Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls N. Cliff Avenue
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 10:30 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 16.00 ft
- Record crest
- 26.08 ft2019
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 31.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 18.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 16.00 ft |
| Action | 14.00 ft |
- 30.00 ftThe levees upstream of the gauge will begin to be overtopped.
- 28.00 ftThe levees downstream of the gage will be overtopped.
- 22.00 ftPortions of Rice St between Cleveland and Veterans Pkwy begin to flood.
- 18.00 ftSignificant amounts of rural land downstream of Sioux Falls, and the salvage yard in extreme eastern Sioux Falls, will begin to flood. If levees fail, significant flooding around the city street department shops will result.
- 17.50 ft60th Street North and Timberline Road begin to flood.
- 16.00 ftRural flooding downstream of Sioux Falls begins, and the Glenwood Stable begins to flood.
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
55 crests on NOAA’s list since 1972.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 14, 2019 | 26.08 ft |
| 2 | June 22, 1984 | 25.40 ft |
| 3 | July 7, 1993 | 23.84 ft |
| 4 | April 7, 1997 | 23.11 ft |
| 5 | June 23, 2024 | 22.62 ft |
| 6 | March 26, 2019 | 22.06 ft |
| 7 | September 27, 2010 | 21.57 ft |
| 8 | March 25, 2011 | 21.53 ft |
| 9 | September 24, 1986 | 20.99 ft |
| 10 | April 23, 2001 | 20.99 ft |
| 11 | March 7, 1983 | 19.65 ft |
| 12 | April 8, 2006 | 19.11 ft |
| 13 | April 19, 1995 | 18.98 ft |
| 14 | March 22, 1985 | 18.67 ft |
| 15 | June 17, 2014 | 17.63 ft |
| 16 | March 24, 1978 | 17.54 ft |
| 17 | May 9, 2012 | 17.22 ft |
| 18 | March 23, 1979 | 16.95 ft |
| 19 | April 28, 2018 | 16.90 ft |
| 20 | May 30, 2004 | 16.52 ft |
| 21 | March 13, 1973 | 16.38 ft |
| 22 | March 18, 2007 | 15.75 ft |
| 23 | July 1, 1992 | 15.53 ft |
| 24 | June 27, 1994 | 15.33 ft |
| 25 | August 28, 2015 | 15.20 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 10, 2025: 12.18 ft
- June 23, 2024: 22.62 ft
- April 11, 2023: 14.70 ft
- August 7, 2022: 11.01 ft
- August 29, 2021: 11.27 ft
- March 15, 2020: 14.94 ft
- September 14, 2019: 26.08 ft
- March 26, 2019: 22.06 ft
- April 28, 2018: 16.90 ft
- August 21, 2017: 11.80 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 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. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.