored from 3 different streamgauging stations along the Belle Fourche River, the highest being situated at an altitude of 4,101 ft, the Belle Fourche River Below Moorcroft.

Last Updated 2025-05-03
Discharge Volume 260 ACRE-FT
Streamflow 130.9 cfs
-43.5 cfs (-24.94%)
Percent of Normal 20.26%
Maximum 34,019.0 cfs
2011-05-26
Seasonal Avg 646 cfs
       
River Streamflow Levels
Created with Highcharts 8.0.0Total River Discharge (cfs)24. Apr25. Apr26. Apr27. Apr28. Apr29. Apr30. Apr1. May2. May3. May0100200300
Seasonal Discharge Comparison
Created with Highcharts 8.0.0Total River Discharge (cfs)1. Apr1. May1. Jun1. Jul1. Aug1. Sep1. Oct1. Nov05k10k15k
Maximum Streamflow Discharge
Created with Highcharts 8.0.0YearAnnual Peak Discharge(cfs)201020112012201320142015201620172018201920202021202220232024202520261001k10k100k

Weather Forecast

Streamflow Elevation Profile
Created with Highcharts 8.0.0

The Belle Fourche River (pronounced bel FOOSH; Lakota: Šahíyela Wakpá) is a tributary of the Cheyenne River, approximately 290 miles (470 km) long, in the U.S. states of Wyoming and South Dakota. It is part of the Mississippi River watershed via the Cheyenne and Missouri rivers. In the latter part of the 19th century, the Belle Fourche River was known as the North Fork of the Cheyenne River. Belle Fourche is a name derived from French meaning "beautiful fork".It rises in northeastern Wyoming, in southern Campbell County, approximately 15 miles (24 km) north of Wright. It flows northeast around the north side of the Bear Lodge Mountains, past Moorcroft and Devils Tower. Near the state line with Montana, it turns abruptly southeast and flows in western South Dakota, past Belle Fourche and around the north side of the Black Hills. In southern Meade County near Hereford, it turns ENE and joins the Cheyenne approximately 50 miles (80 km) ENE of Rapid City.
The point at which the river flows out of Wyoming and into South Dakota is the lowest elevation point in the state of Wyoming at 3,099 feet (945 m). This is the second-highest low point of any U.S. state.The river provides significant recreation and irrigation for agriculture in western South Dakota. The total irrigation area of the river in South Dakota is approximately 57,000 acres (230 km2).