Willow Creek near Crooks, SD

River level and flood forecast · Minnehaha County

Normal3.7 ftas of Mon 2:15 PM

The river is 5.3 ft below flood stage (9 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	13 ft
Moderate flood stage	11 ft
Flood stage	9 ft
Action stage	8 ft
Record crest (March 14, 2019)	12.65 ft

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

16 ftThe bridge on 258th St is overtopped and water approaches the road of W 60th St.
15 ftThe rest of 259th Ave begins to flood and water reaches the top of the culverts on W 60th St. The bridge on Maple St is overtopped.
13.5 ftWater reaches the bottom of the bridge on 258th and the top of the bridge on West Benson Ave. Maple St in west Sioux Falls may begin to flood.
13 ftThe lowest portions of 259th west of the bridge begin to flood.
12 ftWater reaches the bottom of the bridge on 259th Street at the gage.
11 ftThe higher banks overflow flooding significant amounts of pasture land and some crop land. The bridge on 469th just south of 258th is overtopped.
9 ftThe lower banks on both sides overflow flooding some pasture and hay land.
8 ftWater approaches the lowest banks and may overflow into some low spots.

Highest crests on record

12.65 ft — March 14, 2019
12.62 ft — June 21, 2024
12.37 ft — May 30, 2004
11.71 ft — June 17, 2014
11.5 ft — April 7, 2006

Recent crests: 7.25 ft (July 16, 2025) · 12.62 ft (June 21, 2024) · 9.91 ft (April 3, 2023) · 8.06 ft (July 7, 2022) · 5.11 ft (April 9, 2021)

Up and down the river, and nearby

See it on the live map →Radar & warnings for Minnehaha County NWS gauge page USGS gauge 06481497

Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (WCCS2); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.