South Fork Bad River near Cottonwood
South Dakota — Water Level & Flood Stage
Located in Jackson County, South Dakota on the South Fork Bad River. Live water level data from USGS gauge 06440200, 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
15,700 cfs
Moderate Flood
16 ft
8,415 cfs
Minor Flood
12 ft
1,680 cfs
Action Stage
10 ft
856 cfs
Flood stages defined by the National Weather Service. Gage height data from USGS Water Resources.
What Floods at Each Level
18 ft
Major flood stage. Extensive flooding of agricultural land and inundation of structures and roads.
16 ft
Moderate flood stage. Extensive flooding of agricultural land with some inundation of structures and roads possible.
12 ft
Flood stage. Flooding of agricultural land begins.
10 ft
Action stage. Low land flooding along Cottonwood Creek especially along the east side of the river.
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 30, 1991 | 17.89 ft | 15,200 cfs |
| May 30, 1991 | 17.89 ft | 15,200 cfs |
| May 27, 1996 | 16.71 ft | 7,100 cfs |
| May 27, 1996 | 16.71 ft | 7,100 cfs |
| May 21, 2019 | 16.59 ft | 10,300 cfs |
About This Gauge
USGS Site
NWS LID
CTTS2
River
South Fork Bad River
County
Jackson, SD
Coordinates
43.9690°N, 101.7672°W
Get Flood Alerts for South Fork Bad 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 South Fork Bad River near Cottonwood?
The South Fork Bad River near Cottonwood gauge is maintained by USGS (site 06440200) 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 South Fork Bad River near Cottonwood?
The NWS-defined flood stage for South Fork Bad River near Cottonwood is 12 feet. Action stage begins at 10 feet. Moderate flooding starts at 16 feet, and major flooding at 18 feet.
How do I get alerts when South Fork Bad River rises?
Download StormCast free on Google Play, go to River Gauges, and add South Fork Bad River near Cottonwood 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 South Fork Bad River near Cottonwood gauge located?
The gauge is located in Jackson County, South Dakota at coordinates 43.9690°N, 101.7672°W. USGS site number: 06440200. Data is provided by the U.S. Geological Survey and the National Weather Service.
On This River
More Resources
Source & Notes
Data provided by: Observations courtesy of U.S. Geological Survey
- Gauge reading may be affected by ice.