Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls I-90
Future / Actual / Minor
OWP 2.0 WWA Modal Title
01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC through 01/11/2021, 10:04 PM UTC
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- Warning: no valid ratings curve available. Transformations to and from FEET/CFS/KCFS will not happen.
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Observed (OBS) 07/02/2025 8:00 PM CDTOfficial Forecast (FCST) 07/02/2025 7:26 PM CDTRecord: 18.9 ftCATEGORY STAGE 
Major Flooding 17 ft Moderate Flooding 15 ft Minor Flooding 12 ft Action 11 ft Reliability of the Forecast:
NOTE: Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. The stages/flows that will occur may be different if future rainfall is different than forecast.
National Water Model Hydrograph
Official NWS streamflow forecasts are produced by NWS hydrologic forecasters for river gauge locations using hydrologic models which are calibrated to that location. This process considers additional guidance and information, including local expertise and experience, to produce the best forecast possible. The NWM output provides supplemental guidance to NWS forecasters and should not be considered an official NWS river forecast.
Flood Impacts
- 21 - The levees protecting Sioux Falls are overtopped resulting in significant to catastrophic flooding.
- 19.5 - Levees downstream on diversion channel will be overtopped if all flow of around 37000 cfs is being diverted, potentially resulting in flooding in and around the airport in Sioux Falls.
- 18.5 - 60th Street north of the Sioux Falls airport begins to flood.
- 17 - Flooding begins to affect roads, homes, and businesses in Renner.
- 15 - Some farm buildings between Renner and Sioux Falls are threatened by high water.
Gauge Info
| Coordinates | 43.6101, -96.7444 |
| RFC | MBRFC |
| State | SD |
| WFO | FSD |
| County | Minnehaha |
| Data Provider(s) | |
| South Dakota DANR | Observations courtesy of South Dakota DANR |
Gauge Location
Recent Crests
| 1. | 14.90 ft | on 06-25-2024 |
| 2. | 13.41 ft | on 04-11-2023 |
| 3. | 13.80 ft | on 03-15-2020 |
| 4. | 18.91 ft | on 09-14-2019 |
| 5. | 16.92 ft | on 03-26-2019 |
Recent Crests
| 1. | 14.90 ft | on 06-25-2024 |
| 2. | 13.41 ft | on 04-11-2023 |
| 3. | 13.80 ft | on 03-15-2020 |
| 4. | 18.91 ft | on 09-14-2019 |
| 5. | 16.92 ft | on 03-26-2019 |
| 6. | 16.30 ft | on 04-28-2018 |
| 7. | 15.32 ft | on 03-25-2011 |
| 8. | 15.41 ft | on 09-27-2010 |
| 9. | 12.40 ft | on 03-17-2007 |
| 10. | 14.60 ft | on 04-24-2001 |
| 11. | 16.32 ft | on 04-07-1997 |
| 12. | 15.04 ft | on 04-23-1995 |
| 13. | 14.39 ft | on 03-15-1994 |
| 14. | 15.80 ft | on 06-01-1993 |
| 15. | 12.78 ft | on 09-06-1992 |
| 16. | 9.03 ft | on 05-21-1991 |
| 17. | 10.43 ft | on 03-29-1989 |
| 18. | 10.63 ft | on 03-26-1987 |
| 19. | 14.36 ft | on 09-24-1986 |
| 20. | 13.35 ft | on 03-16-1985 |
| 21. | 16.80 ft | on 06-23-1984 |
| 22. | 12.50 ft | on 04-06-1979 |
| 23. | 13.05 ft | on 03-24-1978 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 18.91 ft | on 09-14-2019 |
| 2. | 16.92 ft | on 03-26-2019 |
| 3. | 16.80 ft | on 06-23-1984 |
| 4. | 16.32 ft | on 04-07-1997 |
| 5. | 16.30 ft | on 04-28-2018 |
Historic Crests
| 1. | 18.91 ft | on 09-14-2019 |
| 2. | 16.92 ft | on 03-26-2019 |
| 3. | 16.80 ft | on 06-23-1984 |
| 4. | 16.32 ft | on 04-07-1997 |
| 5. | 16.30 ft | on 04-28-2018 |
| 6. | 15.80 ft | on 06-01-1993 |
| 7. | 15.41 ft | on 09-27-2010 |
| 8. | 15.32 ft | on 03-25-2011 |
| 9. | 15.04 ft | on 04-23-1995 |
| 10. | 14.90 ft | on 06-25-2024 |
| 11. | 14.60 ft | on 04-24-2001 |
| 12. | 14.39 ft | on 03-15-1994 |
| 13. | 14.36 ft | on 09-24-1986 |
| 14. | 13.80 ft | on 03-15-2020 |
| 15. | 13.41 ft | on 04-11-2023 |
| 16. | 13.35 ft | on 03-16-1985 |
| 17. | 13.05 ft | on 03-24-1978 |
| 18. | 12.78 ft | on 09-06-1992 |
| 19. | 12.50 ft | on 04-06-1979 |
| 20. | 12.40 ft | on 03-17-2007 |
| 21. | 10.63 ft | on 03-26-1987 |
| 22. | 10.43 ft | on 03-29-1989 |
| 23. | 9.03 ft | on 05-21-1991 |
Vertical Datum Table
| type | NAVD88 |
|---|---|
| major Flooding | 1431.66 ft |
| moderate Flooding | 1429.66 ft |
| minor Flooding | 1426.66 ft |
| action | 1425.66 ft |
| Latest Value | 1425.47 ft |
| Gauge Zero | 1414.66 ft |
Unique Local Info
Crest of 19.8 ft in April of 1969 not comparable to current gauge readings
Collaborative Agencies
The National Weather Service prepares its forecasts and other services in collaboration with agencies like the US Geological Survey, US Bureau of Reclamation, US Army Corps of Engineers, Natural Resource Conservation Service, National Park Service, ALERT Users Group, Bureau of Indian Affairs, and many state and local emergency managers across the country. For details, please click here.
Resources
Hydrologic Resource Links
- River Forecast Centers
- NWS Sioux Falls Flooding Resource Page
- NOHRSC Snow Information
- USACE Missouri River Water Management
- USGS National Water Dashboard
- FEMA Flood Insurance Information
- South Dakota Flood Information System
- Iowa Flood Information System
- Missouri River Flood Information System
- Minnesota DNR
- Nebraska Real-Time Flood Forecasting
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