Big Sioux River at Akron
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 4:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 16.00 ft
- Record crest
- 27.35 ft2024
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 20.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 18.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 16.00 ft |
| Action | 14.00 ft |
- 26.00 ftThe western portions of Akron will be flooded with water reaching as far as the city park and baseball field to the downtown area, especially if water is able to come in through the storm drains.
- 25.00 ftThe lowest levees in Akron will begin to be overtopped if not sandbagged, resulting in more significant flooding in the western edges of Akron.
- 23.25 ftLevee gates at Riverside in Sioux City will be closed.
- 23.00 ftMuch of Highway 48 will be flooded on both sides of the bridge. Water begins to enter the northwest portions of Akron if levee protection fails, potentially flooding a couple of structures near the intersection of Hwy 48 and Hwy 12. Highway 50 near Westfield will be flooded, and the bridge east of Jefferson will be overtopped.
- 22.00 ftThe lower portions of the railroad tracks in Akron begin to flood if levee protection fails.
- 20.00 ftHighway 48/Big Sioux River Rd just west of Akron begins to flood as does the parking lot at the boat ramp in Akron begins to flood.
- 19.50 ftA few farm houses may begin flooding.
- 17.00 ftAbout 6500 acres of farm land are flooded.
- 16.00 ftSeveral farm levees are overtopped with significant flooding of agricultural lands.
- 15.00 ftSome rural roads on the South Dakota side of the river begin to flood.
- 12.00 ftSome very minor flooding of the lowest lying areas along the river begins.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 18% |
| Moderate flooding | 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 23, 2026.
Crest history
97 crests on NOAA’s list since 1929.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 22, 2024 | 27.35 ft |
| 2 | June 18, 2014 | 25.46 ft |
| 3 | March 16, 2019 | 23.94 ft |
| 4 | June 23, 2018 | 23.45 ft |
| 5 | April 26, 2001 | 23.38 ft |
| 6 | May 10, 1993 | 23.05 ft |
| 7 | April 9, 1969 | 22.99 ft |
| 8 | September 27, 2010 | 22.88 ft |
| 9 | April 9, 1997 | 22.64 ft |
| 10 | April 10, 2006 | 22.32 ft |
| 11 | June 23, 1984 | 22.27 ft |
| 12 | March 31, 1962 | 22.08 ft |
| 13 | September 25, 1986 | 21.98 ft |
| 14 | March 16, 2007 | 21.76 ft |
| 15 | March 25, 1979 | 21.74 ft |
| 16 | April 1, 1960 | 21.58 ft |
| 17 | June 22, 1983 | 21.49 ft |
| 18 | June 16, 1994 | 21.08 ft |
| 19 | April 22, 1995 | 20.88 ft |
| 20 | April 8, 1965 | 20.85 ft |
| 21 | May 28, 2013 | 20.54 ft |
| 22 | March 26, 2011 | 20.39 ft |
| 23 | April 26, 1985 | 20.29 ft |
| 24 | June 8, 2008 | 20.22 ft |
| 25 | June 22, 1954 | 19.95 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 7, 2025: 11.49 ft
- June 22, 2024: 27.35 ft
- April 14, 2023: 17.97 ft
- June 1, 2022: 14.03 ft
- August 30, 2021: 11.45 ft
- April 1, 2020: 17.67 ft
- March 16, 2019: 23.94 ft
- June 23, 2018: 23.45 ft
- May 23, 2017: 16.11 ft
- May 3, 2016: 18.20 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. 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. 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. Gauge reading may be affected by ice.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.