Flooding in South Dakota, April 1 to 30, 1997

Flooding on the James River from the meltdown of the record to near record winter snowpack and some ice jamming continued throughout April. Record flooding occurred at all locations through April where the river was as much as 6 to 13 feet above flood stage. Considering how flat the James Basin is, a rise of a foot can spread out and take up alot of land.Flood stage 1 mile west of Columbia is 11 feet, record stage was 18.1 feet on 4/24, flood stage 1 mile south of Columbia is 13 feet, record stage was 19.1 feet on 4/18, flood stage 7 miles southwest of Stratford is 14 feet, record stage was 25.8 feet, flood stage at Ashton is 13 feet, record stage was 26.1 feet on 4/4, and 3 miles northeast of Redfield, flood stage is 20 feet, record stage was 30.3 feet on 4/4. The James River widened to nearly three-quarters of a mile in some locations. Numerous county and township roads were flooded and closed with many roads receiving extensive damage. Long detours occurred as a result of the flooding. Thousands of acres of farmland and pastureland were inundated by the river. As a result, large economic losses were incurred from the inability to plant many of these acres. Several farmhouses and outbuildings were surrounded by water and were inaccessable. Some evacuations took place as result of the rising river, especially in Spink county. Some homes were completely flooded in and near Frankfort. On April 17th, the levee guarding Tacoma Park on the James River gave way resulting in evacuations and the flooding of several homes. The James River also threatened Claremont and at the Sand Lake National Wildlife Refuge on the James River near Columbia, the water level broke records set in 1969. As a result of this years flooding and previous years, a countless number of trees have died along the James from being submerged.