U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Scientific Investigations Report 2010–5187

Prepared in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Transportation and the 

National Weather Service

Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, with a 

Context Provided by a History of Other Large Storm and 

Flood Events in the Black Hills Area of South Dakota
Front cover. Center: Site 435112103163700, un-named tributary to Deadman Gulch near Hermosa (table 1; drainage area =

0.678 square mile), where a flow of 2,000 cubic feet per second occurred on August 17, 2007. Photograph by

Dan Driscoll.

Lower left: U.S. Geological Survey personnel checking field notes.

Lower right: This trailer was moved and damaged by the waters of the August 2007 flood event in the Hermosa area.

Photograph by Mark T. Anderson.

Background: Aftermath of May 17, 1883, flood in Deadwood. Photographs courtesy of Adams Museum, Deadwood,

SD (used with permission).
Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 

2007, with a Context Provided by a History 

of Other Large Storm and Flood Events in 

the Black Hills Area of South Dakota

By Daniel G. Driscoll, Matthew J. Bunkers, Janet M. Carter, John F. Stamm, and 

Joyce E. Williamson

Prepared in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Transportation 

and the National Weather Service

Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5187

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
U.S. Department of the Interior

KEN SALAZAR, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Marcia K. McNutt, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2010

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Although this report is in the public domain, permission must be secured from the individual copyright owners to 

reproduce any copyrighted materials contained within this report.

Suggested citation:

Driscoll, D.G., Bunkers, M.J., Carter, J.M., Stamm, J.F., and Williamson, J.E., 2010, Thunderstorms and flooding of 

August 17, 2007, with a context provided by a history of other large storm and flood events in the Black Hills area of 

South Dakota: U.S. Geological Survey Scientific Investigations Report 2010-5187, 139 p.
iii

Contents

Abstract...........................................................................................................................................................1

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................3

The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms and Flooding.........................5

The Storms.............................................................................................................................................5

The Flooding...........................................................................................................................................9

Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area ................................................................................20

Physiographic Factors .......................................................................................................................20

Climatological Factors and a Climatology of Recent Large Black Hills Storms .......................21

Climatological Factors Affecting Thunderstorm Generation for the 

Black Hills Area ............................................................................................................21

A Climatology of Recent Large Black Hills Storms ..............................................................25

Synopsis of Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area..................................................35

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area........................................................36

Chronological Overview of Storm and Flood Events.....................................................................37

Presettlement Years ..................................................................................................................37

1877 through 1890.......................................................................................................................37

1891 through 1900.......................................................................................................................39

1901 through 1910.......................................................................................................................39

1911 through 1920.......................................................................................................................42

1921 through 1930.......................................................................................................................44

1931 through 1940.......................................................................................................................45

1941 through 1950 ......................................................................................................................46

1951 through 1960.......................................................................................................................46

1961 through 1970.......................................................................................................................47

1971 through 1980.......................................................................................................................51

1981 through 1990.......................................................................................................................51

1991 through 2000.......................................................................................................................51

2001 through 2009.......................................................................................................................53

Stream-Specific Storm and Flood Histories...................................................................................53

Fall River and Beaver Creek ....................................................................................................53

Rapid Creek.................................................................................................................................54

Lower Rapid Creek ...........................................................................................................55

Upper Rapid Creek............................................................................................................55

Spearfish and Whitewood Creeks ..........................................................................................62

Synopsis and Hydrologic Implications of Historical Storm and Flood Events..........................63

Chronological Synopsis ............................................................................................................63

Stream-Specific Synopsis........................................................................................................65

Hydrologic Implications of Historical Events ........................................................................66

Storm and Flood Potential Based on Climatological Factors and Historical Events .......................68

Summary........................................................................................................................................................70

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................73

Supplemental Tables ...................................................................................................................................77
iv

Figures

1–3. Maps showing:

1. Location of study area and general extent of 1972 and 2007 thunderstorms............4

2. Isohyetal map for the 2007 storm......................................................................................6

3. Isohyetal map for the 1972 storm......................................................................................7

4. Hydrograph for 2007 flooding for streamflow-gaging station 06425100, 

Elk Creek near Rapid City, S. Dak...............................................................................................9

5. Map showing hydrogeologic settings for the Black Hills area and locations 

of selected streamflow-gaging stations .................................................................................10

6. Photographs showing damages to houses and the railroad grade in the 

Hermosa area from flooding on August 17, 2007...................................................................11

7. Map showing comparison of 2007 and 1972 peak flows for selected 

locations in the Hermosa area .................................................................................................12

8. Photographs showing scour from flooding on August 17, 2007, at a 

bridge site along Highway 40 about 2 to 3 miles west of Hermosa, S. Dak. .....................13

9–10. Hydrographs for:

9. 2007 flooding for two streamflow-gaging stations along Battle Creek ....................16

10. 1972 flooding for three streamflow-gaging stations along Rapid Creek ..................17

11. Frequency curve for Battle Creek at Hermosa, S. Dak. (station 06406000).......................17

12. Regional envelope curve and comparison with selected peak-flow 

values for the Black Hills area..................................................................................................18

13. Map showing generalized topography for the Black Hills area, and 

topographic cross section for the Black Hills area along cross section A–A’ ................22

14. Schematic diagram illustrating terrain-induced processes of orographic 

lifting, thermal forcing, obstacle effects on convective cloud development ...................24

15–19. Maps showing:

15. Map showing radar image for the Black Hills area for June 21, 2008, 

at 3:51 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time...............................................................................26

16. Map showing radar-derived storm-total precipitation for 13 recent, 

separate events for which totals were greater than 2.66 inches..............................29

17. Map showing summation of the radar-derived storm-total precipitation 

for the 13 events displayed in figure 16..........................................................................30

18. Map showing precipitation totals for 1972 storm superimposed on the 

summed composite of 13 events displayed in figure 17..............................................31

19. Map showing radar reflectivity (lowest 0.5° scan) for the July 6–7, 2008, 

storm system near Rochford............................................................................................32

20–21. Model-derived hodographs for:

20. Hermosa, valid 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time, August 17, 2007...............................33

21. Rapid City, valid 6 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time, June 10, 1972.................................34

22–30. Photographs showing:

22. The aftermath of May 1883 flooding in Deadwood, S. Dak.........................................38

23. Flood damage in the Deadwood, S. Dak., area during 1904 and 1907 ......................41

24. The June 12, 1907, flood and aftermath in the Piedmont, S. Dak., area ...................42

25. The Belle Fourche River in 1910......................................................................................43
v

26. The Cheyenne River near Hot Springs, S. Dak., flooded on May 12, 1920 ...............43

27. Damage to a railroad bridge during the August 3, 1922, flood along the 

Fall River near Hot Springs, S. Dak .................................................................................44

28. The April 9, 1924, flood along the Belle Fourche River in Belle Fourche, 

S. Dak...................................................................................................................................45

29. The June 17, 1937, flood along the Fall River in and near Hot Springs, 

S. Dak...................................................................................................................................46

30. The 1947 flood along the Fall River caused severe damage in Hot Springs ...........47

31. Map showing location of selected National Weather Service precipitation 

stations in the Black Hills area.................................................................................................48

32. Aerial photograph of flooding along Rapid Creek on May 23, 1952, near 

Canyon Lake in Rapid City, S. Dak............................................................................................50

33–35. Photographs showing:

33. A mobile home that was washed down Cleghorn Canyon in western 

Rapid City, S. Dak., by a 6-foot wall of water on July 13, 1962....................................51

34. Damage in Deadwood, S. Dak., following a flood on May 15, 1965...........................52

35. Damage in Rapid City, S. Dak., following the flood of June 9–10, 1972.....................52

36. Graph showing annual peak flows for streamflow-gaging stations 06409000 

(Castle Creek above Deerfield Reservoir near Hill City, S. Dak.) and 

06410500 (Rapid Creek above Pactola Reservoir at Silver City, S. Dak.) ...........................56

37. Map showing locations of sites for peak-flow determinations and isohyets 

for storm of July 28, 1955, and precipitation totals for storm of July 6–7, 2008, 

in the upper Rapid Creek drainage basin ...............................................................................57

38–39. Photographs showing:

38. Floodplain storage along a reach of Rapid Creek downstream from 

Silver Creek.........................................................................................................................59

39. Evidence of heavy runoff from storm of July 6–7, 2008, in the upper 

Rapid Creek drainage basin.............................................................................................60

40. Graph showing annual mean and annual peak flows for streamflow-gaging 

station 06408700 (Rhoads Fork near Rochford, S. Dak.).......................................................60

41. Three-dimensional depiction of the Black Hills.....................................................................61

42. Graph showing time series of annual peak flows for one streamflow-gaging 

station on Spearfish Creek and three stations along Whitewood Creek ..........................63

Tables

1. Peak-flow data for selected sites resulting from storms during 2007 

(August 17), 1972 (June 9–10), and 1957 (July 28)..................................................................14

2. Maximum precipitation and radar characteristics for 13 recent 

strong rain-producing thunderstorm events in the Black Hills area..................................28

3. Summary of selected precipitation information for the Black Hills ..................................49

4. Summary of precipitation data for selected National Weather Service 

stations in the northern Black Hills for June 8–9, 1964 ........................................................52

5. Summary of selected peak-flow data for streamflow-gaging station 06402000 

(Fall River at Hot Springs, S. Dak.) and mean daily inflow values for Cold Brook 

and Cottonwood Springs Reservoirs.......................................................................................55

6. Daily precipitation amounts for selected precipitation stations for 

July 1–7, 2008...............................................................................................................................58
vi

7. Summary of peak-flow determinations for flooding of July 28, 1955 .................................61

8. Dates for the 10 largest known storm/flood events for the Fall River................................67

9. Station information and listing of five largest annual peak flows during 

selected periods for selected streamflow-gaging stations with 10 or 

more years of peak-flow record, and peak flows recorded during water 

year 1972, but outside of the five largest................................................................................78

10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 

1877–2009 .....................................................................................................................................86

Conversion Factors and Datums

Multiply By To obtain

Length

inch (in.) 2.54 centimeter (cm)

inch (in.) 25.4 millimeter (mm)

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Area

acre 4,047 square meter (m2

)

acre 0.4047 hectare (ha)

acre 0.4047 square hectometer (hm2

) 

acre 0.004047 square kilometer (km2

)

square mile (mi2

) 259.0 hectare (ha)

square mile (mi2

) 2.590 square kilometer (km2) 

Flow rate

foot per second (ft/s) 0.3048 meter per second (m/s)

knot 1.852 kilometer/hour (km/hr)

cubic foot per second (ft3

/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

inch per hour (in/h) 0.0254 meter per hour (m/h) 

inch per day (in/d) 0.6096 meter per day (m/h)

mile per hour (mi/h) 1.609 kilometer per hour (km/h)

Pressure

atmosphere (atm) 1,013.25 millibar (mb)
vii

Temperature in degrees Fahrenheit (°F) may be converted to degrees Celsius (°C) as follows:

°C=(°F-32)/1.8

Vertical coordinate information is referenced to the National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 

(NGVD 29) or North American Vertical Datum of 1988 (NAVD 88).

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1927 (NAD 27).

Altitude, as used in this report, refers to distance above the vertical datum of NGVD 29 unless 

otherwise specified.

Water year (WY) is the 12-month period, October 1 through September 30, and is designated by 

the calendar year in which it ends. Thus, the water year ending September 30, 2006, is called the 

“2006” water year.

Under the downstream order system for streamflow-gaging stations, station numbers increase 

in the downstream direction.

Abbreviations and Acronyms

α significance criterion

KUDX WSR–88D South Dakota Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler, station KUDX

MDT Mountain Daylight Time

NWS National Weather Service

p-value probability value

r Pearson’s correlation coefficient

r

2 coefficient of determination

SDDOT South Dakota Department of Transportation

STP storm-total precipitation

USGS U.S. Geological Survey

WY water year
This residential area of Hermosa was inundated by flooding along Battle Creek 

during the August 17, 2007, storm (photograph by Mark T. Anderson).
Thunderstorms and Flooding Of August 17, 2007, 

with a Context Provided by a History of Other 

Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills 

Area of South Dakota

By Daniel G. Driscoll1, Matthew J. Bunkers2, Janet M. Carter1, John F. Stamm1, and 

Joyce E. Williamson1

1

 U.S. Geological Survey.

2

 National Weather Service.

Abstract

The Black Hills area of western South Dakota has a history of damaging flash floods that have 

resulted primarily from exceptionally strong rain-producing thunderstorms. The best known example is 

the catastrophic storm system of June 9–10, 1972, which caused severe flooding in several major drainages near Rapid City and resulted in 238 deaths. More recently, severe thunderstorms caused flash flooding near Piedmont and Hermosa on August 17, 2007. Obtaining a thorough understanding of peak-flow 

characteristics for low-probability floods will require a comprehensive long-term approach involving 

(1) documentation of scientific information for extreme events such as these; (2) long-term collection of 

systematic peak-flow records; and (3) regional assessments of a wide variety of peak-flow information. 

To that end, the U.S. Geological Survey cooperated with the South Dakota Department of Transportation and National Weather Service to produce this report, which provides documentation regarding the 

August 17, 2007, storm and associated flooding and provides a context through examination of other 

large storm and flood events in the Black Hills area. 

The area affected by the August 17, 2007, storms and associated flooding generally was within the 

area affected by the larger storm of June 9–10, 1972. The maximum observed 2007 precipitation totals 

of between 10.00 and 10.50 inches occurred within about 2–3 hours in a small area about 5 miles west 

of Hermosa. The maximum documented precipitation amount in 1972 was 15.0 inches, and precipitation 

totals of 10.0 inches or more were documented for 34 locations within an area of about 76 square miles. 

A peak flow of less than 1 cubic foot per second occurred upstream from the 2007 storm extent 

for streamflow-gaging station 06404000 (Battle Creek near Keystone); whereas, the 1972 peak flow of 

26,200 cubic feet per second was large, relative to the drainage area of only 58.6 square miles. Farther 

downstream along Battle Creek, a 2007 flow of 26,000 cubic feet per second was generated entirely 

within an intervening drainage area of only 44.4 square miles. An especially large flow of 44,100 cubic 

feet per second was documented for this location in 1972. The 2007 peak flow of 18,600 cubic feet per 

second for Battle Creek at Hermosa (station 06406000) was only slightly smaller than the 1972 peak 

flow of 21,400 cubic feet per second. Peak-flow values from 2007 for three sites with small drainage 

areas (less than 1.0 square mile) plot close to a regional envelope curve, indicating exceptionally large 

flow values, relative to drainage area. 

Physiographic factors that affect flooding in the area were examined. The limestone headwater 

hydrogeologic setting (within and near the Limestone Plateau area on the western flank of the Black 

Hills) has distinctively suppressed peak-flow characteristics for small recurrence intervals. Uncertainty is 

large, however, regarding characteristics for large recurrence intervals (low-probability floods) because 

of a dearth of information regarding the potential for generation of exceptionally strong rain-producing 
2 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

thunderstorms. In contrast, the greatest potential for exceptionally damaging floods is around the flanks of 

the rest of the Black Hills area because of steep topography and limited potential for attenuation of flood 

peaks in narrow canyons. 

Climatological factors that affect area flooding also were examined. Area thunderstorms are largely 

terrain-driven, especially with respect to their requisite upward motion, which can be initiated by 

orographic lifting effects, thermally enhanced circulations, and obstacle effects. Several other meteorological processes are influential in the development of especially heavy precipitation for the area, including 

storm cell training, storm anchoring or regeneration, storm mergers, supercell development, and weak 

upper-level air flow. A composite of storm total precipitation amounts for 13 recent individual storm 

events indicates (1) a propensity for heavy precipitation to occur east of the major axis of the Black Hills, 

from the northern hills (near Spearfish) toward the southeast through the eastern foothills near Hermosa, 

and (2) a proclivity for short-duration but intense convective precipitation events. The largest gradients 

in topography lie along the foothills, as opposed to over the higher altitudes, and this helps favor heavy 

precipitation. Additionally, a pronounced escarpment with several hundred feet of relief exists along the 

eastern edge of the Limestone Plateau, and orographic lifting associated with this escarpment can occur 

with a southeasterly air flow. However, to the west of this escarpment, relief is relatively small and localized, and the potential for orographic lifting is minimal. Moreover, moisture-laden air masses mostly originate from the Gulf of Mexico, which strongly affects the eastern Black Hills. Finally, the westerly mean air 

flow causes storm complexes to drift eastward, which generally coincides with a down-basin direction for 

most drainages along the eastern flanks of the Black Hills, and also favors convergent patterns along the 

eastern slopes of the Black Hills. Collectively these factors enhance the probability of exceptional rainstorms along the eastern Black Hills, relative to the highest terrain.

A chronology of historical storm and flood events was examined to provide a context regarding 

exceptional events for the Black Hills area. Consideration of the comprehensive flood history indicated 

that most of the especially large flows for smaller drainages in the Black Hills area have resulted from 

strong thunderstorms, rather than from more general storm systems. Of the 13 events that were included 

in a climatological analysis of recent large area storms, 10 occurred between late May through early July, 

which probably is reasonably representative of most of the strong localized storm events contained in a 

tabulation of historical storm and flood accounts. In contrast, many of the large storm and flood events for 

the Fall River have occurred in August and September. 

Statistical analyses of peak-flow trends were performed for two streamflow-gaging stations, and a 

statistically significant trend (downward) was quantified for one (station 06402500 along Beaver Creek). 

However, consideration of historical flood accounts qualitatively supports a hypothesis that exceptionally 

large flood events may be somewhat “under-represented” in peak-flow records subsequent to 1972 (which 

includes a preponderance of modern peak-flow records) for relatively small area drainages that include the 

Fall River, Beaver Creek, Rapid Creek, Spearfish Creek, Whitewood Creek, and Bear Butte Creek. 

The combination of climatological factors, systematic peak-flow records, and historical accounts 

strongly supports a conclusion that potential for generation of exceptional thunderstorms is much smaller 

west of the major axis of the Black Hills than east of the axis, especially relative to areas with the most 

robust history of large-scale events along the eastern flank. For areas just east of the escarpment that lies 

along the eastern extent of the Limestone Plateau, accounts of large peak-flow events are not completely 

absent, but generally are sparse relative to records and historical accounts for areas around the periphery 

of the Black Hills. A conclusion of increased potential for especially heavy precipitation from convective 

storms, relative to areas west of the escarpment, is strongly supported by systematic records, historical 

accounts, and climatological theory. Drainages within the northern Black Hills were qualitatively determined to be considerably more subject to effects from wet antecedent conditions (including snowpack) and 

from storms involving prolonged precipitation than drainages within the central and southern Black Hills. 

Final interpretations are offered that further refine the potential for exceptionally strong storms and 

associated flooding. Storm and flood potential are smallest on the relatively flat top of the Limestone 

Plateau, but increase in southerly and northerly directions commensurate with increasing topographic 

relief. Storm and flood potential also increase in easterly and westerly directions owing primarily to 

increasing relief. Storm and flood potential are largest along the eastern and northeastern flanks of the 

Black Hills, with maximum flood potential occurring in confined canyons with especially steep topography 

nearby. Storm potential generally decreases in moving around the periphery of the Black Hills towards the 

western flank because of reduced potential for orographic lifting and decreasing effects from moistureladen air masses originating from the Gulf of Mexico.
Introduction 3

Introduction

The Black Hills area of western South Dakota has a 

history of damaging flash floods that have resulted primarily from exceptionally strong rain-producing thunderstorms. 

The best known example is the catastrophic storm system 

of June 9–10, 1972, which caused the most exceptional 

known flooding in several major drainages near Rapid City 

and resulted in 238 deaths and 3,057 injuries (Carter and 

others, 2002). 

A system of severe thunderstorms on August 17, 2007, 

caused heavy precipitation and flash flooding in and near the 

communities of Hermosa and Piedmont (fig. 1; Holm and 

Smith, 2008). The 2007 storm system caused some of the most 

substantial flooding in the Black Hills area since 1972 and 

resulted in a peak flow along Battle Creek near Hermosa that 

was only slightly smaller than the record flood that occurred at 

the same location during 1972. 

Estimating the probability of occurrence of large and 

infrequent floods such as those in 2007 and 1972 is a difficult 

task. Statistical approaches for flood-frequency analysis generally are based on relatively short-term, peak-flow records and 

inherently have large uncertainty associated with especially 

large recurrence intervals (that is, 100-, 500- or 1,000-year 

return periods, which have annual exceedance probabilities 

of 1.0, 0.2, and 0.1 percent, respectively). A flood magnitude 

with an annual exceedance probability of 1.0 percent means 

there is 1 chance in 100 for that magnitude to be exceeded in 

any given year.

Various investigators have worked to attain improved 

knowledge of the frequency of occurrence of large floods for 

the Black Hills area. Sando and others (2008) developed a 

“regional mixed-population approach” to address complications associated with consideration of “high-outlier” 

floods in performing peak-flow frequency 

analyses for the Black Hills area. A 

reconnaissance-level study to evaluate the applicability of paleoflood 

surveys for improving knowledge of extreme floods 

was performed 

by the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) in cooperation with 

the Research Program of the South Dakota Department of 

Transportation (SDDOT). Results of that study indicated that 

evidence of extreme floods predating systematic peak-flow 

records is preserved in many locations throughout the Black 

Hills area (O’Connor and Driscoll, 2007). A subsequent cooperative study to improve peak-flow frequency relations for 

selected drainage basins using paleoflood evidence has been 

implemented by USGS and SDDOT. Compilation of information regarding particularly large storm and flood events for the 

Black Hills area is one component of this ongoing paleoflood 

study, which has partially supported preparation of this report. 

Other support has been provided by the Bridge Program of 

SDDOT, and by the National Weather Service (NWS), which 

has cooperated in authorship of this report. Specific purposes 

of this report are to (1) provide documentation regarding 

the August 17, 2007, storms and associated flooding, and 

(2) provide a context through examination of the history of 

other large storm and flood events in the Black Hills area. 

Many private citizens were instrumental in making 

this publication possible, and many citizens in the Hermosa 

area are acknowledged for providing valuable information 

regarding precipitation amounts for the August 17, 2007, 

storm. Moreover, many area landowners graciously provided 

permission for accessing private land for subsequent indirect 

measurements of peak flow. The Hot Springs Public Library is 

acknowledged for providing assistance in compiling historical information and numerous entities are acknowledged for 

providing permission for reproduction of historical documentation including the Adams Museum, Antiques & Art, 

City of Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission, Fall 

River County Historical Society, Hot Springs Star, Rapid City 

Journal, and Tri-State Museum. Retired USGS employee Ken 

Lindskov is recognized for assisting with data collection for 

indirect measurements of peak flow and for providing rigorous 

reviews of associated computations. Finally, local historians 

Ellen Bishop, John Honerkamp, Peggy Sanders, and David 

Schnute are gratefully acknowledged for their many efforts in 

helping to assemble historical flood information for the Black 

Hills area. 
Boundary of Black Hills National Forest

2 – 4

>4 – 6

>6 – 8

>8 – 10

>10 – 12

>12 – 14

>14

2 – 4

>4 – 6

>6 – 7

Total storm precipitation, June 9–10, 1972, 

 in inches (modified from Schwartz and 

 others, 1975) (>, greater than)

Total storm precipitation, August 17, 2007, 

 in inches (derived from Doppler radar 

 imagery) (>, greater than)

EXPLANATION

44°30'

RIVER

CHEYENNE

RIVER

CHEYENNE 

 RIVER

WHITE

Beaver Creek

Stockade 

Beaver

Creek

Red 

Canyon

FALL 

 RIVER

Beaver Creek

 Creek

Boxelder

Rapid 

Creek

Spring

Creek

Elk

Creek

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

REDWATER 

RIVER

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

Hay 

Creek

Creek

Redwater

Cold

Springs

Creek

Spearfish 

Creek

Johnny 

Lame

Rapid Creek

Elm 

Creek

Alkali Creek

NIOBRARA 

COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

CUSTER 

COUNTY

FALL 

RIVER 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

LAWRENCE COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

BUTTE 

COUNTY

SHANNON COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

Creek

Butte

Bear

Creek

Lance

French 

Creek

Whitewood 

 Creek

79

44

34

79

18

71

40

89

34

24

44

116

585

111

385

385

16

85

85

212

212

85

385

16

85

385

Storm Hill

Harney Peak

104°00' 103°30' 103°00' 102°30'

44°00'

43°30'

Vale

Nemo

Wall

Wasta

Osage

Newell

Beulah

Scenic

Custer

Hayward

Nisland

Sturgis

Tilford

Hermosa

Pringle

Sundance

Piedmont

Rochford

Mystic

Keystone

Fairburn

Edgemont

Fruitdale

Spearfish

Whitewood

Blackhawk

Box Elder

Hill City

Newcastle

Red Shirt

Manderson Porcupine

Saint 

Onge

Rapid City

Elm Springs

Silver 

City

Rockerville Farmingdale

Buffalo 

Gap

Hot 

Springs

Union 

Center

Belle 

Fourche

New 

Underwood

Belle Fourche

Reservoir

Angostura

Reservoir

Owl Creek

Indian Creek

Horse Creek

I-90

I-90 I-90

Pactola

Reservoir

0 10 20 30 40 MILES

0 10 20 30 40 KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

Creek

Deerfield

Reservoir

Battle

Creek

Grace Coolidge Creek

I-90

SOUTH 

DAKOTA

WYOMING

Area shown

on map

Index map

NORTH 

MONTANA DAKOTA

MINNESOTA

NEBRASKA

KANSAS COLORADO

OKLAHOMA

TEXAS

Gulf of Mexico

NEW

MEXICO

Horsehead

Ft. Meade

Deadwood Lead

Central City

Cold Brook

Reservoir

Stagebarn 

Canyon

LittleElk Cr

 Cr Cottonwood

Springs

Reservoir

Hat Creek

Figure 1. Location of study area and general extent of 1972 and 2007 thunderstorms (2007 storm plotted with transparency over 

1972 storm).

4 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
Photograph of 11-inch rain gage at a location west of Hermosa 

where 10.50 inches of precipitation was measured on 

August 17, 2007 (photograph by Robert D. Jarrett).

The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms and Flooding 5

The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms 

and Flooding

The area affected by the August 17, 2007, storms and 

associated flooding generally was encompassed within the 

area affected by the larger storm system of June 9–10, 1972 

(fig. 1). The 1972 storms and associated flooding were thoroughly documented by Schwarz and others (1975). Numerous 

other accounts of various aspects of this exceptional event 

have been provided in other scientific publications and in 

many other non-scientific venues such as newspapers, magazines, and books. This section of the report provides details 

regarding the 2007 storms and associated flooding and also 

includes comparisons with the 1972 storms and associated 

flooding.

The Storms

Precipitation totals for the 2007 storms in the Hermosa 

area were determined by NWS for 30 locations through a 

survey of area residents. Site locations and precipitation totals 

were reported by Holm and Smith (2008), who also provided 

numerous other details regarding the 2007 storm system. 

Observed precipitation totals are shown in figure 2, which 

also shows isohyets (lines of equal precipitation) for the 2007 

storm. The maximum observed precipitation totals were 10.50, 

10.44, and 10.00 inches (in.), which were measured in three 

rain gages located just north of Battle Creek between Hayward 

and Hermosa. These totals occurred within a period of about 

3 hours (Holm and Smith, 2008); however, various observers 

reported that most of the precipitation occurred within about 

2 hours. 

Schwarz and others (1975) provided numerous details 

regarding the 1972 storm, which was documented extensively 

because of the extreme storm magnitude and resulting damage 

from the associated flooding. Precipitation totals were reported 

for 24 NWS observing stations and for 258 additional locations where precipitation amounts were measured and reported 

by private and government sources. The maximum documented precipitation amount was 15.0 in. near Nemo (fig. 1), 

and precipitation totals that equaled or exceeded 10.0 in. 

were documented for 34 locations (compared with 3 locations 

for the 2007 storms), with all storm totals generally occurring within a 6-hour period. Schwarz and others (1975) also 

provided a context for the general rarity of extreme storms 

through a comparison with information for 132 other exceptional storms that had been documented for the northwestern 

Great Plains States of North Dakota, South Dakota, Kansas, 

Montana, Wyoming, and Colorado. Of these, 10 storms had 

point precipitation totals of 10 in. or more in 6 hours, and two 

storms exceeded 15 in. in 6 hours. 

An isohyetal map for the 1972 storm is shown in figure 3, 

which was reproduced by Carter and others (2002) from 

an original map by Schwarz and others (1975). Figure 1 

shows gridded precipitation totals for the 1972 storm, along 

with radar-estimated storm-total precipitation (STP) for the 

2007 storm. The STP amounts were derived using a totaling algorithm applied to a time series of radar imagery from 

the South Dakota Weather Surveillance Radar-1988 Doppler 

(WSR–88D) that is located just north of New Underwood. For 

this algorithm, the power returned to the radar is converted to 

an instantaneous rainfall rate, which subsequently is totaled 

for a 4.1-minute interval. The 2007 STP dataset includes estimated storm totals for another storm cell that produced heavy 

precipitation farther north near Piedmont during the same 

timeframe. Hail damage in the Piedmont area was especially 

severe, as evidenced by visual observations and reports from 

numerous area residents. Holm and Smith (2008) reported 

that for areas near Hermosa with the heaviest precipitation, 

the STP estimates are lower than observed amounts. The 

radar-derived STP data for the Piedmont area probably were 
40

40

16

16

16A

16A

244

Harney Peak

385

3

3

3

4

5

6

6

7

7 8

8

9

9

10

6

4

4

5

5

2

5

Battle

Creek

Spring

Spring

Creek

Creek

Creek

Grace

Grace

Coolidge

Coolidge

French

Hayward

Keystone

Hill City

Rockerville

4

4

7

8

5 4

6

10

5.5

3.5

8.5

6.5

6.5 6.5

5.4

6.5

3.8

3.5

5.5 6.1

5.33 6.75

5.25

5.25

5.25

3.44

4.18

Hermosa

36

103°30' 103°25' 103°20' 103°15' 103°10'

44°00'

43°55'

43°50'

43°45'

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

PENNINGTON COUNTY

CUSTER COUNTY 10.5

10.44

EXPLANATION

Line of equal precipitation, in inches

Rain gage precipitation, in inches—

 Number in red is precipitation value

 (>, greater than)

3 – 4

>4 – 5

>5 – 6

>6 – 7

>7 – 8

>8 – 9

>9 – 10

>10

Sheridan 

Lake

SOUTH DAKOTA

Stockade 

Lake

Creek

Battle

Iron

Creek

Gulch

Bear

Creek Spokane

Galena Creek

Creek

Creek

French

79

79

87

89

87

87

3.5

5

5.25

6.5

8

8.5

10

10.44

Area shown

on map

Index map

0 2 4 6 MILES

0 2 4 6 KILOMETERS

Figure 2. Isohyetal map for the 2007 storm in the Hermosa area.

6 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
EXPLANATION

Total storm precipitation, in inches

 (>, greater than)

2 – 4

>4 – 6

>6 – 8

>8 – 10

>10 – 12

>12 – 14

>14

Boundary of Black Hills 

 National Forest

Horsehead

Ft. Meade

Deadwood Lead

Central City

Cold Brook

Reservoir

Stagebarn 

Canyon

LittleElk Cr

 Cr Cottonwood

Springs

Reservoir

Hat Creek

RIVER

CHEYENNE

RIVER

CHEYENNE 

 RIVER

WHITE

Beaver Creek

Stockade 

Beaver

Creek

Red 

Canyon

FALL 

 RIVER

Beaver Creek

 Creek

Boxelder

Rapid 

Creek

Spring

Creek

Elk

Creek

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

REDWATER 

RIVER

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

Hay 

Creek

Creek

Redwater

Cold

Springs

Creek

Spearfish 

Creek

Johnny 

Lame

Rapid Creek

Elm 

Creek

Alkali Creek

NIOBRARA 

COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

CUSTER 

COUNTY

FALL 

RIVER 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

LAWRENCE COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

BUTTE 

COUNTY

SHANNON COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

Creek

Butte

Bear

Creek

Lance

French 

Creek

Whitewood 

 Creek

79

44

34

79

18

71

40

89

34

24

44

116

585

111

385

385

16

85

85

212

212

85

385

16

85

385

Storm Hill

Harney Peak

104°00' 103°30' 103°00' 102°30'

44°30'

44°00'

43°30'

Vale

Nemo

Wall

Wasta

Osage

Newell

Beulah

Scenic

Custer

Hayward

Nisland

Sturgis

Tilford

Hermosa

Pringle

Sundance

Piedmont

Rochford

Mystic

Keystone

Fairburn

Edgemont

Fruitdale

Spearfish

Whitewood

Blackhawk

Box Elder

Hill City

Newcastle

Red Shirt

Manderson Porcupine

Saint 

Onge

Rapid City

Elm Springs

Silver 

City

Rockerville Farmingdale

Buffalo 

Gap

Hot 

Springs

Union 

Center

Belle 

Fourche

New 

Underwood

SOUTH 

DAKOTA WYOMING

Belle Fourche

Reservoir

Angostura

Reservoir

Owl Creek

Indian Creek

Horse Creek

I-90

I-90

I-90

I-90

Pactola

Reservoir

0 10 20 30 40 MILES

0 10 20 30 40 KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

Area shown

on map Index map

Creek

Deerfield

Reservoir

Battle

Creek

Grace Coolidge Creek

Figure 3. Isohyetal map for the 1972 storm (from Schwarz and others, 1975).

The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms and Flooding 7
Photograph of 

hailstones from 

the August 17, 

2007, storm 

near Piedmont 

(photograph by 

Caroline Struwe, 

contributed 

through the Rapid 

City Journal).

8 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

overestimated because of interference from large hail (Baeck 

and Smith, 1998).

The 1972 storm was exceptional in terms of precipitation totals, intensity, and areal extent, which can be illustrated 

by comparisons with national precipitation intensity data 

(Hershfield, 1961). The maximum return period listed in that 

publication is for a 100-year (1-percent annual exceedance 

probability) storm, and the 100-year, 6-hour precipitation for 

any given location in the general vicinity of the 1972 storm 

is about 3.5 to 4.0 in. Thus, the largest precipitation totals for 

the 1972 storm exceeded this precipitation depth by a factor 

of about 3 to 4. For estimating storm totals over larger areas, 

Hershfield (1961) provided a graph indicating that the 6-hour 

precipitation estimates should be reduced by a factor of about 

0.85 for areas of about 100 to 400 square miles (mi2). For the 

1972 storm, the area encompassed by the 4-in. isohyet (fig. 3) 

is about 870 mi2, with most of this area receiving considerably 

more than 4 in. of total precipitation. The probable maximum 

precipitation estimate is for a 6-hour duration storm covering 

10 mi2 and is about 20 in. for the Black Hills area. The 1972 

storm produced about 50 percent of this amount (10 in.) over 

an area of about 76 mi2 and about 70 percent of this amount 

(14 in.) over an area of about 2 mi2. 

Holm and Smith (2008) compared the 1972 and 2007 

storms and identified some similarities between the large-scale 

atmospheric features for the two events. In terms of areal 

extent (fig. 1), the two storms are most similar for the smaller 

precipitation footprints, for which the 1972 footprint exceeds 

the 2007 footprint by about 300 percent for the 2–4 in. range 

and by about 270 percent for the 4–6 in. range. However, 

the 1972 footprint is much larger than the 2007 footprint for 

precipitation greater than 6 in. with 1972 exceeding 2007 

by about 680 percent. The intensity of the 2007 storm was 

exceptional, with most precipitation occurring within about 2 

to 3 hours. Thus, maximum precipitation intensities for some 

areas during the 2007 storm may have exceeded the maximum 

intensities that occurred during the 1972 storm (6-hour duration). Another noteworthy aspect of the 2007 storm was that 

the large-scale “parent” storm system continued to track to the 

east and later caused heavy precipitation and flooding across 

parts of southeastern Minnesota and southern Wisconsin 

(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2009). A 

storm total of 16.27 in. was recorded near Hokah in Houston 

County, Minn. (in the southeastern corner of Minnesota, 

about 640 mi east of Rapid City, S. Dak.) of which 15.10 in. 

fell within 24 hours. This is the largest 24-hour rainfall total 

recorded by NWS in Minnesota (Minnesota Climatology 

Working Group, 2009). 

Photographs by Perry H. Rahn, South Dakota School of Mines and Technology.

Water rose and flowed 

more than 4 feet deep 

over the entire length of 

Victoria Dam near Rapid 

City. Fortunately, the 

concrete arch dam held.

This bridge on Sheridan 

Lake Road was washed 

out. The estimated flood 

damage for roads and 

bridges was more than 

$22 million.

Houses floated downstream and lodged on 

Canyon Lake Dam.

The wreckage of homes 

stacked up against 

bridge abutments. This 

picture was taken on the 

morning after the flood 

when many bodies were 

being found in debris 

such as this.

Photographs of the 1972 flood
Figure 4. Hydrograph for 

2007 flooding for streamflowgaging station 06425100, Elk 

Creek near Rapid City, S. Dak.

8 AM

12 PM

4 PM

8 PM

12 AM

4 AM

8 AM

12 PM

4 PM

8 PM

12 AM

4 AM

8 AM

12 PM

4 PM

 8 PM

0

20

40

60

80

100

STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

Elk Creek near 

 Rapid City, S. Dak. 

 (06425100)

August 17

4 AM

August 18 August 19

The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms and Flooding 9

The Flooding

Flooding in the Piedmont area was localized. A 

maximum flow of only 68 cubic feet per second (ft3/s) was 

recorded on August 18, 2007, for USGS streamflow-gaging 

station 06425100, Elk Creek near Rapid City (fig. 4), which 

is located about 10 miles (mi) downstream from Piedmont (fig. 5, map number 62). The drainage area for this 

station (211 mi2) includes a large part of the area covered 

by the 2007 storm in the Piedmont area. Field inspections 

indicated that flows considerably greater than 68 ft3/s occurred 

in many small drainages in the Piedmont area, and a flow of 

1,600 ft3/s was documented for Stagebarn Canyon (drainage 

area = 17.2 mi2) (fig. 5, station 441233103215300). Thus, 

substantial attenuation of many localized flood peaks apparently occurred in moving downstream from Piedmont through 

extensive channel networks with large alluvial deposits. 

The most severe flooding during 2007 occurred in the 

Hermosa area, where low-lying areas in the southern and 

southeastern parts of this small community (population of 335 

in 2005; U.S. Census Bureau, 2009) were inundated by flooding along Battle Creek. A railroad grade was breached just 

south of town, and several downstream houses were washed 

from their foundations (fig. 6). The flood peak attenuated 

substantially downstream from Hermosa, and flood damage 

in this primarily agricultural area generally was not severe. 

Highway 79 (fig. 7) was inundated for most of the distance 

between Battle Creek and Highway 36, and extensive lowlying areas were inundated upstream from Highway 79, 

with substantial inundation extending to the west into Grace 

Coolidge Creek and Battle Creek upstream from Grace 

Coolidge Creek. Land use in this area primarily is a mix of 

“semi-agricultural” and low-density housing, and some houses 

and outbuildings experienced flood damage. Numerous area 

roads incurred damage related to plugging, overtopping, or 

washing out of culverts, bridges, or stream crossings. Two 

bridge foundations about 2–3 mi west of Hermosa along 

Highway 40 incurred scour damage (fig. 8), and considerable 

damage to the highway grade occurred in several locations. 

Peak-flow determinations for the Hermosa area associated with the 2007 flooding, along with peak-flow determinations for 1972 (where available), are included on table 1. The 

2007 peak flow of 18,600 ft3/s for station 06406000 (Battle 

Creek at Hermosa) was only slightly smaller than the 1972 

peak flow of 21,400 ft3/s, despite considerably smaller areal 

extent of exceptionally heavy precipitation within the watershed during 2007 than in 1972. Peak-flow determinations for 

most of the larger flows were made using various methods of 

“indirect measurements” (Dalrymple and Benson, 1967) that 

utilize hydraulic analyses involving channel geometry and 

associated high-water marks that were performed after the 

passage of the flood peaks. 
WYOMING

SOUTH DAKOTA

SHANNON 

COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

NEBRASKA

Grace

Coolidge Creek

Indian Creek

Owl Creek

 Creek

 Horse

0 10 20

0 10 20 MILES

KILOMETERS

104°00’ 103°30’ 103°00’ 102°30’

44°30’

44°00’

43°30’

43°00’

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

EXPLANATION

Physiographic division

Streamflow-gaging station

 Number is map number in table 9 

 

 Number is station number

Outcrop of Madison Limestone—

 (modified from Strobel and 

 others, 1999)

Outcrop of Minnelusa Formation—

 (modified from Strobel and 

 others, 1999)

Loss zone and artesian spring—

 Bounded by outer extent of Inyan 

 Kara Group, which approximates 

 outer extent of the Black Hills area

Hydrogeologic settings

Limestone headwater

Crystalline core

Exterior

SOUTH DAKOTA

Index map

### 95 96

97

Area shown

on map

RIVER

CHEYENNE

RIVER

CHEYENNE

 RIVER

WHITE

Red 

Hat 

Creek 

Canyon

FALL 

 RIVER

Beaver

Creek

 Creek

Boxelder

Rapid 

Creek

Spring

Creek

Creek

Elk

Creek

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

REDWATER RIVER

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

Hay Creek

Creek

Spearfish

Creek

Johnny 

Lame

Rapid Creek

Elm 

Creek

Alkali

Creek

CUSTER 

COUNTY

FALL RIVER 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON 

COUNTY

LAWRENCE COUNTY

MEADE COUNTY

BUTTE 

COUNTY

Creek Butte

Bear

French 

Creek

Creek

Whitewood

#

#

#

#

#

#

# # #

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

##

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

# #

#

##

#

# #

#

#

#

#

# #

#

# #

#

#

# # #

#

#

##

##

#

# #

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

# #

#

#

#

#

# ##

##

#

# #

#

#

#

#

#

#

##

#

#

# #

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

#

Battle

Little 

Spearfish

Creek

Angostura

Reservoir

Pactola

Deerfield Reservoir

Reservoir

Belle Fourche

Reservoir

Cleghorn

Canyon

Stagebarn

Canyon

Creek Castle

Horsehead

Ft. Meade Deadwood

Lead

Central 

City

Cold Brook

Reservoir

LittleElk Cr

 Creek

Cottonwood

Springs

Reservoir

LIMESTONE PLATEAU

Annie

Creek 

Cleopatra

Creek 

Vale

Nemo

Wall

Wasta

Newell

Custer

Hayward

Nisland

Sturgis

Tilford

Hermosa

Pringle

Piedmont

Rochford

Keystone

Fairburn

Edgemont

Fruitdale

Spearfish

Whitewood

Blackhawk

Box Elder

Hill City

Red Shirt

Saint 

Onge

Rapid City

Elm Springs

Silver 

City

Mystic

Farmingdale

Rockerville

Buffalo 

Gap

Hot 

Springs

Union 

Center

Belle 

Fourche

New 

Underwood

9

8

7 6

4

3

2

1

94

93

92

89

86

85

83

81

78

77

72

66

65

64

63

62

61

58

57

48

46

45 44

43 39

35

34

31 32

28

26

24

23

20

19

18

15

14

13

10

06434000

5

91

90

87 88

84

82

80 79

76

75

74

73

71

70

69

67 68

60

59

56 55

54 53

51 52

50

49

47 42

41 40

38

37

36

33

30 29

27

25

22

21

17

16 12

11

06422650

06422650

440325103182500

441233103215300

14

442205103073200

06422000

Figure 5. Hydrogeologic settings for the Black Hills area (modified from Sando and others, 2008) and locations of selected 

streamflow-gaging stations.

