Rivers in North Dakota

Souris River at Sawyer

Ward County, North DakotaNWS SWRN8Bismarck office

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood1528.0 ft
Moderate flood1526.0 ft
Minor flood1524.0 ft
Action1523.0 ft
  1. 1530.2 ftThe emergency dike would be topped.
  2. 1523.2 ftCoulees and farmland will begin to flood. Several homes in the immediate vicinity have historically been affected above 22 feet.

Flood outlook

Chance of flooding, September to November

CategoryChance
Minor floodingUnder 5%
Moderate floodingUnder 5%
Major floodingUnder 5%

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 25, 2026.

Crest history

11 crests on NOAA’s list since 1969.

#DateStage
1June 26, 20111530.5 ft
2April 21, 19761527.4 ft
3May 11, 19791526.5 ft
4April 12, 20131525.7 ft
5April 14, 20091525.7 ft
6May 15, 19751524.9 ft
7April 29, 19691524.7 ft
8April 10, 19961524.3 ft
9April 18, 19991523.1 ft
10June 30, 20051521.1 ft
11March 29, 19971520.8 ft

Most recent crests

  • April 12, 2013: 1525.7 ft
  • June 26, 2011: 1530.5 ft
  • April 14, 2009: 1525.7 ft
  • June 30, 2005: 1521.1 ft
  • April 18, 1999: 1523.1 ft
  • March 29, 1997: 1520.8 ft
  • April 10, 1996: 1524.3 ft
  • May 11, 1979: 1526.5 ft
  • April 21, 1976: 1527.4 ft
  • May 15, 1975: 1524.9 ft

Nearby

Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.

What this means

Forecasts by the North Central River Forecast Center. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. River Forecasts typically include ONLY 2 days of future rain from <u>forecast issuance time</u> (lower right of graph). Occasionally 3 days of future rain included.

Sources

Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service.