Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam
South Dakota — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Pennington County, South Dakota on the Rapid Creek. Live water level data from USGS gauge 06411500, 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
16 ft
Moderate Flood
15 ft
Minor Flood
14 ft
Action Stage
11.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
16 ft
Major Flood Stage. Extensive flooding along Rapid Creek with extensive inundation of structures and roads.
15 ft
Moderate Flood Stage. Parking lot below the dam becomes flooded. Some inundation of structures and roads along Rapid Creek are possible.
14 ft
Minor Flood Stage. Minor flooding along the river.
12 ft
Water touches the bottom of the bridge downstream from Pactola Dam.
11.5 ft
Rapid Creek begins to overflow the lower banks near the creek.
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 18, 1965 | 9 ft | 547 cfs |
| May 18, 1965 | 9 ft | 547 cfs |
| May 28, 2015 | 8.98 ft | 605 cfs |
| May 28, 2015 | 8.98 ft | 605 cfs |
| Jul 17, 2019 | 8.93 ft | 568 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
RCBS2
River
Rapid Creek
County
Pennington, SD
Coordinates
44.0767°N, 103.4817°W
Get Flood Alerts for Rapid 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 Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam?
The Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06411500) 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 Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam is 14 feet. Action stage begins at 11.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 15 feet, and major flooding at 16 feet.
How do I get alerts when Rapid Creek rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam 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 Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam gauge located?
The gauge is located in Pennington County, South Dakota at coordinates 44.0767°N, 103.4817°W. USGS site number: 06411500. 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 the USACE
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.