10 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
Figure 6. Photographs showing 

damages to houses and the railroad 

grade in the Hermosa area from flooding 

on August 17, 2007 (photographs by 

Mark T. Anderson).

The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms and Flooding 11
Figure 7. Comparison of 2007 and 1972 peak flows for selected locations in the Hermosa area.

D

D

D

D

D

D

D

#

#

#

#

#

Hayward

Hermosa

Keystone

Hill City

Rockerville

06404998

06404998

06406000

06404000

435112103163700

435112103163700

434858103151700

434835103163100

434902103134000

06404500

435021103164900

434955103133000

434931103115000

36/709

<1/26,200

2,000/unavailable

3,000/unavailable

26,000/44,100

36/709

18,600/21,400

1,200/unavailable

4,400/unavailable

2,100/unavailable

2,500/unavailable

3,500/unavailable

103°30' 103°25' 103°20' 103°15' 103°10'

44°00'

43°55'

43°50'

43°45'

Area shown on map

Index map

SOUTH DAKOTA

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

0 1 2 3 4 MILES

0 1 2 3 4 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

Continuous record streamflow-gaging station and number

D Indirect measurement site and number

Streamflow, in cubic feet per second—Number in red is 

 2007 peak flow; number in green is 1972 peak flow 

 (<, less than)

Small watershed 

Site type

Large watershed boundary

40

40

16

16

16A

16A

244

385

36

79

79

87

89

87

87

PENNINGTON COUNTY

CUSTER COUNTY

Creek

Battle

Spring

Spring

Creek

Creek

Creek

Grace

Grace

Coolidge

Coolidge

French

Sheridan 

Lake

Stockade 

Lake

Creek

Battle

Iron

Creek

Gulch

Bear

Creek

Spokane

Galena Creek

Creek

Creek

French

Creek

12 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms and Flooding 13

Figure 8. Photographs showing scour from flooding on August 17, 2007, at a bridge site along 

Highway 40 about 2 to 3 miles west of Hermosa, S. Dak. Photographs by Mark T. Anderson.
Table 1. Peak-flow data for selected sites resulting from storms during 2007 (August 17), 1972 (June 9–10), and 1957 (July 28).

[mi2, square miles; <, less than; --, not determined; e, estimated value derived from critical-flow computation (Grant, 1997)]

Station number Station name Drainage area

(mi2)

Peak flow (cubic feet per second) for selected year

2007 1972 1957

Sites along main-stem reaches of Battle and Grace Coolidge Creeks

06404000 Battle Creek near Keystone, S. Dak. 58.6 <1.0 26,200 --

06404500 Battle Creek near Hermosa, S. Dak. 103 26,000 44,100 --

1

06404998 Grace Coolidge Creek near Game Lodge 

near Hermosa, S. Dak.1 26.9 36 709 --

434902103134000 Grace Coolidge Creek at Highway 36 bridge 

above Hermosa, S. Dak. 61.5 4,400 -- --

06406000 Battle Creek at Hermosa, S. Dak. 169 18,600 21,400 1,950

06406500 Battle Creek below Hermosa, S. Dak. 285 1,850 -- --

Sites along small tributaries to Battle and Grace Coolidge Creeks

435112103163700 Un-named tributary to Deadman Gulch near 

Hermosa, S. Dak.

0.678 e2,000 -- --

435021103164900 Un-named tributary (right bank) to Battle 

Creek above Hermosa, S. Dak.

.977 e3,000 -- --

434955103133000 Un-named tributary (left bank) to Battle 

Creek above Hermosa, S. Dak.

1.36 2,500 -- --

434835103163100 Un-named tributary (lower Ghost Canyon) to 

Grace above Hermosa, S. Dak.

2.73 e3,500 -- 2,660

434858103151700 Un-named tributary (left bank) to Grace 

Coolidge Creek above Hermosa, S. Dak.

.565 e2,100 -- --

434931103115000 Un-named tributary (right bank) to Battle 

Creek at Hermosa, S. Dak.

4.92 1,200 -- 1,150

Selected sites reported by Schwarz and others (1975) and considered by Crippen and Bue (1977)

440325103182500 Cleghorn Canyon at Rapid City, S. Dak. 7.0 -- 12,600 --

06422650 Boxelder Creek at Doty School near 

Blackhawk, S. Dak.

116 -- 51,600 --

1

Data before 1977 were collected at station 06405000 (Grace Coolidge Creek near Custer), which was operated just downstream from station 06404998.

14 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

The 2007 peak flows for sites in the Hermosa area, 

along with 1972 peak flows for applicable sites are shown 

in figure 7. Six of the sites listed in table 1 are located 

along main-stem reaches of Battle Creek or Grace Coolidge 

Creek, and peak flows for 1972 were determined at four 

of the six sites (fig. 7). Differences in peak flows between 

1972 and 2007 are consistent with the differences in storm 

patterns (figs. 2 and 3). During 1972, the heaviest precipitation was north of Grace Coolidge Creek, and the peak flow 

for upstream station 06404998 (Grace Coolidge Creek near 

Game Lodge near Hermosa; 709 ft3/s) was relatively small, 

but about 20 times larger than during 2007 (36 ft3/s). Farther 

downstream along Grace Coolidge Creek, a 2007 peak flow 

of 4,400 ft3/s was determined for station 434902103134000, 

located just upstream from the confluence with Battle Creek. 

The 1972 peak flow for this location was not determined 

by USGS; however, Schwarz and others (1975) stated that 

“Grace Coolidge Creek did not experience heavy flooding.” 

This account was corroborated by several area residents with 

distinct recollections of 1972 flooding who reported that the 

2007 flooding was much larger along lower Grace Coolidge 

Creek, which is consistent with the storm patterns. 

During 2007, the heaviest precipitation along Battle 

Creek was limited to areas downstream from station 06404000 

(Battle Creek near Keystone), for which a peak flow of less 

than 1 ft3/s was recorded (table 1). The 1972 peak flow of 

26,200 ft3/s for this station was very large, relative to the 

drainage area of only 58.6 mi2. Farther downstream along 

Battle Creek (station 06404500, located just upstream from 

the confluence with Grace Coolidge Creek), a 2007 peak 

flow of 26,000 ft3/s was determined, which was generated 

entirely within the intervening drainage area of only 44.4 mi2. 

In moving downstream to the next station (06406000; Battle 

Creek at Hermosa), the 2007 peak flow (18,600 ft3/s) was 

attenuated by about 30 percent. In comparison, in 1972 an 

especially large peak flow of 44,100 ft3/s was documented 
The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms and Flooding 15

for station 06404500, which attenuated to a peak flow of 

21,400 ft3/s at downstream station 06406000 (Battle Creek at 

Hermosa). The Battle Creek flood plain broadens considerably 

within this reach, and filling of large volumes of storage is the 

primary mechanism for attenuation of flood flows within this 

reach. Heavier precipitation and associated tributary inflows 

within this reach (including a larger peak flow for Grace 

Coolidge Creek) probably contributed to less attenuation 

during 2007, relative to 1972. 

Hydrographs for stations 06406000 (Battle Creek at 

Hermosa) and 06406500 (Battle Creek below Hermosa) for 

August 17–19, 2007, are presented as figure 9, which show 

that the peak flow attenuated between the two stations from 

18,600 to 1,850 ft3/s. For the upstream station, the entire rise 

of about 14 ft occurred in about 2.5 hours, and 12.37 ft of this 

rise occurred in 65 minutes. For the downstream station, a 

very small rise occurred about 10 p.m. on August 17, which 

is about 2 hours after the peak at the upstream station, and 

presumably resulted from minor localized runoff. The main 

rise began at 11:15 a.m. on August 18 (about 15 hours after the 

main rise upstream), and although the peak flow had attenuated by about 17,000 ft3

/s (90 percent), the main rise of almost 

8 ft occurred within only about 90 minutes.

Schwarz and others (1975) presented data for the 1972 

flooding (reproduced as fig. 10) that show Rapid Creek above 

Canyon Lake near Rapid City (station 06412500) rising by 

about 14 ft in 3 hours, with about 11 ft of rise within 2 hours, 

during the fastest part of the rise. Flow increased by about 

28,000 ft3/s during this timeframe, and farther downstream 

(Rapid Creek at Rapid City; station 06414000) flow increased 

by about 45,000 ft3/s in about 1 hour. Flow attenuated substantially farther downstream because the flood plain in the 

intervening reach broadens substantially, and the peak flow at 

Rapid Creek near Farmingdale (station 06421500) was only 

7,320 ft3/s. The 2007 and 1972 hydrographs illustrate how 

quickly area streams can rise, and that rises to catastrophic 

flood stages can occur within extremely short timeframes, 

such that time available for providing warnings can be very 

short. Both storms occurred late in the day, which is typical 

for many exceptionally severe convective storms, and the 

associated flood events extended into darkness hours, which 

can further complicate warning efforts and increase dangers 

relative to injury and loss of life.

Alternative frequency curves from Sando and others 

(2008) for station 06406000 (Battle Creek near Hermosa) are 

shown in figure 11. The magnitudes and estimated recurrence 

intervals for the 2007 and 1972 peak flows are shown relative to the “Black Hills regional mixed-population frequency 

curve” that was developed by Sando and others (2008) to 

address complications associated with “high-outlier” peaks 

such as these. The estimated recurrence intervals for the 

2007 and 1972 peak flows (18,600 and 21,400 ft3/s, respectively; table 1) are about 400 and 450 years, respectively, 

which correspond with annual exceedance probabilities of 

about 0.0025 and 0.0022. Sando and others (2008) cautioned 

that especially large uncertainty exists for estimation of 

low-probability events such as those of 2007 and 1972, 

which is well illustrated by the fact that two low-probability 

floods have occurred at this station within a period of record 

dating back to 1950. The most realistic interpretation of 

the frequency analyses is that (1) meaningful estimates of 

exceedance probabilities for such low-probability events 

cannot be made at this time; and (2) even with many tens 

of years of additional peak-flow records, large uncertainties 

for low-probability events may still remain for any given 

streamflow-gaging station. Obtaining a thorough understanding of peak-flow characteristics for low-probability events 

will require a comprehensive long-term approach involving 

(1) collection and documentation of scientific information for 

extreme events, such as those of 2007 and 1972; (2) continued 

long-term collection of systematic peak-flow records for many 

locations; and (3) regional assessments of a wide variety of 

information that includes all available systematic peak-flow 

records, historical flood information, paleoflood information (which pre-dates historical information), and climatic 

information.

Flooding associated with the 1972 storm was extensive 

throughout the Black Hills area. Schwarz and others (1975) 

documented peak flows associated with the 1972 storm for 

49 locations, of which 37 are locations of USGS streamflowgaging stations where systematic peak-flow records were 

being collected, previously had been collected, or subsequently have been collected. The 1972 peak flows represent 

peak-of-record flows for 17 of the 37 stations (including 

record peak flows for 4 stations that did not yet have systematic records). The five largest annual peak flows for each of 

97 selected streamflow-gaging stations are listed in table 9 

in the back of this report; locations of stations are shown in 

figure 5. This table includes only stations with 10 or more 

years of peak-flow record; however, this criterion encompasses most stations in the Black Hills area and almost all 

stations with systematic peak-flow records that include 1972. 

Of the 97 stations in table 9, 53 stations have records available 

for 1972, of which 27 annual peak flows were associated with 

the June 9–10 storm; 16 were record flows as of 1972, and 14 

remain as record flows (through water year 2009). 

Six of the sites listed in table 1 are located along small 

tributaries (drainage areas ranging from 0.565 to 4.92 mi2) to 

either Battle Creek or to Grace Coolidge Creek (fig. 7). These 

six sites are located in drainage basins where especially heavy 

precipitation occurred during 2007 (fig. 2) and sites were 

selected for field measurements because of especially large 

peak flows and conditions that were reasonably favorable for 

determination of peak flow. Peak-flow determinations were not 

obtained during 1972 for any of these six sites, and peak flows 

during 1972 presumably were much smaller than during 2007 

for all six because of considerably lighter precipitation during 

1972 (figs. 2 and 3). Previous peak-flow determinations were 

made for two of the sites following localized flooding that 

occurred in the area on July 28, 1957 (table 1), when the fifth 

largest peak-of-record flow (1,950 ft3/s, table 9) was recorded 

for Battle Creek at Hermosa (station 06406000).
Figure 9. Hydrographs for 2007 flooding for two streamflow-gaging stations along Battle Creek. 

A, streamflow, dashed line indicates period when flow was split between the main channel at a railroad 

bridge at station 06406000 (Battle Creek at Hermosa, S. Dak.) and a breach in the railroad grade about 

one-quarter mile north of the station; and B, stage.

8 AM

12 PM

4 PM

8 PM

12 AM

4 AM

8 AM

12 PM

4 PM

8 PM

12 AM

4 AM

8 AM

12 PM

4 PM

8 PM

0

5,000

10,000

15,000

20,000

STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND (ft3/s)

August 19

4 AM

August 17 August 18

0

5

10

15

20

STAGE, IN FEET

A

B

Peak flow=18,600 ft3/s

Peak flow=1,850 ft3

/s

Peak stage=16.14 feet

Peak stage=9.66 feet

Stage 0 = 3,290 feet above NGVD 29 (station 06406000)

Stage 0 = 2,810 feet above NGVD 29 (station 06406500)

Battle Creek at Hermosa, S. Dak. (station 06406000)

Battle Creek at Hermosa, period of “split” flow

Battle Creek below Hermosa, S. Dak. (station 06406500)

16 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
 4 AM

8 AM

12 PM

4 PM

8 PM

12 AM

4 AM

8 AM

12 PM

4 PM

8 PM

0

10,000

20,000

30,000

40,000

50,000

60,000

June 9 June 10

EXPLANATION

STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND (ft3/s)

Peak flow=50,000 ft3/s

Peak flow=31,200 ft3

/s

Peak flow=7,320 ft3

/s

Rapid Creek above Canyon Lake near Rapid City, S. Dak. (station 06412500)

Rapid Creek at Rapid City, S. Dak. (station 06414000)

Rapid Creek near Farmingdale, S. Dak. (station 06421500)

Figure 10. Hydrographs 

for 1972 flooding for 

three streamflow-gaging 

stations along Rapid Creek 

(modified from Schwarz and 

others, 1975).

1.25 2 5 10 25 50 100 200 500

0.1

1.0

10

100

1,000

10,000

100,000

1,000,000

RECURRENCE INTERVAL, IN YEARS

ANNUAL PEAK FLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

Systematic data shown reflect truncation to exclude a very large peak 

 (judged as unrepresentative of the ordinary peaks population)

Magnitude of peak-flow value (based on drainage area) from Crippen

 and Bue (1977) envelope curves 

Magnitude of 1972 high outlier

Default Bulletin 17B frequency curve for systematic record

Black Hills regional mixed-population frequency curve

Alternative frequency curve for the ordinary-peaks population

Regional high-outlier population frequency curve (rescaled to station)

Annual peak flow of the ordinary-peaks population

Figure 11. Frequency 

curve (modified from 

Sando and others, 2008) for 

Battle Creek at Hermosa, 

S. Dak. (streamflow-gaging 

station 06406000).

The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms and Flooding 17
100

1,000

10,000

100,000

1,000,000

0 1 10 100 1,000 10,000 100,000

STREA

MFLOW, IN CUBIC FEETPER SECOND

DRAINAGEAREA, IN SQUARE MILES

Envelope curve (Crippen and Bue, 1977)

EXPLANATION

Data points plotted by Crippen and Bue (1977)

1972 peaks of record (from table 9)

Peak-flow values for August 17, 2007 

Selected 1972 peak-flow values

Peaks of record for streamflow-gaging stations

 in table 9

Plotted areas for selected streamflow-gaging 

stations alongRapid Creek have been

reduced by 322 square miles to reflect effects

ofregulation by PactolaReservoir 

Peak-flow values for three sites in Castle Creek

 Basin on July 28, 1955 (listed but not plotted by

 Crippen and Bue, 1977)

Station 06422650

Station 06404500

Site 7 

(fig. 37, table 7)

Station 440325103182500

Site 3 

(fig. 37, table 7)

Site 5 

(fig. 37, table 7)

Six small tributary sites

Four main-stem sites

Figure 12. Regional envelope curve (modified from Crippen and Bue, 1977) and comparison with selected peak-flow values for the 

Black Hills area.

18 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

A perspective on the relative magnitudes of the 2007 peak 

flows for the six small tributary sites is shown in figure 12, 

which shows these six values plotted with an “envelope curve” 

that was developed by Crippen and Bue (1977) for a region 

that includes the Black Hills area. Crippen and Bue (1977) 

intended the envelope curve “to serve as a guide for making 

rule-of-thumb estimates of the magnitude of high flood 

discharges,” and the envelope curve is closely approached 

by three of the peak-flow values for sites with the smallest 

drainage areas (<1.0 mi2), indicating exceptionally large flow 

values, relative to drainage area. Values for the four mainstem sites from table 1 where relatively large 2007 peak flows 

(1,850 to 26,000 ft3/s) were recorded are shown in figure 12. 

The largest of these four values is for station 06404500 (Battle 

Creek near Hermosa, drainage area = 103 mi2). The 1972 

peak flow for this site (44,100 ft3/s; table 1) also is shown 

and plots fairly close to the envelope curve. Two other 1972 

values from table 1 that were reported by Schwarz and others 

(1975) and considered by Crippen and Bue (1977) are shown 

in figure 12. A peak flow of 51,600 ft3/s for Boxelder Creek 

(station 06422650) coincides with one of the points plotted by 

Crippen and Bue (1977), and a peak flow of 12,600 ft3/s for 

Cleghorn Canyon at Rapid City (station 440325103182500, 

fig. 5) was listed by Crippen and Bue (1977) in a summary 

table, but was not plotted on their original envelope curve. It is 

noted that that peak-flow magnitudes generally do not increase 

linearly with increasing drainage area. This is reflected by 

the shape (exponential decay) of the envelope curve, which 

generally is consistent with an exponent of 0.6 that was used 

by Sando and others (2008) in normalizing “high-outlier” peak 

flows relative to drainage area.

Values for three sites in the Castle Creek Basin with 

peak-flow values for July 28, 1955, that were listed by Crippen 

and Bue (1977) but not plotted in their analysis, are shown in 
The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storms and Flooding 19

figure 12. One of these values is for a site for which the drainage area exceeds 30 mi2

, but the peak flow is well below the 

envelope curve. The other two sites have much smaller drainage areas (<3 mi2

) but their peak-flow values plot closer to the 

envelope curve. Additional details regarding this storm and 

flood event are provided in a subsequent section of this report 

titled “Upper Rapid Creek.” 

Also shown in figure 12 are peak-of-record flows that 

exceed 100 ft3/s for stations listed in table 9. Fourteen of these 

values (denoted by open triangles) are associated with the 

June 9–10, 1972, storm, which had exceptionally large areal 

coverage, as described in the previous section titled “The 

Storms.” The flooding was exceptional in that extremely large 

flows were generated in many relatively large drainage areas. 

Five of the sites with 1972 peak-of-record flows have drainage 

areas of 50 to 100 mi2 with flow values that plot close or fairly 

close to the envelope curve. Additionally, two sites (stations 

06404500 and 06422650) with drainage areas slightly larger 

than 100 mi2 have 1972 peak-flow values that plot close to the 

envelope curve (fig. 12). In comparison, most sites with peakflow values for 1955 and 2007 that plot close to the envelope 

curve have small drainage areas (<3 mi2).

Schwarz and others (1975) listed peak-flow values for 

16 other sites that are not shown in figure 12, and some of the 

values are fairly large, relative to drainage area. The preponderance of large peak flows generated by the 1972 storm 

provides a clear indication that the resulting flooding overwhelms the areal extent and magnitude of other flood events 

in the Black Hills area for which extensive peak-flow data are 

available (table 9).

A peak flow of 18,600 cubic feet per second was measured at 

U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging station 06406000 

(Battle Creek at Hermosa) (photograph by Mark T. Anderson).
20 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area

Flooding and the potential for flooding in the Black Hills 

area can be affected by many factors. Most factors generally 

can be categorized as physiographic or climatological, as 

described in this section of the report.

Physiographic Factors

Within the Black Hills physiographic region that encompasses the study area, four “hydrogeologic settings” (fig. 5) 

that can affect peak-flow characteristics, as well as the potential for flooding, were identified by Sando and others (2008). 

A distinction between peak flows and flood flows is important. 

The annual series of maximum instantaneous peak flows at 

any given site is the most commonly used dataset for peakflow frequency analysis. Many sites can experience entire 

years of low-flow or zero-flow conditions; thus, peak flows 

are not necessarily synonymous with flood flows. Flooding 

generally implies an overabundance of water, which in terms 

of streamflow could range from localized overtopping of lowwater channel banks to major flooding involving large areas.

Sando and others (2008) identified the “limestone headwater” hydrogeologic setting (fig. 5) as having distinctively 

“suppressed” peak-flow characteristics, with annual peak 

flows that consistently are much smaller, relative to drainage 

area, than annual peak flows for streamflow-gaging stations 

within the other hydrogeologic settings identified for the 

Black Hills area. High infiltration capacities of the predominant geologic outcrops (Madison Limestone and Minnelusa 

Formation) and generally low topographic relief within the 

“Limestone Plateau” area (which generally coincides with 

the limestone headwater setting, fig. 5) were cited as primary 

contributing causes of the suppressed peak-flow potential for 

this area. Sando and others (2008) noted that the suppressed 

characteristics are well defined for peak flows with small 

recurrence intervals (that is, 2-year through about 25- or 

50-year return periods, which have annual exceedance probabilities of 50, 4, and 2 percent, respectively), but uncertainty 

regarding peak-flow estimates is especially large for larger 

recurrence intervals (that is, low-probability flood events). 

A primary reason for the aforementioned uncertainty is 

a dearth of information regarding the potential for generation of exceptionally strong rain-producing thunderstorms 

within and near the Limestone Plateau area. O’Connor and 

Driscoll (2007) noted that decreasing potential for exceptionally heavy precipitation with increasing altitude (generally 

altitudes higher than about 7,500 ft) has been documented 

for other mountainous areas (Jarrett and Costa, 1988; Jarrett, 

1993); however, documentation is minimal for the Black Hills, 

which has maximum land-surface altitudes of about 7,200 ft. 

From analysis of peak-flow records, effects of this possible 

climatological factor cannot necessarily be differentiated from 

the aforementioned physiographic factors. Thus, a detailed 

examination of potential climatological effects, as presented in 

the following section “Climatological Factors and a Climatology of Recent Large Black Hills Storms” is critical to a better 

understanding of flooding potential and peak-flow characteristics for the Black Hills area.

Flooding potential can be affected by various other physiographic factors, most of which have been well documented 

within the literature, and some of which can have utility in 

flood forecasting, assuming that forecasters have access to 

sufficiently detailed information. Antecedent moisture conditions can be an important factor, and the existence of substantial antecedent moisture commonly is considered in short-term 

flooding predictions. Storm motion directed in a down-basin 

direction also can contribute to increased peak flow because 

the storm essentially is moving with the flood peak. With 

the general exception of drainages along the South Dakota/

Wyoming border, most of the larger drainages in the Black 

Hills tend to have at least somewhat of a west to east drainage 

orientation, which tends to parallel primary tracking directions 

for many storms. 

Flood potential can be affected by various soil conditions 

such as type and thickness; however, soil conditions throughout the Black Hills area are highly variable and site specific. 

Flood risk generally decreases with increasing soil thickness 

because of increasing potential for storage of water. Soil thicknesses generally decrease with increasing slope, which can 

further increase higher flood potential associated with steeper 

topography. Sparse vegetation cover provides another mechanism for increased flood potential, and dramatically increased 

flood potential in the aftermath of forest fires has been well 

documented (for example, Agnew and others, 1997). Driscoll 

and others (2004) documented hydrologic effects following 

the 1988 Galena Fire, which occurred within the Battle Creek 

watershed, and provided numerous references regarding this 

subject matter. 

The potential for exceptionally damaging floods probably is the greatest within upstream parts of the “loss zone 

and artesian spring” hydrogeologic setting that occurs around 

the flanks of the rest of the Black Hills area (fig. 5). Within 

and near outcrops of the Madison Limestone and Minnelusa 

Formation, narrow canyons are common, which have limited 

potential for attenuation of flood peaks because of limited 

floodplain storage potential. Steep topography within canyon 

reaches and associated tributaries also contributes to increased 

flood potential. Conversely, Sando and others (2008) noted 

that relatively small flood peaks can be diminished within this 

hydrogeologic setting as flows reach what frequently are dry 

channels downstream from loss zones. This hydrogeologic 
Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area 21

effect probably was a primary factor in diminishing localized 

flood peaks associated with the 2007 storm near Piedmont, as 

described in the previous section “The Flooding.” 

Climatological Factors and a Climatology of 

Recent Large Black Hills Storms

Most of the severe flooding in relatively small Black 

Hills drainages probably has been caused by exceptionally 

strong rain-producing thunderstorms, such as the 1972 and 

2007 storms that were described in the section “The 2007 

Storm and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storm and 

Flooding.” Prolonged precipitation from large-scale storm 

systems generally becomes progressively more influential with 

increasing drainage area, and large-scale storm systems tend to 

be the primary drivers for flooding in main-stem reaches of the 

Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers. A proclivity for shortduration but intense convective precipitation events, including 

supercell thunderstorms, has been observed for the Black Hills 

area (for example, Dennis and others, 1973; Bunkers, 1997a,b; 

Holm and Smith, 2008). The following sections describe 

(1) climatological factors affecting thunderstorm generation 

for the Black Hills area and (2) a climatology of recent large 

Black Hills storms. 

Climatological Factors Affecting Thunderstorm 

Generation for the Black Hills Area

The Black Hills, with altitudes ranging from about 

3,000 to 7,200 ft, plateau about 3,000 ft above the surrounding terrain, and slope gently downward from west to east 

(figs. 13A and 13B). The Black Hills are ellipsoidal in shape, 

with the major axis running from north-northwest to southsoutheast (fig. 13A). The largest gradients in topography lie 

along the foothills, as opposed to over the higher altitudes, and 

this helps favor heavy precipitation in some of these areas, as 

described later in this section. Decreasing potential for exceptionally heavy precipitation with increasing altitude has been 

documented for other high-altitude areas, as described in the 

previous section “Physiographic Factors.” However, within 

the moderate altitudes and relatively small areal extent of the 

Black Hills, several factors probably have a greater effect than 

altitude in thunderstorm generation, as described within this 

section. 

Thunderstorms require moisture, instability, and upward 

motion for development; the upward motion helps initiate or 

“trigger” thunderstorms by bringing moist air parcels to the 

level of free convection. Thunderstorms that form over and 

around the Black Hills are largely terrain-driven, especially 

with respect to the requisite upward motion for initiation 

(Kuo and Orville, 1973; Banta, 1990). This terrain-enhanced 

phenomenon is fairly well understood, and has occurred in 

several other locations (for example, Schroeder 1977; Caracena and others, 1979; Schaaf and others, 1988; Akaeda and 

others, 1995; Petersen and others, 1999; Pontrelli and others, 

1999; Lin and others, 2001; Lyman and others, 2005). 

According to Banta (1990) and Hjelmfelt and others 

(1994), the Black Hills can provide lift through (1) orographic 

lifting effects, (2) thermally enhanced circulations, and 

(3) obstacle effects (fig. 14). All three of these processes are 

modulated by atmospheric stability. Orographic lifting effects 

are mechanical and occur when air is forced up the mountain—whether it is up a uniform slope or channeled through 

a canyon—where the resulting upward motion can lift moist 

air parcels to a level of free convection (fig. 14A); however, 

if the air mass is too dry, clouds may not develop from this 

process because the level of free convection either does not 

exist or is well above the mountain-top. In addition, if the 

air mass is too stable, the air will not ascend the mountain 

appreciably, and in fact may go around it. Because considerable moisture approaches the Black Hills from the Gulf of 

Mexico, this orographic lifting effect is most pronounced on 

the eastern slopes of the hills; whereas, the often dry westerly 

flow is less effective at producing deep moist convection on 

the western slopes of the hills. Also, the altitude change along 

the western slopes of the Black Hills is about 1,500 ft less 

than along the eastern slopes (fig. 13B), which further reduces 

convective potential because of orographic lifting along the 

western slopes.

Thermally enhanced circulations (thermal forcings) are 

most noticeable during daylight hours because of differential 

heating of a smaller volume of air over the mountains, relative to the plains. This produces low pressure and unstable/

warmer conditions over the mountains, resulting in upslope 

flow over the elevated terrain with descending motion over the 

plains (fig. 14B)—the so-called mountain-plain circulation. 

Other areas of thermally driven upslope flow can occur where 

the underlying surface is dark (for example, a pine forest or a 

dark rock outcrop). When the large-scale tropospheric flow is 

greater than about 10 to 16 feet per second (ft/s), convergence 

of the upslope currents will be displaced to the lee side of the 

mountain axis (that is, to the right of the mountain peak in 

fig. 14B). In this case, the thermally induced convergence zone 

typically forms by late morning downwind of the mountain 

peak (or ridge line) because of the combination of surface 

heating and mixing of the large-scale westerly winds from 

above (Banta, 1984, 1990). Furthermore, this thermal circulation is stronger for drier soils/arid regions than for wet soils/

non-arid regions because less energy is used for latent heating 

(that is, evapotranspiration) and more is used for sensible 

heating (that is, warming up the boundary layer)—hence 

creating a greater density difference between the mountains 

and plains. For the Black Hills, a consequence of this thermal 

forcing and climatological westerly winds at ridge-top level is 

a lee-side convergence zone that commonly extends east of the 

major axis of the Black Hills (fig. 15). Although not formally 

documented, this thermally induced circulation/convergence 

zone appears to be a common afternoon feature over the Black 

Hills on mostly sunny days in the warm season, generally 
Figure 13. A, Generalized topography for the Black Hills area, and B, topographic cross section for the Black Hills area along 

cross section A–A’.

F

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

4,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

2,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

3,000

4,000

3,000

4,000

4,000

3,500

3,000

5,000 5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

6,000

3,500

6,000

4,000

4,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

5,000

KUDX

Harney 

Peak Storm Hill

NEBRASKA

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

MONTANA

WYOMING

CARTER COUNTY POWDER 

RIVER 

COUNTY

CAMPBELL

COUNTY

WESTON COUNTY

CROOK

COUNTY

CONVERSE COUNTY

NIOBRARA

COUNTY

SIOUX

COUNTY

DAWES

COUNTY SHERIDAN COUNTY

SHANNON

COUNTY

FALL RIVER

COUNTY

CUSTER COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

MEADE COUNTY

LAWRENCE

COUNTY

BUTTE COUNTY

HARDING

COUNTY PERKINS COUNTY

103°00' 102°30' 102°00' 104°30' 104°00' 103°30' 105°30' 105°00'

45°30'

45°00'

44°30'

44°00'

43°30'

43°00'

0 10 20 30 40 MILES

0 10 20 30 40 KILOMETERS

#

MONTANA NORTH 

DAKOTA

SOUTH

DAKOTA

WYOMING NEBRASKA

River

Bad

Vale

Lead

Deadwood

Nemo

Kyle

Lusk

Sorum

Redig

Ridge

Upton

Wasta

Wall

Osage

Biddle

Newell Hulett

Weston

Beulah

Scenic

Custer

Wright

Oglala

Gordon

Hayward

Broadus Harding

Nisland

Sturgis

Tilford

Hermosa

Pringle

Chadron

Douglas

Sundance

Gillette Piedmont

Rochford

Fairburn

Edgemont

Oelrichs

Mud Butte

New

Haven

Fruitdale

Spearfish Whitewood

Moorcroft

BlackhawkBox Elder

Hill City

Newcastle

Red Shirt

Porcupine

Manderson

Rockypoint

Saint

Onge

Rapid City

Pine Ridge

Elm Springs

Silver City

Farmingdale Rockerville

Buffalo Gap

Hot Springs

Devils 

Tower

Union

Center

Wounded Knee

Belle

Fourche

New

Underwood

Batesland

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 13 

Shaded relief from the National Elevation Dataset (http://ned.usgs.gov). 

Altitude is portrayed as a range of colors, from orange for low altitudes 

to dark green for high altitudes

A A'

Area shown

on map

Index map

Angostura Reservoir

RIVER

CHEYENNE

WHITE RIVER

Belle Fourche

Reservoir

RIVER POWDER LITTLE 

POWDER RIVER

Pactola Reservoir

CHEYENNE RIVE

BELLE

R

BELLE

FOURCHE

FOURCHE

RIVER

RIVER

5,000

KUDX

#

A A'

EXPLANATION

Land-surface altitude contour—Contour 

 interval 500 feet. Datum is North American 

 Vertical Datum of 1988

Trace of cross section

National Weather Service radar station and identifier

U.S. Geological Survey streamflow-gaging 

 station 06336000 in North Dakota

A

22 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
Figure 13. A, Generalized topography for the Black Hills area, and B, topographic 

cross section for the Black Hills area along cross section A–A’.—Continued

100 120 140 160 180 200

HORIZONTAL DISTANCE, IN MILES

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

ALTITUDE, IN FEET ABOVE NORTH AMERICAN 

VERTICAL DATUM OF 1988

0 20 40 60 80

B

Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area 23

from east of Spearfish to west of Rapid City and to east of 

Custer (based on anecdotal operational forecaster experience). 

In figure 15, surface observations indicate an easterly wind 

flow to the east of the convergence boundary and a westerly 

wind flow to the west of the convergence boundary. The weak 

shower shown in figure 15 initiated along the convergence 

zone, but was not sustained as it moved southeast because 

the level of free convection was well above the altitude of the 

Black Hills.

Obstacle effects (fig. 14C) also can be substantial for the 

Black Hills in terms of promoting thunderstorm development. 

Kuo and Orville (1973) studied four summers of radar data for 

June to August 1967–70 and determined that when the flow 

just above ridge-top level was from the southwest (or northwest), maximum echo frequency was over the northeastern 

(or southeastern) slopes of the Black Hills. This was attributed 

to some of the low-level airflow going around the Black Hills 

and converging or reversing direction on the downwind/lee 

side, thus helping produce upward motion to initiate thunderstorms. These results are consistent with Schaaf and others 

(1988), who determined this lee-side effect was noticeable 

for the Sangre de Cristo Mountains of southern Colorado and 

northern New Mexico. Hjelmfelt and Farley (1992) simulated idealized airflow for the Black Hills using a numerical model with horizontal grid spacing of about 5 mi, and 

confirmed the observational results of Kuo and Orville (1973), 

whereby convergence, flow reversal, and lee-side vortices 

were simulated downwind from the Black Hills. Furthermore, 

Hjelmfelt and Farley (1992) indicated this effect was greatest 

with a westerly wind component; an easterly wind component 

produced considerably weaker or nonexistent lee-side vortices 

to the west of the Black Hills.

Collectively, these three terrain-induced processes 

(fig. 14) indicate that convective initiation and thunderstorm 

occurrence should be favored to the east of the major axis of 

the Black Hills, down through the foothills. First, orographic 

lift and moisture availability and depth are greatest when the 

surface flow is from the southeast through the northeast. Given 

the topography of the Black Hills area, as illustrated in a cross 

section about 5 mi south of Rapid City (fig. 13B), this would 

give moist air parcels a relatively good chance to reach a level 

of free convection before ascending to the ridge line. Second, 

the thermally induced circulation—which is a focus for 

convective initiation—tends to set up to the east of the major 

axis of the Black Hills (fig. 15). And third, the obstacle effect 

has its greatest effect when wind near the ridge-top flows from 

a westerly direction, producing lee-side convergence on the 

northeastern–southeastern slopes of the Black Hills. Last, all 

three of these terrain-induced processes are affected by advection, which usually is toward the east because of the mean 

tropospheric flow, which favors thunderstorm formation and 

maintenance to the east of the major axis of the Black Hills.

Even though the amount of tropospheric water vapor at 

the highest altitudes of the Black Hills averages about threefourths of that at the lower altitudes, this does not necessarily 

dictate less potential for exceptionally heavy precipitation at 

the higher altitudes. An example of extreme precipitation at 

relatively high altitude is a 1935 storm that produced as much 

as 24 in. of precipitation (6-hour duration) at an altitude of 

about 6,000 ft near Cherry Creek in northeastern Colorado 

(Schwarz and others, 1975; located about 400 mi southwest 

of Rapid City, S. Dak.). For the 1976 Big Thompson Canyon 

flood (west of Loveland in north-central Colorado; about 

380 mi southwest of Rapid City, S. Dak.), the heaviest rain 

occurred mid-slope, around altitudes of 7,500 ft (Maddox 

and others, 1978; Caracena and others, 1979), which is above 

the highest altitudes of the Black Hills. Yoshizaki and Ogura 

(1988) studied the Big Thompson event with a numerical model to investigate why the higher mountains (above 

approximately 8,500 ft) were devoid of intense precipitation. 

They determined that when air with large water-vapor content 

was advected westward from the plains toward the mountain 

slopes, the heavy precipitation occurred midslope. If the moisture uniformly was distributed in the horizontal direction, then heavy 

rains occurred over the higher terrain. In 

summary, if moisture continually is supplied 

to higher altitudes, then heavy precipitation should occur there; however, water 

vapor commonly condenses into clouds and 

thunderstorms before reaching the higher 

altitudes.

In addition to the three aforementioned 

terrain-induced processes that affect thunderstorm generation in the Black Hills area, 

several other meteorological processes can 

greatly affect the development of especially 

heavy precipitation for the area, but are 

not necessarily specific to the Black Hills 

area. The first is a process called a “train 

echo” pattern, or cell training, in which 

showers and thunderstorms will repeatedly 
A. Orographic lifting

C. Obstacle effects

B. Thermal forcing

Figure 14. Schematic diagram illustrating terrain-induced processes of A, orographic lifting; 

B, thermal forcing; and C, obstacle effects on convective cloud development (modified from 

Banta, 1990).

24 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area 25

track over the same area (for example, Schwartz and others, 

1990). Although these storms may be relatively fast moving, 

the fact that several of them repeatedly travel over the same 

area increases the probability for heavy precipitation, and can 

further contribute to flood potential, especially when storm 

motion is directed in a down-basin direction. A second and 

somewhat related process occurs when a thunderstorm, or 

group of thunderstorms, are slow-moving and “anchored” in 

place for several hours as they are supplied with a continuous, low-level feed of moist and unstable air (for example, 

Chappell, 1986). A key to quasi-stationary thunderstorms—or 

“anchoring”—is storm regeneration, which can result from 

any of the terrain-induced convergence processes by promoting thunderstorm development and cell training in a persistent 

location. This effect appears to be strongest when the mean 

wind is relatively weak (less than about 33 ft/s) such that 

a mesoscale convergence pattern can become well established (Banta, 1990), and also so that potential storms are not 

advected away from the source of mesoscale convergence. 

In this scenario, new cells continually may develop in these 

favored convergence regions as old ones slowly advect away, 

leading to continual development on a preferred flank such 

that the system motion is near zero (for example, Schroeder, 

1977; Akaeda and others, 1995; Bunkers, 1997a). Nearby 

storms that are not affected by mountainous terrain may have a 

substantial motion relative to those being affected by the orography. Finally, supercells are well-organized thunderstorms 

that possess persistent rotation about a vertical axis throughout much of their updraft, and because of this rotation move 

differently than ordinary thunderstorms (Bunkers and others, 

2000). Their organization and potential for high precipitation rates makes them a candidate for producing flash floods. 

A hodograph, which is a plot of winds with height, can be 

used to evaluate the likelihood of slow-moving or stationary 

supercells, which helps estimate the potential for supercells 

to produce locally heavy precipitation. Chappell and Rodgers 

(1988) examined a case where supercell motion was nearly 

stationary, and the result of this supercell was a devastating storm and flash flood on August 1, 1985, near Cheyenne 

in southeastern Wyoming (about 310 miles southwest of 

Rapid City, S. Dak.).

