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
11.5 ft
Minor Flood
11 ft
Action Stage
10 ft
What Floods at Each Level
14.5 ft
The bridge 1 mile north of Appleby is overtopped
14 ft
The bridge at the southeast corner of Watertown is overtopped
13.3 ft
The water reaches the bottom of the bridge 1 mile north of Appleby
12 ft
The water reaches the bottom of the bridge near Appleby and at the southeast corner of Watertown
11.7 ft
Water goes over the low spot on the road 300 feet east of the gauging location
11 ft
Flooding begins to affect significant amounts of pasture and crop land
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Apr 1, 1997 | 13.13 ft | 6,700 cfs |
| Apr 7, 2001 | 12.69 ft | 4,000 cfs |
| Mar 22, 2011 | 12.56 ft | 1,800 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
BSWS2
River
Big Sioux River
County
Codington, SD
Coordinates
44.8478°N, 97.0492°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 below Watertown?
The Big Sioux River below Watertown gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06479520) 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 below Watertown?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Sioux River below Watertown is 11 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 11.5 feet, and major flooding at 12 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 below Watertown 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 below Watertown gauge located?
The gauge is located in Codington County, South Dakota at coordinates 44.8478°N, 97.0492°W. USGS site number: 06479520. 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
- Stage may be affected by ice.