South Loup River at St. Michael, NE
River level and flood forecast · Buffalo County
Normal2.4 ftas of Mon 2:45 PM
The river is 7.1 ft below flood stage (9.5 ft).
Flow: 142 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 6 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 17 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 14 ft |
| Flood stage | 9.5 ft |
| Action stage | 8.5 ft |
| Record crest (March 16, 1978) | 15.15 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 17 ftRecord flooding is occurring. Several gravel roads will be flooded.
- 14 ftSignificant lowland flooding occurs.
- 9.5 ftWater floods agricultural lowlands and woodlands adjacent to the river.
Highest crests on record
- 15.15 ft — March 16, 1978
- 13.78 ft — February 11, 1966
- 13.77 ft — March 19, 1969
- 13.7 ft — March 20, 1969
- 13 ft — June 24, 1968
Recent crests: 7.15 ft (June 26, 2025) · 6.59 ft (June 22, 2024) · 5.76 ft (February 27, 2023) · 4.34 ft (December 9, 2022) · 4.46 ft (March 14, 2021)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (SMIN1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.