A Climatology of Recent Large 

Black Hills Storms

The WSR-88D radar installation near New Underwood 

(KUDX, fig. 13A) has operated since late 1995, allowing for 

nearly 14 years of data collection on Black Hills rainstorms. 

From these data, a limited climatology of 13 recent heavy 

precipitation events (table 2) was constructed. For the purpose 

of this report, these 13 events were selected based on local 

NWS records of heavy precipitation and reports of associated 

flooding. Using the KUDX WSR-88D, cases were selected 

where the radar-derived STP was greater than or equal to 

2.66 in. in the vicinity of the Black Hills (fig. 16). This does 

not necessarily include all such events because a thorough 

investigation for each day was not undertaken. Furthermore, 

it is noted that radar-derived STP estimates are inherently 

imperfect because of (1) imperfect relations between radar 

reflectivity and precipitation, (2) hail contamination, and 

(3) other factors (Baeck and Smith, 1998). Given these limitations, caution should be used when viewing absolute values 

of radar-derived STP presented in this report; however, spatial 

patterns of STP are relatively robust compared to absolute 

values of STP. 

Thirteen events were selected from 1996–2008 that fit 

the previously mentioned quantitative and spatial criteria of 

radar-derived STP (table 2; fig. 16); 4 of the 13 events had 

2 “storm areas” of interest. In some cases, substantial precipitation also was observed well away from the Black Hills over 

the adjacent plains (for example, June 14, 1997, and May 6–7, 

2005). The lightest events, with maximum STP estimates of 

2.66–5.33 in., were mostly small in areal extent and located 

over the Black Hills; only one of these events (June 21, 2007) 

occurred to the west of the major axis of the Black Hills. The 

heaviest events (STP estimates of 5.33–7 in.), plus the extreme 

event on June 14, 1996 (maximum STP of 12 in.), were largely 

confined to the northern and eastern foothills and immediately 

adjacent plains. An exception to this is the July 6–7, 2008, 

storm (northwest of Rochford), which had anomalously high 

precipitation totals very near the major axis of the Black Hills. 

A composite image showing summed precipitation increments of 6 in. and larger (fig. 17) was created by summing 

the radar-derived STP estimates for the 13 individual events 

shown in figure 16. This figure illustrates the propensity for 

heavy precipitation to occur east of the major axis of the Black 

Hills from the northern through eastern foothills. Thunderstorms over mountainous terrain tend to form in preferred 

“hot spots” because of orographic effects. Banta (1990) noted 

that such locations commonly are known by local residents, 

and many mountain peaks across the United States have been 

given names like “Storm Mountain” or “Storm King.” Perhaps 

not surprisingly, the Black Hills has a peak named “Storm 

Hill” that is located about 10 mi southwest of Rapid City 

(fig. 17) amidst the active thunderstorm zone along the eastern 

slopes; however, details regarding the specific history of the 

name are not known.

The exceptional 1972 thunderstorm produced a precipitation footprint (fig. 3) in a location generally similar to 

the composite for the 13 recent heavy precipitation events 

(fig. 17). Precipitation increments of 6 in. and larger for the 

1972 storm are overlain with the composite of 13 recent events 

(from fig. 17) in figure 18. This figure shows that the 1972 

storm footprint is perhaps at a slightly higher altitude than the 

13-event composite. Moreover, the total volume of 6 in. increments and larger for the 1972 storm is about one-fourth the 

comparable volume for the composite.

Radar data were reviewed for each of the 13 recent events 

to understand the evolution of the thunderstorms, and possibly 

to put them into perspective with respect to the exceptional 

1972 storm system. This analysis revealed several common 
Figure 15. Radar image for the Black Hills area for June 21, 2008, at 3:51 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time (image provided by the National 

Weather Service).

E

Axis of 

Black Hills

Weak

shower

Lee-side 

convergence

boundary

44°38’24” 44°39’00”

104°19’12” 102°25’12”

43°17’24” 43°18’00”

104°17’24” 102°25’48”

EXPLANATION

83 203

49

Area shown

on map

Index map

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

Standard station plot—Upper left number is air temperature in degrees Fahrenheit; lower left number is 

dew point in degrees Fahrenheit; upper right number (if available) is mean sea-level pressure times 10 

with first two numbers omitted in millibars (the pressure for the example is 1,020.3 millibars); barb and 

tick mark indicate wind direction (calm if no barb is shown; the wind direction for the example is 

90 degrees blowing from east to west); tick mark on the barb represents wind speed from the 

originating wind direction (short tick = 5 knots; long tick = 10 knots; wind speed for the example is 

5 knots); circle (if shown) represents fractional cloud cover (not shown for the example)

Radar reflectivity, in decibels of Z (dBZ)—Returns less than 20 dBZ generally represent clear-air 

echoes; returns of about 20 dBZ and greater generally represent clouds and precipitation (for example, 

the weak shower indicated on image); returns of 50 dBZ and greater generally indicate strong 

precipitation and generally are associated with thunderstorms

National Weather Service radar station and identifier

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

KUDX

WESTON 

COUNTY

CROOK

COUNTY

SHANNON

COUNTY

FALL RIVER

COUNTY

CUSTER COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

MEADE COUNTY

LAWRENCE

COUNTY

CROOK

COUNTY

NIOBRARA

COUNTY

BUTTE COUNTY

KUDX

KUDX

26 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area 27

themes associated with many of the events, as summarized in 

table 2. In particular, thunderstorms tended to be regenerative 

and train over a particular area, resulting in a quasi-stationary 

convective system, and thus setting the hydrologic stage for 

potential flooding. In fact, all 13 events considered in this 

report displayed training thunderstorms. After this preconditioning occurred, a single larger storm, a group of smaller 

storms, or a line of storms, often approached and merged with 

the existing thunderstorm(s) over the area of interest. Although 

only 6 of the 13 events were associated with substantial 

mergers, the average maximum STP (from table 2) was 7.5 in. 

for the events with mergers, compared to an average of 5 in. 

for the events without mergers—implying the importance of 

substantial storm mergers for precipitation production. All 

but 2 of these 13 events had thunderstorms that also traveled 

down-basin—thus potentially exacerbating the effects of the 

heavy precipitation. 

A representative example of the evolution of shortduration, intense precipitation events is given in figure 19 for 

the July 6–7, 2008, storm near Rochford. Note how a single 

supercell storm (denoted by (i) in fig. 19A) existed early in 

the event. After this storm moved eastward, it was followed 

(about 2 hours later) by a second supercell storm (ii) that 

showed signs of back-building to its west (fig. 19B). This 

storm also eventually moved east and weakened. About an 

hour later, a third and larger storm (iii) approached Rochford, 

while yet another storm (iv) began to merge on its southern 

flanks (fig. 19C). At the same time a broken line of storms (v) 

was approaching from the west (fig. 19C), and eventually this 

line merged with the existing thunderstorms over the Rochford area (fig. 19D). The maximum radar-derived STP for the 

overall storm system was about 7 in. (fig. 16; table 2), and 

the storm caused flooding along parts of upper Rapid Creek, 

as described in a subsequent section titled “History of Large 

Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area.” This type of 

scenario tends to be a prolific rain producer. Smith and others 

(2001) documented a similar pattern for a May 5–6, 1995, 

storm near Dallas in northeastern Texas (about 1,060 mi southeast of Rapid City, S. Dak.) that caused 16 deaths and about 

1 billion dollars in property damage.

With respect to the exceptional storm of June 9–10, 1972, 

Schwarz and others (1975) provided detailed descriptions 

of the storm history from a combination of radar imagery, 

precipitation recordings, and visual observations, as paraphrased in this paragraph. The earliest signs of convective 

activity began about 1330 Mountain Daylight Time (MDT) 

about 60 mi west-northwest of Rapid City. Additional cells 

developed during the next 3–4 hours along the eastern edge 

of the Black Hills about 25 mi north of Rapid City and began 

building farther south. At about 1500 MDT (almost simultaneously with cell development north of Rapid City), a line 

of thunderstorms developed to the southeast and moved 

toward the west-northwest with subsequent cells forming on 

the trailing end of the line. These cells increased markedly 

in intensity, and by 1800 MDT the line of thunderstorms had 

become almost solid. Between 1800 and 1930 MDT, the gap 

filled in between the line of thunderstorms to the south and 

the initial thunderstorm development northwest of Rapid City. 

The large-scale system appeared to drift slowly eastward after 

about 2200 MDT, although light showers persisted to the west 

of Rapid City for several hours. Most of the heavy precipitation occurred between 1830 MDT on June 9 and 0030 MDT 

on June 10.

From the accounts of Schwarz and others (1975), it is 

apparent that the 1972 storm exhibited substantial merging 

of storm cells, and Dennis and others (1973) indicated that 

training of thunderstorms was clearly evident. Individual cell 

movement was to the west-northwest (generally in an up-basin 

direction for most of the drainages that were affected by the 

storm), but because of the ongoing regeneration of storm cells, 

the storm system essentially was anchored along the eastern 

slopes of the Black Hills. Storm movement was slowly eastward (generally down-basin) in the final stages of the storm as 

the parent low-pressure system moved east of the Black Hills. 

Unusually light upper-level winds were an important factor 

in the general stagnation of the storm system (Schwarz and 

others, 1975).

A final consideration for Black Hills rainstorms is the 

presence of supercell thunderstorms, which appear to be 

fairly common (table 2). For example, a further analysis of 

the radar data for the August 17, 2007, storm reveals that a 

nearly stationary supercell was present for at least 1 hour 

before a substantial storm merger occurred. In addition, the 

hodograph (or vertical wind shear profile) constructed for this 

storm (fig. 20) using the Rapid Update Cycle forecast model 

(Benjamin and others, 2004) was such that it favored slowmoving supercells; that is, the forecast storm motion for rightmoving supercells was less than 10 miles per hour (mi/h). This 

slow motion resulted because as the storm began to rotate, it 

deviated to the right of the wind shear profile, which worked 

against the mean wind that steered the storm; the net effect 

was that the two components cancelled each other, resulting 

in a very slow storm motion. When this type of storm and 

motion can be anticipated, forecasts of heavy precipitation and 

potential flooding can be improved. Note that for the hodograph in figure 20, wind speed data are plotted every 1,600 ft 

above land surface, but markers (open circles or squares) are 

shown only at intervals of 3,200 ft. The long, stretched-out 

vertical wind shear profile between the near-surface layer and 

19,200 ft above land surface (wind shear vector) indicates 

relatively large wind shear, which is required for supercell 

thunderstorm development.

Interestingly, a proximity hodograph for the 1972 storm 

(fig. 21) indicated that the predicted right-moving supercells 

(VRM) would move slower than nonsupercells (mean wind 

speed; Vmw)—toward the west-northwest at approximately 

14 mi/h. The close plotting of points along the vertical wind 

shear profile (between about 5,000 ft and 25,000 ft above land 

surface) in figure 21 indicates smaller wind shear than during 

the 2007 storm, which, based on current research, indicates 

only a modest probability of supercells. Unfortunately, radar 

data are not available for the 1972 storm, and thus it is not 
Table 2. Maximum precipitation and radar characteristics for 13 recent strong rain-producing thunderstorm events in the 

Black Hills area.

[--, not applicable; Max precip, maximum radar-derived storm-total precipitation. Radar characteristics: Train, training cells; Merge, substantial storm mergers; 

DBM, down-basin storm movement; Super, supercell occurrence; --, not applicable]

Storm 

event 

number

Date General location of primary storm cell Color coding 

(fig. 16)

Max 

precip 

(inches)

Radar characteristics

Train Merge DBM Super

1 May 30, 1996 South of Rapid City, S. Dak. Lime green 6 Yes No Yes Yes

2 June 14, 1996 East of Sturgis, S. Dak. Yellow/brown 12 Yes Yes Yes Yes

3 June 14, 1997 East-southeast of Sturgis, S. Dak. Pale green 5 Yes No Yes Yes

4 June 23, 1998 East of Sturgis, S. Dak. (north of storm 

3)

Yellow/tan 6 Yes Yes Yes Yes

5 June 18, 1999 East of Hill City, S. Dak. Bright pink 3 Yes No Yes No

6 August 7, 1999 Northwest of Custer, S. Dak. Salmon 5 Yes No Yes No

7 July 5, 2003 Cell 1 – southeast of Rockerville, S. Dak.

Cell 2 – south and west of Nemo, S. Dak.

Orange/red

Orange/red

6 Yes

Yes

No

No

Yes

Yes

Yes

No

8 May 6–7, 2005 Cell 1 – northeast of Hot Springs, 

S. Dak.

Cell 2 – southeast of Red Shirt, S. Dak.

Dark green

Dark green

7 Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes1

Yes

9 May 19, 2007 Cell 1 – southwest of Lead, S. Dak.

Cell 2 – southwest of Rochford, S. Dak. 

(small)

Dark gray/black

Dark gray/black

5 Yes

Yes

No

No

No

No

Yes1

Yes1

10 May 28, 2007 Cell 1 – northeast of Lead, S. Dak. Pink 6 Yes Yes Yes Yes

11 June 21, 2007 Northeast of Newcastle, Wyo. Light gray 5 Yes No No Yes

12 August 17, 2007 Cell 1 – centered around Hermosa, 

S. Dak.

Cell 2 – centered around Piedmont and 

Tilford, S. Dak.

Blue

Blue

2

7 Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

Yes

13 July 6–7, 2008 Northwest of Rochford, S. Dak. Purple 7 Yes Yes Yes Yes

Fraction and percentage of storm events exhibiting 

specified radar characteristic

Fraction

Percentage

-- 13/13

100

6/13

46

11/13

84

11/13

84

1

Duration of supercell stage of thunderstorm was less than 1 hour.

2

Maximum observed precipitation total was 10.5 inches.

28 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

known if supercells occurred. Dennis and others (1973) 

reported storm tops at altitudes of 45,000–50,000 ft above the 

National Geodetic Vertical Datum of 1929 (NGVD 29), which 

is indicative of intense thunderstorms. They also stated that 

storm motions were from the southeast at 23–35 mi/h, which 

is consistent with the motion of nonsupercell thunderstorms 

based on the comparison between the observed storm motion 

and the mean wind speed (fig. 21). Nevertheless, calculations 

based on figure 8 in Dennis and others (1973) indicate that 

some storms on June 10, 1972, had speeds of about 14 mi/h, 

which is the same as the predicted supercell motion from the 

hodograph. Could it be that some of the intense precipitation 

during the 1972 Rapid City flood was produced by supercell 

thunderstorms? Although this may never be unequivocally 

known, the occurrence of supercells is possible based on the 

recent history of Black Hills rainstorms and our knowledge of 

supercell processes.
RIVER

CHEYENNE

RIVER

CHEYENNE

 RIVER

WHITE

Beaver Creek

Stockade 

Beaver

Creek

Red 

Canyon

FALL 

 RIVER

Beaver Creek

 Creek

Boxelder

Rapid 

Creek

Spring

Creek

Elk

Creek

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

REDWATER RIVER

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

Hay 

Creek

Creek

Redwater

Cold

Springs

Creek

Spearfish

Creek

Johnny 

Lame

Rapid Creek

Elm 

Creek

Alkali Creek

NIOBRARA 

COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

CUSTER 

COUNTY

FALL 

RIVER 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

LAWRENCE COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

BUTTE 

COUNTY

SHANNON COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

Creek

Butte

Bear

Creek

Lance

French 

Creek

Whitewood Creek

Deerfield

Reservoir

79

44

34

79

18

71

40

89

34

24

44

116

585

111

385

385

16

85

85

212

212

85

385

16

85

385

D

D

Storm Hill

Harney Peak

104°00' 103°30' 103°00' 102°30'

44°30'

44°00'

43°30'

Creek

Vale

Nemo

Wall

Wasta

Osage

Newell

Beulah

Scenic

Custer

Hayward

Nisland

Sturgis

Tilford

Hermosa

Pringle

Sundance

Piedmont

Rochford

Keystone

Fairburn

Edgemont

Fruitdale

Spearfish

Whitewood

Blackhawk

Box Elder

Hill City

Newcastle

Red Shirt

Manderson Porcupine

Saint 

Onge

Rapid City

Elm Springs

Silver Mystic City

Rockerville Farmingdale

Buffalo 

Gap

Hot 

Springs

Union 

Center

Belle 

Fourche

New 

Underwood

SOUTH 

DAKOTA WYOMING

EXPLANATION

May 30, 1996

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.33

>5.33 – 6.00

June 14, 1996

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.33

>5.33 – 6.66

>6.66 – 8.00

>8.00 – 9.33

>9.33 – 10.66

>10.66 – 12.00

June 14, 1997

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.00

June 23, 1998

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.33

>5.33 – 6.00

June 18, 1999

>2.66 – 3.00

August 7, 1999

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.00

July 5, 2003

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.00

May 6-7, 2005

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.33

>5.33 – 6.66

>6.66 – 7.00

May 19, 2007

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.00

May 28, 2007

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.33

>5.33 – 6.00

June 21, 2007

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.00

August 17, 2007

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.33

>5.33 – 6.66

>6.66 – 7.00

July 6-7, 2008

>2.66 – 4.00

>4.00 – 5.33

>5.33 – 6.66

>6.67 – 7.00

Battle Creek

Battle Creek

Grace Coolidge Creek

Boundary of Black Hills National Forest

National Weather Service radar station 

 and identifier

KUDX

KUDX

Belle Fourche

Reservoir

Angostura

Reservoir

Owl Creek

Indian Creek

Horse Creek

I-90

I-90

I-90

I-90

Storm total precipitation on indicted date, in inches (>, greater than)

Pactola

Reservoir

0 10 20 30 40 MILES

0 10 20 30 40 KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

Area shown

on map Index map

Horsehead

Hat Creek

Ft. Meade

Deadwood Lead

Central City

Cold Brook

Reservoir

Stagebarn 

Canyon

LittleElk Cr

 Cr Cottonwood

Springs

Reservoir

Figure 16. Radar-derived storm-total precipitation for 13 recent, separate events for which totals were greater than 

2.66 inches.

Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area 29
>6 – 8

>8 – 10

>10 – 12

>12 – 14

>14 – 16

>16 – 18

>18 – 20

>20 – 22

Boundary of Black Hills National Forest

 National Weather Service radar station and identifier

Summed total precipitation for 13 events, in inches

 (>, greater than)

KUDX

KUDX

EXPLANATION

44°30'

RIVER

CHEYENNE

RIVER

CHEYENNE 

 RIVER

WHITE

Beaver Creek

Stockade 

Beaver

Creek

Red 

Canyon

FALL 

 RIVER

Beaver Creek

 Creek

Boxelder

Rapid 

Creek

Spring

Creek

Elk

Creek

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

REDWATER 

RIVER

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

Hay 

Creek

Creek

Redwater

Cold

Springs

Creek

Spearfish 

Creek

Johnny 

Lame

Rapid Creek

Elm 

Creek

Alkali Creek

NIOBRARA 

COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

CUSTER 

COUNTY

FALL 

RIVER 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

LAWRENCE COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

BUTTE 

COUNTY

SHANNON COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

Creek

Bear Butte

Creek

Lance

French 

Creek

Whitewood 

 Creek

79

44

34

79

18

71

40

89

34

24

44

116

585

111

385

385

16

85

85

212

212

85

385

16

85

385

Storm Hill

Harney Peak

104°00' 103°30' 103°00' 102°30'

44°00'

43°30'

Vale

Nemo

Wall

Wasta

Osage

Newell

Beulah

Scenic

Custer

Hayward

Nisland

Sturgis

Tilford

Hermosa

Pringle

Sundance

Piedmont

Rochford

Mystic

Keystone

Fairburn

Edgemont

Fruitdale

Spearfish

Whitewood

Blackhawk

Box Elder

Hill City

Newcastle

Red Shirt

Manderson Porcupine

Saint 

Onge

Rapid City

Elm Springs

Silver 

City

Rockerville Farmingdale

Buffalo 

Gap

Hot 

Springs

Union 

Center

Belle 

Fourche

New 

Underwood

SOUTH 

DAKOTA WYOMING

Belle Fourche

Reservoir

Angostura

Reservoir

Owl Creek

Indian Creek

Horse 

Creek

I-90

I-90

I-90

I-90

Pactola

Reservoir

0 10 20 30 40 MILES

0 10 20 30 40 KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

Area shown

on map Index map

Creek

Deerfield

Reservoir

Horsehead

Ft. Meade

Deadwood

Lead

Central City

Cold Brook

Reservoir

Stagebarn 

Canyon

LittleElk Cr

 Cr Cottonwood

Springs

Reservoir

Hat Creek

Battle Creek

Grace Coolidge Creek

Battle Creek

Figure 17. Summation of the radar-derived storm-total precipitation for the 13 events displayed in figure 16.

30 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
EXPLANATION

Boundary of Black Hills National Forest

>6 – 8

>8 – 10

>10 – 12

>12 – 14

>14

>6 – 8

>8 – 10

>10 – 12

>12 – 14

>14 – 16

>16 – 18

>18 – 20

>20 – 22

Total storm precipitation, 

 June 9–10, 1972, in inches

 (>, greater than)

Summed total precipitation for 13 

 events, in inches (>, greater than)

Battle Creek

Grace Coolidge Creek

Battle Creek

Deerfield

Reservoir

44°30'

RIVER

CHEYENNE

RIVER

CHEYENNE 

 RIVER

WHITE

Beaver Creek

Stockade 

Beaver

Creek

Red 

Canyon

FALL 

 RIVER

Beaver Creek

 Creek

Boxelder

Rapid 

Creek

Spring

Creek

Elk

Creek

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

REDWATER 

RIVER

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

Hay 

Creek

Creek

Redwater

Cold

Springs

Creek

Spearfish 

Creek

Johnny 

Lame

Rapid Creek

Elm 

Creek

Alkali Creek

NIOBRARA 

COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

CUSTER 

COUNTY

FALL 

RIVER 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

LAWRENCE COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

BUTTE 

COUNTY

SHANNON COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

Creek

Butte

Bear

Creek

Lance

French 

Creek

Whitewood 

 Creek

79

44

34

79

18

71

40

89

34

24

44

116

585

111

385

385

16

85

85

212

212

85

385

16

85

385

Storm Hill

Harney Peak

104°00' 103°30' 103°00' 102°30'

44°00'

43°30'

Vale

Nemo

Wall

Wasta

Osage

Newell

Beulah

Scenic

Custer

Hayward

Nisland

Sturgis

Tilford

Hermosa

Pringle

Sundance

Piedmont

Rochford

Mystic

Keystone

Fairburn

Edgemont

Fruitdale

Spearfish

Whitewood

Blackhawk

Box Elder

Hill City

Newcastle

Red Shirt

Manderson Porcupine

Saint 

Onge

Rapid City

Elm Springs

Silver 

City

Rockerville Farmingdale

Buffalo 

Gap

Hot 

Springs

Union 

Center

Belle 

Fourche

New 

Underwood

SOUTH 

DAKOTA WYOMING

Belle Fourche

Reservoir

Angostura

Reservoir

Owl Creek

Indian Creek

Horse Creek

I-90

I-90

I-90

I-90

Pactola

Reservoir

0 10 20 30 40 MILES

0 10 20 30 40 KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

Area shown

on map Index map

Creek

Horsehead

Ft. Meade

Deadwood Lead

Central City

Cold Brook

Reservoir

Stagebarn 

Canyon

LittleElk Cr

 Cr Cottonwood

Springs

Reservoir

Hat Creek

Figure 18. Precipitation totals for 1972 storm superimposed on the summed composite of 13 events displayed in figure 17.

Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area 31
A. 5:00 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

44°24’00”

104°07’12” 103°22’48”

43°51’36”

44°24’00”

104°07’12” 103°22’48”

43°51’36”

44°24’00”

104°07’12” 103°22’48”

43°51’36”

44°24’00”

104°07’12” 103°22’48”

43°51’36”

B. 7:10 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

C. 8:38 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time D. 9:15 p.m. Mountain Daylight Time

(i) (ii)

(iii)

(iv)

(v) (v)

Radar reflectivity, in decibels of Z (Dbz)—Returns less than 20 dBZ 

generally represent clear-air echoes; returns of about 20 dBZ and greater 

generally represent clouds and precipitation; returns of 50 dBZ and greater 

generally indicate strong precipitation and generally are associated with 

thunderstorms

(i) First thunderstorm (a supercell)

(ii) Second thunderstorm (a supercell)

(iii) Third, larger thunderstorm

(iv) Fourth, merging thunderstorm

(v) Line of thunderstorms, which eventually merged with and overtook 

 storms (iii) and (iv)

WYOMING

SOUTH DAKOTA

Area shown

on map

Index map

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

WYOMING

SOUTH DAKOTA

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

WESTON 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

LAWRENCE

COUNTY

CROOK

COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

LAWRENCE

COUNTY

CROOK

COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

LAWRENCE

COUNTY

CROOK

COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

LAWRENCE

COUNTY

CROOK

COUNTY

EXPLANATION

Figure 19. Radar reflectivity (lowest 0.5° scan) for the July 6–7, 2008, storm system near Rochford (images provided by the 

National Weather Service).

32 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
Land surface

3,200 ft als

6,400 ft als

9,600 ft als

19,200 ft als

VRM

VLM

Vmw

Vmw

Vobs

0

10

20

30

-10

-10

-20

-20

0 10 20 30 40

MERIDIONAL WIND VELOCITY, IN MILES PER HOUR -30

-30

50

40

32,000 ft als

ZONAL WIND VELOCITY, IN MILES PER HOUR

EXPLANATION

Wind speed value

Wind speed value with label

Wind shear vector

Mean wind speed

Observed supercell motion

Predicted right-moving supercell 

motion (computed by Bunkers and 

others, 2000)

Predicted left-moving supercell motion

Feet above land surface

VRM

Vobs

VLM

ft als

 SOUTH

 NORTH

 WEST EAST

Figure 20. Model-derived hodograph for Hermosa, valid 5 p.m. Mountain Daylight 

Time, August 17, 2007.

Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area 33
Land surface

3,200 ft als

6,400 ft als

9,600 ft als 19,200 ft als

VRM

VLM

Vmw

Vobs

0

10

20

30

-10

-10

-30 -20 0 10

Vmw

MERIDIONAL WIND VELOCITY, IN MILES PER HOUR

ZONAL WIND VELOCITY, IN MILES PER HOUR

EXPLANATION

Wind speed value

Wind speed value with label

Wind shear vector

Mean wind speed

Observed supercell motion

Predicted right-moving supercell 

motion 

Predicted left-moving supercell motion

Feet above land surface

VRM

Vobs

VLM

ft als

-20

-40 20

40

32,000 ft als

 SOUTH

 NORTH

 WEST EAST

Figure 21. Model-derived hodograph for Rapid City, valid 6 p.m. Mountain Daylight 

Time, June 10, 1972.

34 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area 35

Synopsis of Factors Affecting Flooding in the Black Hills Area

Flooding, and the potential for flooding in the Black Hills 

area, can be affected by various physiographic or climatological factors. The largest flood potential generally occurs 

in canyon reaches around the periphery of the Black Hills 

because of steep topography and minimal potential for attenuation of flood flows within the confined canyons. Distinctively 

suppressed peak-flow characteristics have been identified for 

low-probability floods in the limestone headwater hydrogeologic setting, partially because of generally low topographic 

relief and high infiltration capacities of the predominant 

geologic outcrops. Decreasing potential for exceptionally 

heavy precipitation with increasing altitude has been offered 

as another possible explanatory factor, and other investigators (Jarrett and Costa, 1988; Jarrett, 1993) have documented 

this effect for other higher-altitude settings in the Rocky 

Mountains. However, within the more moderate altitudes 

and relatively small areal extent of the Black Hills, several 

other climatological factors probably are considerably more 

influential. 

Important factors contributing to development of exceptionally strong rain-producing thunderstorms are (1) the 

climatology of moisture and winds and (2) topographic effects 

for the Black Hills area. The largest gradients in topography 

lie along the foothills, as opposed to over the higher altitudes, and this helps favor heavy precipitation. Additionally, 

a pronounced escarpment with several hundred feet of relief 

exists along the eastern edge of the limestone headwater 

hydrogeologic setting (fig. 5), and orographic lifting associated with this escarpment can occur with a southeasterly 

air flow. However, to the west of this escarpment, relief is 

relatively small and localized, and the potential for orographic 

lifting is minimal. Moreover, moisture-laden air masses mostly 

originate from the Gulf of Mexico, which greatly affects the 

eastern Black Hills. Finally, the westerly mean flow causes 

storm complexes to drift eastward, which generally coincides 

with a down-basin direction for most drainages along the 

eastern flanks of the Black Hills, and also favors convergent 

patterns along the eastern slopes. Collectively these factors 

enhance the probability of exceptional rainstorms along the 

eastern Black Hills, relative to the highest terrain.

Several other meteorological processes are important 

in the development of especially heavy precipitation for the 

area, but are not necessarily specific to the Black Hills area. 

These processes include storm cell training, storm anchoring 

or regeneration, storm mergers, and supercell development. 

Additionally, weak upper-level air flow (similar to conditions 

of June 9–10, 1972, along the eastern flanks of the Black 

Hills) can allow heavy rainfall to remain almost stationary, 

which can exacerbate flooding potential. 

Flood waters from Battle Creek smashed down grass 

in the agricultural area near Hermosa (photograph by 

Mark T. Anderson).
36 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

A chronology of selected large storm and flood events 

for the Black Hills area is provided in table 10 in the back of 

this report. There is a rich history of large storm and flood 

events for the Black Hills area, and compilation of a comprehensive chronology of large events will, with time, contribute 

to improved knowledge of the relative frequency of occurrence of exceptionally large and damaging events for the area. 

One foundation piece for this chronology was provided by a 

list of historical Black Hills floods that was developed by the 

NWS office in Rapid City (National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 2008). Another foundation piece is a chronological set of typed newspaper excerpts for 1878 through 1947 

that was compiled at some previous unknown time by staff 

from the USGS office in Rapid City (U.S. Geological Survey, 

2010a). The chronology has been supplemented by information from various other sources including (1) a chronology 

from Miller (1986) for the Rapid City area; (2) excerpts from 

additional newspaper articles; (3) various books with historical 

information; (4) photographs; and (5) USGS peak-flow data 

(U.S. Geological Survey, 2009).

A Web site on the history of flooding in the Black Hills 

has been developed by the U.S. Geological Survey (2010a) 

to host (1) the chronology that is provided in table 10, and 

(2) a large amount of the original source documentation for 

the chronology (newpaper articles, photographs, and other 

information). The Web site can be updated as additional 

information regarding large storms and flood events becomes 

available; thus, additional entries to the original chronological 

listing presented in this report (table 10) may become available with time (U.S. Geological Survey, 2010a). 

Quantitative information regarding the approximate 

magnitude of flood flows tends to become progressively less 

reliable for progressively older flood reports. The most reliable 

quantitative information generally is provided by USGS peakflow determinations; however, USGS data collection primarily has been limited, with a general exception of a handful of 

exceptional events, to sites of systematic (routine) data collection. A list of continuous-record streamflow-gaging stations 

for the Black Hills area provided by Miller and Driscoll (1998) 

indicates systematic streamflow records are most abundant 

for the most recent decades (subsequent to the 1980s) and are 

sparse before the mid-1940s. Additional systematic peak-flow 

data are available from several networks of partial-record, 

crest-stage gages that have been operated, including (1) two 

older networks that were operated during general timeframes 

of 1956–80 and during the 1970s (Becker, 1980); and (2) a 

newer network for which the number of crest-stage gages 

increased beginning in the mid- to late-1990s. USGS peakflow records for some sites include historical records of peak 

stage that most commonly were derived from anecdotal 

reports from nearby residents of maximum water-surface 

altitude, relative to the gage datum. Such records are inherently less accurate, relative to stage and date of occurrence, 

than records based on recording devices. Although capabilities for determination of peak-flow magnitude have improved 

with time, early peak-flow records typically constitute the best 

quantitative peak-flow information available for that period.

Despite the limitation that peak-flow magnitudes generally cannot be determined or estimated from historical flood 

accounts, such accounts can be useful, primarily because of 

relatively widespread availability, as opposed to a paucity 

or complete absence of “official” peak-flow records. There 

may be somewhat of a bias towards “overstatement” of early 

flood accounts, relative to later accounts. Conversely, some 

historical accounts contain reports of “walls of water,” which 

given the hydrographs that were provided in figures 9 and 

10, may truly be indicative of extraordinary flood events in 

many cases. The earliest available news accounts date back to 

the late 1870s and are associated with the onset of extensive 

European settlement involving the gold rush that began in the 

late 1870s, soon after the Custer Expedition of 1874 (Tallent, 

1899). Many of the early flood reports (table 10) are tied to 

accounts of railroad damage, which initially tended to be 

common during high-water periods, but gradually became less 

common with time as developing rail infrastructure progressively was constructed to be more resistant to floods. Developing settlements also tended to move progressively farther from 

stream channels in response to iterative, damaging floods. 

Lastly, reports along the lines of “the worst known flooding to 

date” are quite common in many of the earliest news accounts 

available for the area, but generally become less common 

with time, as relative magnitudes of “floods of record” have 

become progressively larger and more difficult to surpass.

A final consideration is that USGS peak-flow records are 

tied to specific locations, as opposed to the more general locations associated with news accounts. An excellent example 

is presented in table 1 in the previous section titled “The 

Flooding.” The 2007 peak flow along Battle Creek at Hermosa 

(station 06406000) was about 87 percent as large as that which 

resulted from the much larger 1972 storm; however, the 2007 

peak flow at an upstream station along Battle Creek was only 

about 59 percent of that in 1972. Furthermore, the 2007 peak 

flow along lower Grace Coolidge Creek is believed to have 

been larger than in 1972, although a peak-flow determination 

was not made for the site in 1972. Extraction of detailed quantitative data such as these obviously would not be possible 

from historical accounts.

Despite the drawbacks associated with historical flood 

accounts, the historical information has excellent potential to 

substantially supplement the knowledge of especially large 

floods for the Black Hills area. Photographic evidence could 

be especially useful for approximating stages associated with 
History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 37

historical flood events and in some cases it might also be 

possible to use detailed historical descriptions as indicators 

of approximate stage. To help provide a qualitative indication of the relative magnitude of storm and flood events, a 

five-category rating system was used in table 10 to describe 

the relative magnitude of the event as (1) extreme, (2) severe, 

(3) moderate, (4) minor, and (5) very minor. In many cases, a 

single account may be rated in multiple categories in recognition of the inherent difficulty in assigning a single specific 

rating or because of overlap among multiple events within an 

account. In some cases, such as extremely broad accounts, 

ratings were not assigned. 

The following sections of this report provide descriptions 

of some of the more noteworthy storm and flood events for 

the Black Hills area. An initial section provides a chronological overview and a subsequent section provides more detailed 

histories specific to several streams. A final section provides a 

synopsis of some of the most noteworthy events. 

Chronological Overview of Storm and 

Flood Events

This section provides a chronological overview of major 

storm and flood events for the Black Hills area and generally follows (and refers to) the chronological listing that is 

provided in table 10 in the back of this report. In many cases, 

additional references also are made to the source documentation and newspaper articles (available from U.S. Geological 

Survey, 2010a) that were used in developing the chronological listing. When applicable, descriptions of the flood events 

include USGS peak-flow data (U.S. Geological Survey, 2009), 

which were previously summarized in table 9 for most stations 

(those with 10 or more years of record). The primary focus of 

the previous sections of this report was to examine especially 

large singular events, where flooding could be directly related 

to a single storm, or storm system. For many of the historical accounts (table 10), it cannot necessarily be determined 

whether flooding was caused primarily by a singular large 

storm, by prolonged precipitation, or by a combination of 

the two. 

Presettlement Years

Thomson (1961) provided information regarding flood 

events that substantially pre-date the earliest (1877) accounts 

available in table 10. Exceptional snowfall and spring precipitation during 1852–53 were reported for Fort Laramie, Wyo. 

(located about 150 mi southwest of the Black Hills), and anecdotal reports were provided of Indian tribes enduring exceptionally harsh winter conditions and deep snowpack during the 

same period in the Black Hills area. Thomson (1961) hypothesized that these conditions (1) caused buffalo to permanently 

migrate away from the Black Hills area, and (2) probably 

caused substantial flooding in the Black Hills area. Thomson 

(1961) also provided various anecdotal reports of other flood 

events for the area. One particularly noteworthy report was 

given by a Mr. Art Petty of “an old Indian chief” who “had 

seen water slushing in and out of two caves in the sandstone 

cliff” that were situated “about 50 ft above the creek bed” of 

the Fall River in Hot Springs. Mr. Petty further related that as 

a boy he “had found driftwood in the caves in such size as no 

animals could have carried it there.” Interestingly, a similar 

account is provided in an article by the Rapid City Journal 

and Hot Springs Evening Star on June 21, 1937, following an 

exceptionally large flood on June 17–18, 1937, in Hot Springs 

(table 10).

1877 through 1890

The oldest account listed in table 10 is for 1877 when a 

strong rainstorm caused flooding in Deadwood. Several floods 

are documented for 1878 and include a peak flow of 7,500 ft3/s 

on Rapid Creek that was noted by Miller (1986) as the largest 

of four floods that year in Rapid City. Miller (1986) referenced the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1973) as the source 

of this peak-flow estimate and for three other estimates that 

pre-date available USGS peak-flow records for streamflowgaging stations along Rapid Creek; however, additional details 

regarding these peak-flow estimates are not known. Flooding 

also occurred in 1878 in the Deadwood area. Flooding along 

Beaver Creek caused 11 deaths in June 1879. A rise of 25 ft 

was reported for “confined places” along the Redwater River 

in August 1882, and details provided in the Black Hills Journal 

on August 4, 1882, although sketchy, allude to transport of 

“rocks weighing hundreds of pounds” that indicate the possibility of an exceptionally large flood.

 “Benchmark” flooding occurred in May of 1883, with 

extremely high flows reported throughout the northern and 

central Black Hills area that resulted from heavy rainfall 

on top of snowmelt. Substantial flood damage occurred in 

Spearfish on May 17–18, 1883, and flooding on the same 

dates in the Deadwood area was especially severe (fig. 22). A 

May 20, 1883, article in the Black Hills Daily Times indicated 

that flooding in Deadwood probably was exacerbated by large 

volumes of mine tailings that had substantially altered local 

stream channels. A severe forest fire had occurred in the watershed on September 25, 1879 (Tallent, 1899), and also might 

have exacerbated the flooding. Within the central Black Hills, 

high water was reported from Battle Creek to Elk Creek, with 

northern areas incurring the heaviest damage. Miller (1986) 

reported a peak flow of 8,400 ft3/s for Rapid Creek on May 17, 

1883. Subsequent flash flooding occurred around June 15, 

1883, along Rapid, Boxelder, and Elk Creeks following strong 

thunderstorm activity. Although details regarding the 1883 

flooding are somewhat sparse, this year frequently is referred 

to as a benchmark flood year for many streams in numerous 

ensuing news accounts for many subsequent years.
Flood

of 

may

1883

Figure 22. Photographs showing the aftermath of May 1883 

flooding in Deadwood, S. Dak. (photographs courtesy of Adams 

Museum, Deadwood, S. Dak., used with permission).

38 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 39

Design documents (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 

1950, 1966) for the flood-control dams on Cold Brook and 

Cottonwood Springs Reservoirs within the Fall River Basin 

provide accounts of historical high-water marks for a flood of 

August 27, 1884, that are 6 to 7 ft higher than the maximum 

recorded stage for the 1938 peak-of-record flow at USGS 

streamflow-gaging station 06402000 (Fall River at Hot 

Springs). To date (2010), additional historical information has 

not been located regarding the 1884 event. 

Several articles by the Rapid City Journal and the Black 

Hills Daily Times describe flooding in June 1890. Details 

are quite sketchy and some reports (South Dakota Historical 

Society, 1960) refer to widespread flooding in the Black Hills 

area. Various articles in subsequent years occasionally refer to 

1890 as somewhat of a year of benchmark flooding. 

1891 through 1900

Historical flood reports available for the 1890s are sparser 

than for most other decades (table 10). A lone account by the 

Rapid City Journal (June 2, 1891) for 1891 describes fairly 

substantial flooding in the Deadwood and Lead areas and a 

fairly severe storm that caused flooding along the Fall River 

in Hot Springs. A flood that occurred along Spearfish Creek 

on July 30, 1895, was reported in an August 1, 1895, article 

in the Rapid City Journal as “higher than it has been since the 

well remembered flood of 1883.” News coverage was quite 

extensive for storms that apparently began on about June 6, 

1896, and resulted in flooding throughout much of the Black 

Hills. Rail damage in the southern Black Hills was extensive 

and additional flood damages were reported as far north as 

Belle Fourche.

In addition to the previously mentioned flood in 1891, 

the Hot Springs area had several floods in the 1890s. Twomey 

and Magee (1983) described an “unprecedented” storm during 

July 1895 for the Hot Springs area and provided a subsequent 

account of a damaging storm in June 1896 that was followed 

by additional severe storms that year. One of the additional 

1896 storms occurred on September 12, 1896, and substantial 

flooding occurred again the next year (August 6–7, 1897). 

Reprints of articles about these two storms and associated 

flooding were included with reprints of four other articles 

in a recount of “Six Great Floods of Hot Springs” that was 

printed April 18, 1946, by the Hot Springs Weekly Star. The 

1946 article announced construction plans for three U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers flood control projects that included 

channel improvements along the Fall River and construction of Cold Brook and Cottonwood Springs Dams, which 

have regulated flows since September 1952 and June 1969, 

respectively (Miller and Driscoll, 1998). The six articles had 

previously been assembled as a primary exhibit in an October 

19, 1937, hearing on flood control that was instrumental in 

securing Congressional authorization in 1941. Additional 

information regarding the robust and complicated flood history 

for the Fall River is provided in a subsequent section titled 

“Fall River and Beaver Creek.” 

