Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls Western Avenue, SD
River level and flood forecast · Minnehaha County
Normal1.5 ftas of Mon 2 PM
The river is 6.5 ft below flood stage (8 ft).
Flow: 73 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 | 15.5 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 12 ft |
| Flood stage | 8 ft |
| Action stage | 6.5 ft |
| Record crest (March 14, 2019) | 16.9 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 20 ftMany of the remaining levees between Skunk Creek and Western Ave are overtopped resulting in catastrophic flooding.
- 19 ftThe lowest portions of 57th St begin to flood with significant flooding ongoing in southern Sioux Falls in areas nearest the river.
- 18.5 ftThe lower levees below Skunk Creek and above the Western Avenue gage will be overtopped.
- 16.5 ftNumerous homes in southern Sioux Falls, especially between Minnesota Ave and S Phillips Ave, are in danger of flooding. The on and off ramps of I-229 at Cliff Ave begin to flood.
- 14.5 ftSome houses in the W Twin Oaks Rd and Rose Street areas near South Minnesota Avenue may be at risk to begin flooding.
- 14 ftThe bridge into Yankton Trail Park off of 57th St may be overtopped.
- 13.5 ftWater approaches Cliff Ave north of the bridge and may begin to flood the lowest portions.
- 11 ftThe entrances to Yankton Trail and Spencer Parks begin to flood.
- 10 ftCity parks in southern Sioux Falls begin to have significant flooding.
- 9 ftThe camp south of 26th St begins to flood as does portions of Tomar Park.
- 8 ftFlooding begins to affect Spencer Dog Park and the lower portions of Tuthill Park in southern Sioux Falls. The access road under 26th St begins to flood.
- 6.5 ftThe lowest portion of the bike trail near Spencer Dog Park may begin to flood as well as the lowest portions of the recreation fields off of 57th and Western Ave.
Highest crests on record
- 16.9 ft — March 14, 2019
- 16.01 ft — June 17, 1957
- 15.8 ft — June 21, 1984
- 15.56 ft — March 30, 1960
- 15.44 ft — June 22, 2024
Recent crests: 3.65 ft (July 10, 2025) · 15.44 ft (June 22, 2024) · 5.56 ft (April 9, 2023) · 5.73 ft (August 7, 2022) · 8.94 ft (August 28, 2021)
Up and down the river, and nearby
- UpstreamBig Sioux River at Sioux Falls Maple Street, SD
- DownstreamBig Sioux River at Sioux Falls N. Cliff Avenue, SD
- Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls, SD
- Silver Creek at Sioux Falls, SD
- Willow Creek near Crooks, SD
- Skunk Creek near Hartford, SD
- Split Rock Creek at Corson, SD
- East Fork Vermillion River near Parker, SD
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (WAVS2); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.