Big Sioux River at Akron
Iowa — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Plymouth County, Iowa on the Big Sioux River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 06485500, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
Flood Stages
Major Flood
20 ft
Moderate Flood
18 ft
Minor Flood
16 ft
Action Stage
14 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
26 ft
The western portions of Akron will be flooded with water reaching as far as the city park and baseball field to the downtown area.
25 ft
The remaining levees in Akron will begin to be overtopped resulting in more significant flooding in the western edges of Akron.
23.25 ft
Levee gates at Riverside in Sioux City will be closed.
23 ft
Much of Highway 48 will be flooded on both sides of the bridge. Water begins to enter the northwest portions of Akron if levee protection fails, potentially flooding a couple of structures near the intersection of Hwy 48 and Hwy 12. Highway 50 near Westfield will be flooded, and the bridge east of Jefferson will be overtopped.
22 ft
The lower portions of the railroad tracks in Akron begin to flood if levee protection fails.
20 ft
Highway 48/Big Sioux River Rd just west of Akron begins to flood as does the parking lot at the boat ramp in Akron begins to flood.
19.5 ft
A few farm houses may begin flooding.
17 ft
About 6500 acres of farm land are flooded.
16 ft
Several farm levees are overtopped with significant flooding of agricultural lands.
15 ft
Some rural roads on the South Dakota side of the river begin to flood.
12 ft
Some very minor flooding of the lowest lying areas along the river begins.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 21, 2024 | 27.35 ft | 175,000 cfs |
| Jun 21, 2024 | 27.35 ft | 175,000 cfs |
| Jun 17, 2014 | 25.46 ft | 108,000 cfs |
| Jun 17, 2014 | 25.46 ft | 108,000 cfs |
| Mar 15, 2019 | 23.94 ft | 61,900 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
AKRI4
River
Big Sioux River
County
Plymouth, IA
Coordinates
42.8375°N, 96.5619°W
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 at Akron?
The Big Sioux River at Akron gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06485500) 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 at Akron?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Sioux River at Akron is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 14 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 18 feet, and major flooding at 20 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 at Akron 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 at Akron gauge located?
The gauge is located in Plymouth County, Iowa at coordinates 42.8375°N, 96.5619°W. USGS site number: 06485500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Big Sioux River
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations Courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey, Observations Courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- 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.
- 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.
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.