1901 through 1910

Many floods were reported from 1901 through 1910, 

which may be one of the most active decades for flooding in the Black Hills area. Fairly widespread flooding was 

reported for June 1901, with the heaviest flooding reported 

for the northern parts of the Black Hills and areas north of 

Belle Fourche. Articles in the Rapid City Journal and Belle 

Fourche Bee (June 13, 1901) reported that on June 11, 1901, 

Hay Creek had been “the highest ever known.” Flood damage 

occurred in the small former town of Cascade (located about 

10 mi southwest of Hot Springs) in 1893 for an unknown date 

in July 1901 (Twomey and Magee, 1983). 

Widespread flooding occurred again in the northern 

Black Hills in June 1904 (fig. 23A), with reports indicating 

fairly severe flooding in some areas. This is one of the earliest 

years for which quantitative information is available from 

USGS streamflow records (table 9); however, availability is 

limited to about a dozen stations with sporadic records within 

a general time frame of about 1903–06 (Miller and Driscoll, 

1998). A peak flow of 5,000 ft3/s was recorded on June 5, 

1904, for station 06431500 (Spearfish Creek at Spearfish; 

map number 73 in fig. 5), which is one of the first large floods 

recorded at a USGS streamflow-gaging station in the Black 

Hills area and through 2009 remains as the peak-of-record 

flow for this station. A peak flow of 8,050 ft3/s for the same 

date was reported for short-term station 06434000 (Redwater 

Creek at Belle Fourche; fig. 5) located about 20 mi downstream along the Redwater River. Larger peak flows through 

2009 for the Redwater River include only peaks of 16,400 ft3/s 

in 1962 and 8,480 ft3/s in 1965, which were recorded at longterm station 06433000 (Redwater River above Belle Fourche; 

table 9; map number 76 in fig. 5), which is located about onequarter mi farther upstream, and upstream from Hay Creek. 

The contribution to the 1904 peak from Hay Creek cannot 

be determined, but probably is much smaller than the uncertainty associated with determination of the peak flow for the 

Redwater River.

Substantial flooding occurred in Hot Springs during two 

separate weeks in June 1905, and a severe storm also was 

reported in the Edgemont area in June. Water was reported 

to be 15 ft deep in bottom areas in Sundance, Wyo. (location 

shown in fig. 13A), following a severe storm on July 11, 1905, 

and extensive rail damage occurred throughout the Black Hills 

area during the month (table 10). A peak flow of 13,000 ft3/s 

was recorded on July 30, 1905, during the first year of USGS 

data collection at station 06395000 (Cheyenne River at Edgemont; table 9; map number 5 in fig. 5), which is an unusually 

large peak for this time of year and provides an indication 

of probable widespread high-water conditions because of 

the large drainage area (7,204 mi2) involved. A peak flow of 

9,150 ft3/s was recorded on August 12, 1905, during the first 

year of USGS data collection at station 06400000 (Hat Creek 
40 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

near Edgemont; map number 11 in fig. 5). Larger peak flows 

(through 2009) have been measured only in 1954 (9,430 ft3/s) 

and 1967 (13,300 ft3/s; table 9).

The year 1907 is one of the most noteworthy years for 

flooding in the Black Hills area (fig. 23B). An initial indication 

of wet conditions is provided by an article in the Deadwood 

Pioneer Times on May 19, 1907, which recounts the 1883 

flooding for the Deadwood area. Subsequent articles describe 

widespread disruptions to rail service and a rapidly rising 

stage of the Belle Fourche River at Belle Fourche that was the 

highest since 1883. An article on May 26, 1907, in the Deadwood Pioneer Times describes a record late snowfall of at 

least 2.5 ft in the Deadwood area that followed heavy rain over 

a previous period of 60 hours, with area streams subsiding 

somewhat because of the snowfall. A May 31, 1907, article in 

the Edgemont Express indicates generally wet but less severe 

conditions near Edgemont. A June 1, 1907, article in the Rapid 

City Journal indicates very high water and inundation of a 

“government gauge” on the lower Cheyenne River, with additional high water in the Bad River (heads on east-central edge 

of area shown in fig. 13A) and White River contributing to a 

large rise in the Missouri River (not shown in figures, located 

in central South Dakota). A June 1, 1907, article in the Custer 

Chronicle indicates bridge damage in Custer County and loss 

of 20 bridges along French Creek during “one freshet” in the 

previous year (1906).

The NWS office at Rapid City (station 396947) recorded 

8.09 in. of precipitation in May 1907, with a total of 6.11 in. 

recorded during May 23–25 (South Dakota State University, 

2009). Unfortunately, the nearest applicable USGS streamflow 

records for 1907 are for the Little Missouri River at Medora, 

N. Dak. (station 06336000, index map of fig. 13A), for which a 

peak flow of 29,000 ft3/s was recorded on June 24 and monthly 

averages of 2,500, 4,160, and 1,820 ft3/s were recorded for 

May, June, and July, respectively (U.S. Geological Survey, 

2010b). These data indicate prolonged wet conditions west 

and north of the Black Hills. 

The widespread wet conditions that persisted through 

at least the end of May 1907 might have been a contributing 

factor to severe and large-scale flooding in the Black Hills that 

developed beginning the afternoon of Wednesday, June 12. 

Quantitative information for this event is sparse, relative to 

the storm and flooding of 1972 and other recent large events; 

however, abundant qualitative information was available from 

the extensive news accounts that ensued. A June 13, 1907, 

article in the Deadwood Pioneer Times indicated that the 

June 12 storm might have been connected with a larger-scale 

system that “had been raging in Montana and Wyoming and 

was expected here, but not until today [June 13].” Several 

news articles indicate that the June 1907 storm probably 

produced especially heavy rainfall over an area north and west 

of Rapid City (table 10), and on the basis of the accounts, 

might have approached the severity and proportions of the 

1972 storm and flooding. Honerkamp (1978) provided numerous details that indicated the storm activity probably was 

centered at least partially over the drainage area for Stagebarn 

Canyon, where flooding was especially severe, with very 

severe flooding also reported to the north in the Little Elk and 

Elk Creek drainages (fig. 24). Honerkamp’s (1978) accounts 

are consistent with numerous news articles (table 10) and with 

a report by Miller (1986) of a 24-hour rainfall total of 7.1 in. 

for June 12, 1907, at Ft. Meade. The NWS office at Rapid City 

(station 396947) recorded only 3.24 in. of precipitation in June 

1907, with a daily total of 1.25 in. on June 12 (South Dakota 

State University, 2009), which indicates that Rapid City probably did not receive exceptionally heavy precipitation. A peak 

flow of 13,000 ft3/s was estimated for Rapid Creek for the 

June 1907 storm (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 1973; Miller, 

1986), which certainly indicates heavy precipitation upstream 

(west) from Rapid City.

A peak flow of 16,000 ft3/s occurred on June 12, 1907, at 

station 06422500 (Boxelder Creek near Nemo; table 9; map 

number 58 in fig. 5), from which it is apparent that heavy 

precipitation occurred upstream from this station, which is 

located just south of the headwaters of Stagebarn Canyon, 

Little Elk Creek, and Elk Creek. A June 19, 1907, article in 

the Black Hills Press described “a wall of water judged to 

have been fifteen feet in height coming down the [Stagebarn] 

canyon,” which is similar to a report by Honerkamp (1978) of 

flood debris that was found 18.5 ft above the floor of Stagebarn Canyon. Honerkamp (1978) also reported complete 

devastation of the rail line in Elk Creek canyon, indicating a large peak flow. A June 22, 1907, article in the Custer 

Chronicle reported that “throughout the southern Hills” there 

was damage to “wagon and railroad bridges,” which indicates 

that heavy precipitation probably was widespread. Another 

June 22, 1907, article in the Custer Chronicle reported “the 

heavy rains and resulting floods” as “the most widespread and 

damaging of any which have ever occurred in the Black Hills.” 

A July 27, 1907, article in the Custer Chronicle indicated 

substantial railroad damage along Rapid Creek that might have 

extended as far upstream as Mystic, which provides another 

possible indication of extensive storm coverage.

In summary for the June 1907 storm system, quantitative 

information is insufficient for detailed comparisons between 

the storms and flooding of 1907 and those of 1972 and more 

recent years. However, a large body of evidence indicates that 

the 1907 storms and flooding probably are among the most 

substantial that have been experienced in the Black Hills area 

since European settlement and that 1907 flood severity may 

have rivaled that of 1972 in some drainages.

In 1908, Hot Springs had substantial flooding from heavy 

rainfall on May 31 that was exacerbated by saturated conditions from prolonged rains of the previous week. In 1946, 

the Hot Springs Weekly Star reprinted an article from June 5, 

1908, that stated that the peak stage that occurred on June 1, 

1908, was reported within about 3 ft of a bridge that marked 

high water from two previous larger floods (August 1897 and 

June 1905). 

In late May and early June 1909, widespread flooding 

from prolonged rains occurred in many streams in the northern 

Black Hills, with flooding along Spearfish Creek reported as 
a. Flood of 1904

b. Flood of 1907

Figure 23. Photographs of flood 

damage in the Deadwood, S. Dak., 

area during 1904 and 1907. A, Between 

Deadwood and Pluma and in Deadwood 

in 1904; and B, in Deadwood and Central 

City in 1907 (photographs courtesy 

of Adams Museum, Deadwood, 

S. Dak., used with permission).

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 41
Figure 24. Photographs of the June 12, 1907, flood and aftermath in the Piedmont, S. Dak., area. A, Flood waters covered the floor of 

Elk Creek valley; B, the railroad grade damaged in Stagebarn Canyon during the 1907 flood was rebuilt in 1908 (photographs courtesy of 

John Honerkamp).

42 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

some of the most damaging (table 10). Additional flooding 

occurred in the Spearfish area on June 8, 1909, from a strong 

storm system that produced heavy rainfall and damage along 

the eastern fringe of the Black Hills and extended at least as 

far to the southeast as New Underwood, where especially 

severe storm effects were reported. Substantial flooding 

occurred in New Underwood again on June 10, with additional 

flooding reported from the Belle Fourche and Sturgis areas to 

as far south as Rapid Creek. A June 12 article in the Deadwood Pioneer Times provided a report that “more than twenty 

inches of water on the level fell” near Pactola (former town 

at current location of Pactola Reservoir); however, damage 

reports were not indicative of a large-scale storm with precipitation amounts of this general magnitude. The June 12 article 

also reported Boxelder Creek to be “seven feet higher than 

the record mark,” which would indicate flooding substantially 

exceeding that of June 1907, when extensive railroad damage 

was reported (Rapid City Journal article of June 15, 1907).

A historical postcard shows that flooding occurred on 

the Belle Fourche River in 1910 (fig. 25). No other reports of 

flooding for 1910 were located.

1911 through 1920

Several reports of flooding are available for the years 

1911–13 (table 10), with most of the news accounts reporting high water along the Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers. 

Both 1915 and 1920 were exceptional in terms of prolonged 

wet conditions with widespread flooding. The southern Black 

Hills area was especially wet during May and June 1915, 

with numerous reports of flooding that ranged from localized to widespread and included many accounts of the worst 

flooding in many years for many locations. A June 17, 1915, 

article in the Oelrichs Advocate provided an account for 

Horsehead Creek of the worst known flooding to date, which 

surpassed the previous known flood of record that occurred 

23 years previously. A June 19, 1915, article in the Buffalo 

Gap Gazette reported that the same storm system caused 

flooding that surpassed a previous high-water mark for Beaver 

Creek near Buffalo Gap before tracking towards Horsehead 

Creek. Numerous news articles (table 10) provided continuing accounts of strong storms through August 1915, with most 

reports for the southern Black Hills. 

The year 1920 may constitute some of the most substantial and widespread flood conditions that have occurred since 

European settlement in western South Dakota and the Black 

Hills area. Two April 2, 1920, articles (White Owl Oracle 

and Wasta Gazette) described flooding conditions in early 

spring for the Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers and for 

several tributaries in the Black Hills area. Miller (1986) noted 

a 24-hour rainfall total of 7.1 in. for Custer on April 7, 1920; 

however, NWS records (National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 1920) indicate that April 17 was the correct 

date and that heavy snowfall (amounts ranging from 1 to 4 ft) 

was recorded at other stations throughout the Black Hills. 

Miller (1986) and the National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration (2008) documented substantial flooding along 

Rapid Creek for May 10–12, and the widespread nature of 

flood conditions is described in numerous ensuing news 

accounts (table 10). A peak flow of 114,000 ft3/s was recorded 

on May 12, 1920, at station 06400500 (Cheyenne River near 

Hot Springs; fig. 26; map number 13 in fig. 5), which is the 

largest peak flow ever recorded anywhere along the Cheyenne 

River (table 9). A record stage of 18.9 ft also is documented 

for the next day (May 13) at station 06439500 (Cheyenne 

River near Eagle Butte; map number 97 on index map of 

fig. 5), which is located on the Cheyenne River about 75 mi 

downstream from the confluence of the Belle Fourche River. 

The stage for this station was determined from information 

provided by local residents and probably represents the largest 

documented flood for the station; however, the magnitude of 
Figure 25. Photograph of the Belle Fourche River in 1910 (photograph courtesy of James Aplan, Antiques & Art, 

Piedmont, S. Dak.).

Figure 26. The Cheyenne River near Hot Springs, S. Dak., flooded on May 12, 1920. A peak flow of 114,000 cubic 

feet per second was recorded on May 12, 1920, at station 06400500 (Cheyenne River near Hot Springs, S. Dak.), 

which is the largest peak flow ever recorded anywhere along the Cheyenne River (photograph courtesy of Fall 

River County Historical Society).

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 43
Figure 27. Photograph of damage to a railroad bridge during the August 3, 1922, flood along the Fall River near 

Hot Springs, S. Dak. (photograph courtesy of Fall River County Historical Society).

44 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

the peak flow is not known. Articles on May 14, 1920, in the 

Ardmore American and Edgemont Express provided accounts 

of the worst known flooding in the history of Hat Creek in the 

southern Black Hills, which claimed seven lives on May 12, 

1920. Although many of the 1920 articles focus on flooding in 

the southern Black Hills, northern areas also had substantial 

flooding, as evidenced by a May 15 article in the Rapid City 

Journal reporting that “Newell suffered the heaviest rainfall 

ever known” and that flooding had occurred for the third 

time of the season in Belle Fourche. A June 4, 1920, article 

in the White Owl Oracle reported that Boxelder Creek “was 

fully four feet higher than ever known before” and “was over 

three miles wide.” A sense of the widespread nature of the 

1920 flooding was provided by a May 29, 1920, article in the 

Oelrichs Advocate that reported severe railroad damage along 

the Bad and White Rivers.

1921 through 1930

In 1922, flooding occurred throughout much of the Black 

Hills area from a storm that began on May 10 and produced 

heavy precipitation (including rain, hail, sleet, and snow in 

different areas) from west of Edgemont (Cottonwood Creek 

and Cheyenne River) to west of Belle Fourche (Hay Creek) 

to Saint Onge to Rapid City. A May 12, 1922, article in the 

Rapid City Journal reported 3.79 in. of precipitation in Lead, 

and a following article on May 17 reported “approximately 

nine inches of water fell during less than twenty hours.” 

The specific location of the precipitation measurement was 

not provided, but the article described flooding in Spearfish. 

Precipitation totaling 6.08 in. during 24 hours “of the worst 

period of the storm” was reported at the end of the article that 

again seemed to refer to the Spearfish area. A May 11, 1922, 

article in the Deadwood Telegram described flooding of a 

power plant along the Redwater River and reports that “the 

flood at that point is the highest ever known, being three feet 

higher than the highest previously known, in 1916.” A May 22 

article in the Weekly Pioneer Times reported “the highest 

water in the history of” Saint Onge, and numerous articles 

described widespread flooding in the northern Black Hills 

area and extending at least as far south as Sturgis. A severe 

thunderstorm on August 3, 1922, caused considerable damage 

to railroad bridges in one of the many large floods along the 

Fall River (fig. 27).

In 1923, high flows occurred along the Belle Fourche 

and Cheyenne Rivers on several occasions between April and 

October, with moderate to substantial flooding along one or 

both of these rivers. Flooding in 1924 was especially severe 

in the Belle Fourche area (fig. 28), and an April 10 article in 

the Black Hills Press noted that the Belle Fourche River was 

“still higher than any previous high water mark” after receding 

by about 18 in. A record peak flow of 22,400 ft3/s occurred on 

April 9, 1924, at station 06435500 (Belle Fourche River near 

Belle Fourche; table 9; map number 79 in fig. 5).

Widespread flooding occurred in much of western 

South Dakota during 1927, following exceptionally heavy 

snowpack and heavy rains in early May (National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration, 2008). A May 13, 1927, 
Figure 28. Photographs of the April 9, 1924, flood along the Belle 

Fourche River in Belle Fourche, S. Dak. (photographs courtesy of 

Tri-State Museum, Belle Fourche, S. Dak.).

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 45

and 19.73 ft in 2008, for which the associated peak flow was 

47,500 ft3/s (table 9). Large peak flows occurred in 1927 

(8,250 ft3/s), 1928 (9,660 ft3/s), and 1929 (15,000 ft3/s) for 

station 06435500 (Belle Fourche River near Belle Fourche); 

however, all are substantially exceeded by the 1924 peak flow 

of 22,400 ft3/s (table 9).

A stage of 18.0 ft is documented for station 06402500 

along Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap (map number 21 in 

fig. 5) for an unknown date in 1927 (table 10). The stage was 

determined from information provided by local residents 

and exceeded a stage of 16.46 ft (associated peak flow was 

11,700 ft3/s) that occurred during the first year of operation 

(1938) of a streamflow-gaging station at the location.

1931 through 1940

On May 6, 1932, a peak flow of 16,000 ft3/s was 

recorded at station 06422000 (Rapid Creek at Creston; fig. 5; 

table 10) along Rapid Creek. This station is located about 

8 mi downstream from station 06421500 (Rapid Creek near 

Farmingdale; map number 55 in fig. 5), where a peak flow 

of 7,320 ft3/s was recorded on June 10, 1972 (table 9). The 

1972 peak had attenuated by almost an order of magnitude in 

moving downstream along Rapid Creek. News accounts of the 

1932 flooding have not been located and streamflow-gaging 

stations 06411500 (Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam) and 

06412000 (Rapid Creek at Big Bend near Rapid City) (map 

numbers 49 and 50, respectively, in fig. 5), which are located 

upstream from Rapid City, did not have large peak flows (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 2009). However, a peak-of-record flow of 

46,300 ft3/s was recorded on the same date (table 9) for downstream station 06423500 (Cheyenne River near Wasta; map 

number 60 in fig. 5). Daily mean flow values recorded for May 

5–12, 1932, for this station were 650, 14,600, 5,390, 5,250, 

3,770, 2,480, 1,760, and 773 ft3/s (U.S. Geological Survey, 

2010c). In comparison, daily mean flow values recorded for 

June 9–16, 1972, for this station were 138, 1,390, 9,240, 

5,780, 3,700, 2,210, 1,600, and 1,370 ft3/s and the peak flow 

for June 11, 1972, was only 11,800 ft3/s. The average daily 

flows for these 8-day periods were 4,330 and 3,180 ft3/s for 

1932 and 1972, respectively, which provide a useful perspective regarding the 1932 storm system that apparently produced 

heavy rainfall over a relatively large area primarily downstream from Rapid City.

A storm system occurred throughout a large part of the 

Black Hills area on May 22–23, 1933. A tornado occurred 

between Mystic and Rochford, and severe storm conditions 

were reported from Custer to Newell. Lead reported 4.8 in. 

of precipitation in 12 hours and severe flooding was reported 

along Spearfish Creek (May 23, 1933, article in the Lead 

Call), with additional reports of high water for many other 

area streams. A peak flow of 1,540 ft3/s was recorded on 

May 24 for station 06411500 (Rapid Creek below Pactola 

Dam; table 9), which is downstream from where Pactola Dam 

now exists.

article in the White Owl Oracle reported that Sulphur Creek 

(location unknown) was “higher by almost eight feet than 

during any other high water.” A record stage of 21.8 ft for 

an unknown date in May 1927 (table 10) is documented for 

station 06438000 (Belle Fourche River near Elm Springs; 

map number 94 in fig. 5), which is located about 15 mi 

upstream from the confluence with the Cheyenne River. The 

stage was determined from information provided by local 

residents and the magnitude of the peak flow is not known. 

The next largest known stages for the station are for the same 

gage datum and are about 20 ft on an unknown date in 1933 
Figure 29. Photograph of the June 17, 1937, flood along the Fall River in and near Hot Springs, S. Dak.

(photograph courtesy of David Bachelor).

46 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Belle Fourche experienced considerable damage from 

two separate floods along Hay Creek on July 10 and 12 of 

1937. A July 13 article in the Belle Fourche Bee described the 

July 10 flood as the worst along Hay Creek since 1923 and 

the worst in Belle Fourche since flooding of the Belle Fourche 

River in 1924.

Severe flooding occurred in Hot Springs along the Fall 

River on June 17, 1937 (fig. 29) and on September 4, 1938, 

when a peak flow of 13,100 ft3/s was recorded during the 

first year of record for station 06402000 (Fall River at Hot 

Springs; table 9; map number 17 in fig. 5). Also on September 

4, 1938, a very large peak flow of 11,700 ft3/s was recorded for 

station 06402500 (Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap). A September 24, 1938, article in the Rapid City Journal reported that 

flooding on the same date farther north along Lame Johnny 

Creek “was the worst in 35 years.” This article, in combination 

with the known magnitudes of the other two large peak flows, 

provides an indication of a strong storm system over a relatively large area that produced some of the most substantial 

flooding that has been documented for the Black Hills area.

1941 through 1950 

Moderate to severe flooding occurred at station 06402000 

(Fall River at Hot Springs) in 1941 (peak flow of 4,700 ft3/s) 

and 1947 (peak flow of 8,300 ft3/s; table 9; fig. 30). These 

were the last substantial floods before construction of two 

flood-control reservoirs within the Fall River Basin.

Substantial flooding occurred in May 1946 in various 

streams in the northern Black Hills, which resulted from 

prolonged, heavy precipitation. Articles for May 2, 3, and 

4 in the Rapid City Journal described flooding along Bear 

Butte Creek, and a May 31 article in the Lead Call reported 

that Spearfish Creek was as high as it had been during the 

flood of 1933 when the railroad bed in Spearfish Canyon 

was washed out. A peak flow of 9,800 ft3/s was recorded on 

May 24, 1946, at station 06437500 (Bear Butte Creek near 

Sturgis; map number 93 in fig. 5) about 15 mi northeast of 

Sturgis. A summary of monthly precipitation totals (extracted 

from Driscoll and others, 2000) for May and June 1946 

(and other selected years with especially wet conditions) 

for selected NWS stations in the northern Black Hills area 

(fig. 31) is provided in table 3. The table shows a monthly 

total of 18.61 in. in Deadwood for May 1946, with large 

monthly totals for other stations in the northern Black Hills. 

Examination of peak-flow records (Burr and Korkow, 1996) 

for station 06438000 (Belle Fourche River near Elm Springs) 

indicates a series of peak flows during May and June 1946 that 

are fairly large (as much as 25,500 ft3/s) but do not approach 

record flows that exceed 40,000 ft3/s.

1951 through 1960

Table 10 contains very few listings for historical floods 

for years after 1947, which is the last year for the chronological set of typed newspaper articles that was compiled by staff 
Figure 30. The 1947 flood along the Fall River caused severe 

damage in Hot Springs (photograph courtesy of Fall River County 

Historical Society). During this flood, a peak flow of 8,300 cubic 

feet per second occurred on June 20, 1947, at station 06402000 

(Fall River at Hot Springs, S. Dak.).

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 47

from the USGS office in Rapid City (U.S. Geological Survey, 

2010a). Chronological listings after 1947 primarily consist of 

entries from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008) Web site and U.S. Geological Survey (2009) 

peak-flow records. USGS peak-flow records are especially 

sparse before about 1938 and availability of peak-flow records 

begins to increase considerably in the 1940s, which coincides 

conveniently (and perhaps not necessarily coincidentally) with 

the aforementioned set of typed newspaper articles.

High flows occurred along Rapid Creek and many other 

streams throughout much of the Black Hills area in late 

May 1952. A peak flow of 2,540 ft3/s occurred on May 23 

on Rapid Creek at station 06414000 (Rapid Creek at Rapid 

City; map number 54 in fig. 5), and a peak flow of 1,770 ft3/s 

occurred on May 24 at station 06421500 (Rapid Creek near 

Farmingdale; table 9) east of Rapid City. An aerial photograph taken on May 23 shows flooding for a reach of Rapid 

Creek in western Rapid City (fig. 32). A relatively large peak 

flow of 24,700 ft3/s occurred on May 22 at station 06423500 

(Cheyenne River near Wasta) (U.S. Geological Survey, 2009), 

indicating widespread high water throughout the southern 

Black Hills area during May 1952.

A peak flow of 9,430 ft3/s occurred on May 23, 1954, 

at station 06400000 (Hat Creek near Edgemont). The 1954 

peak flow for this station is second only to a peak flow of 

13,300 ft3/s on June 16, 1967 (table 9).

A strong storm near Rochford on July 28, 1955, caused 

flooding along Castle Creek. Additional details about this 

flood are provided in a subsequent section titled “Upper Rapid 

Creek.”

1961 through 1970

Notable storms and flooding occurred along the northeastern flanks of Black Hills in 1962, following about a 

decade of extended and severe drought conditions (Driscoll 

and others, 2000). Articles of May 23 and June 6, 1962, in 

the Sturgis Tribune described moderately high water in the 

Sturgis area following a week of prolonged rain, which was 

proclaimed to be the end of the drought. These were followed 

by two June 16 articles (Sturgis Tribune and Rapid City 

Journal) that described severe flooding during June 15–16 

along the northeastern flank of the Black Hills (Rapid City 

to Sturgis to Whitewood), with the most severe flooding in 

the Sturgis area. Rapid City subsequently suffered additional 

but less severe flooding from another storm the next day. 

The worst flooding of 1962 along Rapid Creek occurred 

several weeks later (July 13) and resulted in a peak flow of 

3,300 ft3/s for station 06414000 (Rapid Creek at Rapid City). 

This is the second largest peak flow for this station, but is 

dwarfed by the 1972 peak flow of 50,000 ft3/s (table 9). An 

exceptional peak flow of 2,920 ft3/s (Larimer, 1973; U.S. 

Geological Survey, 2009) was determined for July 13, 1962, 

for station 440325103182500 (Cleghorn Canyon at Rapid 

City), which is a small drainage (area = 7.0 mi2) in western 

Rapid City (fig. 5) that incurred flood damage (fig. 33). A 

June 23, 1962, article in the Sturgis Tribune described the 

aftermath of flooding that occurred on June 16–17, 1962, in 

the Sturgis area. The article also reported that 14 in. of rain 

during a 6-hour period on June 15 in Whitewood, which 

provides an indication of possible extreme storms in the area 

that is corroborated by examination of peak-flow records. 

A peak-of-record flow of 12,700 ft3/s occurred on June 16, 

1962, at station 06437500 (table 9) along Bear Butte Creek 

about 15 mi northeast of Sturgis. Another peak-of-record 

flow occurred on June 16 at station 06433000 (16,400 ft3/s; 

drainage area = 930 mi2) along the Redwater River upstream 

from Belle Fourche. An annual peak flow of only 2,340 ft3/s 

occurred on the same date at upstream station 06430500 

(Redwater River at Wyoming/South Dakota line; drainage area 

= 481 mi2), which is located near the Wyoming/South Dakota 

border (map number 67 in fig. 5), and the 1962 peak flow of 

830 ft3/s for station 06431500 (Spearfish Creek at Spearfish; 

drainage area = 165 mi2) occurred several weeks earlier on 

May 22. Thus, most of the large peak flow (16,400 ft3/s) on 

June 16, 1962, was generated within an area of only 284 mi2

downstream from stations 06430500 and 06431500, indicating that the flow must have resulted from a strong individual 

storm system, rather than from prolonged precipitation. 

Another large peak flow (3,120 ft3/s) occurred on June 17, 

1962, at station 06425500 (Elk Creek near Elm Springs; map 

number 63 in fig. 5; Burr and Korkow, 1996); however, the 

peak flow for the year (7,040 ft3/s) occurred on May 29 and 

another large peak flow of 6,320 ft3/s occurred on May 21 

(U.S. Geological Survey, 2010c). The peak-of-record flow for 

this station (8,540 ft3/s) occurred on March 29, 1952 (table 9).
Figure 31. Location of selected National Weather Service precipitation stations in the Black Hills area.

44°30'

RIVER

CHEYENNE

RIVER

CHEYENNE 

 RIVER

WHITE

Beaver Creek

Stockade 

Beaver

Creek

Red 

Canyon

FALL 

 RIVER

Beaver Creek

 Creek

Boxelder

Rapid 

Creek

Spring

Creek

Elk

Creek

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

REDWATER 

RIVER

BELLE

FOURCHE

RIVER

Hay 

Creek

Creek

Redwater

Cold

Springs

Creek

Spearfish 

Creek

Johnny 

Lame

Rapid Creek

Elm 

Creek

Alkali Creek

NIOBRARA 

COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

SOUTH DAKOTA

WYOMING

CUSTER 

COUNTY

FALL 

RIVER 

COUNTY

PENNINGTON COUNTY

LAWRENCE COUNTY

MEADE 

COUNTY

BUTTE 

COUNTY

SHANNON COUNTY

WESTON 

COUNTY

Creek

Butte

Bear

Creek

Lance

French 

Creek

Whitewood 

 Creek

79

44

34

79

18

71

40

89

34

24

44

116

585

111

385

385

16

85

85

212

212

85

385

16

85

385

Storm Hill

Harney Peak

104°00' 103°30' 103°00' 102°30'

44°00'

43°30'

Vale

Lead

Nemo

Wall

Wasta

Osage

Newell

Beulah

Scenic

Custer

Hayward

Nisland

Sturgis

Tilford

Hermosa

Pringle

Sundance

Piedmont

Rochford

Mystic

Keystone

Fairburn

Edgemont

Fruitdale

Spearfish

Whitewood

Blackhawk

Box Elder

Hill City

Newcastle

Red Shirt

Manderson Porcupine

Saint 

Onge

Rapid City

Elm Springs

Silver 

City

Rockerville Farmingdale

Buffalo 

Gap

Hot 

Springs

Union 

Center

Belle 

Fourche

New 

Underwood

SOUTH 

DAKOTA WYOMING

Belle Fourche

Reservoir

Angostura

Reservoir

Owl Creek

Indian Creek

Horse Creek

I-90

I-90 I-90

Pactola

Reservoir

0 10 20 30 40 MILES

0 10 20 30 40 KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

Area shown

on map Index map

Creek

Deerfield

Reservoir

Battle

Grace Coolidge Creek

Creek

Cold Brook

Reservoir

Cottonwood

Springs

Reservoir

Stagebarn 

Canyon

LittleElk Cr

X

X

X X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

X

Central City Deadwood

396427

486660

395870

393868

392209

392409

397882

390559

396947

396054

394834

393069

392207

381246

X

396054 Precipitation station and identifier

EXPLANATION

I-90

48 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
Table 3. Summary of selected precipitation information for the Black Hills (from Driscoll and others, 2000). 

[NWS, National Weather Service; NA, not available]

NWS station name 

(number) or area Month

Monthly precipitation total (inches)

1946 1962 1965 1976 1982 1995

Average for 

selected 

years1

Average for 

1931–98

Belle Fourche (390559) May 7.63 7.23 5.96 2.31 10.70 7.99 6.97 NA

June 4.71 4.66 3.46 9.36 2.31 4.57 4.85 NA

Buskala Ranch (381246) May 13.20 9.70 8.20 4.08 6.72 8.79 8.45 NA

June 4.37 4.84 4.82 6.39 4.05 3.75 4.70 NA

Deadwood (392207) May 18.61 12.10 13.96 3.64 15.99 13.32 12.94 NA

June 7.71 7.05 4.45 12.43 3.30 5.82 6.79 NA

Fort Meade (393069) May 214.15 11.20 6.67 2.62 8.73 8.50 8.65 NA

June 25.89 6.41 5.70 11.45 2.03 6.00 6.25 NA

Lead (394834) May 15.31 13.52 14.84 3.10 12.26 10.73 11.63 NA

June 5.38 8.57 4.13 11.88 3.33 4.13 6.24 NA

Newell (396054) May 9.35 8.60 6.25 1.53 8.10 5.58 6.57 NA

June 4.75 4.85 3.80 4.63 3.72 3.55 4.22 NA

Rapid City (396947) May 7.35 9.21 7.30 4.03 6.09 6.13 6.69 NA

June 5.37 7.48 3.42 7.35 2.38 4.41 5.07 NA

Spearfish (397882) May 13.07 10.01 211.08 2.77 14.11 7.77 9.80 NA

June 7.36 5.28 24.11 14.01 2.83 6.42 6.67 NA

Butte County May 8.51 8.59 6.54 2.11 10.33 7.35 7.24 2.83

June 4.78 4.83 3.91 8.12 2.94 4.49 4.85 3.25

Lawrence County May 12.64 10.74 10.63 3.31 10.96 9.35 9.61 3.74

June 5.60 6.48 4.53 10.56 3.25 4.53 5.83 3.83

Meade County May 10.41 10.20 7.78 2.98 8.36 8.12 7.98 3.37

June 5.21 6.46 4.77 8.58 2.70 4.61 5.39 3.52

Pennington County May 7.71 8.75 8.42 3.55 5.80 6.66 6.82 3.27

June 4.23 5.86 4.80 6.45 3.74 4.32 4.90 3.45

Custer County May 7.24 6.99 6.81 2.81 5.44 6.51 5.97 3.12

June 3.20 4.39 4.49 4.92 4.49 5.17 4.44 3.25

Fall River County May 6.96 5.62 5.45 2.55 5.50 4.73 5.14 2.91

June 3.07 4.51 3.41 3.09 4.54 4.40 3.84 2.93

All Black Hills May 4.36 8.15 7.54 2.94 7.11 6.89 6.17 3.21

June 4.00 5.29 4.34 6.42 3.83 4.64 4.75 3.35

1

Selected years are 1946, 1962, 1965, 1976, 1982, and 1995.

2

Estimated amount by Driscoll and others (2000).

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 49
Figure 32. Aerial photograph of flooding along Rapid Creek on May 23, 1952, near Canyon Lake in Rapid City, S. Dak.; the bridge in 

center of photograph is Evergreen Drive (U.S. Geological Survey photograph).

50 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Precipitation totals for May 1962 were especially large 

for Deadwood, Fort Meade, and Lead (table 3), which presumably contributed to generally high flows and wet antecedent 

conditions in the northern Black Hills. Selected monthly 

precipitation totals that were compiled by Driscoll and others 

(2000) for counties in the Black Hills area also are shown in 

table 3. Monthly totals for May for Butte, Lawrence, Meade, 

and Pennington Counties are especially large relative to 

1931–98 averages, and provide a good indication of the areal 

extent of the exceptionally wet conditions. Precipitation totals 

for June 1962 are not exceptional, which indicates that the 

large June 16–17 peak flows recorded for several streamflowgaging stations probably resulted from especially strong 

rain-producing thunderstorms, as opposed to more widespread 

precipitation.

A large peak flow of 3,040 ft3/s occurred at 

station 06431500 along Spearfish Creek on June 9, 1964 

(table 9). Daily mean flow values for this station for June 7–10 

are 59, 80, 1,480, and 493 ft3/s, respectively, and the June 7 

and 8 daily mean flow values are similar to the long-term 

(1947–2009) June average of 79.8 ft3/s for the station (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 2010c). These data indicate that the peak 

flow resulted from a strong storm during a relatively low- to 

moderate-flow period. The storm apparently produced heavy 

rainfall over a large area, as indicated by a summary of 

precipitation data that is provided in table 4.

Flooding occurred on May 15, 1965, in Deadwood 

(fig. 34), Spearfish, and Sturgis from heavy rain falling on as 

much as 30 in. of snow (National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 2008). A peak flow of 4,240 ft3/s occurred 

along Spearfish Creek at Spearfish (station 06431500), and 

farther downstream a peak flow of 8,480 ft3/s occurred along 

the Redwater River above Belle Fourche (station 06433000; 

table 9). On May 15, a peak-of-record flow of 2,060 ft3/s was 

recorded for station 06410500 (Rapid Creek above Pactola 

Reservoir at Silver City; map number 48 in fig. 5).
Figure 33. Photograph of a mobile home that was washed down 

Cleghorn Canyon in western Rapid City, S. Dak., by a 6-foot wall 

of water on July 13, 1962 (photograph courtesy of the Rapid City 

Journal). A family was inside the home as it was washed down 

the canyon but was able to escape with the aid of neighbors.

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 51

1971 through 1980

Severe and widespread flooding occurred along many 

streams in the central Black Hills on June 9–10, 1972 (fig. 35). 

Nearly 15 in. of rain fell in about 6 hours near Nemo, and 

more than 10 in. of rain fell over an area of 60 mi2. The 

resulting floods left 238 people dead and 3,057 people injured 

(Carter and others, 2002). Battle, Spring, Rapid, and Boxelder 

Creeks experienced the largest flooding with smaller floods 

along Elk and Bear Butte Creeks. Record flows were recorded 

for many USGS streamflow-gaging stations, and the 1972 

peak flows remain (through water year 2009) as peak-ofrecord flows for 14 streamflow-gaging stations (table 9). 

Flooding was especially severe along Rapid Creek, where a 

peak-of-record flow of 50,000 ft3/s was recorded at Rapid City 

(station 06414000) and where many of the 238 known flood 

victims perished. Additional details regarding the 1972 storm 

and flooding was provided in the previous section “The 2007 

Storm and Flooding, with Comparisons to the 1972 Storm 

and Flooding,” and numerous other details regarding the 1972 

flooding have been extensively documented in many other 

venues; thus, no additional details are provided here.

Prolonged heavy rainfall occurred throughout parts of the 

northern Black Hills on June 13–15, 1976, and many USGS 

streamflow-gaging stations in the Black Hills area recorded 

annual peak flows for 1976 associated with this storm. Sando 

and others (2008) provided peak-flow data (in table 8 of that 

report) for 70 streamflow-gaging stations along unregulated 

tributaries to the Cheyenne and Belle Fourche Rivers that 

were used in developing a mixed-population analysis for the 

Black Hills area. Of these 70 stations, 41 have peak-flow data 

for 1976, and the annual peak flow for 30 of the 41 stations 

occurred during June 15–17. This included all stations within 

and north of the Grace Coolidge and Battle Creek Basins. 

Noteworthy peak flows (table 9) in 1976 included 3,870 ft3/s 

along Spearfish Creek at Spearfish (station 06431500), 

6,780 ft3/s farther downstream along the Redwater River 

above Belle Fourche (station 06433000), and 16,700 ft3/s at 

Indian Creek near Arpan (station 06436700; map number 86 

in fig. 5). 

1981 through 1990

The northern Black Hills were very wet in May 1982 

(table 3), and peak-of-record flows were recorded for stations 

along Horse Creek and the Belle Fourche River (table 9). 

Large peak flows also were recorded along Spearfish Creek, 

Redwater River, and Whitewood Creek. In general, precipitation was low in all Black Hills counties during the late 1980s 

(Driscoll and others, 2000), which corresponds with a general 

dearth of large peak flows during this period. 

1991 through 2000

Widespread wet conditions prevailed throughout much 

of the Black Hills area for several years during the 1990s 

with sustained high flows occurring in many area streams 

(Driscoll and Carter, 2001). Driscoll and others (2000) 

provided a ranking (number 1 being the wettest of 68 years) 

for annual precipitation over the Black Hills area for water 

years 1931–98, and the wettest years include 1993 (6), 

1995 (1), 1996 (8), 1997 (2), and 1998 (7). Most of the associated flooding during the 1990s generally was not especially 

severe, however. A peak-of-record flow of 8,270 ft3/s occurred 

at station 06400875 (Horsehead Creek at Oelrichs; table 9; 

map number 14 in fig. 5) during 1991, before the onset of the 

especially wet conditions. Relatively large precipitation totals 

were recorded for many stations in May 1995 (table 3), and 
Figure 34. Photographs of damage in Deadwood, S. Dak., 

following a flood on May 15, 1965 (photographs courtesy of the 

City of Deadwood Historic Preservation Commission).

Figure 35. Photographs of damage in Rapid City, S. Dak., 

following the flood of June 9–10, 1972 (upper photograph courtesy 

of Norm Dewald; bottom photograph courtesy of the Rapid City 

Journal).

Table 4. Summary of precipitation data for selected National Weather Service stations in the northern 

Black Hills for June 8–9, 1964. 

[Data provided by Dennis Todey, South Dakota State Climatologist, written commun., 2010]

Date

Daily precipitation total (inches) for selected stations (station number)

Buskala Ranch 

(381246)

Dumont 2ENE 

(392409)

Deadwood

 (392207)

Lead 

(394834)

Spearfish 

(397882)

June 8, 1964 2.89 2.30 2.30 2.27 2.80

June 9, 1964 2.05 2.90 3.48 3.28 5.03

52 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 53

a strong storm system caused relatively large flows during 

May 8–10, 1995, for many streams in the central and northern 

Black Hills. Peak-of-record flows were recorded at 13 stations 

for these dates (between station numbers 06403300 (French 

Creek above Fairburn; map number 24 in fig. 5) and 06437020 

(Bear Butte Creek near Deadwood; map number 90 in fig. 5), 

inclusive, in table 9).

