Elm Creek (SD) near Gann Valley, SD
River level and flood forecast · Buffalo County
Normal3.5 ftas of Mon 2:45 PM
The river is 10.5 ft below flood stage (14 ft).
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 | 24 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 21 ft |
| Flood stage | 14 ft |
| Action stage | 12 ft |
| Record crest (July 25, 1993) | 17.24 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 24 ftThe bridge on Hwy 34 at the gauge location is overtopped.
- 21 ftNearby outbuildings may begin to flood and water reaches the bottom of the bridge on Hwy 34.
- 15 ftThe left banks are overtopped and water enters the broader floodplain.
- 14 ftThe right banks are overtopped, flooding nearby agricultural land.
- 12 ftThe lowest lying areas near the river begin to flood.
Highest crests on record
- 17.24 ft — July 25, 1993
- 11.92 ft — April 13, 2023
- 9.53 ft — May 13, 1998
- 6.37 ft — April 29, 2025
Recent crests: 6.37 ft (April 29, 2025) · 11.92 ft (April 13, 2023) · 9.53 ft (May 13, 1998) · 17.24 ft (July 25, 1993)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (GAVS2); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.