Big Blue River at Seward
Nebraska — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Seward County, Nebraska on the Big Blue River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 06880500, 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
27 ft
Moderate Flood
22 ft
Minor Flood
18 ft
Action Stage
16 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
27 ft
Floodwaters are level with the top of the federal levee. Overflows from the mouth of Lincoln Creek can create a "lake effect" and affect the readings at the Highway 34 bridge gage on the Blue River during extreme floods.
25 ft
Highway 34 crossing needs to be closed.
22.5 ft
Water begins to impact the bottom of the Highway 34 bridge at the gage site. Extensive flooding is occurring along the mainstem of the Big Blue River.
22 ft
State Highway 34 may flood. In addition the Fairgrounds is flooding.
18 ft
Lowland flooding begins, including the Blue Valley Campground in Seward.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 13, 2019 | 24.11 ft | 15,600 cfs |
| Mar 13, 2019 | 24.11 ft | 15,600 cfs |
| Jul 2, 1986 | 22.37 ft | 9,080 cfs |
| Jul 2, 1986 | 22.37 ft | 9,080 cfs |
| Jul 6, 2008 | 22.15 ft | 12,700 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Big Blue 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 Blue River at Seward?
The Big Blue River at Seward gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06880500) 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 Blue River at Seward?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Blue River at Seward is 18 feet. Action stage begins at 16 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 22 feet, and major flooding at 27 feet.
How do I get alerts when Big Blue River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Big Blue River at Seward 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 Blue River at Seward gauge located?
The gauge is located in Seward County, Nebraska at coordinates 40.9029°N, 97.1118°W. USGS site number: 06880500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of the Nebraska DWEE
- 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.
- Stage may be affected by ice.