Most of the entries in table 10 for 1996 and later are 

associated with the 13 storm events that were described in 

a previous section titled “A Climatology of Recent Large 

Black Hills Storms.” Entries with USGS peak-flow information are provided for five of the storm events; however, 

applicable peak-flow data are not available for the other 

eight storms. One of the most notable of these storms (storm 

number 2 in table 2) occurred June 14, 1996, and resulted in 

a peak flow of 16,900 ft3/s (U.S. Geological Survey, 2009) 

along Alkali Creek (fig. 5, station 442205103073200) about 

10 mi east of Sturgis. A smaller peak flow of 6,910 ft3/s was 

recorded on May 30, 1996 (storm number 1 in table 2), for 

station 06408500 (Spring Creek near Hermosa; map number 

43 in fig. 5); however, the only larger flow recorded for this 

station occurred June 10, 1972 (13,400 ft3/s; table 9).

2001 through 2009

On August 17, 2007, substantial flooding occurred 

primarily in the Hermosa area, and flooding in the Piedmont 

area generally was of a localized nature, as stated previously in the section “The 2007 Storms and Flooding, with 

Comparisons to the 1972 Storm and Flooding.” A peak flow of 

18,600 ft3/s occurred on this date at station 06406000 (Battle 

Creek at Hermosa; map number 32 in fig. 5), which was 

second only to the 1972 peak flow of 21,400 ft3/s (table 9). 

The northern Black Hills experienced prolonged heavy 

rains in June 2008, which resulted in a peak-of-record flow 

(47,500 ft3/s) at station 06438000 (Belle Fourche River near 

Elm Springs; table 9). A strong storm on July 7, 2008 (storm 

number 13 from table 2), caused flash flooding along upper 

Rapid Creek, and a peak flow of 1,640 ft3/s was recorded 

on July 8 at station 06410500 (Rapid Creek above Pactola 

Reservoir at Silver City). A peak flow of 400 ft3/s occurred at 

station 06408850 (Silver Creek near Rochford; map number 

45 in fig. 5); the next largest peak flow for this station is only 

14 ft3/s (table 9). 

Widespread wet conditions occurred again in 2009 in 

many parts of the northern Black Hills from melting of heavy 

snowpack and subsequent rains; however, annual peak flows 

for most streamflow-gaging stations were not exceptional. A 

peak flow of 29,500 ft3/s was recorded on April 13, 2009 (U.S. 

Geological Survey, 2009) for the Belle Fourche River near 

Elm Springs (station 06438000). 

Stream-Specific Storm and Flood Histories

Examination of histories of storm and flood events for 

specific streams provides an opportunity to evaluate previous 

events in a collective fashion. Within this section, histories 

are examined for selected streams (Fall River, Beaver, Rapid, 

Spearfish, and Whitewood Creeks) that provide particularly 

useful perspectives regarding peak-flow characteristics for the 

Black Hills area.

Fall River and Beaver Creek 

Available peak-flow records for the Fall River and Beaver 

Creek (stations 06402000 and 06402500, respectively) extend 

back to 1938 (table 9) and are among the longest records 

available for the Black Hills area. Exceptionally large peak 

flows (13,100 and 11,700 ft3/s, respectively) were recorded 

at both stations on September 4, 1938, during the first year of 

gage operation. Flooding reported as “the worst in 35 years” 

also occurred on the same date farther north along Lame 

Johnny Creek (table 10; article on September 24, 1938, in the 

Rapid City Journal), and collectively this information provides 

an indication of an exceptionally strong storm system with 

large areal extent. 

The Fall River and Beaver Creek had rich flood histories 

prior to the availability of the systematic peak-flow records. 

For Beaver Creek, a reported stage for an unknown date in 

1927 is higher than that of the 1938 peak stage, and there 

are various other historical accounts of substantial flooding 

(table 10). Four moderately large peak flows (between 1,000 

and 3,000 ft3/s) occurred between 1947 and 1966 on Beaver 

Creek; however, peak flows exceeding 1,000 ft3/s have not 

been recorded since 1966 (U.S. Geological Survey, 2009). 

A trend analysis of the log of peak-flow values for Beaver 

Creek near Buffalo Gap (station 06402500; period of record 

1938–2009) was performed in S-PLUS (TIBCO Software, 

Inc., 2008) using the Kendall’s tau with the Sen estimate of 

slope function (Slack and others, 2003), where Sen’s slope is 

the median of all slopes of possible pairs of data (Helsel and 

Hirsch, 1992). A statistically significant downward trend was 

indicated by a probability value (p-value) of 0.0388 using a 

significance criterion (α) of 0.05. The probability of this trend 

resulting strictly from chance is only 3.88 percent. However, 

no known changes in land use have occurred within the basin 

to which this downward trend in peak-flow characteristics can 

be attributed; thus, an absence of exceptionally strong rainproducing storms since 1966 is hypothesized as the primary 

cause. 

Large uncertainty commonly exists regarding magnitudes 

of large flows before the availability of systematic peak-flow 
54 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

records, as exemplified by conflicting historical information regarding the Fall River. Design documents for the Cold 

Brook and Cottonwood Springs Reservoirs (U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers, 1950, 1966) provide similar, but not identical, flood histories for the Fall River. A flood of June 17–18, 

1937, was reported as slightly larger than the flood of September 4, 1938, which is the largest flood (13,100 ft3

/s) of the 

systematic record for station 06402000 (Fall River at Hot 

Springs; table 9). Details provided by the Hot Springs Weekly 

Star (September 6, 1938) indicate that the 1938 water level 

exceeded that of 1937 by about 1 ft in Hot Springs; however, 

farther down the canyon, the 1937 water level exceeded that of 

1938 by about 3 ft. Unpublished USGS documentation (R.E. 

West, U.S. Geological Survey, written commun., 1954) that 

was compiled after the earliest U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

(1950) document indicates that (1) the 1938 stage exceeded 

the 1937 stage by 4.4 ft at the location and datum of where 

the USGS streamflow-gaging station was established in 1938; 

(2) indirect determinations of the 1937 peak flow were made 

by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (16,000 ft3/s) and the 

Bureau of Reclamation (8,000 ft3/s), which indicates large 

uncertainty based on the difference between the determinations; and (3) large uncertainty also exists in the USGS 

peak-flow determination for 1938, for which the final value 

of 13,100 ft3/s was revised in 1954 from an original value 

of 8,400 ft3/s. In spite of the somewhat conflicting reports, 

consideration of the collective information indicates that 

(1) the floods of 1937 and 1938 were both very large and probably produced substantially different peak stages at different 

locations along the Fall River; (2) the stage for the 1938 flood 

probably exceeded that of the 1937 flood at the location of 

the USGS streamflow-gaging station; and (3) the stage for 

the 1937 flood may well have exceeded that of the 1938 flood 

downstream from the station. The relative magnitude of the 

1937 storm is unknown, but may have been smaller than the 

1938 storm, which also caused large flows farther north along 

Beaver and Lame Johnny Creeks. 

In the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1950, 1966) design 

documents, floods of 1897, 1905, and 1908 were reported 

as approximately equal to each other, and all were about 4 ft 

higher than the flood of 1937. A flood of August 27, 1884, also 

was reported as the largest known flood in the history of the 

town, with a stage that exceeded the 1937 stage by about 7 ft 

(3 ft higher than the 1897, 1905, and 1908 floods). In an article 

on June 5, 1908, the Hot Springs Weekly Star provided a 

report that is somewhat unclear, but is interpreted to mean that 

the 1908 flood waters were about 3 ft lower than the 1897 and 

1905 high-water marks. Many details regarding the historical 

flood accounts will never be known with certainty; however, 

obtaining additional information regarding previous large 

floods would be useful.

Construction of the two flood-control reservoirs (Cold 

Brook in 1952 and Cottonwood Springs in 1969) precludes 

a statistical analysis of trends for the Fall River. However, 

examination of available peak-flow records indicates a distinctive downward trend, beyond what turns out to be a negligible 

effect from the reservoirs on the occurrence of especially 

large peak flows. Table 9 shows the five largest peak-flow 

values for station 06402000 (Fall River at Hot Springs) for 

1938–52, when the Fall River was completely unregulated; 

and also for 1953–2009, which includes periods of regulation 

by one reservoir (1953–69) and both reservoirs (1970–2009). 

Substantially large inflows have not occurred to either reservoir since construction (Tim Temeyer, U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, oral commun., 2009), which can be ascertained 

by examination of reservoir inflow records (available only 

as daily mean values) provided by the U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers (Tim Temeyer, written commun., 2009) that are 

summarized in table 5. The two largest peak flows recorded 

for station 06402000 (Fall River at Hot Springs) since regulation began in 1952 are 2,060 and 1,590 ft3

/s (U.S. Geological Survey, 2009), for which daily mean flow values are 164 

and 64 ft3/s, respectively (U.S. Geological Survey, 2010c). 

Daily mean inflows for Cold Brook Reservoir account for 

only about 40 and 14 percent, respectively, of the corresponding daily mean values for station 06402000. Cottonwood 

Springs Reservoir was not constructed yet in 1961 and also 

had no effect (zero inflow) on the downstream peak flow for 

2005. The largest daily mean inflow for the period of record 

for each reservoir also is shown in table 5 (74 ft3/s for Cold 

Brook Reservoir in 1962 and 52 ft3/s for Cottonwood Springs 

Reservoir in 1993), along with corresponding streamflow data 

for station 06402000. These data indicate that in the absence 

of the two flood control reservoirs, the largest peak flow for 

the Fall River during the 57 years of post-regulation record 

(1953–2009) probably would have been considerably smaller 

than the second (8,300 ft3/s in 1947) and third largest peak 

flows (4,700 ft3/s in 1941) during the 15 years of pre-regulation record (1938–52) (table 9). Notwithstanding some of the 

uncertainties regarding historical flood events, it is apparent 

that a series of numerous large flood events occurred along 

the Fall River before construction of the two flood-control 

reservoirs, which has been coincidentally followed in the 

post-construction period by a dearth of especially large storm 

events with capabilities for generating large floods.

Rapid Creek

Flood histories for two reaches of Rapid Creek are 

examined within this section. Histories are examined for lower 

Rapid Creek, which is considered herein to be that part of the 

drainage basin downstream from Pactola Dam (fig. 5), and for 

upper Rapid Creek, which is upstream from Pactola Reservoir. 

Rapid Creek is one of the largest drainage basins in 

the Black Hills area, and Rapid City developed as a population center early in the settlement of the area, with extensive 

utilization and management of water resources. Thus, more 

streamflow-gaging stations have been operated within the 

Rapid Creek Basin than in any other drainage basins in the 

area (Miller and Driscoll, 1998). Peak-flow records dating 

back to the 1940s are available for several streamflow-gaging 

stations; however, earlier records are sparse (table 9). 
Table 5. Summary of selected peak-flow data for streamflow-gaging station 06402000 (Fall River at Hot Springs, 

S. Dak.) and mean daily inflow values for Cold Brook and Cottonwood Springs Reservoirs.

[Daily mean inflow values provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers; USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; NA, not applicable]

Date

USGS station 06402000 Daily mean inflow values

Peak flow Daily mean flow Cold Brook 

Reservoir

Cottonwood Springs 

Reservoir

July 7, 1961 2,060 164 65 NA

July 13, 1962 392 36 74 NA

August 19, 1993 354 34 7.5 52

August 12, 2005 1,590 64 9.2 0

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 55

Lower Rapid Creek

The longest peak-flow records available for lower Rapid 

Creek are for station 06414000 (Rapid Creek at Rapid City), 

which has records for 1905–06 and 1943–2009 (table 9). Peak 

flows along Rapid Creek are regulated by two large reservoirs constructed by the Bureau of Reclamation. Storage in 

Deerfield Reservoir began in December 1945, and storage in 

Pactola Reservoir began in August 1956 (Sando and others, 

2008). Regulated drainage areas for the Deerfield and Pactola 

Reservoirs are 92.4 and 322 mi2, respectively. Inspection of 

data for streamflow-gaging stations located just upstream 

from the two reservoirs (table 9) indicates that the reservoirs 

have not substantially affected the history of especially large 

peak flows for lower Rapid Creek. The largest recorded flow 

for Rapid Creek (50,000 ft3/s) occurred at station 06414000 

on June 9, 1972, and is about 15 times larger than the 

next largest recorded peak flow. The annual peak flow for 

1972 for a station just upstream from Pactola Reservoir 

(station 06410500) was 252 ft3/s and was not associated with 

the storm of June 9–10, 1972. This station has records for 

1954–2009 and the peak-of-record flow is 2,060 ft3/s.

A few peak-flow records before construction of Pactola 

Dam are available for two stations located downstream from 

the dam and upstream from Rapid City (table 9). Stations 

06411500 (Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam) and 06412000 

(Rapid Creek near Big Bend) collectively provide records for 

1915–17 and 1929–42. Collectively, the largest recorded peak 

flow (1,570 ft3/s) occurred on May 24, 1933, and is coincident 

with widespread flooding throughout much of the Black Hills 

area (table 10). On June 26, 1915, a maximum daily mean 

flow of 616 ft3/s was recorded for station 06412000. The 

instantaneous peak flow is not known, but probably is similar 

to the 1933 peak flow of 1,570 ft3/s. 

Miller (1986) summarized four relatively large floods for 

Rapid Creek at Rapid City that were previously reported by 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1973). The four floods are 

listed in table 10 and consist of 7,500 ft3/s (June 10–11, 1878), 

8,400 ft3/s (May 17, 1883), 13,000 ft3/s (June 12–13, 1907), 

and 8,000 ft3/s (May 11–12, 1920). The 1878 flood was one 

of four floods reported for the year and the 1883 flood was 

coincident with widespread flooding throughout the Black 

Hills area. The 1907 flood followed wet antecedent conditions in the area and was associated with what is believed to 

have been an anomalously strong storm system that caused 

exceptionally large peak flows in many area streams. A 1968 

flood inundation map for the Rapid City area (City of Rapid 

City, 1968) shows that the area affected by the 1907 flooding 

was more extensive than for subsequent floods of 1920, 1927, 

1949, 1952, and 1962. The 1920 flood was associated with 

substantial widespread flooding throughout the Black Hills 

and western South Dakota. Damage to homes, roads, railroads, 

and other infrastructure along Rapid Creek was severe. 

During 1962, relatively severe storms and flooding 

occurred in the Rapid City area on the night of June 15, with 

less severe storms and flooding the following night. These 

thunderstorms were associated with a large low pressure 

system across the southwestern United States, and caused 

exceptionally large peak flows for several streams (tables 9 

and 10). The largest peak flow along Rapid Creek during 

1962 (3,300 ft3/s) occurred several weeks later on July 13 at 

station 06414000, and an exceptional peak flow of 2,920 ft3/s 

occurred in Cleghorn Canyon at station 440325103182500 

(fig. 5; drainage area = 7.0 mi2) in western Rapid City. 

The storms and flooding of June 9–10, 1972, were 

especially severe west of Rapid City, although no severe 

hail, wind, or tornadoes were reported. Peak-of-record 

flows were recorded at three streamflow-gaging stations on 

lower Rapid Creek during this flood (table 9): 31,200 ft3/s 

at station 06412500 (Rapid Creek above Canyon Lake near 

Rapid City), 50,000 ft3/s at station 06414000 (Rapid Creek 

at Rapid City), and 7,320 ft3/s for station 06421500 (Rapid 

Creek near Farmingdale (map numbers 52, 54, and 55 in fig. 5, 

respectively). 

Upper Rapid Creek

Sando and others (2008) identified “suppressed” peakflow characteristics for the limestone headwater hydrogeologic 

setting, which comprises a large part of the headwaters of 
Figure 36. Annual peak flows 

for streamflow-gaging stations 

06409000 (Castle Creek above 

Deerfield Reservoir near Hill City, 

S. Dak.) and 06410500 (Rapid 

Creek above Pactola Reservoir at 

Silver City, S. Dak.).

1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

Station 06400900

Station 06410500

PEAK FLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

56 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

upper Rapid Creek (fig. 5), as described in a previous section 

titled “Physiographic Factors.” Various climatological factors 

indicate reduced potential for generation of exceptionally 

strong rain-producing storms in the high-altitude parts of the 

basin, relative to lower Rapid Creek, as described in a previous section titled “Climatological Factors Affecting Thunderstorm Generation for the Black Hills Area.” Thus, examination 

of the peak-flow history for upper Rapid Creek relative to 

these factors is especially useful. 

Peak-flow records for station 06410500 (Rapid Creek 

above Pactola Reservoir) are affected by storage within Deerfield Reservoir, which has regulated about one-third of the 

drainage area since December 1945. However, examination of 

peak-flow data (table 9) for this station and station 06409000 

(Castle Creek above Deerfield Reservoir; map number 47 in 

fig. 5) indicates that (1) especially large peak flows have not 

been recorded for either station; and (2) Deerfield Reservoir 

has not prevented the occurrence of especially large peak 

flows for station 06410500. The peak-of-record flow for 

station 06409000 (1,120 ft3/s) occurred on May 22, 1952, 

before construction of Pactola Reservoir and the period of 

record for station 06410500. Moderately large peak flows 

(approximately 2,100 to 2,600 ft3/s) occurred within the next 

day at two streamflow-gaging stations along lower Rapid 

Creek (stations 06411500 and 06412500) and coincided with 

heavy rains in other parts of the northern Black Hills (National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2008). The peakof-record flow for station 06410500 (2,060 ft3

/s) occurred on 

May 15, 1965, about 1 month before the annual peak flow for 

station 06409000 (906 ft3/s on June 17, 1965) (table 9).

Figure 36 shows annual peak flows for stations 06409000 

and 06410500, which illustrate distinctive differences in 

peak-flow characteristics. The 79.3-mi2 drainage area for 

the Castle Creek station (06409000) is primarily within the 

limestone headwater hydrogeologic setting, and the peak-flow 

record is dominated by relatively small flows, many of which 

are only slightly larger than the relatively large base flow for 

this station (Driscoll and Carter, 2001). In comparison, the 

peak-flow record for station 06410500 indicates larger variability and larger peak flows, relative to drainage area, which 

is typical of the crystalline core hydrogeologic setting (Sando 

and others, 2008) that comprises most of the drainage area 

downstream from Deerfield Reservoir. For station 06410500, 

the mean annual peak flow relative to the unregulated part 

of the drainage area (203 mi2) is 1.81 cubic feet per second 

per square mile (ft3/s/mi2), compared with 1.23 ft3/s/mi2

for station 06409000 for the period of concurrent record 

(1954–2009).

Two of the largest peak flows recorded for 

station 06410500 (Rapid Creek above Pactola Reservoir) 

occurred in July (table 9), which is somewhat later than 

is typical for most stations in the Black Hills. In contrast, 

of the largest peak flows recorded for Castle Creek 

(station 06409000), only one occurred in June (1965) and was 

coincident with widespread flooding throughout the central 

and northern Black Hills (table 10) from heavy rains and 

snowmelt (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

2008). All of the other largest peak flows for Castle Creek 

have occurred during March through May and are indicative of 

snowmelt or prolonged wet conditions, as opposed to primary 

effects from strong individual storms. Historical accounts exist 

for floods along Castle Creek for May 17, 1883, and June 17, 

1885 (table 10). The location of the 1883 flood, relative to 

the streamflow-gaging station, cannot be determined from 
Figure 37. Locations of sites for peak-flow determinations and isohyets for storm of July 28, 1955, and precipitation totals for 

storm of July 6–7, 2008, in the upper Rapid Creek drainage basin.

PENNINGTON COUNTY

LAWRENCE COUNTY

1

2

3

4

Rochford

Silver

City

Mystic

Pactola 

Reservoir

Deerfield 

Reservoir

S. Fork 

Castle Creek

North 

Iron 

Castle

Creek

Rhoads

Fork

South

Silver

Fork Castle Creek

Creek

Rapid Creek

Castle

Fork 

Rapid

Castle Creek 

 Creek

Creek

North Rapid Creek

Creek

06411500

06408700

06408850

06409000

06410500

8

7

6 5

4

3 2

1

5

4

2.3

5.5

1.5

5.2

103°50' 103°45' 103°40' 103°35' 103°30'

44°07'30"

44°05'

44°02'30"

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data

Universal Transverse Mercator projection,

Zone 13

06408700

5

5.5

EXPLANATION

Isohyet showing precipitation for July 28, 1955, in inches 

 (from Wells, 1962)

Streamflow-gaging station—Number is station number

Indirect measurement site—Number is site number in table 7

Precipitation total for storm of July 6–7, 2008 

 (data obtained by National Weather Service 

 survey of area residents)

2 4 6 MILES

0 2 4 6 KILOMETERS

0

Area shown

on map

SOUTH DAKOTA

Index map

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 57

the short news account; however, it can be determined that 

the 1885 flooding caused damage along lower Castle Creek, 

upstream from the confluence with Rapid Creek. 

A peak flow of 1,640 ft3/s was recorded for 

station 06410500 on July 7, 2008 (table 9), and resulted from 

a series of strong rain-producing thunderstorms that began 

late in the afternoon of the previous day and is listed as storm 

event number 13 in table 2. Precipitation totals ranged from 

about 1.5 to 5.5 in., and the duration was about 1.5 to 2 hours 

(fig. 37), as reported by several area residents in a survey 

conducted by NWS staff (Melissa Smith, National Weather 

Service, written commun., 2008). Precipitation totals were 

much smaller for NWS cooperative stations in the surrounding 

area, as shown in table 6. Antecedent moisture conditions may 

have contributed somewhat to generation of storm runoff, as 

showers had been prevalent throughout the area for July 2–4, 

with the heaviest reported amount of 0.80 in. for July 3 in 

Newcastle, Wyo. (table 6), which is about 35 mi southwest of 

Rochford.

A peak flow of 400 ft3/s from the July 6–7, 2008, storm 

occurred along Silver Creek (station 06408850; drainage area 

of 6.24 mi2; fig. 37) near the eastern extent of where heavy 

precipitation (fig. 16) and associated runoff occurred. This 

peak flow is about 30 times larger than the next largest peak 

flow for this station, for which other records are available only 

for 1969–79 (table 9). Silver Creek is a tributary to Rapid 

Creek about 5 mi northwest of the confluence with Castle 

Creek and about 10 mi upstream from station 06410500. 

In many parts of this long reach, Rapid Creek has a fairly 

well-developed alluvial floodplain with relatively large 
Table 6. Daily precipitation amounts for selected precipitation stations for July 1–7, 2008. 

[Data from South Dakota State University, 2010. NWS, National Weather Service]

Date in 

July 2008

Daily precipitation total (inches) for selected NWS stations (station number)

Deadwood 2NE 

(392209)

Hill City 

(393868)

Lead 

(394834)

Mt. Rushmore 

National Memorial 

(395870)

Newcastle 

(486660)

Pactola Dam 

(396427)

1 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00 0.00

2 .00 .10 .00 .07 .02 .00

3 .03 .13 .03 .07 .80 .07

4 .50 .00 .06 .00 .00 .00

5 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00 .00

6 .31 .00 .00 .00 .25 .69

7 .15 .53 .25 .50 .70 .45

58 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

storage capacity (fig. 38); thus, substantial attenuation probably occurred as upstream flows were routed downstream to 

station 06410500. 

Evidence of heavy runoff in many other tributaries to 

Rapid Creek upstream from Silver Creek was observed by 

the lead author during field inspections on July 7 and 9, 2008 

(fig. 39). Runoff was minimal within Rhoads Fork (a western 

headwater tributary to Rapid Creek shown in figure 37) as 

indicated by visual observation and a recorded annual peak 

flow for July 6 of only 15 ft3/s for station 06408700 (Rhoads 

Fork near Rochford; drainage area = 7.82 mi2). Visual 

evidence indicated that runoff increased markedly in a downstream direction from Rhoads Fork, which is consistent with 

radar imagery for the storm (fig. 16). Collective evidence indicated that lack of substantial runoff in Rhoads Fork resulted 

from lack of substantial precipitation, as opposed to effects 

of physiographic factors (topography and geology). This is 

the third largest peak flow for this station (table 9), which has 

28 years of peak-flow record dating back to 1982. This station 

typifies suppressed peak-flow characteristics for the limestone 

headwater hydrogeologic setting (Sando and others, 2008), 

as shown by the comparison between annual mean flows and 

annual peak flows that is presented in figure 40. 

A storm that occurred on July 28, 1955 (table 10) probably was of a generally similar scale to that of the 2008 storm. 

Wells (1962) reported that “as much as 5 inches of rain fell in 

2 hours in the storm center 6.5 miles southwest of Rochford,” 

and provided an isohyetal map (reproduced in figure 37) that 

was “based on data from Weather Bureau and Forest Service 

precipitation stations, from unofficial rain gages, and from 

information given by residents.” This storm caused high flows 

along Castle Creek downstream from Deerfield Reservoir 

and caused the third largest annual peak flow (1,520 ft3/s) 

for station 06410500 (Rapid Creek above Pactola Reservoir; 

table 9). Indirect determinations of peak flow were obtained by 

USGS for eight other sites in the Castle Creek Basin upstream 

from the confluence with Rapid Creek (fig. 37, table 7). 

The 1955 event is noteworthy in that (1) the largest peak 

flows (sites 3, 6, and 7) are by far the largest flows that have 

been documented within upper Rapid Creek; and (2) the peak 

flows for sites 3, 5, and 7 were considered by Crippen and 

Bue (1977) in developing a regional envelope curve. Those 

three peak-flow values are shown in figure 12. Costa and 

Jarrett (2008) evaluated the validity of indirect determinations 

of peak flow for extraordinary floods in the United States, 

and they reported a sound overall approach for site 4, which 

was one of 30 floods considered in development of a national 

envelope curve. Furthermore, measurements for all eight of 

the Castle Creek sites were closely scrutinized as part of this 

effort, with no identification of problems. 

Examination of peak-flow rates expressed as inches of 

runoff per hour (in/h) relative to total drainage area (table 7) 

indicates that for site 4, the runoff rate largely exceeded the 

maximum precipitation rate of about 2.5 in/h reported by 

Wells (1962). This is not implausible for the small drainage area of 0.192 mi2

 (equivalent to 12.3 acres) and because 

extremely high precipitation rates are not uncommon for small 

areas within high-intensity storms. A more “outstanding” flow 

rate actually was for site 3, for which an equivalent runoff 

rate of 3.96 in/h is calculated for a much larger drainage area 

of 2.20 mi2. Flow rates normalized relative to drainage area 

raised to the 0.6 power, which was the method used by Sando 

and others (2008) for normalizing peak flow rates for the 

Black Hills area, are shown in table 7. The normalized flow 

rate for site 3 is about 1.5 times as large as the next largest 

normalized value (site 5). The associated peak-flow value 

for site 3 plots close to the regional envelope curve (fig. 12), 

and the drainage area for this site is about two to three times 

larger than the areas associated with three peak-flow values for 

August 17, 2007 (table 1) that also plot close to the regional 

envelope curve. The equivalent runoff rate of 0.40 in/h for 

site 7 is small, relative to sites 1 through 5, which have much 

smaller drainage areas; however, the peak flow of 8,500 ft3/s 

(table 7) is quite large for the unregulated drainage area of 
Figure 38. Photograph showing floodplain storage potential along a reach of Rapid Creek downstream from Silver Creek

(photograph courtesy of Dan Driscoll).

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 59

32.6 mi2 and is the largest peak flow measured for a drainage 

area of this size at a comparable altitude for the Black Hills 

area. 

The western extent for the 1955 and 2008 storm events 

in upper Rapid Creek generally was just east of a pronounced 

escarpment (fig. 41) that constitutes the eastern extent of the 

Limestone Plateau area (fig. 5) and would correspond with 

a horizontal distance of about 95 to 100 mi on the X-axis of 

figure 13B. The escarpment generally aligns with the major 

axis of the Black Hills (fig. 15) and is essentially the westernmost orographic barrier to westerly (up-slope) air flow that 

could be a factor in genesis of most large-scale convective 

storms. Castle Creek (fig. 5) is incised into the Limestone 

Plateau (draining to the east, but west of the escarpment 

shown on figure 41), which could contribute to limited potential for development of large-scale convective storms within 

the Castle Creek Basin.

Consideration of various peak-flow information can be 

used to conclude that there have been no exceptionally large 

peak flows at the location of station 06410500 (Rapid Creek 

above Pactola Reservoir) since 1920. The available peak-flow 

records for station 06410500, which begin in 1954, essentially 

can be supplemented using available records for pre-construction periods of 1929–42 and 1947–53 for station 06411500 

(Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam). The largest peak flow 

for station 06411500 was 2,170 ft3/s in 1952 (table 9). The 

associated peak flow at the location of the upstream station 

(station 06410500) might have been somewhat larger than 

the peak-of-record flow (2,060 ft3/s in 1965), but would not 

have been exceptional. Similarly, a peak flow of 1,540 ft3/s 

on May 24, 1933, at station 06411500 resulted from a strong 

storm reported by the Rapid City Journal (May 23, 1933); 

however, the flow at location of station 06410500 probably 

was not exceptional. Records are available for 1943–46 for 

station 06414000 (Rapid Creek at Rapid City) and none of 

the annual peak flows exceed 1,000 ft3/s (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 2009). Substantially larger flows at the location of the 

upstream station may have occurred during at least several 
Figure 40. Annual mean and annual peak 

flows for streamflow-gaging station 06408700 

(Rhoads Fork near Rochford, S. Dak.).

1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005 2010

0

5

10

15

20

Annual peak flow

Annual mean flow

STREAMFLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

Figure 39. Photograph showing evidence of heavy runoff from storm of July 6–7, 2008, in the upper Rapid Creek drainage basin

(photograph courtesy of Dan Driscoll).

60 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area
Figure 41. Three-dimensional depiction (viewed south to north) of the Black Hills (from Newton and Jenney, 1880). The limestone 

plateau area is the low-relief area west of the generally north-south trending escarpment along the major axis of the Black Hills.

Table 7. Summary of peak-flow determinations for flooding of July 28, 1955.

[Modified from Wells (1962). mi2, square mile; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; in/h, flow rate expressed as inches of runoff per hour from entire drainage area; 

normalized, normalized by dividing by drainage area raised to the 0.6 power]

Site number 

(fig. 37) Stream and place of determination Drainage area (mi2)

Peak flow

ft3/s in/h Normalized

1 Castle Creek tributary near Rochford, S. Dak. 1.25 2,190 2.71 1,920

2 Castle Creek tributary near Rochford, S. Dak. 1.75 1,720 1.52 1,230

3 Castle Creek tributary near Rochford, S. Dak. 2.20 5,620 3.96 3,500

4 Castle Creek tributary near Rochford, S. Dak. .0192 98.9 7.98 1,060

5 Iron Creek near Rochford, S. Dak. 1.25 2,410 2.99 2,110

6 North Fork Castle Creek near Rochford, S. Dak. 14.6 4,490 .48 900

7 Castle Creek near Rochford, S. Dak. 132.6 8,500 .40 1,050

8 Castle Creek at Mystic, S. Dak. 52.2 2,360 .07 220

06410500 Rapid Creek above Pactola Reservoir at Silver 

City, S. Dak.

1

196 1,520 .01 64.0

1

Excludes drainage area upstream from Deerfield Dam. During flood, flow of Castle Creek from Deerfield Dam was 3 ft3/s (Wells, 1962).

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 61
62 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

years with large flood events prior to 1929, including some 

years for which reports of rail damage extended to parts of 

upper Rapid Creek (table 10). The largest potential for large 

flows probably was during four years (1878, 1883, 1907, and 

1920) for which especially large floods in Rapid City (7,500, 

8,400, 13,000, and 8,000 ft3/s, respectively) were reported by 

the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1973). Examination of all 

available peak-flow data and historical flood accounts further 

indicates that even in the absence of the two main-stem dams 

(Deerfield and Pactola), none of these four aforementioned 

peak flows would have been exceeded in the Rapid City area 

during 1921–42, during which time peak-flow records were 

sparse or non-existent.

Spearfish and Whitewood Creeks

Examination of peak-flow histories for Spearfish and 

Whitewood Creeks provides useful insights regarding peakflow trends and the effects of hydrogeologic settings on 

peak-flow characteristics in the northern Black Hills. Peakflow records are summarized in table 9 for five streamflowgaging stations within the Whitewood Creek Basin, which 

heads primarily within the crystalline core hydrogeologic 

setting (fig. 5). Figure 42 shows annual peak flows for three 

of these stations (those farthest downstream, with drainage 

areas ranging from 56.7 to 102 mi2) plotted with data for 

station 06431500 (Spearfish Creek at Spearfish), for which the 

drainage area (165 mi2) is considerably larger and is primarily 

within the limestone headwater hydrogeologic setting.

Of the four largest peak flows for Spearfish Creek, all 

exceeded 3,000 ft3/s (fig. 42), and all occurred before the 

availability of peak-flow records for Whitewood Creek. As 

described in a previous section titled “1961 through 1970,” 

the 1964 peak flow resulted from a localized storm system 

during a relatively low to moderate flow period, as opposed 

to prolonged precipitation as a primary cause for the other 

three large flow events. During periods of concurrent record 

between Spearfish Creek and Whitewood Creek, the two 

largest peak flows for Spearfish Creek (2,110 ft3/s on May 

22, 1982, and 1,900 ft3/s on May 8, 1995) occurred during 

months with especially large precipitation totals (table 3) and 

were exceeded by about 1,000–2,000 ft3/s by peak flows along 

Whitewood Creek that occurred on the same, or nearly the 

same dates. In contrast, relatively small peak flows occurred 

along Spearfish Creek in 1986, 1991, 1993, and 1999 and were 

exceeded by an order of magnitude, or larger, by peak flows 

that occurred along Whitewood Creek during various dates 

unrelated to the dates for Spearfish Creek (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 2009). 

These datasets clearly illustrate the suppressed nature 

of peak-flow characteristics for Spearfish Creek, relative to 

Whitewood Creek, which given the proximity of the drainage 

areas (fig. 5), certainly must be attributed at least partially to 

hydrogeologic factors, rather than solely to the effect of storm 

patterns. This does not necessarily indicate, however, that 

distinctive differences in storm patterns may not exist for the 

Spearfish and Whitewood Creek drainage basins. Spearfish 

Creek generally lies along the major axis of the Black Hills 

(fig. 13A), and the basin headwaters may be less subject to 

strong individual storms than Whitewood Creek because of 

the typical eastward motion of thunderstorms, as described 

in a previous section titled “Climatological Factors Affecting 

Thunderstorm Generation for the Black Hills Area.” 

A possible downward trend in peak-flow values for 

Spearfish Creek is indicated by figure 42; however, a trend 

analysis using the Kendall’s tau with the Sen estimate of 

slope function (Slack and others, 2003) in S-PLUS (TIBCO 

Software, Inc., 2008), indicates statistical non-significance 

(p-values of 0.144 and 0.262, respectively) for periods of 

record including and excluding 1904. The trend analysis 

does not consider any of several relatively large peak flows 

that have been documented in news accounts (table 10) for 

which peak-flow magnitudes cannot be estimated. Substantial 

flood damage occurred in Spearfish in May 1883, coincident with severe flooding along Whitewood Creek. Damage 

in the Spearfish area probably was less extensive in June 

1890, which was associated with widespread flooding in the 

northern Black Hills. Flooding that occurred July 30, 1895, 

was reported as the highest water level since 1883. A strong 

storm system on June 8, 1909, caused flooding in Spearfish; 

however, flooding probably was more severe on May 23, 

1933, based on a May 31, 1946, article in the Lead Call that 

referred to damage to the railroad bed in Spearfish Canyon in 

1933. In that article, Spearfish Creek was reported as being as 

high in May 1946 as in 1933.

In light of the comparison between peak flows for Spearfish and Whitewood Creeks, it probably would be reasonable 

to hypothesize that recorded peak flows in the short available 

period of record for Whitewood Creek have been exceeded by 

several of the flood events chronicled in table 10. Most of the 

historical accounts of flooding for Whitewood Creek are for 

upstream reaches in the Deadwood and Lead areas. One of the 

more outstanding flood events for Whitewood Creek, however, 

may be that of June 15–16, 1962, when strong thunderstorms 

caused severe flooding along the northeastern flank of the 

Black Hills. 
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980 1990 2000 2010

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

ANNUAL PEAK FLOW, IN CUBIC FEET PER SECOND

Spearfish Creek at Spearfish, S. Dak. (06431500)

Whitewood Creek above Whitewood, S. Dak. (06436180)

Whitewood Creek near Whitewood, S. Dak. (06436190)

Whitewood Creek above Vale, S. Dak. (06436198)

Figure 42. Time series of annual peak flows for one streamflow-gaging station on Spearfish Creek and three 

stations along Whitewood Creek.

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 63

Synopsis and Hydrologic Implications of Historical Storm and Flood Events

This section provides a brief synopsis of the most noteworthy storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, which 

provides an opportunity to examine some of the most substantial events in a collective context. Associated hydrologic 

implications also are described. 

Chronological Synopsis

The year 1883 was a year of benchmark flooding, with 

large flood events in the Deadwood and Spearfish areas, 

substantial flooding in other parts of the northern Black Hills, 

and fairly widespread flooding throughout much of the Black 

Hills area. The year 1890 also is referred to as somewhat of 

a benchmark year because of widespread flooding; however, 

historical accounts for 1883 are much more abundant than for 

1890, which probably indicates more severe flooding in 1883.

A large flood reported for the Fall River on August 27, 

1884, was the first, and perhaps the largest, of many large 

floods for the Hot Springs area, based on documentation 

provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1959, 1966). 

Other relatively large floods occurred in the Hot Springs area 

in 1800s including 1891, 1895, 1896, and 1897. 

On June 5, 1904, a peak flow of 5,000 ft3/s was recorded 

along Spearfish Creek at Spearfish (station 06431500), 

which through 2009 remains as the peak-of-record flow 

for this station (table 9). A large flow of 8,050 ft3/s was 

recorded farther downstream along the Redwater River 

(station 06434000; table 10) and indicates that heavy precipitation probably occurred over a widespread area. 

The year 1907 was noteworthy, with wet antecedent 

conditions and widespread flooding that persisted through at 

least the end of May. These conditions may have exacerbated 

severe and large-scale flooding that developed on June 12 

as part of a larger-scale system moving in from Montana 

and Wyoming. Flooding was especially severe in Stagebarn 

Canyon, with severe flooding also reported in drainages to 

the north and a 24-hour rainfall total of 7.1 in. measured at 

Ft. Meade (table 10; Miller, 1986). Widespread flooding and 

damage also occurred throughout much of the southern Black 

Hills. The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1973) estimated 

a peak flow of 13,000 ft3/s for Rapid Creek, and a peak flow 

of 16,000 ft3/s occurred along Boxelder Creek near Nemo 

(station 06422500). Quantitative information for 1907 is 

insufficient for detailed comparisons between the storm and 

flood events of 1907, and those of 1972 and more recent years. 

However, quantitative and historical information for the 1907 

events is more abundant than for other events in the area, 

and the collective information indicates that the 1907 events 

are among the most severe that have been experienced in the 

Black Hills area since European settlement.
64 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

On May 31, 1908, Hot Springs experienced flooding 

from heavy rainfall that was exacerbated by saturated conditions from prolonged rains of the previous week. On June 8, 

1909, a strong storm system caused flooding in Spearfish and 

produced heavy rainfall and damage along the eastern fringe 

of the Black Hills and extended at least as far to the southeast 

as New Underwood, where especially severe storm effects 

were reported. 

In 1915, the southern part of the Black Hills experienced 

widespread wet conditions, with Horsehead Creek experiencing the worst known flooding to date. The year 1920 may 

constitute the most substantial and widespread flood conditions that have occurred since European settlement in western 

South Dakota and the Black Hills area, with substantial flooding on the Belle Fourche, Cheyenne, Bad, and White Rivers. 

Flooding also was documented for Hat Creek in the southern 

Black Hills, Rapid and Boxelder Creeks in the central part 

of the Black Hills, and the Newell area in the northern Black 

Hills. An exceptional 24-hour precipitation total of 7.1 in. 

for Custer was recorded on April 17, 1920, as part of a storm 

that produced heavy snowfall throughout the Black Hills. A 

peak flow of 114,000 ft3/s was recorded on May 12, 1920, at 

station 06400500 (Cheyenne River near Hot Springs), which is 

the largest peak flow recorded anywhere along the Cheyenne 

River (table 9). A record stage of 18.9 ft also is documented 

for the next day (May 13) at station 06439500 (Cheyenne 

River near Eagle Butte), which is located on the Cheyenne 

River about 75 mi downstream from the confluence of the 

Belle Fourche River. 

In 1922, flooding occurred throughout much of the Black 

Hills area from a large storm system that began on May 10 

and produced exceptionally heavy precipitation from west of 

Edgemont to west of Belle Fourche to Saint Onge to Rapid 

City. Flooding of a power plant along the Redwater River was 

reported in a May 11, 1922, article in the Deadwood Telegram as “the highest ever known, being three feet higher than 

the highest previously known,” and “the highest water in the 

history of” Saint Onge also was reported in association with 

this storm system in a May 1922 article in the Weekly Pioneer 

Times. Flooding in 1924 and 1927 was especially severe in 

the Belle Fourche area. A peak-of-record flow of 22,400 ft3/s 

occurred on April 9, 1924, at the Belle Fourche River near 

Belle Fourche (station 06435500; table 9), and a record stage 

of 21.8 ft for an unknown date in May 1927 is documented for 

the Belle Fourche River near Elm Springs (station 06438000; 

table 10). 

