James River near Hecla
South Dakota — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Brown County, South Dakota on the James River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 06470878, updated every 15 minutes.
Current Water Level
Gage Height
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Streamflow
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Last Reading
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Flood Stages
Major Flood
96 ft
Moderate Flood
94.5 ft
Minor Flood
93 ft
Action Stage
92 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
100.1 ft
Water goes over 104th St. bridge.
98.3 ft
Road goes under water on 100th St. at gage site.
96.9 ft
Water reaches bottom of bridge (SE corner) at 100th St. gage site.
96.4 ft
Low area west of 104th St. bridge under water.
95.9 ft
Water along north edge of 104th St. west of bridge at low spot.
95.1 ft
Circular road at day use area on 104th St. under water.
94.5 ft
Much of intersection at 103rd/403rd streets under water. 103rd St. west of intersection has water. Entire road west of gage on 100th St. under water.
94 ft
North edge of road west of gage on 100th St. sees water.
93 ft
Mainly agricultural land impacts. Initial areas of water affecting 100th/103rd streets.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Mar 31, 1997 | 98.04 ft | — |
| Mar 31, 1997 | 98.04 ft | — |
| Apr 17, 2009 | 96.35 ft | 11,800 cfs |
| Apr 17, 2009 | 96.35 ft | 11,800 cfs |
| Nov 3, 2019 | 95.71 ft | 4,250 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for James 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 James River near Hecla?
The James River near Hecla gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06470878) 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 James River near Hecla?
The NWS-defined flood stage for James River near Hecla is 93 feet. Action stage begins at 92 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 94.5 feet, and major flooding at 96 feet.
How do I get alerts when James River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add James River near Hecla 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 James River near Hecla gauge located?
The gauge is located in Brown County, South Dakota at coordinates 45.9364°N, 98.1743°W. USGS site number: 06470878. 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.