James River near Redfield
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 1:45 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 20.00 ft
- Record crest
- 31.10 ft1997
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 25.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 20.00 ft |
| Action | 19.00 ft |
- 32.00 ftThe bridge on 182nd St is overtopped.
- 31.00 ftThe bridge on County Road 15 one mile northwest of the gauge is overtopped. The lowest portions of 396th Street north of 182nd Street may also begin to flood.
- 29.00 ftImpacts begin at some structures at the colonies along the river.
- 28.00 ftAt least a couple of homes along this stretch of the river are flooded or in danger of flooding.
- 27.00 ftSD Highway 28 at the Spink/Beadle county line floods.
- 26.00 ftWater approaches Highway 212 and may begin to flood the lowest portions just west of the bridge. The water reaches the bottom of the bridge on County Road 15 one mile northwest of the gauge. 182nd St east of the bridge also begins to flood.
- 25.00 ft390th Ave north of the bridge is flooded and the bridge itself begins to be overtopped.
- 24.00 ftWater goes over the top of the bridge at the gauging location on 388th Ave as well as on 395th Ave. A few outbuildings a couple miles downstream of the gauge may also begin to flood.
- 23.00 ftThe water reaches the bottom of the bridge on 390th Ave
- 22.00 ftSignificant amounts of agricultural and wooded areas begins
- 21.00 ft179th Street east of the bridge and 396th Ave between 177th and 176th floods. Fishers Ln near Fisher Grove State Park may also begin to flood. The water reaches the bottom of the bridge at the gauging location on 388th Ave.
- 20.00 ftFlooding of low-lying agricultural and pasture land begins
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 August 26, 2026.
Crest history
75 crests on NOAA’s list since 1950.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | April 6, 1997 | 31.10 ft |
| 2 | March 21, 2010 | 29.40 ft |
| 3 | April 27, 2011 | 28.09 ft |
| 4 | April 22, 2019 | 26.94 ft |
| 5 | May 15, 1995 | 26.26 ft |
| 6 | April 30, 2009 | 25.79 ft |
| 7 | April 13, 1969 | 24.93 ft |
| 8 | April 21, 2023 | 22.33 ft |
| 9 | April 11, 1952 | 22.12 ft |
| 10 | March 13, 2020 | 21.83 ft |
| 11 | April 12, 2001 | 21.79 ft |
| 12 | May 22, 1950 | 20.68 ft |
| 13 | March 28, 1978 | 20.58 ft |
| 14 | March 23, 1994 | 20.12 ft |
| 15 | April 4, 1960 | 18.47 ft |
| 16 | May 12, 1986 | 18.25 ft |
| 17 | May 16, 1999 | 17.95 ft |
| 18 | May 14, 2007 | 17.60 ft |
| 19 | April 4, 1962 | 16.54 ft |
| 20 | June 9, 2022 | 16.53 ft |
| 21 | April 1, 1989 | 16.06 ft |
| 22 | March 20, 1972 | 15.19 ft |
| 23 | March 21, 1966 | 15.03 ft |
| 24 | May 18, 1979 | 15.00 ft |
| 25 | May 28, 1996 | 14.70 ft |
Most recent crests
- September 29, 2025: 10.11 ft
- April 21, 2023: 22.33 ft
- June 9, 2022: 16.53 ft
- March 21, 2021: 5.42 ft
- March 13, 2020: 21.83 ft
- April 22, 2019: 26.94 ft
- July 7, 2018: 11.23 ft
- February 22, 2017: 10.11 ft
- March 10, 2016: 6.41 ft
- June 26, 2015: 9.75 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.