Rivers in North Dakota

Souris River near Towner

McHenry County, North DakotaNWS TOWN8Bismarck office

Open the live map with the river flood outlook

Flood stages and impacts

CategoryStage
Major flood1458.0 ft
Moderate flood1456.0 ft
Minor flood1454.0 ft
Action1453.0 ft
  1. 1461.0 ftDamage begins at farmer's structures. Ditching on the left side of the river appears to be able to handle a significant amount of water. Water leaving the banks would most likely stay in this ditch.
  2. 1458.0 ftMajor flooding.
  3. 1457.8 ftAt around 56.6 ft the eastbound lane of Highway 2 near SW of Towner gets water on it (westbound remains dry) and Highway 14 immediately south of Highway 2 is closed due to high water.
  4. 1456.7 ftWidespread flooding west and north of town with many roads affected.
  5. 1456.2 ftSecondary roads become covered with water. Farmers on the right side of the river looking downstream will be affected but little damage. Water bypasses gage at this height.
  6. 1456.0 ftModerate flood stage. Flood problems begin with agricultural land and meadows affected.
  7. 1454.0 ftMinor flood stage with no significant problems.
  8. 1454.0 ftMinor flood stage with no significant problems.

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

35 crests on NOAA’s list since 1976.

#DateStage
1June 28, 20111460.0 ft
2April 1, 19761457.9 ft
3June 11, 20131457.8 ft
4April 22, 19961457.7 ft
5April 19, 20091457.5 ft
6April 26, 19791456.9 ft
7April 22, 19761456.9 ft
8March 29, 19951456.7 ft
9May 23, 19991456.7 ft
10March 29, 19991456.7 ft
11April 3, 19871456.6 ft
12April 3, 20011456.4 ft
13March 27, 19961456.0 ft
14May 19, 20011455.9 ft
15May 4, 19821455.8 ft
16May 9, 20011455.8 ft
17April 12, 19831455.7 ft
18March 27, 19941455.6 ft
19August 2, 19931455.6 ft
20July 6, 20051455.4 ft
21June 24, 19941455.2 ft
22April 8, 19971455.0 ft
23June 6, 20051455.0 ft
24May 10, 19841454.4 ft
25April 6, 20051454.2 ft

Most recent crests

  • June 11, 2013: 1457.8 ft
  • June 28, 2011: 1460.0 ft
  • April 19, 2009: 1457.5 ft
  • June 4, 2007: 1453.0 ft
  • July 6, 2005: 1455.4 ft
  • June 6, 2005: 1455.0 ft
  • April 6, 2005: 1454.2 ft
  • March 31, 2004: 1450.9 ft
  • May 12, 2003: 1452.2 ft
  • March 25, 2003: 1450.7 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.