Big Sioux River at Watertown Sioux Conifer Road
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 4:15 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 9.00 ft
- Record crest
- 12.49 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 12.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 10.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 9.00 ft |
| Action | 8.00 ft |
- 15.50 ftThe bridge on 14th Ave NW is overtopped.
- 14.00 ftThe bridge on Sioux Conifer Road is overtopped.
- 12.00 ftSioux Conifer Road floods south of the gauge, and water reaches the bottom of the bridge at the gauge.
- 10.00 ftSignificant amounts of pasture land are flooded.
- 8.00 ftMinor lowland flooding begins, mainly upstream of the gauge.
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
49 crests on NOAA’s list since 1946.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 6, 1997 | 12.49 ft |
| 2 | April 7, 2001 | 11.58 ft |
| 3 | April 8, 1969 | 11.40 ft |
| 4 | April 13, 2023 | 11.18 ft |
| 5 | March 28, 2019 | 10.98 ft |
| 6 | April 9, 2011 | 10.60 ft |
| 7 | April 9, 1952 | 10.30 ft |
| 8 | March 30, 1960 | 10.29 ft |
| 9 | April 22, 2018 | 9.81 ft |
| 10 | March 15, 2010 | 9.81 ft |
| 11 | March 23, 2009 | 9.77 ft |
| 12 | May 31, 2022 | 9.47 ft |
| 13 | May 23, 1962 | 9.46 ft |
| 14 | March 22, 2007 | 9.24 ft |
| 15 | August 7, 2025 | 9.15 ft |
| 16 | April 13, 1947 | 8.93 ft |
| 17 | July 28, 1953 | 8.92 ft |
| 18 | October 25, 2019 | 8.90 ft |
| 19 | March 16, 1972 | 8.86 ft |
| 20 | March 26, 1948 | 8.30 ft |
| 21 | March 15, 1946 | 8.25 ft |
| 22 | June 21, 2014 | 7.72 ft |
| 23 | March 30, 2002 | 7.66 ft |
| 24 | March 4, 1970 | 7.62 ft |
| 25 | March 10, 1955 | 7.58 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 7, 2025: 9.15 ft
- April 13, 2023: 11.18 ft
- May 31, 2022: 9.47 ft
- April 10, 2021: 6.69 ft
- October 25, 2019: 8.90 ft
- March 28, 2019: 10.98 ft
- April 22, 2018: 9.81 ft
- June 17, 2017: 6.07 ft
- April 29, 2016: 4.83 ft
- March 12, 2015: 7.45 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. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.