Major Flood
1648 ft
Current Water Level
Gage Height
Loading...
Streamflow
Loading...
Last Reading
Loading...
This is an NWS forecast point (LID: BSES2). Live data may be limited. View on NWS AHPS →
FLOOD STAGES
Know the flood categories.
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
Moderate Flood
1645.5 ft
Minor Flood
1644 ft
Action Stage
1642.5 ft
What Floods at Each Level
1651 ft
Highway 28 and 463rd Avenue begin to flood.
1650 ft
464th Avenue begins to flood.
1649 ft
water reaches the bottom of the bridge on 463rd Avenue, and 195th Street begins to flood.
1648 ft
water reaches the bottom of the bridges on Highway 28, 464th Avenue, and 195th Street. Also, 192nd Street begins to flood.
1646 ft
water reaches the bottom of the bridge on 192nd Street.
1645.5 ft
widespread flooding of agricultural lands begins.
1644 ft
significant flooding of crop and pasture land begins.
Impact statements from the National Weather Service, describing what typically happens at each water level.
7-Day Water Level Chart
Loading chart data...
Historic Crests
| Date | Stage | Flow |
|---|---|---|
| Jun 29, 2025 | 1647.03 ft | — |
| Mar 27, 2019 | 1646.9 ft | — |
| Apr 11, 2023 | 1646.34 ft | — |
About This Gauge
NWS LID
BSES2
River
Big Sioux River
County
Hamlin, SD
Coordinates
44.5729°N, 96.9302°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 near Estelline?
The Big Sioux River near Estelline 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 near Estelline?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Big Sioux River near Estelline is 1644 feet. Action stage begins at 1642.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 1645.5 feet, and major flooding at 1648 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 near Estelline 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 near Estelline gauge located?
The gauge is located in Hamlin County, South Dakota at coordinates 44.5729°N, 96.9302°W. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Big Sioux River
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: South Dakota DANR
- No forecasts are available for this location
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.