Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls I-90
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 5:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 12.00 ft
- Record crest
- 18.91 ft2019
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 17.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 15.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 12.00 ft |
| Action | 11.00 ft |
- 21.00 ftThe levees protecting Sioux Falls are overtopped resulting in significant to catastrophic flooding.
- 19.50 ftLevees downstream on diversion channel will be overtopped if all flow of around 37000 cfs is being diverted, potentially resulting in flooding in and around the airport in Sioux Falls.
- 19.00 ftNumerous homes and businesses west of Cliff Ave between I-90 and Renner are in danger of flooding.
- 18.00 ft60th St N in northern Sioux Falls is flooded, as are most east to west roads between I-90 and Dell Rapids.
- 17.00 ftFlooding begins to impact numerous roads and some homes and businesses between I-90 and Baltic, including in the Renner area.
- 16.50 ftWater begins to approach 60th St N in northern Sioux Falls and may flood the lowest portions.
- 15.00 ftSome farm buildings between Renner and Sioux Falls are threatened by high water and much of the broader floodplain north of I-90 is inundated.
- 13.00 ftDitch Rd at the gauge location is flooded.
- 12.00 ftAgricultural land between 60th Street North and Interstate 90 begins to flood.
- 11.00 ftMinor flooding of some ditches and low spots upstream of Sioux Falls 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
24 crests on NOAA’s list since 1978.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 14, 2019 | 18.91 ft |
| 2 | March 26, 2019 | 16.92 ft |
| 3 | June 23, 1984 | 16.80 ft |
| 4 | April 7, 1997 | 16.32 ft |
| 5 | April 28, 2018 | 16.30 ft |
| 6 | June 1, 1993 | 15.80 ft |
| 7 | September 27, 2010 | 15.41 ft |
| 8 | March 25, 2011 | 15.32 ft |
| 9 | April 23, 1995 | 15.04 ft |
| 10 | June 25, 2024 | 14.90 ft |
| 11 | April 24, 2001 | 14.60 ft |
| 12 | March 15, 1994 | 14.39 ft |
| 13 | September 24, 1986 | 14.36 ft |
| 14 | March 15, 2020 | 13.80 ft |
| 15 | April 11, 2023 | 13.41 ft |
| 16 | March 16, 1985 | 13.35 ft |
| 17 | March 24, 1978 | 13.05 ft |
| 18 | September 6, 1992 | 12.78 ft |
| 19 | April 6, 1979 | 12.50 ft |
| 20 | March 17, 2007 | 12.40 ft |
| 21 | July 6, 2025 | 11.53 ft |
| 22 | March 26, 1987 | 10.63 ft |
| 23 | March 29, 1989 | 10.43 ft |
| 24 | May 21, 1991 | 9.03 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 6, 2025: 11.53 ft
- June 25, 2024: 14.90 ft
- April 11, 2023: 13.41 ft
- March 15, 2020: 13.80 ft
- September 14, 2019: 18.91 ft
- March 26, 2019: 16.92 ft
- April 28, 2018: 16.30 ft
- March 25, 2011: 15.32 ft
- September 27, 2010: 15.41 ft
- March 17, 2007: 12.40 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamBig Sioux River at Dell Rapids
- DownstreamBig Sioux River at Sioux Falls Maple Street
- Silver Creek at Sioux Falls
- Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls N. Cliff Avenue
- Willow Creek at Crooks
- Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls
- Big Sioux River at Brandon
- Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls Western Avenue
- Skunk Creek at Hartford
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 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.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service.