Major Flood
20 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
10 ft
What Floods at Each Level
20 ft
Major Flood Stage. Extensive flooding along the creek with inundation of structures and roads.
18 ft
Moderate Flood Stage. Some inundation of structures and roads near the creek are possible. Water will cover northbound 385 north of Oelrichs at Horsehead Creek and will begin to approach southbound lanes of Highway 385.
17 ft
Water may begin to approach the northbound lane of Highway 385, north of Oelrichs, about 150 feet south of Horsehead Creek. It typically takes 6 to 10 hours for the water to reach this location.
16 ft
Minor Flood Stage; Minor flooding of agricultural land. Water may begin to fill the medians along 385 where Horsehead Creek crosses Highway 385 north of Oelrichs. It will typically take 6 to 10 hours for the water to reach this crossing.
10 ft
Bankfull and Action Stage. Water backs up south of Hwy 18. Nuisance flooding of agricultural 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 |
|---|---|---|
| May 24, 2010 | 16.31 ft | 4,610 cfs |
| May 28, 2019 | 15.06 ft | 3,140 cfs |
| Apr 21, 2000 | 14.42 ft | 2,170 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
HHDS2
River
Horsehead Creek
County
Fall River, SD
Coordinates
43.1881°N, 103.2261°W
Get Flood Alerts for Horsehead Creek
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 Horsehead Creek at Oelrichs?
The Horsehead Creek at Oelrichs gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06400875) 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 Horsehead Creek at Oelrichs?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Horsehead Creek at Oelrichs is 16 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 18 feet, and major flooding at 20 feet.
How do I get alerts when Horsehead Creek rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Horsehead Creek at Oelrichs 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 Horsehead Creek at Oelrichs gauge located?
The gauge is located in Fall River County, South Dakota at coordinates 43.1881°N, 103.2261°W. USGS site number: 06400875. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.