Big Sioux River above Dell Rapids
South Dakota — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Minnehaha County, South Dakota on the Big Sioux River. Live water level data from USGS, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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This is an NWS forecast point (LID: DRBS2). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
Flood Stages
Major Flood
1486 ft
Moderate Flood
1484 ft
Minor Flood
1481 ft
Action Stage
1479.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
1489 ft
Water overtops the bridges on Jasper St, Garfield Ave and also on 244th St.
1487 ft
Significant flooding will be ongoing south of the railroad tracks on the north bank of the river in Dell Rapids. Portions of 244th Avenue and Jasper Street will begin flooding, and other roads in Dell Rapids will be flooded.
1486 ft
Numerous homes and businesses south of the railroad track in Dell Rapids begin to flood.
1485 ft
Much of City Park in Dell Rapids is flooded and portions of Garfield Ave south of the bridge may begin to flood. Some farm houses could be surrounded by water.
1482 ft
Several outbuildings downstream of the Garfield Ave bridge may be flooded with a couple feet of water.
1481 ft
Agricultural flooding upstream of Dell Rapids begins, and the City Park and ball fields in Dell Rapids will begin flooding. The campground also begins to flood.
1479.5 ft
Several stretches of the bike trail at the City Park are flooded.
1478 ft
The lowest portions of the parking lot and recreation area south of the campground in Dell Rapids begin to flood.
1477 ft
The lowest portions of the bike trail at the City Park 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sep 12, 2019 | 1490 ft | — |
| Sep 12, 2019 | 1490 ft | — |
| Mar 23, 2019 | 1487.53 ft | — |
| Mar 23, 2019 | 1487.53 ft | — |
| Jun 23, 2024 | 1482.29 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
DRBS2
River
Big Sioux River
County
Minnehaha, SD
Coordinates
43.8258°N, 96.6779°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 above Dell Rapids?
The Big Sioux River above Dell Rapids gauge is maintained by USGS 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 above Dell Rapids?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Sioux River above Dell Rapids is 1481 feet. Action stage begins at 1479.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 1484 feet, and major flooding at 1486 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 above Dell Rapids 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 above Dell Rapids gauge located?
The gauge is located in Minnehaha County, South Dakota at coordinates 43.8258°N, 96.6779°W. 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 South Dakota DANR
- No forecasts are available for this location
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.