Major Flood
18 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
16 ft
Minor Flood
14.5 ft
Action Stage
12.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
22 ft
Significant number of homes and businesses on both sides of the river should be expected to flood if not protected.
20 ft
Water begins to appear on the lowest stretches of River Road north of Bismarck.
18 ft
Homes in the low-lying incorporated parts of Bismarck if not protected risk inundation.
17 ft
City of Bismarck experiences flooding of streets in low-lying areas if not protected. Access to Fox Island and other rural developments becomes increasingly difficult. Access to homes in the Briardale, Hoge Island, Ponderosa, and Misty Waters developments north of Bismarck may be cutoff and some homes are taking on water if not protected.
16 ft
Before 16 feet, older homes in the Fox Island area may experience flooding. Homes built to this level are at less risk but may have water surrounding them. Access to Fox island is difficult because of water on Riverwood Drive. No significant threat to the incorporated cities of Bismarck and Mandan.
14.5 ft
Flooding of rural areas begins. Inundation of croplands and the potential closure of local boat ramp access is likely. Riverbank erosion rates increase and cause unstable shorelines. If water levels are the result of an icejam south of Bismarck, water levels will be relatively higher near the jam and cause concerns for residents south of Fox Island.
12.5 ft
Unusually high river stage for this reach of the Missouri River. Residents are encouraged to pay close attention to NWS updates, local media, and local emergency management for information concerning why the river is this high and its potential for further rises.
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 30, 1881 | 31.6 ft | — |
| Dec 31, 1886 | 31.1 ft | — |
| Mar 13, 1910 | 30.4 ft | — |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
BIWN8
River
Missouri River
County
Burleigh, ND
Coordinates
46.8142°N, 100.8214°W
Get Flood Alerts for Missouri 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 Missouri River at Bismarck?
The Missouri River at Bismarck gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06342500) 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 Missouri River at Bismarck?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Missouri River at Bismarck is 14.5 feet. Action stage begins at 12.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 16 feet, and major flooding at 18 feet.
How do I get alerts when Missouri River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Missouri River at Bismarck 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 Missouri River at Bismarck gauge located?
The gauge is located in Burleigh County, North Dakota at coordinates 46.8142°N, 100.8214°W. USGS site number: 06342500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
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Source & Notes
Data provided by: US Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey