Major Flood
12 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
10 ft
Minor Flood
7 ft
Action Stage
6 ft
What Floods at Each Level
16 ft
Widespread flooding commences with the 100 year flood being affected at a stage height of 15.8 feet.
13.5 ft
Water begins to flow over the bridge at the gage site.
11 ft
Flooding will be occurring in the town of Surprise. This level is similar to the flood experienced in 2008.
10 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the bridge near the gage. The resulting backwater will eventually close Miller Street, also known as County Road D going south of town.
7 ft
County road 24 1/2 will begin to flood downstream of Surprise. In addition, the city park near the gage site 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Jul 18, 1965 | 11.52 ft | 10,700 cfs |
| Jun 5, 2008 | 11.25 ft | 8,100 cfs |
| Jun 30, 1986 | 10.64 ft | 4,860 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 Surprise?
The Big Blue River at Surprise gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06879900) 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 Surprise?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Blue River at Surprise is 7 feet. Action stage begins at 6 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 10 feet, and major flooding at 12 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 Surprise 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 Blue River at Surprise gauge located?
The gauge is located in Butler County, Nebraska at coordinates 41.1020°N, 97.3108°W. USGS site number: 06879900. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Big Blue River
On This River
Downstream: Big Blue River at Staplehurst
More Resources
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.