Major Flood
41 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
38 ft
Minor Flood
32 ft
Action Stage
29 ft
What Floods at Each Level
48 ft
The levees on the South Dakota side are overtopped.
45.5 ft
More significant levee overtopping occurs in the Iowa Riverside Community with numerous homes and buildings flooded.
43 ft
The lower levees in the Iowa Riverside community are in danger of being overtopped if not sandbagged. This may result in flooding of several homes on either side of Dacotan Ave.
38 ft
Most of the storm drains are submerged.
37 ft
Several structures south of River Dr on the SD will flood if a levee failure occurs.
35 ft
Some lower portions south of River Dr on the SD may be at risk of flooding with a levee failure.
32 ft
Agricultural land north of the leveed area begins to flood.
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 22, 2024 | 44.9 ft | 97,200 cfs |
| Jun 19, 2014 | 37.7 ft | 64,300 cfs |
| Mar 16, 2019 | 37.46 ft | 61,600 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
SXCI4
River
Big Sioux River
County
Woodbury, IA
Coordinates
42.5244°N, 96.4800°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 Sioux City?
The Big Sioux River at Sioux City gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06485950) 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 Sioux City?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Sioux River at Sioux City is 32 feet. Action stage begins at 29 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 38 feet, and major flooding at 41 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 Sioux City to your watchlist. StormCast will send a push notification to your phone whenever the water level crosses into a new NWS flood category.
Where is the Big Sioux River at Sioux City gauge located?
The gauge is located in Woodbury County, Iowa at coordinates 42.5244°N, 96.4800°W. USGS site number: 06485950. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Big Sioux River
On This River
Upstream: Big Sioux River near Jefferson
More Resources
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.