Big Sioux River above Hawarden
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Sioux County, Iowa on the Big Sioux River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 06483950, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
30 ft
Moderate Flood
24 ft
Minor Flood
20.5 ft
Action Stage
18.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
39 ft
Significant flooding continues in Hawarden with roughly the western half of the town flooded.
32 ft
Water backs up into the park in Hawarden, and some basements and sewers could begin to have problems.
30.5 ft
Iowa Highway 10 begins to flood.
30 ft
South Dakota Highway 46 begins to flood north of Hawarden.
29.5 ft
County Road 13 begins to flood west of Hawarden.
28.5 ft
River Road begins to flood about 1 1/2 miles south of County Road 13.
24 ft
Some farm houses on the South Dakota side of the river are isolated by high water.
20.5 ft
Agricultural flooding begins on the South Dakota side of the river.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
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Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 2024 | 39.92 ft | 164,000 cfs |
| Jun 21, 2024 | 39.92 ft | 164,000 cfs |
| Mar 14, 2019 | 35.2 ft | 58,100 cfs |
| Mar 14, 2019 | 35.2 ft | 58,100 cfs |
| Jun 21, 2018 | 34 ft | 50,800 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Big Sioux River
StormCast monitors this gauge and sends a push notification to your phone when the water level crosses into a new flood category — even at 3 AM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the current water level of Big Sioux River above Hawarden?
The Big Sioux River above Hawarden gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06483950) and reports water levels every 15 minutes. Visit this page to see the latest reading updated live, or download StormCast to get push alerts when levels rise.
What is flood stage for Big Sioux River above Hawarden?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Sioux River above Hawarden is 20.5 feet. Action stage begins at 18.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 24 feet, and major flooding at 30 feet.
How do I get alerts when Big Sioux River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Big Sioux River above Hawarden to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category — even when your screen is off.
Where is the Big Sioux River above Hawarden gauge located?
The gauge is located in Sioux County, Iowa at coordinates 43.0514°N, 96.4894°W. USGS site number: 06483950. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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On This River
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.