Big Sioux River at Watertown Broadway Avenue
Observed Tue, Sep 29, 1:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 10.50 ft
- Record crest
- 13.67 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 13.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 11.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 10.50 ft |
| Action | 10.00 ft |
- 18.00 ftThe bridge on Hwy 81 is overtopped.
- 17.50 ftThe Broadway Avenue bridge at the gauge is overtopped.
- 17.00 ft4th Avenue SW begins to flood near Kampeska Blvd.
- 16.50 ftBroadway Avenue begins to flood.
- 16.00 ftThe levees on the north side of the river upstream of the gauge are overtopped, and the gas station will begin flooding.
- 15.00 ftThe railroad upstream of Thunder Road begins to flood, and water reaches the bottom of the bridges on Broadway Ave and 4th Ave SW.
- 14.00 ftThe levee on the south side of the river upstream from the gauge is overtopped.
- 11.00 ftThe lower banks on both sides of the river downstream of the gauge are overtopped, and the lower lying areas along Kampeska Blvd, 4th Ave SW, and Riverside Park on Kemp Ave begin to flood.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 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
26 crests on NOAA’s list since 1997.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 6, 1997 | 13.67 ft |
| 2 | April 7, 2001 | 12.71 ft |
| 3 | April 12, 2011 | 11.97 ft |
| 4 | April 13, 2023 | 11.87 ft |
| 5 | March 28, 2019 | 11.77 ft |
| 6 | April 23, 2018 | 11.30 ft |
| 7 | March 24, 2010 | 11.07 ft |
| 8 | March 24, 2009 | 10.99 ft |
| 9 | August 22, 2025 | 10.85 ft |
| 10 | May 31, 2022 | 10.65 ft |
| 11 | March 22, 2007 | 10.47 ft |
| 12 | April 4, 2020 | 9.58 ft |
| 13 | August 12, 2016 | 9.35 ft |
| 14 | June 22, 2014 | 9.26 ft |
| 15 | October 10, 2008 | 9.11 ft |
| 16 | June 20, 2012 | 8.93 ft |
| 17 | March 31, 2002 | 8.72 ft |
| 18 | April 30, 2013 | 8.66 ft |
| 19 | September 23, 2017 | 8.61 ft |
| 20 | March 13, 2015 | 8.21 ft |
| 21 | June 13, 2005 | 8.18 ft |
| 22 | April 1, 2006 | 8.08 ft |
| 23 | April 10, 2021 | 7.85 ft |
| 24 | March 17, 2003 | 7.64 ft |
| 25 | May 29, 2004 | 6.93 ft |
Most recent crests
- August 22, 2025: 10.85 ft
- April 13, 2023: 11.87 ft
- May 31, 2022: 10.65 ft
- April 10, 2021: 7.85 ft
- April 4, 2020: 9.58 ft
- March 28, 2019: 11.77 ft
- April 23, 2018: 11.30 ft
- September 23, 2017: 8.61 ft
- August 12, 2016: 9.35 ft
- March 13, 2015: 8.21 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.