A large peak flow of 16,000 ft3/s was recorded on 

May 6, 1932, along Rapid Creek at station 06422000 about 

20 mi downstream from Rapid City. Flows recorded at two 

streamflow-gaging stations upstream from Rapid City were 

not large. However, a peak-of-record flow of 46,300 ft3/s 

was recorded on the same date farther downstream along the 

Cheyenne River near Wasta (station 06423500), indicating a 

storm system that apparently produced heavy rainfall over a 

relatively large area primarily downstream from Rapid City. 

Severe flooding occurred in Hot Springs along the Fall 

River on June 17, 1937, and was instrumental in securing 

Congressional authorization for construction of Cold Brook 

and Cottonwood Springs Dams, which have regulated flows 

since September 1952 and June 1969, respectively. Large 

flows were recorded on September 4, 1938, for the Fall 

River (13,100 ft3/s; station 06402000) and Beaver Creek 

(11,700 ft3/s; station 06402500), which in combination with 

reported heavy flooding for Lame Johnny Creek, provide an 

indication of a storm system that produced some of the most 

substantial flooding for which peak-flow records are available. 

Relatively large floods also occurred along the Fall River in 

1941 and 1947. Widespread flooding occurred in May 1946 

throughout the northern Black Hills. A monthly precipitation 

total of 18.61 in. was recorded in Deadwood for May 1946 

(Driscoll and others, 2000), with large monthly totals for other 

precipitation stations in the northern Black Hills (table 10). 

Notable flooding occurred June 15–16, 1962, in areas 

from Rapid City to Sturgis to Whitewood, with the most 

severe flooding in the Sturgis area. In Whitewood, 14 in. of 

rain during a 6-hour period was reported for June 15 in a 

June 23, 1962, article in the Black Hills Press, and peak-ofrecord flows (table 9) were recorded along Bear Butte Creek 

(12,700 ft3/s; station 06437500) about 15 mi northeast of 

Sturgis and along the Redwater River above Belle Fourche 

(16,400 ft3/s; station 06433000). An exceptional peak flow of 

2,920 ft3/s occurred July 13 in Cleghorn Canyon in west Rapid 

City (station 440325103182500), and farther downstream the 

second largest peak-of-record flow (3,300 ft3/s) was recorded 

for station 06414000 along Rapid Creek.

The most outstanding flooding documented in the Black 

Hills area since European settlement occurred on June 9–10, 

1972. Nearly 15 in. of rain fell in about 6 hours near Nemo, 

and more than 10 in. of rain fell over an area of 60 mi2. 

The resulting floods left 238 people dead and 3,057 people 

injured (Carter and others, 2002). Battle, Spring, Rapid, and 

Boxelder Creeks experienced the largest flooding with smaller 

floods along Elk and Bear Butte Creeks. Record flows were 

recorded for many USGS streamflow-gaging stations, and the 

1972 peak flows remain (through water year 2009) as peakof-record flows for 14 streamflow-gaging stations (table 9). 

Flooding was especially severe along Rapid Creek, where a 

record peak flow of 50,000 ft3/s was recorded at Rapid City 

(station 06414000) and where many of the 238 known flood 

victims perished. 

Prolonged heavy rainfall occurred throughout parts of the 

northern Black Hills on June 13–15, 1976. Annual peak flows 

for the year at many USGS streamflow-gaging stations in the 

Black Hills resulted from this storm. Especially large peak 

flows were recorded in 1976 and 1982 along Indian Creek and 

Horse Creek (table 9).

Since 1982, at least four strong storm events that were 

listed in table 2 have caused noteworthy peak flows in the 

Black Hills area. Two of these storms occurred in 1996 (storm 

numbers 1 and 2), and storm numbers 12 and 13 occurred in 

2007 and 2008, respectively (table 2).
History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 65

Stream-Specific Synopsis

The Fall River and Beaver Creek have unique peak-flow 

histories that have important implications for regional peakflow characterization. A statistically significant downward 

trend in peak-flow magnitudes was identified for Beaver 

Creek. A similar downward trend is apparent for the Fall 

River, but could not be tested for statistical significance 

because of the coincidental effect of two flood-control reservoirs. Especially when considering the numerous historical 

floods that pre-date the available systematic peak-flow records, 

the Fall River stands out as having one of the most robust 

flood histories in the Black Hills area in terms of relatively 

large peak flows. This observation is important relative to 

the regional mixed-population analysis developed by Sando 

and others (2008), which was used to address complications 

related to high outliers that for many streamflow-gaging 

stations are about an order of magnitude larger than the next 

largest peak flows. Many stations have a conspicuous “underrepresentation” of moderately large peak flows in their periods 

of record, which are essentially mid-range between small peak 

flows that represent the “ordinary peaks population” and the 

much larger peak flows that represent the “high-outlier population.” The Fall River, possibly with an “over-representation” 

of relatively large peak flows in the period of record, represents an opposing end of this spectrum. 

Flooding of June 9–10, 1972, was especially severe along 

lower Rapid Creek (downstream from Pactola Reservoir), 

where a peak-of-record flow of 50,000 ft3/s was recorded at 

station 06414000 (Rapid Creek at Rapid City; table 9). Flood 

storage in Pactola Reservoir was inconsequential, as flooding 

was isolated within the downstream reach. The U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers (1973) provided historical peak-flow estimates for four other relatively large floods for the Rapid City 

area that pre-date USGS systematic peak-flow records and the 

construction of Pactola Dam. All of the peaks flows are small 

(7,500, 8,400, 13,000, and 8,000 ft3/s in 1878, 1883, 1907, and 

1920, respectively) relative to the 1972 peak flow. 

The peak-flow history for upper Rapid Creek (upstream 

from Pactola Reservoir) was examined in detail relative to 

differentiation between hydrogeologic and climatological 

effects on peak-flow characteristics. Long-term records (dating 

back to 1949) exist for station 06409000 (Castle Creek above 

Deerfield Reservoir), which is located primarily within the 

limestone headwater hydrogeologic setting and for which 

the peak-flow record is dominated by relatively small peaks, 

many of which are only slightly larger than the relatively 

large base flow for this station (Driscoll and Carter, 2001). 

In comparison, records for station 06410500 (Rapid Creek 

above Pactola Reservoir) indicate larger variability and larger 

peak flows, relative to drainage area, which is typical of the 

crystalline core hydrogeologic setting (Sando and others, 

2008) that comprises most of the drainage area downstream 

from Deerfield Reservoir. Most of the largest peak flows for 

station 06409000 have occurred during March through May 

and are indicative of snowmelt or prolonged wet conditions, 

as opposed to primary effects from strong individual storms. 

Consideration of various peak-flow information indicates 

that no exceptionally large peak flows at the location of 

station 06410500 have occurred since 1920. Detailed documentation is available for two relatively large storm and flood 

events that have occurred upstream from station 06410500. A 

peak flow of 1,640 ft3/s was recorded for station 06410500 on 

July 7, 2008, and resulted from strong rain-producing thunderstorms that are listed as storm event number 13 in table 2. 

Another storm system of generally similar scale occurred 

somewhat farther south on July 28, 1955, and resulted in a 

peak flow of 8,500 ft3/s along Castle Creek (table 7), upstream 

from Rapid Creek, with large flows documented in several 

other locations (Wells, 1962). 

The flood history for Spearfish Creek is dominated 

by flows resulting from some combination of prolonged 

precipitation and wet antecedent conditions. A June 9, 1964, 

flow of 3,040 ft3/s at station 06431500 (Spearfish Creek at 

Spearfish) was not particularly large relative to drainage area 

(165 mi2), but approaches the record of 5,000 ft3/s for this 

station (table 9), and is the only quantified large flow that has 

resulted from a localized storm system, as opposed to effects 

of prolonged precipitation or wet antecedent conditions. More 

typical is a flow of 3,870 ft3/s following 3 days of heavy rainfall during June 1976 that caused large flows in many other 

streams in the northern Black Hills. 

Peak-flow histories relative to effects of hydrogeologic 

settings were examined for Spearfish and Whitewood Creeks, 

which are composed primarily of the limestone headwater 

and crystalline core hydrogeologic settings (fig. 5), respectively. Various datasets clearly illustrate the suppressed nature 

of peak-flow characteristics for Spearfish Creek, relative to 

Whitewood Creek, which can be at least partially attributed 

to hydrogeologic factors. However, distinctive differences 

in storm patterns may exist because Spearfish Creek generally lies along the major axis of the Black Hills, and the basin 

headwaters may be somewhat less subject to strong thunderstorms than (1) Whitewood Creek and (2) downstream 

parts of the Spearfish Creek Basin. The largest recorded 

flows at station 06431500 (Spearfish Creek at Spearfish; map 

number 73 in fig. 5; drainage area = 165 mi2) are quite small, 

relative to most other drainages of comparable size around the 

periphery of the Black Hills (table 9). The distinctive effect 

of the limestone headwater hydrogeologic setting is exemplified by peak-flow records (table 9) for headwater stations 

06430770 (Spearfish Creek near Lead; map number 69 in 

fig. 5) and 06430850 (Little Spearfish Creek near Lead; 

map number 71 in fig. 5) for which the peak-of-record flows 

(181 ft3/s and 90 ft3/s, respectively) are especially small, 

relative to drainage areas (65.0 and 27.8 mi2, respectively). 

In contrast, Annie Creek (station 06430800; drainage area = 

3.73 mi2; map number 70 in fig. 5) and Cleopatra Creek 

(station 06430898; drainage area = 7.32 mi2; map number 72 

in fig. 5), which are small tributaries within the crystalline core 

hydrogeologic setting, have much larger peak-of-record flows 
66 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

(270 ft3/s and 860 ft3/s, respectively). The effect of topography 

and geology on the contrasting peak-flow characteristics is 

certain; however, effects resulting from potential climatological factors cannot necessarily be distinguished. Annie and 

Cleopatra Creeks are located along the northern flank of the 

hills where steeper relief (figs. 5 and 13A) may tend to favor 

heavier convective precipitation, relative to the higher-altitude 

limestone headwater setting. Future resolution of this question 

could have important implications for peak-flow characterization of Spearfish Creek.

Hydrologic Implications of Historical Events

Extraction of definitive information regarding storm 

and flood events that occurred before systematic peak-flow 

records can be difficult for various reasons beyond the simple 

passage of time. Scientific documentation of events was not a 

societal priority, streamflow-gaging networks were sparse or 

nonexistent, and precipitation-gaging networks were sparse. 

Furthermore, like today, homeowner precipitation gages could 

be broken, over-topped, or were not necessarily available in 

locations where exceptionally heavy precipitation occurred, or 

measurements simply were not always recorded for posterity. 

Historical news accounts frequently provide general information regarding precipitation amounts, but seldom contain information that can be used to quantify magnitudes of flood peaks, 

which can vary considerably along stream reaches. Likewise, 

before the advent of radar data, it is difficult to ascertain prior 

storm morphology and evolution with confidence. Another 

important consideration is that some strong rain-producing 

thunderstorms undoubtedly have been largely unnoticed 

because of occurrence in areas where population or damage 

was minimal or not recorded.

Despite these drawbacks, continued collection and 

examination of historical accounts has excellent potential to 

contribute to a need for improved knowledge of especially 

large flood events for the Black Hills area, where potential 

exists for extreme damage and loss of lives in rapidly developing areas. As an example, an August 4, 1882, article in the 

Black Hills Journal (table 10) reported that “Redwater (River) 

rose in confined places, twenty-five feet, and rocks weighing 

hundreds of pounds were carried for miles.” Verification of 

this report more than a century later may never be possible; 

however, it might be possible to eventually find additional 

evidence of what might be an extraordinary event that might 

not necessarily have caused much damage, or associated 

consternation, given the limited extent of settlement and associated infrastructure at that time. 

Statistical analyses of peak-flow trends were performed 

for only two stations. A statistically significant downward trend was quantified for station 06402500 (Beaver 

Creek near Buffalo Gap); however, a downward trend for 

station 06431500 (Spearfish Creek at Spearfish) was not 

statistically significant at the 5-percent confidence level. 

Statistical analyses of peak-flow trends cannot incorporate 

historical flood accounts; however, consideration of historical 

accounts qualitatively supports a hypothesis that exceptionally large flood events may be somewhat “under-represented” 

in peak-flow records subsequent to 1972 for relatively small 

drainages in the Black Hills area that include the Fall River, 

Beaver Creek, Rapid Creek, Spearfish Creek, Whitewood 

Creek, and Bear Butte Creek, which could have important 

implications for assessing peak-flow characteristics for the 

area. Systematic peak-flow records for the area are strongly 

affected by record flows for the exceptional 1972 storm event. 

Since 1972, the most noteworthy events that have been documented (U.S. Geological Survey, 2009) are for 2007 (peak 

flows of 26,000 and 18,600 ft3/s for two locations along Battle 

Creek; table 1) and a 1996 peak flow of 16,900 ft3/s for Alkali 

Creek (storm number 2 from table 2; drainage area = 102 mi2; 

station 442205103073200). 

Consideration of historical accounts indicates that 

histories of exceptional events for many streams probably are 

much richer before 1972 than after 1972, which includes a 

preponderance of “modern” peak-flow records. For the Fall 

River, peak flows that were recorded for 1938, 1941, and 1947 

clearly surpass any flows that could have occurred subsequent 

to 1952, when the first of two flood control reservoirs in the 

basin was built. The storm of 1938 also caused substantial 

flooding farther north in Beaver and Lame Johnny Creeks. 

Historical USGS information indicates that the 1938 stage 

at the location of the streamflow-gaging station may have 

been higher by several feet than for a severe flood in 1937; 

however, newspaper accounts indicate that the 1937 flood 

probably was more severe in locations downstream from 

where the station was established in 1938. Documentation 

provided by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1950, 1966) 

indicates that 1937 and 1938 flood stages probably were 

exceeded by about 7 ft in 1884 and other historical accounts 

indicate substantial floods in 1891, 1895, 1896, and 1897. 

Detailed examination of peak-flow information for Rapid 

Creek indicates that moderately large peaks at Rapid City 

in 1878, 1883, 1907, and 1920 (7,500, 8,400, 13,000, and 

8,000 ft3/s, respectively) have been exceeded only by the 

1972 flooding, and that flood control storage in Deerfield and 

Pactola Reservoirs (initiated in 1945 and 1956, respectively) 

has been inconsequential relative to this interpretation.

As previously stated in section titled “Spearfish and 

Whitewood Creeks,” a downward trend for Spearfish Creek 

(station 06431500) was not statistically significant; however, 

four of the five largest peak flows (table 9) occurred before 

1976 for a peak-flow record that includes 1904 and 1947–

2009. Historical accounts indicate that moderate to substantial flooding probably occurred along Spearfish Creek in 

1883, 1890, 1895, 1909, 1933, and 1946. Peak-flow records 

for other streamflow-gaging stations in the northern Black 

Hills generally are short. Records for Bear Butte Creek near 

Sturgis include 1946–72 and 1990–2001; three of the five 

largest peaks are from the earlier period and largely exceed 

those from the latter period. The earliest systematic records 

for Whitewood Creek date back only to 1982 and comparisons provided in a previous section titled “Spearfish and 
Table 8. Dates for the 10 largest known 

storm/fl ood events for the Fall River.

Year Approximate date

1884 August 27

1896 September 12

1897 August 6

1905 June 17

1908 May 31/June 1

1922 August 3

1937 June 17

1938 September 4

1941 August 6

1947 June 20

History of Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area 67

Whitewood Creeks” indicate under-representation of large 

peak fl ows, relative to the longer-term systematic records for 

Spearfi sh Creek. If quantitative data could be extracted from 

historical accounts, the under-representation of large peak 

fl ows for Whitewood Creek presumably would be even more 

pronounced. 

Although a formal analysis was not performed, consideration of the comprehensive fl ood history clearly indicates 

that most of the especially large peak fl ows for relatively 

small drainages in the Black Hills area have resulted from 

strong thunderstorms, as postulated in a previous section titled 

“Climatological Factors and a Climatology of Recent Large 

Black Hills Storms,” and including those such as the 2007 

event near Hermosa and the exceptional 1972 event. This is 

well known for many recent storms, and the storms that are 

listed in table 2 provide good examples. The most noteworthy 

example is the 1972 storm event, for which exceptionally large 

peak fl ows were generated in many small to moderate-sized 

drainages. Of these, an outstanding example is the peak fl ow 

of 50,000 ft3

/s along Rapid Creek at station 06414000, for 

which the unregulated drainage area is 93 mi2. In comparison, for station 06438000 (Belle Fourche River near Elm 

Springs; drainage area = 7,029 mi2) the peak-of-record fl ow 

is 47,500 ft3/s set in June 2008 (table 9). For large drainages 

such as this, large fl ows most commonly have resulted from 

some combination of wet antecedent conditions and prolonged 

precipitation over widespread areas, although exacerbation by especially heavy localized precipitation undoubtedly 

has contributed to some of the more exceptional fl ows. An 

example is a large fl ow of 16,000 ft3/s that was recorded on 

May 6, 1932, along Rapid Creek (station 06422000), about 

20 mi downstream from Rapid City (fi g. 5). Driscoll and 

others (2000) reported 4.10 and 5.02 in. of precipitation for 

April and May, respectively, for NWS weather station 396947 

at Rapid City. The 1932 annual peak fl ow of 682 ft3/s for 

streamfl ow-gaging station 06411500 (Rapid Creek below 

Pactola Dam) occurred on April 24 (table 9) and is indicative of generally high fl ows and wet antecedent conditions; 

however, indications are that a strong storm provided the fi nal 

ingredient for the large May 6, 1932, fl ow.

Although a statistical analysis for dates of exceptionally strong localized storm events has not been performed, 

examination of the 13 storm events listed in table 2 shows that 

4 occurred in May (6–7, 19, 28, and 30), 5 occurred in June 

(as did the 1972 event), 2 occurred in July (5 and 6–7), and 

2 occurred in August. Thus, the most frequent time frame for 

the occurrence of these events is late May through early July, 

which probably is reasonably representative of most of the 

strong storm events in the Black Hills area for the historical 

accounts listed in table 10. In addition, May and June clearly 

stand out as predominant months for general storms with large 

areal extent and heavy prolonged precipitation.

In contrast, the Fall River fl ood history indicates that a 

disproportionately large number of the large storm and fl ood 

events have occurred in August and September. Dates for 

the 10 largest known events for the Fall River are shown in 

table 8, and one-half of these events occurred in August or 

September.

Water standing in the ditch alongside the railroad tracks near 

Hermosa after the 2007 fl ood (photograph by Mark T. Anderson).
68 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Storm and Flood Potential Based on Climatological Factors and Historical Events 

Previous examination of climatological factors for the 

Black Hills area in the section titled “Climatological Factors 

and a Climatology of Recent Large Black Hills Storms,” indicated that (1) the largest gradients in topography lie along the 

foothills, as opposed to over the higher altitudes, and this helps 

favor heavy precipitation in foothills areas; and (2) greater 

potential exists for generation of exceptional thunderstorms 

for areas east (as opposed to west) of the major axis of the 

Black Hills area. Collective consideration of all available 

accounts for exceptional storm and peak-fl ow events supports 

development of a hypothesis of generally increasing potential for exceptionally strong rain-producing thunderstorms 

in an easterly direction from the escarpment that lies along 

the eastern extent of the Limestone Plateau, with maximum 

potential occurring within an area in fi gure 18 that can be 

generally defi ned by the combination of the footprint for the 

1972 storm and the largest precipitation increments (generally approaching or exceeding 10 in.) for the “composite” 

footprint. The areas near Sturgis with the largest precipitation 

increments (as much as 20 in.) may be somewhat biased by the 

short-term nature of the available radar dataset, but generally 

coincide with some of the most exceptional historical storm 

accounts. Detailed examination of numerous 1907 historical 

accounts indicates a storm footprint that although undefi nable, 

may resemble the 1972 footprint, albeit with considerably 

less precipitation in the Rapid Creek drainage basin and most 

likely with less precipitation in the southern Black Hills. 

The general area from Rapid City to Keystone to 

Hermosa has a robust recent (1972 and later) storm history 

(fi g. 16), including events of 1996 and 2007 that produced 

exceptional fl ows for small drainage areas. The area 

between Hermosa and Hot Springs may be somewhat underrepresented by the general absence of large precipitation 

increments in fi gure 18. The outstanding 1938 event caused 

exceptionally large fl ows (in systematic records) along the 

Fall River and Beaver Creek, with historical accounts of 

exceptional fl ows along Lame Johnny Creek. The statistically 

signifi cant downward trend in peak fl ows for Beaver Creek 

indicates an under-representation of large fl ows since about 

1966, which would be amplifi ed by consideration of historical 

accounts. An even more pronounced under-representation of 

recent large fl ows was identifi ed for the Fall River.

The combination of climatological factors, systematic 

peak-fl ow records, and historical accounts strongly supports 

a conclusion that potential for generation of exceptional thunderstorms is much smaller west of the major axis of the Black 

Hills than east of the axis, especially relative to areas with 

the most robust history of large-scale events along the eastern 

fl ank. Available peak-fl ow records for the Limestone Plateau 

area are short and spatially sparse (fi g. 5); however, especially 

large peak-fl ow events originating from exceptional convective storms are absent in the systematic records. Furthermore, 

no historical accounts of exceptional storms or high fl ows for 

this area have been located to date; nevertheless, it needs to be 

recognized that the potential for bias exists because this is the 

least populated part of the Black Hills area.

For areas just east of the escarpment that lies along the 

eastern extent of the Limestone Plateau, systematic records 

Low-lying areas in the southern and southeastern parts of Hermosa were inundated by fl ooding 

along Battle Creek during the August 17, 2007, storm (photograph by Mark T. Anderson).
Storm and Flood Potential Based on Climatological Factors and Historical Events 69

and historical accounts of large peak-flow events are not 

completely absent, but generally are sparse relative to records 

and historical accounts for areas around the periphery of the 

Black Hills. A conclusion of increased potential for especially 

heavy precipitation from convective storms, relative to areas 

west of the escarpment, is strongly supported by systematic 

records, historical accounts, and climatological theory. The 

interpretation of reduced potential relative to the periphery of 

the Black Hills is somewhat less conclusive and must be qualified by a cautionary note that systematic peak-flow records 

and population densities in this area have historically been 

much sparser than for the peripheral areas. 

Although a formal analysis was not performed, collective consideration of numerous datasets presented within this 

report indicates that drainages within the northern Black Hills 

are considerably more subject to effects from wet antecedent 

conditions (including snowpack) and from storms involving 

prolonged precipitation than drainages within the central and 

southern Black Hills. Table 3 indicates a greater propensity 

for northern than southern drainages for large precipitation 

during May, which is the most common month for substantial 

flooding associated with widespread conditions. This also is 

consistent with trends in winter precipitation (Driscoll and 

others, 2000) and associated accumulation of snowpack.

After consideration of all available information, the 

following final interpretations are offered relative to potential 

for exceptionally heavy precipitation (storm potential), and the 

associated potential for severe flooding:

• Storm and flood potential are smallest on the relatively 

flat “top” of the Limestone Plateau, which generally 

is represented by the part of the limestone headwater 

hydrogeologic setting (fig. 5) that is within Pennington 

County. Storm potential increases in southerly and 

northerly directions (moving into Custer and Lawrence 

Counties) with increasing topographic relief, and flood 

potential increases further, commensurate with increasing relief.

• Storm potential increases just to the east of the Limestone Plateau, because of the orographic effect of a 

pronounced escarpment, and to the west of the South 

Dakota/Wyoming border, because of increasing topographic relief. Flood potential in both areas increases 

further, commensurate with increasing relief.

• Storm potential is greatest along eastern and northeastern flanks of the Black Hills, with maximum potential 

generally coinciding with the largest precipitation 

increments in figure 18. The greatest flood potential 

generally occurs in canyon reaches within this area and 

is because of steep topography and minimal potential for attenuation of flood flows within the confined 

canyons.

• Storm potential generally decreases in moving around 

the periphery of the Black Hills towards the western 

flank, because of reduced potential for orographic 

lifting and decreasing effects from moisture-laden air 

masses originating from the Gulf of Mexico. 
70 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Summary

The Black Hills area of western South Dakota has a 

history of damaging flash floods that have resulted primarily from exceptionally strong rain-producing thunderstorms. 

The best known example is the catastrophic storm system 

of June 9–10, 1972, which caused severe flooding in several 

major drainages near Rapid City and resulted in 238 deaths. 

More recently, severe thunderstorms caused heavy precipitation and flash flooding near Piedmont and Hermosa on 

August 17, 2007. Various investigators have worked to attain 

improved knowledge of the frequency of occurrence of large 

(low-probability) flood events such as these for the Black 

Hills area. To that end, the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) 

cooperated with the South Dakota Department of Transportation and National Weather Service (NWS) and to produce this 

report, the purposes of which are to (1) provide documentation 

regarding the August 17, 2007, storm and associated flooding, 

and (2) provide a context through examination of the history 

of other large storm and flood events in the Black Hills area.

The area affected by the August 17, 2007, storms and 

associated flooding generally was encompassed within the 

area affected by the larger storm of June 9–10, 1972. The 

maximum observed 2007 precipitation totals of between 10.00 

and 10.50 inches (in.) occurred within about 2–3 hours and 

were measured within a small area about 5 miles (mi) west of 

Hermosa. In contrast, the maximum documented precipitation 

amount in 1972 was 15.0 in. near Nemo, and precipitation 

totals that equaled or exceeded 10.0 in. were documented for 

34 locations within an area of about 76 square miles (mi2), 

with storm totals generally occurring within a 6-hour interval. 

Hail damage in the Piedmont area during 2007 was especially severe; however, flooding was localized. A peak flow of 

1,600 cubic feet per second (ft3/s) was determined for a site 

in Stagebarn Canyon (drainage area = 17.2 mi2); however, 

moderately high flows in many relatively small drainages 

such as this attenuated in moving downstream through 

extensive channel networks, and a peak flow of only 68 ft3/s 

was recorded for USGS streamflow-gaging station 06425100 

(Elk Creek near Rapid City; drainage area = 211 mi2), which 

is located about 10 mi farther downstream along Elk Creek. 

Substantial flooding occurred in the Hermosa area, where lowlying areas were inundated by flooding along Battle Creek, a 

railroad grade was breached, several houses just downstream 

from the breach were washed from their foundations, and area 

roads incurred damage. The 2007 peak flow of 18,600 ft3/s for 

station 06406000 (Battle Creek at Hermosa) was only slightly 

smaller than the 1972 peak flow of 21,400 ft3/s, despite considerably smaller areal extent of exceptionally heavy precipitation within the watershed during 2007 than in 1972. 

In 1972, the heaviest precipitation was north of Grace 

Coolidge Creek, and the peak flow (709 ft3/s) for upstream 

station 06404998 (Grace Coolidge Creek near Game Lodge) 

was relatively small, but about 20 times larger than during 

2007 (36 ft3/s). Farther downstream along Grace Coolidge 

Creek (and just upstream from the confluence with Battle 

Creek), a 2007 peak flow of 4,400 ft3/s was determined. The 

1972 peak flow for this location was not determined, but 

perhaps was considerably smaller than in 2007, based on 

information from various sources. During 2007, a peak flow 

of less than 1 ft3/s was recorded for station 06404000 (Battle 

Creek near Keystone). The 1972 peak flow of 26,200 ft3/s for 

this station was very large, relative to the drainage area of only 

58.6 mi2. Farther downstream along Battle Creek (and just 

upstream from the confluence with Grace Coolidge Creek), 

a 2007 peak flow of 26,000 ft3/s was determined, which was 

generated entirely within the intervening drainage area of only 

44.4 mi2. An especially large peak flow of 44,100 ft3/s was 

documented for this location in 1972. 

A previous study of regional peak-flow frequency characteristics provides a perspective on the relative infrequency of 

extreme events such as these; however, readers are cautioned 

that especially large uncertainty exists for estimation of such 

low-probability events. Obtaining a thorough understanding of peak-flow characteristics for low-probability events 

will require a comprehensive long-term approach involving 

(1) collection and documentation of scientific information for 

extreme events, such as those of 2007 and 1972; (2) continued 

long-term collection of systematic peak-flow records for many 

locations; and (3) regional assessments of a wide variety of 

information that includes all available systematic peak-flow 

records, historical flood information, paleoflood information (which pre-dates historical information), and climatic 

information.

A perspective on the relative magnitudes of large peak 

flows for the 2007 and 1972 flooding was provided through 

a comparison with a regional envelope curve that had been 

developed by previous investigators. Peak-flow values from 

2007 for three sites with small drainage areas (<1.0 mi2) plot 

close to the envelope curve, indicating exceptionally large 

flow values, relative to drainage area. Flooding in 1972 was 

exceptional in that extremely large peak flows (approaching 

the regional envelope curve) were generated in many relatively large drainage areas. 

Physiographic factors that affect flooding in the Black 

Hills area were examined. The limestone headwater hydrogeologic setting on the western flank of the Black Hills has 

distinctively suppressed peak-flow characteristics, with 

annual peaks that are consistently small, relative to drainage 

area, for peak flows with small recurrence intervals (that is, 

2-year through about 25- or 50-year return periods—equating 

to annual exceedance probabilities of 50, 4, and 2 percent). 
Summary 71

Uncertainty is large, however, regarding peak-flow characteristics for larger recurrence intervals (low-probability flood 

events) because of a dearth of information regarding the 

potential for generation of exceptionally strong rain-producing 

thunderstorms within and near the Limestone Plateau area 

in the limestone headwater setting. In contrast, the greatest 

potential for exceptionally damaging floods is around the 

flanks of the rest of the Black Hills area because of steep 

topography and limited potential for attenuation of flood peaks 

in narrow canyons.

Climatological factors that affect flooding in the Black 

Hills area also were examined. Area thunderstorms are largely 

terrain-driven, especially with respect to their requisite upward 

motion, which can be initiated by orographic lifting effects, 

thermally enhanced circulations, and obstacle effects. Several 

other meteorological processes are influential in the development of especially heavy precipitation for the area, including 

storm cell training, storm anchoring or regeneration, storm 

mergers, and supercell development. A composite of summed 

precipitation amounts for 13 recent individual storm events 

indicates (1) a propensity for heavy precipitation to occur 

east of the major axis of the Black Hills, from the northern 

hills (near Spearfish) toward the southeast through the eastern 

foothills near Hermosa, and (2) a proclivity for short-duration 

but intense convective precipitation events. 

The largest gradients in topography lie along the foothills, as opposed to over the higher altitudes, and this helps 

favor heavy precipitation. Additionally, a pronounced escarpment with several hundred feet of relief exists along the 

eastern edge of the Limestone Plateau, and orographic lifting 

associated with this escarpment can occur with a southeasterly 

air flow. However, to the west of this escarpment, relief is 

relatively small and localized, and the potential for orographic 

lifting is minimal. Moreover, moisture-laden air masses mostly 

originate from the Gulf of Mexico, which strongly affects the 

eastern Black Hills. Finally, the westerly mean air flow causes 

storm complexes to drift eastward, which generally coincides 

with a down-basin direction for most drainages along the 

eastern flanks of the Black Hills, and also favors convergent 

patterns along the eastern slopes of the Black Hills. Collectively these factors enhance the probability of exceptional 

rainstorms along the eastern Black Hills, relative to the highest 

terrain. Additionally, weak upper-level air flow (similar to 

conditions of June 9–10, 1972, along the eastern flanks of the 

Black Hills) can allow heavy rainfall to remain almost stationary, which can exacerbate flooding potential.

A chronology of historical storm and flood events was 

examined to provide a context regarding exceptional events 

for the Black Hills area. Both 1883 and 1890 were early years 

of benchmark flooding for much of the area, with especially 

noteworthy flooding in 1883 for the Deadwood area and other 

parts of the northern Black Hills. A large flood in 1884 is the 

first, and perhaps the largest, of many historical floods that 

pre-date USGS peak-flow records for Fall River. A peak flow 

of 5,000 ft3/s was recorded along Spearfish Creek during 1904 

(one of the earliest USGS records in the area) and through 

2009 remains a record for this station. The year 1907 was 

one of the most noteworthy flood years for the area with 

wet antecedent conditions, widespread flooding, and severe 

flooding from a strong storm system that produced a 24-hour 

rainfall total of 7.1 in. at Ft. Meade on June 12. A peak flow of 

13,000 ft3/s was estimated for Rapid Creek, and a peak flow of 

16,000 ft3/s occurred along Boxelder Creek. Collective information indicates that the events of 1907 are among the most 

severe experienced in the area since European settlement. 

In 1915 and 1920, the Black Hills experienced widespread flooding, and 1920 may constitute the most substantial 

and widespread flooding in the larger streams draining western 

South Dakota since European settlement. During 1922, flooding occurred throughout much of the Black Hills area from a 

storm system that began on May 10 and produced exceptionally heavy precipitation from west of Edgemont to west of 

Belle Fourche to Saint Onge to Rapid City. Flooding in 1924 

and 1927 was especially severe along the Belle Fourche River. 

A large peak flow of 16,000 ft3/s was recorded on May 6, 

1932, along Rapid Creek about 20 mi downstream from 

Rapid City. Flows recorded at two streamflow-gaging stations 

upstream from Rapid City were not large. However, a peak-ofrecord flow of 46,300 ft3

/s was recorded farther downstream 

along the Cheyenne River near Wasta (station 06423500), 

indicating a storm system that apparently produced heavy 

rainfall over a relatively large area primarily downstream from 

Rapid City.

Severe flooding occurred in Hot Springs along the Fall 

River on June 17, 1937, and was instrumental in securing 

Congressional authorization for construction of Cold Brook 

and Cottonwood Springs Dams, which have regulated flows 

since September 1952 and June 1969, respectively. Large 

flows were recorded on September 4, 1938, for the Fall River 

(13,100 ft3/s) and Beaver Creek (11,700 ft3/s), which in combination with reported heavy flooding for Lame Johnny Creek, 

provide an indication of a storm system that produced some of 

the most substantial flooding for which peak-flow records are 

available. Relatively large floods also occurred along the Fall 

River in 1941 and 1947.

Notable flooding occurred along the northeastern flanks 

of Black Hills in 1962, with the most severe flooding in the 

Sturgis area. In Whitewood, 14 in. of rain during a 6-hour 

period was anecdotally reported for June 15, and record flows 

occurred the next day along Bear Butte Creek (12,700 ft3/s) 

about 15 mi northeast of Sturgis and along the Redwater River 

above Belle Fourche (16,400 ft3/s). 

The most outstanding flooding documented in the Black 

Hills area since European settlement occurred on June 9–10, 

1972. Battle, Spring, Rapid, and Boxelder Creeks experienced the largest flooding with smaller floods along Elk and 

Bear Butte Creeks. Record flows were recorded for many 

USGS streamflow-gaging stations, and the 1972 peak flows 

remain (through water year 2009) as peak-of-record flows 

for 14 streamflow-gaging stations. Flooding was especially 
72 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

severe along Rapid Creek where many of the 238 known flood 

victims perished. 

The Fall River stands out as having one of the most 

robust flood histories in the area in terms of relatively large 

peaks, which are “over-represented” relative to the general 

abundance of especially large peak flows for many other 

area streams. A statistically significant downward trend in 

peak-flow magnitudes was identified for Beaver Creek, and 

a similar downward trend is apparent for the Fall River, but 

could not tested for statistical significance because of the coincidental effect of the two flood control reservoirs.

Flooding in 1972 was especially severe along Rapid 

Creek, where a peak-of-record flow of 50,000 ft3/s was 

recorded at Rapid City. Flood storage upstream in Pactola 

Reservoir was inconsequential, as flooding was isolated within 

the reach downstream from the reservoir. Historical peak-flow 

estimates exist for four other relatively large floods that predate USGS systematic peak-flow records and the construction 

of Pactola Dam. All of the peaks flows are small (7,500, 8,400, 

13,000, and 8,000 ft3/s in 1878, 1883, 1907, and 1920, respectively) relative to the 1972 peak flow. 

The peak-flow history for upper Rapid Creek (above 

Pactola Reservoir) was examined in detail relative to differentiation between hydrogeologic and climatological factors on 

peak-flow characteristics. A long-term peak-flow record for 

Castle Creek, which is located primarily within the limestone 

headwater hydrogeologic setting, is dominated by relatively 

small peak flows, many of which are only slightly larger 

than the relatively large base flow for this station. Most of 

the largest peak flows occurred during March through May 

and are indicative of snowmelt or prolonged wet conditions, 

as opposed to primary effects from strong individual storms. 

Farther downstream, a peak-flow record for Rapid Creek 

above Pactola Reservoir indicates larger variability and larger 

peak flows, relative to drainage area, which is typical of the 

crystalline core hydrogeologic setting that comprises most 

of the unregulated drainage area. Consideration of various 

peak-flow information indicates there have been no exceptionally large peak flows at the location of station 06410500 since 

1920, and effects of storage in Deerfield Reservoir (located 

upstream) on especially large peaks in downstream reaches 

has been inconsequential. The largest documented peak flow 

in this intervening reach was 8,500 ft3/s in 1955 along Castle 

Creek, upstream from Rapid Creek.

The flood history for Spearfish Creek is dominated by 

flows resulting from some combination of prolonged precipitation and wet antecedent conditions. A 1964 flow of 3,040 ft3

/s 

is the only quantified large flow that has resulted from a localized storm system. 

Peak-flow histories relative to effects of hydrogeologic 

settings were examined for Spearfish and Whitewood Creeks, 

which are composed primarily of the limestone headwater and 

crystalline core hydrogeologic settings, respectively. Various 

datasets clearly illustrate the suppressed nature of peakflow characteristics for Spearfish Creek, relative to nearby 

Whitewood Creek, which can be at least partially attributed 

to hydrogeologic factors. However, distinctive differences 

in storm patterns may exist because Spearfish Creek generally lies along the major axis of the Black Hills, and the basin 

headwaters may be somewhat less subject to strong thunderstorms than (1) Whitewood Creek and (2) downstream parts of 

the Spearfish Creek Basin. 

Statistical analyses of peak-flow trends were performed 

for only two streamflow-gaging stations, and a statistically significant trend (downward) was quantified for 

one (station 06402500; Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap). 

However, consideration of historical flood accounts qualitatively supports a hypothesis that exceptionally large flood 

events may be somewhat “under-represented” in peak-flow 

records subsequent to 1972 (which includes a preponderance 

of modern peak-flow records) for relatively small drainages 

in the area that include the Fall River, Beaver Creek, Rapid 

Creek, Spearfish Creek, Whitewood Creek, and Bear Butte 

Creek. 

Consideration of the comprehensive flood history 

indicated that most of the especially large flows for smaller 

drainages in the Black Hills area have resulted from strong 

thunderstorms, rather than from more general storm systems. 

Of the 13 events that were included in a climatological analysis of recent large area storms, 10 occurred between late May 

through early July, which probably is reasonably representative of most of the strong localized storm events contained in 

a tabulation of historical storm and flood accounts. In contrast, 

many of the large storm and flood events for the Fall River 

have occurred in August and September. 

The combination of climatological factors, systematic 

peak-flow records, and historical accounts strongly supports 

a conclusion that potential for generation of exceptional thunderstorms is much smaller west of the major axis of the Black 

Hills than east of the axis, especially relative to areas with 

the most robust history of large-scale events along the eastern 

flank. For areas just east of the escarpment that lies along the 

eastern extent of the Limestone Plateau, systematic records 

and historical accounts of large peak-flow events are not 

completely absent, but generally are sparse relative to records 

and historical accounts for areas around the periphery of the 

Black Hills. A conclusion of increased potential for especially 

heavy precipitation from convective storms, relative to areas 

west of the escarpment, is strongly supported by systematic 

records, historical accounts, and climatological theory. Drainages within the northern Black Hills were qualitatively determined to be considerably more subject to effects from wet 

antecedent conditions (including snowpack) and from storms 

involving prolonged precipitation than drainages within the 

central and southern Black Hills. 

Final interpretations are offered that further refine the 

potential for exceptionally strong storms and associated flooding. Storm and flood potential are smallest on the relatively 

flat top of the Limestone Plateau, but increase in southerly and 

northerly directions commensurate with increasing topographic relief. Storm and flood potential also increase in easterly and westerly directions primarily because of increasing 
References Cited 73

topographic relief. Storm and flood potential are largest 

along eastern and northeastern flanks of the Black Hills, with 

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steep topography nearby. Storm potential generally decreases 

in moving around the periphery of the Black Hills towards 

the western flank, because of reduced potential for orographic 

lifting and decreasing effects from moisture-laden air masses 

originating from the Gulf of Mexico. 

