Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls
South Dakota — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Minnehaha County, South Dakota on the Skunk Creek. Live water level data from USGS gauge 06481500, 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
18 ft
Moderate Flood
14 ft
Minor Flood
11.5 ft
Action Stage
9.5 ft
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
26 ft
The levees near the gauge may be overtopped.
24 ft
The parking lot for the apartments southeast of the gage is under water.
22 ft
Significant flooding of the neighborhood south of 12th St and west of S Melrose Pl may take place. Portions of Marion Road begin to flood without sandbagging and levee protection.
21 ft
Silver Valley Drive is flooded. Some homes along Skunk Creek are threatened as are a few industrial businesses and outbuildings just west of Sioux Falls.
18 ft
Dunham Park is flooded.
17 ft
The flow from Skunk Creek alone, even with all Big Sioux River flow diverted, can begin to cause flooding along the Big Sioux channel in southern Sioux Falls.
16 ft
The bridge on W 12th St is overtopped. 263rd also begins to flood.
15 ft
The lowest portion of the bike trail under Marion Rd begins to flood.
14 ft
The lowest portions of 467th St begin to flood.
13 ft
West Madison St near Le Mesa Drive is flooded.
12 ft
Water approaches West 12th Street east of Sertoma Drive and may begin to flood the lowest portions. Much of the greenspace through the parks and bike trail system along creek in Sioux Falls also is flooded.
11.5 ft
Flooding of rural agricultural land is ongoing, along with some flooding in the green space along the bike trail on the west side of Sioux Falls.
9.5 ft
Legacy Park begins to flood.
7.5 ft
The lowest portion of the bike trail under 12th St may begin to flood.
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 13, 2019 | 18.23 ft | 8,560 cfs |
| Mar 13, 2019 | 18.23 ft | 8,560 cfs |
| Jun 16, 1957 | 17.78 ft | 29,400 cfs |
| Jun 16, 1957 | 17.78 ft | 29,400 cfs |
| Jun 21, 2024 | 16.53 ft | 9,800 cfs |
About This Gauge
Get Flood Alerts for Skunk 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 Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls?
The Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06481500) 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 Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls?
The NWS-defined flood stage for Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls is 11.5 feet. Action stage begins at 9.5 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 14 feet, and major flooding at 18 feet.
How do I get alerts when Skunk Creek rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls 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 Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls gauge located?
The gauge is located in Minnehaha County, South Dakota at coordinates 43.5336°N, 96.7906°W. USGS site number: 06481500. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
More Gauges on Skunk Creek
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time.
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.