Major Flood
31 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
18 ft
Minor Flood
16 ft
Action Stage
14 ft
What Floods at Each Level
30 ft
The levees upstream of the gauge will begin to be overtopped.
28 ft
The levees downstream of the gage will be overtopped.
22 ft
Portions of Rice St between Cleveland and Veterans Pkwy begin to flood.
18 ft
Significant amounts of rural land downstream of Sioux Falls, and the salvage yard in extreme eastern Sioux Falls, will begin to flood. If levees fail, significant flooding around the city street department shops will result.
17.5 ft
60th Street North and Timberline Road begin to flood.
16 ft
Rural flooding downstream of Sioux Falls begins, and the Glenwood Stable 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 13, 2019 | 26.08 ft | 25,900 cfs |
| Jun 21, 1984 | 25.4 ft | 21,600 cfs |
| Jul 6, 1993 | 23.84 ft | 18,000 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
SXFS2
River
Big Sioux River
County
Minnehaha, SD
Coordinates
43.5669°N, 96.7111°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 Falls N. Cliff Avenue?
The Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls N. Cliff Avenue gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06482020) 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 Falls N. Cliff Avenue?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls N. Cliff Avenue is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 14 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 18 feet, and major flooding at 31 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 Falls N. Cliff Avenue 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 Falls N. Cliff Avenue gauge located?
The gauge is located in Minnehaha County, South Dakota at coordinates 43.5669°N, 96.7111°W. USGS site number: 06482020. 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 U.S. Geological Survey, Observations courtesy of U.S. Army Corps of Engineers
- 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.