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A large tree was deposited on the back of this truck by the flood waters 

of August 17, 2007, near Hermosa (photograph by Mark T. Anderson).
Supplemental Tables
Table 9. Station information and listing of five largest annual peak flows during selected periods for selected streamflow-gaging stations with 10 or record, and peak flows recorded during water year 1972, but outside of the five largest.—Continued [Data from U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 1972 column: NRA, no records available for 1972; Other 1972, annual peak flow occurred outside of June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the station through water year 2009; June 9–12, annual peak flow occurred during June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the five largest peak flows for the station through water year 20the period of record considered for the station; --, not available] Map number (fig. 5) Station number Station name Drainage area1 (square miles) Period and number of years considered Date of annual peak flow and annual peak flow 

Period of record (water years)2 Number of years Largest Second largest Third largest Fourth largest 

1 06392900 Beaver Creek at Mallo Camp near Four Corners, Wyo. 10.3 1975–82, 1991–2009 26 04/22/1994 103 03/25/1999 87 06/07/1993 75 06/18/1998 48 2 06392950 Stockade Beaver Creek near Newcastle, Wyo. 110 1975–82, 1991–2009 26 07/17/1993 776 08/12/2005 374 03/13/1996 373 08/29/1999 137 3 06394300 Redbird Canyon near Newcas- tle, Wyo. 62.1 1991–2009 11 08/12/2005 431 07/05/2002 111 05/01/2003 106 04/05/1999 28 4 06394450 Pass Creek near Dewey, S. Dak. 36.1 1991–2009 11 07/18/2008 6,130 08/12/2005 5,240 06/13/2009 1,610 --/--/1999 1,430 5 06395000 Cheyenne River at Edgemont, S. Dak. 7,204 1905, 1929–32, 1947–2009 69 05/20/1978 28,000 05/25/1971 13,800 06/17/1962 13,500 07/30/1905 13,000 6 06396200 Fiddle Creek near Edgemont, S. Dak. .71 1956–80 25 06/15/1980 275 08/04/1961 68 08/09/1977 44 07/20/1958 43 7 06396300 Cottonwood Creek tributary near Edgemont, S. Dak. .09 1956–80 25 07/19/1965 86 07/18/1969 75 08/09/1977 51 06/15/1980 48 8 06396350 Red Canyon Creek tributary near Pringle, S. Dak. .20 1970–79 10 05/03/1971 30 09/02/1973 12 02/29/1972 7 04/08/1975 7 9 06399300 Hat Creek tributary near Ardmore, S. Dak. 4.11 1956–59, 1961–79 23 03/16/1963 510 07/20/1976 338 06/21/1964 320 06/09/1968 320 

10 06399700 Piney Creek near Ardmore, S. Dak. 7.34 1956–75 20 06/09/1968 1,550 07/23/1965 1,540 06/16/1962 1,440 06/17/1956 1,110 

11 06400000 Hat Creek near Edgemont, S. Dak. 962 1905, 1951–2009 60 06/16/1967 13,300 05/23/1954 9,430 08/12/1905 9,150 05/17/1991 7,870 

12 06400497 Cascade Springs near Hot Springs, S. Dak. .48 1977–96 20 08/09/1996 247 07/04/1977 49 06/05/1982 31 08/14/1993 28 13 06400500 Cheyenne River near Hot 

Springs, S. Dak.

8,757 1915–20, 

1943–72

36 05/12/1920 

114,000

06/12/1915 

39,200

07/14/1918 

19,000

05/22/1917 

16,100

14 06400875 Horsehead Creek at Oelrichs, 

S. Dak.

188 1983–2009 27 05/11/1991 

8,270

06/11/1986 

5,620

04/22/2000 

2,170

06/03/1997 

1,690
Table 9. Station information and listing of five largest annual peak flows during selected periods for selected streamflow-gaging stations with 10 or record, and peak flows recorded during water year 1972, but outside of the five largest.—Continued[Data from U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 1972 column: NRA, no records available for 1972; Other 1972, annual peak flow occurred outside of June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the station through water year 2009; June 9–12, annual peak flow occurred during June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the five largest peak flows for the station through water year 20the period of record considered for the station; --, not available]

Map 

number 

(fig. 5)

Station 

number Station name

Drainage 

area1

(square 

miles)

Period and number of 

years considered Date of annual peak flow and annual peak flow 

Period 

of record 

(water years)2

Number 

of 

years

Largest Second largest Third largest Fourth largest 

15 06400900 Horsehead Creek tributary near 

Smithwick, S. Dak.

1.62 1969–79 11 07/18/1969 

90

06/12/1970 

3

05/23/1971 

12

07/21/1972 

1

16 06401500 Cheyenne River below Angostura Dam, S. Dak. 19,136 1946–2009 64 05/20/1978 30,300 06/18/1962 20,500 05/25/1971 17,900 06/17/1967 10,300 17 06402000 Fall River at Hot Springs, 

S. Dak. (pre-regulation period)

1136 31938–52 32 09/04/1938 

13,100

06/20/1947 

8,300

08/06/1941 

4,700

08/13/1948 

1,720

Fall River at Hot Springs, 

S. Dak. (post-regulation period)

41953–2009 07/07/1961 

2,060

08/12/2005 

1,590

07/19/1997 

1,170

08/20/1998 

1,090

18 06402100 Fall River tributary at Hot 

Springs, S. Dak.

3.82 1970–79 10 07/04/1977 

53

08/15/1978 

46

07/27/1970 

40

06/16/1979 

29

19 06402430 Beaver Creek near Pringle, 

S. Dak.

45.7 1991–2009 19 06/10/1995 

90

06/08/1993 

28

05/26/1999 

28

07/08/2006 

26

20 06402470 Beaver Creek above Buffalo 

Gap, S. Dak.

111 1990–2004 13 06/19/1999 

120

07/19/1997 

59

07/03/1995 

56

08/01/1996 

26

21 06402500 Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap, 

S. Dak.

127 1938–2009 72 09/04/1938 

11,700

08/10/1955 

2,750

06/07/1963 

1,440

07/14/1966 

1,430

22 06402600 Cheyenne River near Buffalo 

Gap, S. Dak.

19,833 1969–80, 

2008–09

05/21/1978 

25,000

05/25/1971 

17,600

07/21/1969 

8,620

06/10/1972 

2,750

23 06402995 French Creek above Stockade 

Lake near Custer, S. Dak.

68.6 1991–2009 19 08/07/1999 

1,070

05/08/1995 

408

08/17/2007 

340

08/06/1991 

320

24 06403300 French Creek above Fairburn, 

S. Dak.

1105 1982–2009 28 05/08/1995 

1,060

08/08/1999 

572

03/07/1987 

329

06/19/1998 

323

25 06403800 Battle Creek tributary near 

Keystone, S. Dak.

.65 1956–80 25 06/09/1972 

1,330

06/23/1967 

16

07/04/1979 

15

05/25/1965 

9

26 06403810 Battle Creek above Keystone, 

S. Dak.

6.8 1998–2009 12 06/18/1999 

1,140

06/18/1998 

134

05/24/2008 

35

05/17/2000 

15
Table 9. Station information and listing of five largest annual peak flows during selected periods for selected streamflow-gaging stations with 10 or record, and peak flows recorded during water year 1972, but outside of the five largest.—Continued [Data from U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 1972 column: NRA, no records available for 1972; Other 1972, annual peak flow occurred outside of June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the station through water year 2009; June 9–12, annual peak flow occurred during June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the five largest peak flows for the station through water year 20the period of record considered for the station; --, not available] Map number (fig. 5) Station number Station name Drainage area1 (square miles) Period and number of years considered Date of annual peak flow and annual peak flow 

Period of record (water years)2 Number of years Largest Second largest Third largest Fourth largest 

27 06403850 Grizzly Bear Creek near Keystone, S. Dak. 8.86 1972, 1998–2009 13 06/09/1972 6,230 07/11/2001 713 06/18/1998 423 05/24/2008 309 28 06404000 Battle Creek near Keystone, S. Dak. 58.6 1946–47, 1962–2009 50 06/09/1972 26,200 06/18/1999 2,000 05/08/1995 1,690 06/18/1998 1,520 29 06404800 Grace Coolidge Creek near Hayward, S. Dak. 7.41 1989–2009 21 05/08/1995 337 06/03/1991 210 05/29/1990 168 06/07/1993 141 30 06404998 Grace Coolidge Creek near Game Lodge near Custer, S. Dak. 126.9 51946–47, 51967–2009 45 09/07/1989 1,030 06/15/1976 980 05/08/1995 765 06/10/1972 709 31 06405800 Bear Gulch near Hayward, S. Dak. 4.15 1989–2009 21 09/07/1989 1,250 05/08/1995 169 04/30/2009 120 05/24/2008 118 32 06406000 Battle Creek at Hermosa, S. Dak. 169 1950–2009 60 06/10/1972 21,400 08/17/2007 18,600 05/22/1952 2,950 05/08/1995 2,400 33 06406100 Battle Creek tributary near Hermosa, S. Dak. 3.61 1970–79 10 06/10/1972 100 --/4/1970 25 04/20/1973 20 06/15/1976 20 34 06406500 Battle Creek below Hermosa, S. Dak. 285 1989–2009 21 08/18/2007 1,850 05/09/1995 1,360 05/27/1997 995 06/20/1999 954 35 06406700 Spring Creek at Oreville near Hill City, S. Dak. 42.4 1998–2009 12 06/18/1998 430 08/01/1999 112 07/13/2001 79 04/24/2000 63 36 06406740 Sunday Gulch below Johnson Canyon near Hill City, S. Dak. 5.14 1998–2009 12 06/18/1998 91 05/24/2008 54 10/28/1998 26 04/19/2000 24 37 06406750 Sunday Gulch near Hill City, S. Dak. 6.63 1956–69 14 07/19/1965 170 --/4/1957 59 04/10/1963 45 06/09/1964 24 38 06406760 Reno Gulch near Hill City, S. Dak. 3.75 1998–2009 12 06/18/1998 99 07/31/1999 17 04/24/2000 11 04/24/2001 4 39 06406800 Newton Fork near Hill City, 

S. Dak.

8.17 1969–79 11 07/27/1977 

58

05/19/1978 

51

07/18/1974 

50

06/15/1976 

45
Table 9. Station information and listing of five largest annual peak flows during selected periods for selected streamflow-gaging stations with 10 or record, and peak flows recorded during water year 1972, but outside of the five largest.—Continued[Data from U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 1972 column: NRA, no records available for 1972; Other 1972, annual peak flow occurred outside of June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the station through water year 2009; June 9–12, annual peak flow occurred during June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the five largest peak flows for the station through water year 20the period of record considered for the station; --, not available]

Map 

number 

(fig. 5)

Station 

number Station name

Drainage 

area1

(square 

miles)

Period and number of 

years considered Date of annual peak flow and annual peak flow 

Period 

of record 

(water years)2

Number 

of 

years

Largest Second largest Third largest Fourth largest 

40 06406900 Palmer Creek near Hill City, 

S. Dak.

13.3 1956–80 25 06/09/1972 

4,370

06/16/1962 

385

07/17/1969 

265

04/23/1970 

240

41 06406920 Spring Creek above Sheridan 

Lake near Keystone, S. Dak.

127 1972, 

1991–2004

15 06/09/1972 

5,630

06/18/1999 

809

05/08/1995 

740

06/02/1997 

566

42 06407500 Spring Creek near Keystone, 

S. Dak.

1163 1904–05, 

1946–47, 

1987–2009

24 05/09/1995 

913

06/23/1947 

865

05/30/1996 

642

06/03/1997 

516

43 06408500 Spring Creek near Hermosa, 

S. Dak.

1206 1950–2004 55 06/10/1972 

13,400

05/30/1996 

6,910

06/07/1967 

772

05/23/1952 

580

44 06408700 Rhoads Fork near Rochford, 

S. Dak.

7.82 1982–2009 28 07/25/2007 

19

07/09/2001 

17

07/06/2008 

15

06/18/1998 

14

45 06408850 Silver Creek near Rochford, 

S. Dak.

6.24 1969–79, 2008 12 07/07/2008 

400

06/15/1976 

14

05/18/1978 

14

09/09/1969 

13

46 06408900 Heeley Creek near Hill City, 

S. Dak.

4.88 1969–79 11 04/08/1975 

20

05/03/1969 

15

04/17/1971 

15

05/18/1978 

14

47 06409000 Castle Creek above Deerfield 

Reservoir near Hill City, S. Dak.

79.3 1949–2009 61 05/22/1952 

1,120

06/17/1965 

906

03/09/2002 

388

04/19/2000 

291

48 06410500 Rapid Creek above Pactola 

Reservoir at Silver City, S. Dak.

1294 1954–2009 56 05/15/1965 

2,060

07/07/2008 

1,640

07/28/1955 

1,520

06/18/1998 

1,290

49 06411500 Rapid Creek below Pactola 

Dam, S. Dak. (pre-regulation period)

1322 1929–42, 

61947–56

24 05/22/1952 

2,170

05/24/1933 

1,540

06/23/1947 

954

06/03/1929 

794

Rapid Creek below Pactola 

Dam, S. Dak. (post-regulation period)

71956–2009 54 05/19/1965 

547

10/01/1971 

505

06/07/1996 

450

06/21/1999 

444

50 06412000 Rapid Creek at Big Bend near 

Rapid City, S. Dak.

1339 1915–17, 

61932–42

14 05/24/1933 

1,570

06/26/1915 

616

06/11/1941 

552

05/01/1935 

446
Table 9. Station information and listing of five largest annual peak flows during selected periods for selected streamflow-gaging stations with 10 or record, and peak flows recorded during water year 1972, but outside of the five largest.—Continued [Data from U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 1972 column: NRA, no records available for 1972; Other 1972, annual peak flow occurred outside of June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the station through water year 2009; June 9–12, annual peak flow occurred during June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the five largest peak flows for the station through water year 20the period of record considered for the station; --, not available] Map number (fig. 5) Station number Station name Drainage area1 (square miles) Period and number of years considered Date of annual peak flow and annual peak flow 

Period of record (water years)2 Number of years Largest Second largest Third largest Fourth largest 

51 06412250 Victoria Creek below Victoria Dam near Rapid City, S. Dak. 6.83 1972, 1998–2009 13 06/09/1972 6,860 05/24/2008 130 06/15/1999 73 04/14/2009 19 52 06412500 Rapid Creek above Canyon Lake near Rapid City, S. Dak. 1375 1947–2009 63 06/09/1972 31,200 05/23/1952 2,600 07/13/1962 1,310 06/02/1997 1,050 53 06413650 Lime Creek at mouth at Rapid City, S. Dak. 9.81 1981–83, 1988–2002 18 06/02/1999 505 06/02/1997 365 09/13/1998 280 05/11/1991 210 54 06414000 Rapid Creek at Rapid City, S. Dak. 1414 1905–06, 1943–2009 69 06/09/1972 50,000 07/13/1962 3,300 06/02/1997 3,190 05/23/1952 2,540 55 06421500 Rapid Creek near Farmingdale, S. Dak. 1605 1947–58, 1960–2001 62 06/10/1972 7,320 05/27/1996 3,830 06/21/1947 2,640 05/26/1997 2,380 56 06421750 Rapid Creek tributary near Farmingdale, S. Dak. 1.63 1970–79 10 04/25/1970 35 06/15/1976 18 03/25/1971 10 03/23/1973 10 57 06421800 Lindsey Draw near Farming- dale, S. Dak. 12.8 1998–2009 12 06/05/2008 710 04/26/2009 392 04/29/2000 370 05/12/2005 200 58 06422500 Boxelder Creek near Nemo, S. Dak. 94.4 1907, 1946– 47, 1966–2009 47 06/09/1972 30,100 06/12/1907 16,000 06/15/1976 1,460 05/02/1946 1,180 59 06423010 Boxelder Creek near Rapid City, S. Dak. 127 81904–05, 81946–47, 1981–2009 29 05/02/1946 1,320 05/10/1995 1,080 05/31/1996 1,060 07/02/1905 650 60 06423500 Cheyenne River near Wasta, S. Dak. 112,725 1915, 1929–32, 1934–2009 81 05/06/1932 46,300 05/12/1942 44,000 06/01/1935 43,000 06/22/1947 40,100 61 06424000 Elk Creek near Roubaix, S. Dak. 21.6 1946–47, 1992–2009 18 05/08/1995 515 05/02/1946 378 08/06/2008 300 05/22/1947 218 62 06425100 Elk Creek near Rapid City, S. Dak. 211 1979–2009 31 05/27/1996 3,120 05/09/1995 2,860 04/13/2009 2,400 06/06/2008 2,390 

63 06425500 Elk Creek near Elm Springs, 

S. Dak.

549 1950–2009 60 03/29/1952 

8,540

05/28/1996 

7,660

05/29/1962 

7,040

06/06/2008 

7,000
Table 9. Station information and listing of five largest annual peak flows during selected periods for selected streamflow-gaging stations with 10 or record, and peak flows recorded during water year 1972, but outside of the five largest.—Continued[Data from U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 1972 column: NRA, no records available for 1972; Other 1972, annual peak flow occurred outside of June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the station through water year 2009; June 9–12, annual peak flow occurred during June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the five largest peak flows for the station through water year 20the period of record considered for the station; --, not available]

Map 

number 

(fig. 5)

Station 

number Station name

Drainage 

area1

(square 

miles)

Period and number of 

years considered Date of annual peak flow and annual peak flow 

Period 

of record 

(water years)2

Number 

of 

years

Largest Second largest Third largest Fourth largest 

64 06428500 Belle Fourche River at 

Wyoming-South Dakota State line

13,248 1947–2009 63 05/10/1995 

6,320

06/06/2008 

5,190

03/14/1996 

5,050

06/30/1993 

4,550

65 06429500 Cold Springs Creek at Buckhorn, Wyo. 22.4 1976–82, 1991–2009 26 03/26/1999 42 04/11/2003 30 04/23/2006 19 04/01/1981 13 66 06429905 Sand Creek near Ranch A near 

Beulah, Wyo.

275 1975–83, 

1991–2009

28 05/08/1995 

1,230

06/15/1976 

700

05/16/1982 

514

06/01/2007 

294

67 06430500 Redwater Creek at WyomingSouth Dakota State line 481 1929–31, 1936–37, 

1955–2009

60 08/22/1973 

2,440

06/16/1962 

2,340

07/17/1937 

2,000

06/16/1984 

1,960

68 06430532 Crow Creek near Beulah, Wyo. 40.8 1992–2009 18 06/05/2008 

561

05/09/1995 

530

06/18/1998 

389

06/01/2007 

326

69 06430770 Spearfish Creek near Lead, 

S. Dak.

65.0 1989–2009 21 08/20/1998 

181

05/08/1995 

144

06/12/1999 

132

07/24/1997 

90

70 06430800 Annie Creek near Lead, S. Dak. 3.73 1989–2009 21 05/08/1995 

270

06/01/2007 

151

06/18/1998 

144

06/06/2008 

56

71 06430850 Little Spearfish Creek near 

Lead, S. Dak.

27.8 1989–2009 21 06/11/1999 

90

05/10/1995 

61

05/30/1996 

45

06/18/1998 

44

72 06430898 Cleopatra Creek near Spearfish, 

S. Dak.

7.32 1989–2009 21 05/08/1995 

860

06/01/2007 

350

06/06/2008 

313

06/18/1998 

199

73 06431500 Spearfish Creek at Spearfish, 

S. Dak.

165 1904, 

1947–2001

56 06/05/1904 

5,000

05/15/1965 

4,240

06/15/1976 

3,870

06/09/1964 

3,040

74 06432200 Polo Creek near Whitewood, 

S. Dak.

10.2 1956–72 17 04/14/1967 

1,700

05/14/1965 

1,060

06/09/1964 

794

06/19/1972 

550

75 06432230 Miller Creek near Whitewood, 

S. Dak.

5.05 1956–67 12 05/14/1965 

330

06/09/1964 

275

05/22/1962 

180

07/02/1958 

127

76 06433000 Redwater River above Belle 

Fourche, S. Dak.

930 1946–2001 64 06/16/1962 

16,400

05/15/1965 

8,480

05/20/1982 

6,920

06/15/1976 

6,780
Table 9. Station information and listing of five largest annual peak flows during selected periods for selected streamflow-gaging stations with 10 or record, and peak flows recorded during water year 1972, but outside of the five largest.—Continued [Data from U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 1972 column: NRA, no records available for 1972; Other 1972, annual peak flow occurred outside of June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the station through water year 2009; June 9–12, annual peak flow occurred during June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the five largest peak flows for the station through water year 20the period of record considered for the station; --, not available] Map number (fig. 5) Station number Station name Drainage area1 (square miles) Period and number of years considered Date of annual peak flow and annual peak flow 

Period of record (water years)2 Number of years Largest Second largest Third largest Fourth largest 

77 06433500 Hay Creek at Belle Fourche, S. Dak. 123 1954–96, 2008 44 06/06/2008 1,400 05/09/1995 1,280 06/19/1972 930 05/20/1982 926 78 06434800 Owl Creek tributary near Belle Fourche, S. Dak. 2.98 1970–79 10 06/15/1976 267 06/10/1972 102 10/01/1977 73 06/17/1979 59 79 06435500 Belle Fourche River near Belle Fourche, S. Dak. 14,387 1924–43 18 04/09/1924 22,400 04/08/1929 15,000 03/12/1928 9,660 06/10/1941 8,960 80 06436000 Belle Fourche River near Fruit- dale, S. Dak. 14,520 1946–2009 64 05/20/1982 12,700 06/15/1976 12,200 05/10/1995 12,200 06/06/2008 8,700 81 06436156 Whitetail Creek at Lead, S. Dak. 6.59 1989–2009 21 05/08/1995 507 06/18/1998 210 06/01/2007 188 07/24/1997 180 82 06436170 Whitewood Creek at Deadwood, S. Dak. 40.7 1982–95 14 05/08/1995 3,540 05/15/1982 2,660 06/05/1991 2,500 07/20/1993 2,120 83 06436180 Whitewood Creek above White- wood, S. Dak. 56.7 1983–2009 27 05/08/1995 3,800 06/05/1991 2,080 06/18/1998 1,500 06/01/2007 1,410 84 06436190 Whitewood Creek near White- wood, S. Dak. 77.5 1982–2009 28 05/08/1995 3,930 05/20/1982 3,050 09/24/1986 2,490 06/18/1998 2,380 85 06436198 Whitewood Creek above Vale, S. Dak. 102 1983–2009 27 06/05/2008 4,500 05/08/1995 4,250 09/24/1986 3,680 06/18/1998 2,690 86 06436700 Indian Creek near Arpan, S. Dak. 313 1962–81 20 06/15/1976 16,700 05/08/1978 4,410 05/08/1967 2,690 05/26/1972 2,210 87 06436760 Horse Creek above Vale, S. Dak. 461 1981–2009 29 05/21/1982 17,700 06/06/2008 15,100 05/10/1995 8,110 05/10/1986 7,410 88 06436800 Horse Creek near Vale, S. Dak. 522 1962–80 19 06/16/1976 11,600 03/22/1978 3,540 05/26/1965 2,380 05/24/1962 2,280 89 06437000 Belle Fourche River near Sturgis, S. Dak. 15,821 1946–2008 64 05/21/1982 36,400 06/06/2008 36,100 05/10/1995 20,000 04/13/2009 19,700 90 06437020 Bear Butte Creek near Deadwood, S. Dak. 15.8 1989–2009 21 05/08/1995 1,590 06/05/1991 938 04/06/1997 350 05/30/1996 264 
Table 9. Station information and listing of five largest annual peak flows during selected periods for selected streamflow-gaging stations with 10 or record, and peak flows recorded during water year 1972, but outside of the five largest.—Continued[Data from U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 1972 column: NRA, no records available for 1972; Other 1972, annual peak flow occurred outside of June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the station through water year 2009; June 9–12, annual peak flow occurred during June 9–12, 1972, and is one of the five largest peak flows for the station through water year 20the period of record considered for the station; --, not available]

Map 

number 

(fig. 5)

Station 

number Station name

Drainage 

area1

(square 

miles)

Period and number of 

years considered Date of annual peak flow and annual peak flow 

Period 

of record 

(water years)2

Number 

of 

years

Largest Second largest Third largest Fourth largest 

91 06437100 Boulder Creek near Deadwood, 

S. Dak.

1.36 1956–80 25 06/14/1976 

323

06/15/1962 

210

06/12/1970 

206

05/14/1965 

202

92 06437200 Bear Butte Creek near Galena, 

S. Dak.

52.1 1972, 

91998–2008

12 06/09/1972 

19,000

06/06/2008 

697

06/02/2007 

545

06/18/1998 

541

93 06437500 Bear Butte Creek near Sturgis, 

S. Dak.

181 1946–72, 

1990–2009

47 06/16/1962 

12,700

05/24/1946 

9,800

06/10/1972 

7,220

06/06/2008 

5,920

94 06438000 Belle Fourche River near Elm 

Springs, S. Dak.

17,029 1929–32, 

1934–2009

81 06/06/2008 

47,500

06/08/1964 

45,100

05/21/1982 

40,300

05/27/1996 

39,900

95 06438500 Cheyenne River near Plainview, 

S. Dak.

121,425 1951–81, 

1995–2009

46 06/07/2008 

73,200

05/28/1996 

69,700

05/26/1957 

41,700

03/30/1952 

41,400

96 06439300 Cheyenne River at Cherry 

Creek, S. Dak.

123,643 1961–94 34 05/22/1982 

55,900

06/16/1967 

43,800

05/09/1993 

39,200

05/26/1965 

38,400

97 06439500 Cheyenne River near Eagle 

Butte, S. Dak.

124,311 1929–67, 

2007–08

41 05/24/1933 

104,000

06/07/2008 

84,300

07/13/1937 

64,400

06/11/1941 

59,000

1Includes entire drainage area, regardless of effects of regulation. Footnoted drainage areas are affected by one or more regulating structures or diversions listed in table 1 of S2Includes entire period of available record, unless otherwise noted.3Includes only records before construction of Coldbrook Dam.4Includes only records subsequent to construction of Coldbrook Dam.5Records for station 06404998 include records for station 06405000 (Grace Coolidge Creek near Custer, S. Dak.). 6Includes only records before construction of Pactola Dam.7Includes only records subsequent to construction of Pactola Dam.8Records for station 06423010 include records for station 06423000 (Boxelder Creek at Blackhawk, S. Dak.). 9Period of record for station extends through 2009; however, magnitude of 2009 peak has not been determined and is not considered within this table.
86 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

July 13, 1877 July 13, 1877 -- -- -- -- X Whitewood Creek -- 

Apr. 16–17, 1878 Apr. 18, 1878 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

May 1878 May 22–23, 1878 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek Whitewood and Deadwood Creeks

-- June 10–11, 1878 -- -- X -- -- Rapid Creek -- 

-- 1878 -- -- -- -- -- Whitewood Creek Deadwood Creek 

-- Apr.–June 1878 -- -- X -- -- Rapid Creek Whitewood Creek 

-- July 12, 1878 -- -- -- -- X Whitewood Creek -- 

-- July 12, 1878 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

June 12, 1879 June 12–13, 1879 -- X X -- -- Beaver Creek -- 

June 10, 1879 June 10–11, 1879 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

June 1879 June 1879 -- X X -- -- Beaver Creek -- 

June 1879 June 1879 -- X X -- -- Beaver Creek -- 

June 1879 June 1879 -- X X -- -- Beaver Creek -- 

Mar. 4–5, 1882 Mar. 5, 1882 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

Apr. 1882 Apr. 1882 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

May 7, 1882 May 7, 1882 -- -- -- X X Spring Creek -- 

July 5, 1882 July 5, 1882 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek -- 

July 5, 1882 July 5, 1882 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek -- 

July 28, 1882 July 28, 1882 -- -- -- X -- Redwater River -- 

May 1883 May 11, 1883 -- -- X -- -- Whitewood Creek Spearfish Creek 

May 17–18, 1883 May 18–19, 1883 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

-- May 16, 1883 -- -- X X -- Whitewood Creek -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009. 

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 87

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Deadwood -- Damage reported to roads and cabins from biggest 

storm yet chronicled in the Black Hills.

Black Hills Daily Times (July 13, 1877).

Rapid City -- High water reported for Rapid Creek, with some 

damage in Rapid City.

Black Hills Journal (Apr. 20, 1878).

Rapid City Deadwood Flooding occurred in Rapid City and Deadwood. Black Hills Journal (May 25, 1878).

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 7,500 ft3/s for Rapid Creek for 

June 10–11, 1878. Three other smaller floods 

reported during 1878.

Miller (1986). 

Deadwood -- Substantial flooding occurred on unknown date. 

Very heavy snows reported during winter 

months.

Tallent (1899). 

Rapid City Deadwood/Lead Minor damage reported for April, May, and June 

1878.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Deadwood/Lead -- Freight train (10 ox wagons) washed downstream. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rapid City -- Rapid Creek rose 10 feet and one life was lost. 

Unclear if date was July 12 or June 10–11, 

1878.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Buffalo Gap -- Eleven deaths reported from flooding along 

Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap.

Black Hills Journal (June 14, 1879).

Rapid City -- Flood damage reported in Rapid City area. Black Hills Journal (June 15, 1879).

Buffalo Gap -- Six bodies recovered from the flood near Buffalo 

Gap.

Black Hills Daily Times (June 17, 1879).

Buffalo Gap -- Five victims still missing from flood near Buffalo 

Gap.

Black Hills Daily Times (June 18, 1879).

Buffalo Gap -- At least four victims reported missing in flood 

near Buffalo Gap.

Black Hills Journal (June 21, 1879).

-- -- Northwestern coaches on Pierre Road delayed. Black Hills Journal (Mar. 10, 1882).

-- -- Cheyenne River reported as being high for several 

days.

Black Hills Journal (Apr. 28, 1882).

-- -- Two reservoirs washed out along Spring Creek 

(near current location of Sheridan Lake).

Black Hills Journal (May 12, 1882).

-- -- Rapid Creek rose 5 feet in one-half hour. Same 

flood as reported by Miller (1986).

Black Hills Journal (July 7, 1882).

Rapid City -- Rapid Creek rose 5 feet in one-half hour. Miller (1986). 

-- -- Storm reported as severe beyond precedent. 

Caused rise of 25 feet in confined places along 

Redwater River. Damage to crops and stock 

reported.

Black Hills Journal (Aug. 4, 1882).

Deadwood, SpearfishPennington Heavy damage reported for Deadwood. About 

one-third of Spearfish washed away.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (May 18, 1883).

Deadwood -- This 1907 article recounted events of the 1883 

flood in Deadwood.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (May 19, 1907).

Deadwood -- Photographs of Deadwood flood. Adams Museum, Deadwood, S. Dak.
88 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

May 1883 May 17, 1883 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek -- 

May 1883 May 11, 1883 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek Whitewood Creek 

May 17, 1883 May 18, 1883 -- -- X X -- Whitewood Creek -- 

May 17–18, 1883 May 17–18, 1883 -- -- -- X X Spearfish Creek -- 

May 17–18, 1883 May 17–18, 1883 -- -- -- X X Spearfish Creek -- 

-- May 17, 1883 -- -- X X -- Whitewood Creek -- 

May 17–18, 1883 May 17, 1883 -- -- X X -- Whitewood and Rapid 

Creeks

Elk, Boxelder, Castle, 

Spring, and Battle 

Creeks

May 17–18, 1883 May 17–18, 1883 -- -- -- X X Spearfish Creek -- 

May 1883 May 1883 -- -- -- -- -- Numerous - Black Hills 

wide

-- 

June 15, 1883 June 15, 1883 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek Boxelder and Elk 

Creeks

-- Aug. 27, 1884 -- X X X -- Fall River -- 

June 17, 1885 June 17, 1885 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

June 17, 1885 June 17, 1885 -- -- -- -- X Castle Creek -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 89

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 8,400 ft3/s occurred on Rapid Creek 

on May 17, 1883. Torrential rain and snowmelt 

occurred.

Miller (1986). 

Rapid Valley Deadwood Considerable damage reported for Rapid Valley 

and in Deadwood.

Black Hills Journal (May 18, 1883).

Deadwood -- Reported rising water from snow melt. Paragraph 

refers to a lengthier article.

Black Hills Daily Times (May 18, 1883).

Spearfish -- Lower part of Spearfish reported to be flooded. Black Hills Daily Times (May 20, 1883).

Spearfish -- Heavy rainfall reported with flooding in Spearfish 

Creek.

Dakota Register (May 19, 1883).

Deadwood -- Aftermath of Deadwood flood described. Article 

attributes exacerbation of flooding to accumulation of mine tailings in stream channels.

Black Hills Daily Times (May 20, 1883).

Deadwood, 

Rapid City

-- Severe flood destroyed most low-lying areas in 

Deadwood. Elk Creek was high, but minimal 

damage. Boxelder and Spring Creeks were 

higher than ever known. Probably the largest 

known flood to date in Rapid City (see Miller, 

1986) with flooding reported along Castle 

Creek. Battle Creek reported as high. Cheyenne 

River reported at unprecedented height.

Black Hills Journal (May 25, 1883).

Spearfish -- Article described flood damage in Spearfish Creek 

as worst in the brief history of the town, but not 

as bad as things might have been.

Dakota Register (May 26, 1883).

-- -- Article described heavy extended rain covering 

entire Black Hills area, with flooding throughout the entire region. Heavy floods reported for 

Rapid and Hat Creeks and that “water extended 

from bluff to bluff” on the Cheyenne River 

downstream from the Belle Fourche River.

Johnson (1949). 

Rapid City -- Very heavy storm occurred “5 to 8 miles west of 

the foothills.” Rapid Creek reported as larger 

than in previous years, but May 17–18, 1883, 

not referenced. Very high flows reported along 

Boxelder and Elk Creeks, with substantial 

damage.

Black Hills Weekly Journal (June 22, 1883).

Hot Springs -- The design document for Cottonwood Springs 

Dam indicates a report from “pioneer residents” 

of a peak stage in 1884 that was 6 feet higher 

than the 1938 flood. The design document for 

Cold Brook Dam indicates historical high-water 

marks for the same 1884 date that are 7 feet 

higher than in 1937, with the 1937 flow shown 

as about 15 percent larger than the 1938 flow.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (1950, 

1966).

Rapid City -- Heavy rain caused Rapid Creek to rise out of its 

banks.

Black Hills Weekly Journal (June 19, 1885).

-- -- Some bridges destroyed upstream from confluence 

with Rapid Creek.

Rapid City Journal (June 19, 1885).
90 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 20, 1885 June 20, 1885 -- -- -- -- X Spearfish Creek -- 

1885 1885 -- -- -- -- -- -- Rapid, Boxelder, and 

Elk Creeks

June 2, 1886 June 2, 1886 -- -- -- -- X Unknown -- 

July 12, 1886 July 12, 1886 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

-- July 30, 1886 -- -- -- -- -- Rapid Creek -- 

May 1888 May 1888 -- -- -- -- X Spring Creek -- 

May 1888 May 1888 -- -- -- -- X Unknown -- 

May 1888 May 1888 -- -- -- -- X Unknown -- 

May 1888 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

Apr. 17, 1889 Apr. 19, 1889 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

July 18,19, 1889 July 19,20, 1889 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

Aug. 10, 1889 Aug. 10, 1889 -- -- -- -- X Battle Creek French and Battle 

Creeks

1890 1890 -- -- -- -- X Gold Run Creek -- 

-- Jan. 1890 -- -- -- -- X Whitewood Creek -- 

June 4–5, 1890 June 5, 1890 -- -- -- -- X City and Whitewood 

Creeks

-- 

June 4–5, 1890 June 5, 1890 -- -- -- -- X Whitewood Creek -- 

June 4–5, 1890 June 5, 1890 -- -- -- -- X Whitewood Creek -- 

-- June 6, 1890 -- -- -- -- X Whitewood Creek Spearfish Creek 

May and Aug. 

1890

May and Aug. 

1890

-- -- -- -- X Various Various 

Aug. 10, 1890 Aug. 10, 1890 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

Aug. 10, 1890 Aug. 10, 1890 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- Numerous - Black Hills 

wide

-- 

May 31, 1891 June 1, 1891 -- -- -- X -- Whitewood Creek Fall River 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 91

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Spearfish -- Wave of water 4 to 6 feet high flooded Spearfish 

Creek.

Black Hills Daily Times (June 28, 1885).

-- -- More than $25,000 in flood damage reported. Date 

not specified, perhaps June 17, as reported by 

other news articles dated June 19, 1885.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

-- -- Several bridges washed out and other flood 

damage reported between Rapid City and 

Deadwood.

Rapid City Journal (June 8, 1886).

-- -- Sheriff waded Rapid Creek to catch woman who 

was later fined for indecent exposure.

Rapid City Journal (July 13, 1886).

Rapid City -- One man drowned along Rapid Creek. Miller (1986). 

-- -- Spring Creek reported as being higher than ever 

before known.

Rapid City Journal (May 23, 1888).

-- -- Train tracks damaged near Chadron, Neb. Rapid City Journal (May 27, 1888).

-- -- Another article that reported damaged train tracks. Rapid City Journal (June 1, 1888).

-- -- Total precipitation in May was 6.01 inches 

(presumably in Rapid City).

Rapid City Journal (June 2, 1888).

-- -- Minor localized flooding of cellars and yards 

reported.

Rapid City Journal (Apr. 19, 1889).

Deadwood Rapid City Minor localized flooding reported for Deadwood. Rapid City Journal (July 20, 1889).

-- -- Large storm system south and east of Rapid City 

caused widespread (minor) flooding.

Rapid City Journal (Aug. 13, 1889).

Deadwood -- Photograph of the Deadwood Central Railroad 

tracks after the 1890 washout by Gold Run 

Creek

Fielder (1964)

Deadwood -- Whitewood Creek reported as being out of its 

banks.

Rapid City Journal (Jan. 31, 1890).

Deadwood -- Localized flooding in Deadwood and high water 

along Whitewood Creek reported.

Rapid City Journal (June 6, 1890).

Deadwood -- Continued flooding reported for Whitewood Creek 

in Deadwood.

Rapid City Journal (June 7, 1890).

Deadwood -- Reported that rain fell for 24 hours. Article indicated that storm was Black Hills wide.Black Hills Daily Times (June 6, 1890).

Deadwood Spearfish, Sturgis Flow subsided in Whitewood Creek. Three dams 

at Spearfish went out with flood.

Black Hills Daily Times (June 7, 1890).

Various Various Various flooding reported for Deadwood and 

Rapid City.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rapid City -- Minor localized flooding reported for Rapid City 

area.

Miller (1986). 

Rapid City -- Minor localized flooding reported for Rapid City 

area. Same event as reported by Miller (1986).

Rapid City Journal (Aug. 12, 1890).

-- -- 1890 is noted with 1883 and 1907 as a year of 

“hills-wide” flooding.

South Dakota Historical Society (1960).

Deadwood, Lead Hot Springs Severe flood damage reported for Gold Run 

Gulch. Hot Springs area also had storm and 

flood damage.

Rapid City Journal (June 2, 1891).
92 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 1892 June 1892 -- -- -- -- X Various Various 

June 1892 June 1892 -- -- -- -- X Various Various 

June 4–5, 1892 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

-- -- -- -- -- -- X Various Various 

July 1892 July 1892 -- -- -- -- X Beaver Creek -- 

-- Mar. 1893 -- -- -- -- X Belle Fourche River Redwater River 

Aug. 9, 1893 Aug. 9, 1893 -- -- -- X X Spring Creek -- 

Apr. 30, 1895 Apr. 30, 1895 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

June 1895 June 1895 -- -- -- -- X Indian Creek -- 

June 22, 1895 June 22, 1895 -- -- -- -- X Bear Butte Creek -- 

July 22, 1895 July 22, 1895 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

July 22, 1895 July 22, 1895 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

July 30, 1895 July 30, 1895 -- -- X X -- Spearfish Creek -- 

May 1896 May 1896 -- -- -- X -- Sand Creek -- 

June 1896 June 1896 -- -- -- -- X Battle Creek -- 

June 6, 1896 June 6, 1896 -- -- -- X X French Creek Various 

June 6, 1896 June 6, 1896 -- -- -- X X -- -- 

June 6, 1896 June 6, 1896 -- -- -- X X Spring Creek -- 

June 6, 1896 June 6, 1896 -- -- -- X X Middle Creek Various 

June 6, 1896 June 8, 1896 -- -- -- X X Spring and Battle 

Creeks

-- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 93

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Rail damaged between Rapid City and Chadron, 

Neb. Rail damaged on way to Deadwood also.

Rapid City Journal (June 7, 1892).

-- -- Flood damaged railroads and roads on June 6, 

1892. Prolonged rainfall reported 6 days later.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rapid City -- Rain total for year “has been greater than in any 

previous year” since record keeping began.

Rapid City Journal (June 9, 1892).

-- -- Rail damaged near Oelrichs. Probably coincides with large flood along Horsehead Creek 

(approximately June 11–12, 1892) that was 

referenced in the Oelrichs Advocate article of 

June 17, 1915).

Rapid City Journal (June 17, 1892).

-- -- Bridges over Beaver Creek washed out (between 

Buffalo Gap and Hot Springs).

Rapid City Journal (July 4, 1892).

Belle Fourche -- Belle Fourche River rose about 15 feet, taking out 

one span of the railroad bridge.

Rapid City Journal (Apr. 1, 1893).

-- -- Crops damaged along Spring Creek and heavy 

storm in Hermosa area.

Rapid City Journal (Aug. 10, 1893).

-- -- Train delayed from railroad washout east of Hay 

Springs, Neb.

Rapid City Journal (May 1, 1895).

-- -- Heavy rains caused high flows north of Belle 

Fourche.

Rapid City Journal (June 6, 1895).

Sturgis Deadwood Heavy rains and hail with flooding reported in and 

around Sturgis.

Rapid City Journal (June 23, 1895).

Hot Springs -- Damage reported to rail yard, track, and bridges in 

Hot Springs.

Rapid City Journal (July 23, 1895).

Hot Springs -- Article described “unprecedented” storm for Hot 

Springs area. Bridges destroyed during flooding.

Twomey and Magee (1983). 

Spearfish -- Spearfish Creek reported as highest since 1883 

due to heavy rain upstream from Spearfish.

Rapid City Journal (Aug. 1, 1895).

Oelrichs -- Damage along Sand Creek (north of Oelrichs) was 

reported as worst suffered to date by Elkhorn 

Railroad in the Black Hills area.

Rapid City Journal (May 10, 1896).

Keystone -- Localized flooding reported along Battle Creek in 

Keystone from heavy rain. 

Rapid City Journal (June 6, 1896).

-- -- Rail line damaged south of Rapid City. Worst 

damage near Fairburn.

Rapid City Journal (June 7, 1896).

-- -- Another report provided of rail damage south of 

Rapid City from flood on June 6, 1896.

Black Hills Press (June 9, 1896).

-- -- Irrigation dam damaged along Spring Creek. Rapid City Journal (June 9, 1896).

