Flooding and Heavy Rain in South Dakota, May 21 to 27, 2019

Significant flooding occurred along the White River south of Kadoka. A record gauge height of 17.57 feet was set (flood stage is 13 feet), with a peak flow of 17,800 cfs, which is the highest flow recorded since measurements began at this location in 1942. Widespread flooding of agricultural land occurred and several outbuildings were inundated. A county road and bridge about 10 miles downstream of the gauge were washed out and SD Highway 44 south of Interior was covered with water in three locations.

Runoff from heavy rain caused overland flooding and flooding along the White River, White Clay Creek, American Horse Creek, and smaller tributaries. Water covered several roads, including American Horse Creek Road southwest of Kyle. The White River crested two feet over flood stage (15 feet) at the Nebraska-South Dakota State Line and just over two feet above flood stage (19 feet) near Oglala.

Minor flooding of agricultural land occurred along the White River near the SD Highway 47 bridge south of Reliance, the Keya Paha River near Keyapaha and Wewela, and smaller creeks and streams. The White River crested at 18.86 feet (flood stage is 15 feet), with a peak flow around 29,900 cfs.

Runoff from heavy rain caused overland flooding and flooding along Rapid Creek, Box Elder Creek, Spring Creek, and tributaries of the Cheyenne River. A culvert washed out on Nike Road east of the Cobalt Drive intersection, water covered South Ellsworth Road south of Highway 14-16, 154th Avenue near 233rd Street, Creston Road south of SD Highway 44, Base Line Road south of Wasta, Bear Creek Road from SD Highway 44 to Sage Creek Road, and Paulson Road near Quinn. Several roads were inundated between Box Elder and New Underwood; including 155th avenue, 156th Avenue, 159th Avenue, and Sharpe Road. Street flooding was also reported in Rapid City and Rapid Valley along South Valley Drive, Green Valley Road, and Reservoir Road.

Runoff from heavy rain caused overland flooding and flooding along Spring Creek Road, Old Folsom Road, and the 7-11 Road just south of Buffalo Gap.

Runoff from heavy rain caused moderate flooding along the Bad River from near Cottonwood to east of Midland. The peak gauge height on the Bad River at Midland reached a preliminary height of 23.45 feet on May 24, which is the second highest gauge height recorded at this location since 1946.

A few roads were flooded near the Keya Paha River, Little White River, and smaller tributaries of these rivers.

Minor flooding of agricultural land occurred along the White River around the US Highway 83 bridge north of the town of White River. The river crested at 14.82 feet just over flood stage (14 feet) on May 25, with a peak flow around 17,700 cfs.

Three roads were completely washed out and several other roads throughout the county were damaged.

Runoff from heavy rain caused overland flooding and flooding along Cherry Creek, Red Scaffold Creek, and Bear Creek. Several roads were inundated, including Bear Creek Road and Cherry Creek Road. Releases from Angostura Dam, combined with runoff from heavy rain, caused major flooding along the Cheyenne River. The Cheyenne River near Plainview reached a preliminary height of 22.87 feet and a peak flow of 61,900 cfs on May 23, which is a new record height and the second highest discharge ever recorded at the location.

Releases from Angostura Dam, combined with runoff from heavy rain, continued to cause major flooding along the Cheyenne River. The Cheyenne River near Plainview reached a preliminary height of 22.87 feet and a peak flow of 61,900 cfs on May 23, which is a new record height and the second highest discharge ever recorded at the location.

A resident measured 5.8 inches of rain in 24 hours.

Runoff from heavy rain on already saturated ground caused minor flooding along the South Fork of the Moreau River around SD Highway 79 near Hoover.

Runoff from heavy rain caused overland flooding east of Hot Springs and south of Buffalo Gap, with flooding along Hat Creek around Ardmore and Horsehead Creek around Oelrichs. Several county roads west of Oelrichs and a road along Beaver Creek south of Buffalo Gap had to be closed.

Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding throughout Meade County. Moderate flooding was reported along Elk Creek from north of Rapid City downstream to Elm Springs; which inundated portions of Elk Creek Road, Antelope Creek Road, and Wicksville Road. Minor flooding of agricultural land occurred along the Belle Fourche River, which crested at 19.5 feet, just above flood stage of 19 feet, with a peak flow around 32,200 cfs, at SD Highway 34 east of Sturgis.

Runoff from heavy rain caused overland flooding and flooding along Belle Fourche River tributaries. Water flooded Kinghorn Road near US Highway 85 in several locations, Old Highway 85, Camp Crook Road, Valley Road 1, Arpan Road, Brooker Road, Crow Creek Road, Capp Road, Taylor Road, Beet Road, Mail Road, Baker Road, Stone Lake Road, Dillinger Road, Hope Road, Youngberg Road, 188th Street, and old US Highway 212 east of Newell.

Runoff from heavy rain caused flooding upstream of Shadehill Reservoir and along the Moreau River. Date Road south of SD Highway 20 was closed, Rabbit Creek covered a couple of county roads, a culvert on Zeona Road was washed out, and county roads C5 and C1 were inundated with water.

Runoff from heavy rain on already saturated ground caused minor flooding along the Moreau River, Thunder Butte Creek, and other small tributaries.

Runoff from heavy rain caused minor flooding throughout Harding County. Minor flooding was reported along the upper portions of the Grand River; Little Missouri River; and around Buffalo, Reva, and Ladner. The Little Missouri River crested a little over two feet above flood stage at the SD Highway 20 bridge on May 23, with a peak flow just over 5000 cfs.

Runoff from heavy rain continued to cause minor flooding of agricultural land along the Moreau River near Usta. The peak gauge height was about a foot over flood stage at 17 feet, with a peak flow of 13,700 cfs.

Minor flooding of agricultural land continued along the White River around the SD Highway 47 bridge south of Reliance. The river crested a few feet above flood stage (15 feet) at 18.86 feet, with a peak flow around 29,900 cfs.

Runoff from heavy rain continued to cause minor flooding of agricultural land along the Little Missouri River. The river crested a little over two feet above flood stage at the SD Highway 20 bridge, with a peak flow just over 5000 cfs.