Big Blue River at Surprise

1. 16.00 ftWidespread flooding commences with the 100 year flood being affected at a stage height of 15.8 feet.
2. 13.50 ftWater begins to flow over the bridge at the gage site.
3. 11.00 ftFlooding will be occurring in the town of Surprise. This level is similar to the flood experienced in 2008.
4. 10.00 ftWater reaches the bottom of the bridge near the gage. The resulting backwater will eventually close Miller Street, also known as County Road D going south of town.
5. 7.00 ftCounty road 24 1/2 will begin to flood downstream of Surprise. In addition, the city park near the gage site begins to flood.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 23, 2026.

Most recent crests

• July 2, 2024: 7.57 ft
• July 22, 2023: 4.42 ft
• June 17, 2022: 3.30 ft
• March 15, 2021: 4.43 ft
• May 26, 2020: 5.98 ft
• March 14, 2019: 9.86 ft
• June 26, 2018: 8.03 ft
• August 18, 2017: 8.18 ft
• May 14, 2016: 9.01 ft
• June 5, 2015: 5.89 ft

• DownstreamBig Blue River
• Lincoln Creek at Seward
• Big Blue River at Seward
• Clear Creek at Shelby
• Platte River at Duncan
• Loup River at Columbus
• Loup River Power Canal at Columbus
• North Oak Creek at Touhy

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. Stage may be affected by ice.

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.