Little Sioux River at Cherokee
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 4:00 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 17.00 ft
- Record crest
- 32.98 ft2024
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 24.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 21.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 17.00 ft |
| Action | 15.00 ft |
- 29.00 ftSignificant flooding within Cherokee continues. Water reaches the IFC sensor feed-horn and may result in a loss of river readings.
- 27.00 ftNumerous homes and businesses are isolated or flooded in Cherokee, and Highway 59 south of Cherokee is flooded.
- 26.00 ftL51 north of Quimbly may flood.
- 25.00 ftSignificant flooding in Cherokee begins with many areas south of a N Roosevelt Ave/E Willow St to E Locust St/Hwy 59 line flooded on the north side of the river.
- 24.00 ftCounty Highway C38E is closed due to flooding, and the water reaches Beech Street in Cherokee. County Road C44 between Highway 159 and County Road L56 is flooded.
- 22.50 ftHighway 59 south of Cherokee begins to get water over the road.
- 22.00 ftEast Main Street on the far east end of Cherokee begins flooding.
- 21.00 ftWater begins to approach some structures on the southeast part of Cherokee north of the river. The lowest portion of Hwy 59 north of the bridge may begin to flood. Old Highway 5 East begins to flood.
- 19.00 ftThe north bank of the river begins to overflow.
- 18.00 ftCherokee city park begins to flood on the south bank of the river.
- 17.00 ftMinor lowland flooding begins
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 23, 2026.
Crest history
34 crests on NOAA’s list since 1891.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | June 24, 2024 | 32.98 ft |
| 2 | March 14, 2019 | 28.40 ft |
| 3 | May 27, 2013 | 27.90 ft |
| 4 | June 27, 2010 | 27.30 ft |
| 5 | April 7, 1965 | 27.20 ft |
| 6 | July 18, 1993 | 27.08 ft |
| 7 | September 21, 2018 | 27.00 ft |
| 8 | January 1, 1891 | 25.70 ft |
| 9 | June 19, 2014 | 25.55 ft |
| 10 | April 7, 1969 | 23.90 ft |
| 11 | June 21, 1983 | 23.90 ft |
| 12 | June 18, 1984 | 23.84 ft |
| 13 | June 11, 1953 | 22.70 ft |
| 14 | July 19, 2011 | 22.70 ft |
| 15 | April 6, 1951 | 22.30 ft |
| 16 | June 20, 1954 | 21.90 ft |
| 17 | April 29, 1947 | 21.60 ft |
| 18 | March 12, 1945 | 21.20 ft |
| 19 | March 21, 2007 | 20.50 ft |
| 20 | June 28, 1994 | 20.36 ft |
| 21 | July 14, 1982 | 20.16 ft |
| 22 | May 4, 2016 | 19.83 ft |
| 23 | September 16, 2004 | 19.70 ft |
| 24 | April 24, 1985 | 19.70 ft |
| 25 | March 19, 1992 | 19.41 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 31, 2025: 16.81 ft
- June 24, 2024: 32.98 ft
- May 18, 2023: 12.71 ft
- May 28, 2020: 16.38 ft
- March 14, 2019: 28.40 ft
- September 21, 2018: 27.00 ft
- May 4, 2016: 19.83 ft
- June 19, 2014: 25.55 ft
- May 27, 2013: 27.90 ft
- July 19, 2011: 22.70 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.