Belle Fourche -- Woman drowned in Middle Creek near Belle 

Fourche. Additional information provided on 

rail damage south of Rapid City. 

Rapid City Journal (June 9, 1896).

-- -- Bridges destroyed along Spring and Battle Creeks 

by continued rain and flooding.

Rapid City Journal (June 9, 1896).
94 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 6, 1896 June 6, 1896 -- -- -- X X Various -- 

June 1896 June 1896 -- -- -- -- X Fall River -- 

July 1896 July 1896 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

Sept. 12, 1896 Sept. 12, 1896 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

Mar. 31, 1897 Mar. 31, 1897 -- -- -- X X Belle Fourche River -- 

June 1897 June 1897 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

June 1897 June 1897 -- -- -- -- X Dry Creek -- 

Aug. 6–7, 1897 Aug. 6–7, 1897 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

Aug. 6, 1897 Aug. 6–7, 1897 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

1897 1897 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

May 29, 1898 May 30, 1898 -- -- -- -- X Battle Creek Grizzly Gulch 

May 25, 1898 May 25, 1898 -- -- -- -- X Boxelder Creek -- 

May 19,20, 1899 May 21, 1899 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek Various 

June 2, 1899 -- -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

June 1, 1899 June 1–2, 1899 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek Spring Creek, many 

others

June 2, 1899 June 2, 1899 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

June 11, 1901 June 11, 1901 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

June 10–11, 1901 June 11, 1901 -- -- -- X X Hay Creek Redwater and Belle 

Fourche Rivers

June 1901 June 1901 -- -- -- X X Various Various 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 95

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Railroad washouts reported south of Rapid City 

(north and south of Cheyenne River).

Rapid City Journal (June 11, 1896).

Hot Springs -- Short account provided of several heavy storms 

and minor flooding in Hot Springs.

Twomey and Magee (1983). 

-- -- Rail damage reported south of Rapid City. Rapid City Journal (July 9, 1896).

Hot Springs -- Heavy rain and hail reported. Flood damage 

was less extensive than from several previous 

floods.

Hot Springs Weekly Star (April 18, 1946 

reprint of Sept. 18, 1896 article).

Belle Fourche, 

Newcastle, 

Edgemont, 

Spearfish, Deadwood

-- Belle Fourche River reported higher than ever 

before known. Water backed up 10 miles from 

ice jam.

Rapid City Journal (Apr. 1, 1897).

Belle Fourche -- Cloudburst at Belle Fourche caused problems for 

camped troops.

Rapid City Journal (June 26, 1897).

-- -- One person drowned along or near Dry Creek 

(location unknown).

Rapid City Journal (June 26, 1897).

Hot Springs -- Largest flood reported to date in Hot Springs 

history. Most bridges on Fall River destroyed.

Daily Independent-Deadwood (Aug. 7, 

1897).

Hot Springs -- Same flood as reported by Daily Independent 

(Aug. 7, 1897) above. Reported that “never in 

the history of Hot Springs have the ravages of 

high water been so serious as this year,” with 

additional accounts provided that indicate that 

this flood probably was the most severe in 

many years.

Hot Springs Weekly Star (April 18, 1946 

reprint of Aug. 13, 1897 article).

Hot Springs -- Statue at Hygeia Springs was destroyed. Same as 

reported by Daily Independent (Aug. 7, 1897) 

and Hot Springs Weekly Star (August 13, 1897) 

above.

Twomey and Magee (1983). 

-- -- Bridges along Battle Creek were washed out. Rapid City Journal (May 30, 1898).

-- -- Cloudburst and flooding reported along lower 

Boxelder Creek.

Rapid City Journal (May 28, 1898).

Rapid City -- Very wet conditions reported for Rapid City. 

Some bridges were out to west and south.

Rapid City Journal (May 21, 1899).

Rapid City -- Heavy rains occurred in Rapid City. Area trains 

were delayed.

Rapid City Journal (June 3, 1899).

-- -- Loss of cattle reported along lower Rapid Creek. Rapid City Journal (June 4, 1899).

Farmingdale -- House washed away along lower Rapid Creek. Rapid City Journal (June 10, 1899).

Rapid City -- Small rise in Rapid Creek occurred west of Rapid 

City.

Rapid City Journal (June 12, 1901).

Belle Fourche -- Hay Creek was reported as the highest ever 

known to date. All streams near Belle Fourche 

reported to be high.

Rapid City Journal, Belle Fourche Bee 

(June 13, 1901).

Belle Fourche Various All streams north of Belle Fourche reported to be 

high.

Rapid City Journal, Pioneer Times (June 13, 

1901).
96 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 1901 June 1901 -- -- -- X X Redwater Various 

June 19, 1901 June 19, 1901 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

June 19, 1901 June 19, 1901 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

June 19, 1901 June 19, 1901 -- -- -- -- X Deadman Creek -- 

-- July 22, 1901 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

-- July 1901 -- -- X -- -- Cascade Creek -- 

June 1904 June 5, 1904 -- -- X -- -- Spearfish Creek -- 

June 1904 June 5, 1904 -- -- X -- -- Redwater River -- 

June 4–5, 1904 June 4,5, 1904 -- -- X X -- Spearfish Creek Beaver, Sand, Crow, 

Iron, and Whitewood 

Creeks

June 4–6, 1904 Apr.–June 1904 -- -- X X -- Bear Butte Creek Various 

June 8, 1904 Aug. 1904 -- -- -- X X Whitewood Creek -- 

June 8, 1904 Aug. 1904 -- -- -- X X Whitewood Creek Various 

June 9, 1905 June 9, 1905 -- -- -- -- X Fall River Various 

June 9, 1905 June 9, 1905 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

June 17, 1905 June 17, 1905 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

June 1905 June 9 and 17, 

1905

-- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

June 17, 1905 June 17, 1905 -- -- -- X -- Cheyenne River Cottonwood Creek 

June 23, 1905 June 23, 1905 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

July 1905 July 1905 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 97

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Beulah, Wyo. Sundance, Wyo. Flooding reported in Beulah, Wyo. Many area 

bridges were out.

Rapid City Journal, Daily IndependentDeadwood (June 16, 1901).

Rapid City (?) -- Very heavy rain reported with flooding of lowlying areas.Rapid City Journal (June 20, 1901).

Rapid City -- Article described aftermath from storm on June 

19, 1901.

Rapid City Journal (June 21, 1901).

Sturgis -- Heavy rain and flooding reported for Sturgis area. Rapid City Journal (June 25, 1901).

Rapid City -- Flooding of streets reported for Rapid City. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Cascade -- Hotel destroyed by flooding. Date unknown, but 

reported in July newspaper account. 

Twomey and Magee (1983). 

Spearfish -- Peak flow of 5,000 ft3/s recorded on June 5, 1904, 

during early period of USGS data collection 

(station 06431500; Spearfish Creek at Spearfish).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Belle Fourche -- Peak flow of 8,050 ft3/s recorded during early 

period of USGS data collection (station 

06434000; Redwater Creek at Belle Fourche).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Spearfish Deadwood, 

Sturgis, Terry, 

and Central

Reported as worst known flood as of date of 

article (1904) for Spearfish. All area streams 

were reported high. Four deaths occurred in 

Deadwood area, where damage was most 

severe since 1883.

Queen City Mail (June 8, 1904).

Sturgis Various Record rainfall reported for the Black Hills area. 

Very high water occurred in Sturgis area and 

much of northern Black Hills.

Black Hills Press (June 8, 1904).

Deadwood -- Substantial flooding reported for Deadwood, probably the worst since 1883.Weekly Pioneer Times (June 9, 1904).

Deadwood -- This article appears to be a continuation of the 

previous article (Weekly Pioneer Times, June 

9, 1904).

Weekly Pioneer Times (June 9, 1904).

Hot Springs -- Heavy flood damage reported for Hot Springs and 

to railroad west of there.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (June 10, 1905).

Hot Springs -- Same event described as reported by Deadwood 

Pioneer Times (June 10, 1905) above.

Custer Chronicle (June 17, 1905).

Hot Springs -- Second major flood within 2 weeks reported. 

Perhaps more severe than the previous flood.

Hot Springs Weekly Star (April 18, 1946 

reprint of June 23, 1905 article).

Hot Springs -- Recount provided for two floods that damaged 

bridges.

Twomey and Magee (1983). 

Edgemont -- Heavy rain, hail, lightning, and flooding reported 

for Edgemont and upstream from Edgemont. 

Fourteen residents were knocked unconscious 

by lightning, and many sheep were killed by 

hail.

Edgemont Express (June 23, 1905).

Hot Springs -- Article described same event as reported by Hot 

Springs Weekly Star (June 23, 1905) above.

Custer Chronicle (July 1, 1905).

-- -- Heavy rains reported throughout Black Hills area. Black Hills Journal (July 5, 1905).
98 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

July 11, 1905 July 11, 1905 -- -- -- -- X Sundance Creek -- 

-- -- -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

July 1905 July 26, 1905 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

July 1905 July 26, 1905 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek -- 

July 1905 July 30, 1905 -- -- -- X X Cheyenne River -- 

-- Aug. 12, 1905 -- -- X X -- Hat Creek -- 

Apr. 1906 Apr. 1906 -- -- -- -- X Belle Fourche River Hay Creek 

-- Apr. 1906 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

May 1907 May 27, 1907 -- -- -- X -- Cheyenne River -- 

May 1907 May 25, 1907 -- -- X X -- Belle Fourche River Various 

May 25, 1907 May 26, 1907 -- -- -- X X Whitewood Creek Spearfish Creek 

May 1907 May 1907 -- -- -- -- X Cottonwood Creek Cheyenne River 

May 1907 May 1907 -- -- -- X -- Cheyenne River Missouri, Bad, and 

White Rivers

May 1907 May 1907 -- -- -- -- X French Creek -- 

May 1907 May 1907 -- -- -- -- X Belle Fourche River -- 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- -- -- -- -- Boxelder Creek -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 99

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Sundance, Wyo. -- Tornadoes, heavy rain, and flooding reported for 

Sundance, Wyo. Water in Sundance reported 15 

feet deep in bottom areas.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (July 12, 1905).

-- -- Extensive damage throughout entire area prevented rail service for weeks.Black Hills Press (July 26, 1905).

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 2,500 ft3/s occurred July 26, 1905, on 

for Rapid Creek.

Miller (1986). 

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 2,500 ft3/s occurred on July 26, 1905, 

during early period of USGS data collection at 

station 06414000 (Rapid Creek at Rapid City).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Edgemont -- Peak flow of 13,000 ft3/s on July 30, 1905, during 

early period of USGS data collection at station 

06395000 (Cheyenne River at Edgemont).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- Peak flow of 9,150 ft3/s on August 12, 1905, 

during early period of USGS data collection at 

station 06400000 (Hat Creek near Edgemont); 

exceeded only by peak flows of 9,430 ft3/s 

(1954) and 13,300 ft3/s (1967).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Belle Fourche -- Belle Fourche River reported as within a few feet 

of record stage.

Custer Chronicle (Apr. 14, 1906).

Oral -- Bridge damaged from high water. Twomey and Magee (1983). 

Rapid City Oelrichs Heavy (record) rainfall and disruptions to rail 

service reported.

Rapid City Journal (May 28, 1907).

Belle Fourche -- Belle Fourche River reported as nearing record 

stage of 1883 and still rising. Heavy rains and 

high flows reported throughout entire Belle 

Fourche River watershed.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (May 26, 1907).

Deadwood Spearfish Record snowfall (at least 2.5 feet) reported for 

May 25, 1907, which followed a prolonged 

rain.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (May 26, 1907).

Edgemont -- High water reported for Cottonwood Creek and 

Cheyenne River with localized flooding.

Edgemont Express (May 31, 1907).

-- -- Reported that the “government river gauge” at 

Russo was inundated by extremely high flow 

in the Cheyenne River, which contributed to a 

rapid rise in the Missouri River. 

Rapid City Journal (June 1, 1907).

-- -- High flows reported throughout Black Hills. 

During the previous year (1906), 20 bridges 

were destroyed along French Creek in one 

storm.

Custer Chronicle (June 1, 1907).

Belle Fourche -- Belle Fourche River was reported as being very 

high, but was subsiding.

Custer Chronicle (June 8, 1907).

-- -- Peak flow of 16,000 ft3/s occurred on June 12, 

1907, at station 06422500 (Boxelder Creek near 

Nemo). Peak flow determination made from 

historical gage-height record and application of 

1972 rating curve.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 
100 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- X X X -- Whitewood Creek -- 

June 12–13, 1907 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- X X X -- Rapid and Boxelder 

Creeks

Elk Creek and others 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- X X X -- Rapid Creek Boxelder Creek 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- X X X -- Elk and Boxelder 

Creeks

-- 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- -- X -- -- Rapid Creek -- 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 X X X -- -- Various Various 

May 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- -- -- -- -- Rapid Creek -- 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 X -- -- -- -- Stagebarn Canyon Elk and Little Elk 

Creeks

June 12, 1907 June 12-13, 1907 -- X -- -- -- Stagebarn Canyon, 

Little Elk Creek

Bear Butte Creek 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 X -- -- -- -- Stagebarn Canyon -- 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- X X X -- -- -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 101

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Deadwood Lead Record rainfall reported throughout much of 

Black Hills. Elk Creek was reported as highest 

ever as of date of article (1907) . Damage was 

not severe in Deadwood, but was more severe 

in many areas. Reported that the extent of 

damage will be unknown for some time. 

Deadwood Pioneer Times (June 13, 1907).

-- -- Miller (1986) reported a 24-hour rainfall total of 

7.1 inches for Ft. Meade.

Miller (1986). 

Rapid City Sturgis, Deadwood/Lead, Hill 

City

Massive damage reported throughout area. Elk 

Creek fared worse than Boxelder Creek. Rail 

was heavily damaged east of Rapid City, indicating probable high flows in Boxelder Creek. 

Heavy storm in Hill City area resulted in rail 

damage. More damage to north than south, but 

rail damage reported along Spring Creek and 

near Hermosa.

Rapid City Journal (June 14, 1907).

-- -- Article provided a recount of article from previous 

day (June 14, 1907), with additional accounts of 

damage. Rain east of the Black Hills apparently 

was not as heavy as in the central Black Hills, 

but all rail bridges were out along Boxelder 

Creek west of Owanka.

Rapid City Journal (June 15, 1907).

-- Custer Additional damage reports provided. Heavy rain 

and hail reported for Custer.

Rapid City Journal (June 16, 1907).

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 13,000 ft3/s occurred on June 12, 

1907, on Rapid Creek from 5 inches or more of 

rain in 6 hours. Antecedent moisture since May 

26, 1907, also was noted.

Miller (1986). 

Various Various Severe flooding reported along Rapid Creek and 

many other Black Hills locations.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rapid City -- Various details regarding flooding along Rapid 

Creek were reported.

Johnson (1949). 

Piedmont Tilford Detailed account provided for Stagebarn Canyon 

flood that caused three deaths. Dr. O’Hara 

(South Dakota School of Mines and Technology) reported debris 18.5 feet above floor of 

canyon.

Honerkamp (1978).

Piedmont Rapid City, Mystic Article recounts the severe flood on June 12, 

1907, in Stagebarn Canyon. Between Rapid 

City and Mystic, “the Crouch Line Railroad 

had only five small bridges left out of a total of 

110, with grades washed out and rails wrapped 

around trees.”

Fielder (1964)

-- -- This is an account of the June 1907 storm and 

flood that was printed in November 1974.

Rapid City Journal (Nov. 8, 1949).

-- -- Storm in southern Black Hills was thought by 

many to be the heaviest ever, as of date of 

article (1907).

Custer Chronicle (undated).
102 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 X -- -- -- -- Stagebarn Canyon -- 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- X X X -- Stagebarn Canyon, Elk 

Creek

-- 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- X X X -- Elk and Boxelder 

Creeks

-- 

June 12, 1907 June 12–13, 1907 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek -- 

June 1, 1908 June 1, 1908 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

May–June 1908 May–June 1908 -- -- -- X -- Fall River Cold Brook and Hot 

Brook

May–June 1908 May–June 1908 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

May–June 1908 May–June 1908 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

May–June 1908 May–June 1908 -- -- -- X -- Cheyenne River -- 

June 1908 June 1908 -- -- -- -- X -- Various 

May 1909 May 1909 -- -- -- X -- Belle Fourche River Various 

May 1909 May 31, 1909 -- -- -- X X Whitewood Creek -- 

May 1909 May–June 1909 -- -- -- X -- Spearfish Creek -- 

May 1909 May–June 1909 -- -- -- X -- Spearfish Creek -- 

May 1909 May–June 1909 -- -- -- X X Whitewood Creek -- 

May–June 1909 May–June 1909 -- -- -- X X -- Bear Butte Creek 

May 31, 1909 May 31, 1909 -- -- X X -- Belle Fourche River Many 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 103

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Piedmont -- Storm was reported as heaviest ever known in 

Sturgis area as of date of article (1907), but 

damage was less than in other areas. Wall of 

water estimated as 15 feet high in Stagebarn 

Canyon.

Black Hills Press (June 19, 1907).

Tilford -- Five deaths reported from floods of June 12–13, 

1907.

Custer Chronicle (June 22, 1907).

-- -- Additional details provided on the heavy rains 

and flooding of June 12–13, 1907, which were 

reported as the most widespread and damaging 

of any that had occurred in the Black Hills as of 

date of article (1907).

Custer Chronicle (June 22, 1907).

-- -- A dozen railroad bridges were washed out 

between Mystic and Rapid City.

Custer Chronicle (July 27, 1907).

Hot Springs -- Heavy rains reported for Hot Springs area with 

rail damage and delays. Probably same flood as 

reported by Hot Springs Weekly Star (June 5, 

1908) below.

Rapid City Journal (June 2, 1908).

Hot Springs -- Heavy storm occurred on May 31, 1908, following a week of rain. Highest stage on June 1, 

1908, was within about 3 feet of a bridge that 

marked high water from two previous larger 

floods (August 1897 and June 1905). Additional 

heavy rain occurred on June 2.

Hot Springs Weekly Star (April 18, 1946 

reprint of June 5, 1908 article).

Hot Springs -- Short story on flooding reported by Hot Springs 

Weekly Star (June 5, 1908) above.

Twomey and Magee (1983). 

Hot Springs -- Photos of June 1908 flooding. Twomey and Magee (1983). 

Hot Springs area -- Young man drowned while crossing Cheyenne 

River at high flow.

Twomey and Magee (1983). 

-- Various Widespread rail damage and delays reported in 

South Dakota, Wyoming, and Montana.

Edgemont Express, Alliance Times (June 6, 

1908).

Belle Fourche Deadwood, Lead, 

Spearfish

Substantial damage reported for Belle Fourche. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Deadwood -- Flooding reported in Deadwood that was caused 

by two heavy rains during previous days.

Deadwood Telegram (June 1, 1909).

Spearfish -- Worst flood reported since 1904. Substantial 

damage reported, including severe rail damage 

in Spearfish Canyon, which may indicate more 

severe flooding in Spearfish Canyon than in 

1904.

Deadwood Telegram (June 2, 1909).

Spearfish Deadwood, Lead Additional details provided on flooding in Spearfish area.Queen City Mail (June 2, 1909).

Deadwood -- Widespread rail damage and delays reported. Deadwood Telegram (June 2, 1909).

-- -- Flooding occurred from a week of rain. Bear Butte 

Creek reported to be very high.

Black Hills Press (June 3, 1909).

Belle Fourche Many Widespread flooding reported. Belle Fourche 

River reported as 4 feet higher than ever before 

at VVV ranch.

Northwest Post - Belle Fourche (June 3, 

1909).
104 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

May 31, 1909 May 31, 1909 -- -- -- X X Whitewood Creek -- 

June 8, 1909 June 8–9, 1909 -- -- -- X -- Spearfish Creek Redwater River 

June 8, 1909 June 8,9, 1909 -- -- -- -- X Spearfish Creek Various 

June 10–11, 1909 June 10–11, 1909 -- -- -- X -- -- Hay Creek 

June 10–11, 1909 June 10–11, 1909 -- -- -- X -- Rapid Creek Various 

-- June 11, 1909 -- -- -- X -- Bear Butte Creek Various 

June 11, 1909 June 11–12, 1909 -- -- -- X -- Rapid Creek -- 

June 11, 1909 June 11–12, 1909 -- -- -- X -- Rapid Creek Boxelder Creek 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

1910 Apr. 1910 -- -- X -- -- Belle Fourche River -- 

June 1911 June 1911 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

June 1911 June 1911 -- -- -- -- X Boxelder Creek -- 

Aug. 5–6, 1911 Aug. 6, 1911 -- -- -- X -- Cheyenne River (?) -- 

Aug. 5–6, 1911 Aug. 6–7, 1911 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

Sept. 5,6, 1911 Sept. 1911 -- -- -- -- X Hawk Canyon Cheyenne River 

-- Apr. 1912 -- -- X -- -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 1912 -- -- X -- -- Belle Fourche River Various 

Apr. 13–14, 1912 Apr. 1912 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 105

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Deadwood -- Flooding reported in Deadwood. Report of 12 

inches of rain within about 1 week.

Deadwood Daily Pioneer Times (1), Weekly 

Pioneer Times (3) (June 1, 3, 1909).

Spearfish -- Damage primarily downstream from Spearfish 

was reported. Flooding appears to be from 

storm of June 8, 1909, as reported by the Deadwood Pioneer Times article (June 9, 1909), 

rather than associated with flooding of previous 

week.

Queen City Mail (June 9, 1909).

Spearfish New Underwood 

and various

Storm was perhaps heaviest in the Spearfish and 

New Underwood areas.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (June 9, 1909).

New Underwood Belle Fourche Second flood in New Underwood reported for the 

week. Another storm reported along Hay Creek 

in Belle Fourche.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (June 11, 1909).

Rapid City -- Heaviest rain recorded at Weather Bureau in 

Rapid City as of date of article (1909). Same 

storm affected New Underwood (June 9, 1909, 

Deadwood Pioneer Times article) and other 

areas south of Rapid City.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (June 11, 1909).

-- -- Evacuation of 20 homes along Bear Butte Creek 

reported. Other damage reported elsewhere.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Pactola -- Report of 20 inches of rain at Pactola. Rail 

damage reported. 

Deadwood Pioneer Times (June 12, 1909).

Pactola New Underwood, 

Owanka

Boxelder Creek reported as 7 feet higher than 

previous record and Owanka in danger of being 

swept away

Deadwood Pioneer Times (June 12, 1909).

-- -- Progress reported on railroad repairs. Railroad 

wires (telegraph) were connected again.

Deadwood Daily Pioneer Times-Deadwood 

(June 16, 1909).

-- -- Photograph of 1910 flooding on postcard (from 

Rapid City Journal, March 25, 2009).

Rapid City Journal photo (March 25, 2009).

Wasta, Owanka -- Moderately high flow in Cheyenne River reported 

from general rains.

Wasta Gazette (June 23, 1911).

Owanka, Wasta -- Minor damage reported along Boxelder Creek. Wasta Gazette (June 30, 1911).

Edgemont -- Cheyenne (?) River thought to be highest within 

memory of oldest inhabitants (as of date of 

article).

Edgemont Express (Aug. 11, 1911).

Wasta -- Heavy rain reported. Cheyenne River rose to high 

water mark for the year.

Wasta Gazette (Aug. 11, 1911).

Wasta -- Heavy rain and high water reported, with some 

rail damage.

Wasta Gazette (Sept. 8, 1911).

Belle Fourche -- Reported as highest stage for Belle Fourche River 

in 20 years.

Belle Fourche Bee (Apr. 11, 1912).

Belle Fourche Various Belle Fourche River peaked on Monday, April 11, 

1912. Same flood as reported by Belle Fourche 

Bee (April 11, 1912). Many additional details 

provided.

Northwest Post - Belle Fourche (Apr. 11, 

1912).

Newell, Vale, and 

Nisland

Belle Fourche Heavy snow and some rain reported. Belle 

Fourche Dam reported as endangered.

Black Hills Press (Apr. 17, 1912).
106 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

July 4, 1912 July 4, 1912 -- -- -- X -- Rapid Creek -- 

Aug. 17, 1912 Aug. 17, 1912 -- -- -- -- X Spearfish Creek -- 

Aug. 18, 1912 Aug. 18, 1912 -- -- -- -- X Whitewood Creek -- 

Aug. 17–18, 1912 Aug. 18, 1912 -- -- -- X X Spring Creek Bear Butte Creek 

Aug. 30, 1912 Aug. 30, 1912 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

-- Mar.–Apr. 1913 -- -- -- -- X Belle Fourche River Redwater River 

Aug. 7–8, 1913 Aug. 8, 1913 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

Apr.–May 1915 Apr.–May 1915 -- -- -- -- X Horsehead and Lone 

Well Creeks

-- 

May 1915 May 1915 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

May 1915 May 1915 -- -- -- X -- Cheyenne River Fall River 

May 25, 1915 May 25, 1915 -- -- -- -- X Horsehead and Lonewell Creeks-- 

May 25, 1915 May 25, 1915 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

May 25, 1915 May 25, 1915 -- -- -- -- X French Creek Beaver Creek, 

Cheyenne River

May 1915 May 26, 1915 -- -- -- -- X Unknown -- 

June 1915 June 1915 -- -- X X X Various, Fall River -- 

June 11, 1915 June 11, 1915 -- -- X -- -- Fall River -- 

June 11, 1915 June 11, 1915 -- -- X X X Fall River Horsehead Creek 

June 1915 June 12, 1915 -- X -- -- -- Cheyenne River -- 

May–June 1915 May–June 1915 -- -- X X X Cheyenne River -- 

June 1915 June 1915 -- -- -- X -- Fall River -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 107

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Rapid City -- Localized flooding reported for Rapid City. Rise 

of 15 feet reported in Dark Canyon.

Rapid City Journal (July 6, 1912).

Spearfish area -- Heavy rain in Spearfish Canyon, with some 

damage reported.

Deadwood Telegram (Aug. 17, 1912).

Sturgis area -- Heavy rain in Sturgis area with some rail damage 

reported. Whitewood Creek was out of banks.

Deadwood Telegram (Aug. 19, 1912).

Vale Sturgis Widespread hail with flood damage in some locations reported.Black Hills Press (Aug. 21, 1912).

Sturgis -- Heavy rains and some rail damage in Sturgis area 

reported.

Wasta Gazette (Aug. 30, 1912).

Belle Fourche -- Lowland flooding reported from ice jam at diversion dam for canal to Belle Fourche Reservoir.Northwest Post - Belle Fourche (Apr. 3, 

1913).

-- -- High water from general rains reported. Wasta Gazette (Aug. 15, 1913).

-- -- High water occurred from general rains with 7.2 

inches of rain reported since April, plus heavy 

prior snow.

Oelrichs Advocate (May 6, 1915).

-- -- General rains occurred. Cheyenne River reported 

as highest in at least 8 years, perhaps 15 years.

Wasta Gazette (May 15, 1915).

Hot Springs Buffalo Gap, 

Oelrichs, Pringle

Widespread rail damage reported. Cheyenne River 

reported as highest in 30 years.

Hot Springs Star (May 18, 1915).

Oelrichs -- High water from general rains reported. Oelrichs Advocate (May 27, 1915).

Fairburn -- Rail damaged from heavy storm. Custer Chronicle (May 29, 1915).

-- -- Rail damaged along French Creek. Rapid rises 

reported for other streams.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (May 29, 1915).

Climax, GrindstonePino Three drowned in flooding at Climax from heavy 

storm.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (June 5, 1915).

Various, Hot 

Springs

-- Widespread rail damage reported throughout 

southern Black Hills and beyond. Severe flood 

occurred in Hot Springs.

Deadwood Telegram (June 12, 1915).

Hot Springs -- Severe flood occurred in Hot Springs. Deadwood Daily Pioneer Times (June 12, 

1915).

Hot Springs Oelrichs Widespread rain, flooding, and rail damage 

reported. Severe flood occurred in Hot Springs.

Rapid City Journal (June 13, 1915).

-- -- Peak flow of 39,200 ft3/s occurred on June 12, 

1915, during first year of USGS data collection 

at station 06400500 (Cheyenne River near Hot 

Springs).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- Detailed report of streamflow conditions at USGS 

station 06400500 (Cheyenne River near Hot 

Springs). Flow peaked at 39,200 ft3/s on June 

12, 1915.

Hot Springs Star (June 14, 1915).

Oelrichs -- Bridges destroyed during flooding. Reported as 

worst flood to date in Hot Springs.

Twomey and Magee (1983). 
108 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 11, 1915 June 11–12, 1915 -- -- X -- -- Horsehead Creek All streams in area high 

June 1915 June 1915 -- -- -- X X -- -- 

June 12, 1915 June 12, 1915 -- -- X -- -- Cheyenne River -- 

June 1915 June 1915 -- -- -- -- X Sulphur Creek -- 

June 1915 June 1915 -- -- -- X -- Fall River All streams in area high 

June 1915 June 1915 -- -- -- X -- Beaver Creek -- 

June 11, 1915 June 11–12, 1915 -- -- X -- -- Beaver Creek Various 

June 11–12, 1915 June 1915 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

June 1915 June 1915 -- -- -- -- -- Horsehead Creek -- 

June 1915 June 1915 -- -- X -- -- Belle Fourche River Cheyenne River 

July 15–20, 1915 July 1915 -- -- X X -- Red Owl and Sulphur 

Creeks

Many in Meade County 

July 15–20, 1915 July 1915 -- -- X X -- -- -- 

July–Aug. 1915 July–Aug. 1915 -- -- -- -- X Horsehead Creek Cheyenne River 

Aug. 1915 Aug. 1915 -- -- X -- -- Bad River Cheyenne River 

Aug. 9–10, 1915 Aug. 9–10, 1915 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

Aug. 1915 Aug. 1915 -- -- -- -- X Beaver Creek -- 

Aug. 1915 Aug. 1915 -- -- -- -- X Beaver Creek -- 

Aug. 17, 1915 Aug. 17, 1915 -- -- -- -- X False Bottom Creek Polo Creek 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 109

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Fall River County -- Four inches of rain during saturated conditions 

caused “biggest flood in this country within the 

memory of the white man.” Surpassed previous 

worst flooding that occurred 23 years prior, to 

the day (June 11 or 12, 1892).

Oelrichs Advocate (June 17, 1915).

-- -- Northern Black Hills was isolated for 6 days due 

to extensive rail damage.

Black Hills Press (June 17, 1915).

Wasta -- Cheyenne River reported as highest for the year 

and for some unknown number of previous 

years.

Wasta Gazette (June 18, 1915).

White Owl -- Sulphur Creek reported as highest in 6 years. White Owl Oracle (June 18, 1915).

Hot Springs -- High water reported throughout southwestern 

South Dakota. Severe flood occurred in Hot 

Springs.

Custer Chronicle (June 19, 1915).

Buffalo Gap -- Crop damage and other damage reported along 

Beaver Creek.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (June 19, 1915).

Buffalo Gap Various Beaver Creek exceeded previous high water mark 

of several years ago. Horsehead Creek reported 

as highest in years. Cheyenne River exceeded 

all previous high water marks.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (June 19, 1915).

Custer Hot Springs Widespread flooding reported between Custer and 

Hot Springs.

Custer Chronicle (June 19, 1915).

Oelrichs -- Streams reported as receding. Brief report 

provided on aftermath.

Oelrichs Advocate (June 24, 1915).

-- -- Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers reported as 

remaining very high.

White Owl Oracle (June 25, 1915).

Faith, Dupree -- All streams in eastern Meade County reported as 

very high from four heavy rains during previous 

week.

White Owl Oracle (July 23, 1915).

Faith Various Severe rail damage reported for east of Faith from 

flooding.

White Owl Oracle (July 30, 1915).

Oelrichs Oral Very wet conditions reported for time of year. 

Some crops damaged, harvest slowed. Horsehead Creek reported as high again.

Oelrichs Advocate (Aug. 5, 1915).

Midland, Ft. Pierre Scenic Extensive rail damage reported along the Bad 

River and other places. Cheyenne River 

reported as remaining high.

White Owl Oracle (Aug. 13, 1915).

Custer, Pringle -- Bridges washed out on wagon road between 

Custer and Pringle. Rail damage reported near 

Custer.

Edgemont Express (Aug. 13, 1915).

Buffalo Gap -- Heavy rains west of Buffalo Gap reported to have 

kept Beaver Creek at flood stage.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (Aug. 14, 1915).

Hot Springs Pringle Continued flooding reported along Beaver Creek. 

Many area bridges have been washed out.

Custer Chronicle (Aug. 15, 1915).

St. Onge Beulah, Whitewood, SpearfishHeavy rainfall reported. Rail damaged near St. 

Onge.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (Aug. 18, 1915).
110 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

Aug. 1915 Aug. 1915 -- -- -- -- X French Creek -- 

Aug. 16 and 18, 

1915

Aug. 18–19, 1915 -- -- -- X -- Beaver Creek -- 

Aug. 18, 1915 Aug. 18, 1915 -- -- -- -- X French Creek -- 

Sept.–Oct. 1915 Sept.–Oct. 1915 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

July 27–28, 1916 July 27–28, 1916 -- -- -- X -- Bear Butte Creek -- 

June 22, 1918 June 22, 1918 -- -- -- X X Beaver Creek -- 

July 11–15, 1918 July 1918 -- -- -- -- X Fall River Lone Well and Horsehead Creeks

July 13, 1918 July 13–14, 1918 -- -- -- -- X Fall River Beaver Creek 

-- Aug. 8, 1918 -- -- -- -- X Fall River -- 

Mar., 1920 Mar., 1920 -- -- -- X -- Sulphur Creek Many 

Mar., 1920 Mar., 1920 -- -- X X -- Belle Fourche and 

Cheyenne Rivers

Various 

Mar., 1920 Mar., 1920 -- -- X X -- Belle Fourche and 

Cheyenne Rivers

Elk Creek 

Apr. 7, 1920 1920 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

May 10–12, 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- -- X -- -- Rapid Creek -- 

May 10–12, 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- -- X -- -- Rapid Creek -- 

May 1920 May 10, 1920 -- -- X X -- Medicine Creek -- 

May 10–11, 1920 May 10–11, 1920 -- -- X -- -- Rapid Creek Various 

May 11–12, 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- -- X X -- Many in Black Hills Many 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 111

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Damage reported to ranch along French Creek 

near mouth of Cheyenne River.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (Aug. 21, 1915).

Buffalo Gap -- Rain total of 3.5 inches in 1.5 hours in Buffalo 

Gap. Beaver Creek reported to be nearly as 

high as record peak flow during spring. Rail 

damaged in Hot Springs.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (Aug. 21, 1915).

Custer Pringle Heavy rain reported west of Custer, with three 

bridges washed out along French Creek.

Custer Chronicle (Aug. 21, 1915).

Edgemont -- Train delayed from damaged grade caused by rise 

of 8 feet in Cheyenne River.

Custer Chronicle (Oct. 2, 1915).

Sturgis -- Reported as one of heaviest rains and highest 

water in Sturgis in 30 years.

Black Hills Press (Aug. 3, 1916).

Buffalo Gap -- Crops, bridges, and roads damaged. Buffalo Gap Gazette (June 28, 1918).

Hot Springs -- Heavy rains reported in many parts of Fall River 

County with some damage reported.

Oelrichs Advocate (July 18, 1918).

Hot Springs Buffalo Gap Moderate damage reported along Fall River. Buffalo Gap Gazette (July 19, 1918).

Hot Springs -- Photographs show minor flooding of Hot Springs. Photographs by Fall River County Historical Society.

Many Many Sulphur Creek reported as highest ever as of date 

of article (1920). Many bridges washed out 

throughout widespread area.

White Owl Oracle (Mar. 26, 1920).

Various Various Some streams reported as dropping. Belle Fourche 

and Cheyenne Rivers reported as highest ever 

as of date of article (1920). Much damage 

reported across widespread areas.

White Owl Oracle (Apr. 2, 1920).

Rapid City New Underwood, 

Wasta

Widespread flooding reported. Wasta Gazette (Apr. 2, 1920).

Custer -- Miller (1986) reported a record 24-hour rainfall 

total of 7.1 inches for Custer.

Miller (1986). 

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 8,000 ft3/s occurred on May 11-12, 

1920, in Rapid Creek.

Miller (1986). 

Rapid City -- Rain (4.75 inches over 3 days) on melting snow 

reported. Eight deaths reported. All private and 

county bridges on Rapid Creek destroyed, and 

20 rail bridges damaged or destroyed.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Blunt -- Reported as largest known flood along Medicine 

Creek east of Pierre as of date of article (1920). 

Very severe rail damage reported, with service 

expected to be out for 3 weeks.

Rapid City Journal (May 11, 1920).

Rapid City Various Rapid City inundated from very heavy storm and 

flooding. Widespread rail damage reported and 

virtually all train service disrupted or halted 

throughout a very large area. Rail line was 

under 5 feet of water near Hill City.

Deadwood Telegram (May 11, 1920).

Many Many Severe damage reported to rail lines throughout 

large area, with rain and snow continuing to 

exacerbate conditions.

Deadwood Telegram (May 12, 1920).
112 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

May 11, 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- -- X -- -- Rapid, Boxelder, Spring, 

and Medicine Creeks

All streams in Black 

Hills

May 11, 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- -- -- -- -- Rapid Creek -- 

May 1920 May 12, 1920 X -- -- -- -- Cheyenne River -- 

May 9–12, 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- -- -- X -- Belle Fourche and 

Redwater Rivers

Hay Creek 

May 11–12, 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- -- X -- -- Cheyenne River Rapid Creek 

May 10–13, 1920 May 1920 X X X X -- Cheyenne River Fall River 

May 10–13, 1920 May 11, 1920 X X X X -- Horsehead Creek, 

Cheyenne River

Lone Well Creek 

May 8, 1920 May 8, 1920 -- -- -- X -- Deadman’s Draw, Bear 

Butte Creek

Alkali Creek, others 

May 11–12, 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- -- X -- -- Rapid Creek -- 

May 1920 May 1920 -- -- X X -- Cheyenne and Belle 

Fourche Rivers

Sulphur Creek 

-- May 13, 1920 -- X X X -- Cheyenne River -- 

May 1920 May 12–13, 1920 -- -- X -- -- Rapid Creek Whitewood Creek 

May 11–12, 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- X -- -- -- Hat Creek -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 113

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Rapid City, New 

Underwood, 

Box Elder, many 

others

-- Lengthy and detailed description of severe 

damage throughout widespread areas provided. 

Fifty families dislodged from low-lying area 

north of Rapid Creek.

Rapid City Journal (May 12, 1920).

Rapid City -- Various details provided regarding flooding along 

Rapid Creek.

Johnson (1949). 

-- -- Peak flow of 114,000 ft3/s on May 12, 1920, at 

station 06400500 (Cheyenne River near Hot 

Springs). This peak flow is almost three times 

larger than the peak flow of June 12, 1915, and 

the most extraordinary peak flow ever recorded 

(relative to drainage area) along the Cheyenne 

River, through the current (2010) date.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Belle Fourche, 

Nisland

Rapid City Very heavy rain reported in Belle Fourche area. 

Area streams were out of banks.

Northwest Post - Belle Fourche (May 13, 

1920).

Rapid City, Oral -- Rail damage throughout area reported to be 

enormous.

Rapid City Journal (May 13, 1920).

Rapid City Various Heavy rain following heavy April snow reported. 

Cheyenne River reported as highest ever as of 

date of article (1920). Rapid City flooded from 

the May 10, 1920, storm.

Hot Springs Star (May 13, 1920).

Oelrichs Various Horsehead Creek reported as highest since 1915, 

which was second to only one previous flood. 

Note: previous Oelrichs Advocate article of 

June 17, 1915, reported 1915 as the largest 

known flood.

Oelrichs Advocate (May 13, 1920).

Sturgis Rapid City, others Heavy storm reported for Sturgis on May 9, 1920. 

Reported as wettest in 30 years by locals. 

Damage in Sturgis area was less severe than 

elsewhere. Article includes excerpts from Rapid 

City Journal article of May 12, 1920.

Black Hills Press (May 13, 1920).

Rapid City -- A short excerpt from Rapid City Journal article of 

May 12, 1920, is provided.

Deadwood Telegram (May 3, 1920).

-- -- Sulphur Creek could not be crossed. Belle 

Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers reported as 

higher than ever before known.

White Owl Oracle (May 14, 1920).

-- -- Record stage of 18.9 feet on May 13, 1920, at 

station 06439500 (Cheyenne River near Eagle 

Butte).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Rapid City Deadwood Rapid Creek reported as rising. A short account of 

1883 flooding also is provided, with a notation that this is the largest known flooding for 

Deadwood, prior to or since then.

Black Hills Weekly Journal (May 14, 1920).

Ardmore, Bunker 

Hill

-- Worst known flood for Hat Creek occurred as of 

date of article (1920); creek reported as 4 feet 

higher than 1915. Seven deaths reported in 

Bunker Hill.

Ardmore American (May 14, 1920).
114 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

May 10–13, 1920 May 13, 1920 X -- -- -- -- Cheyenne River Many 

May 1920 May 1920 X X X -- -- Cheyenne River -- 

May 1920 May 11–12, 1920 -- -- X -- -- Hat Creek Cottonwood Creek, 

Cheyenne River

May 1920 May 1920 -- X X X -- Cheyenne River, Rapid 

Creek

Various 

May 1920 May 1920 -- X X X -- Many -- 

May 1920 May 1920 -- -- X -- -- Cheyenne River White River 

May 1920 May 1920 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

May 1920 May 1920 -- -- X X -- Horsehead and Hat 

Creeks

-- 

May 1920 May 1920 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

May 24, 1920 May 1920 -- -- -- -- X Lame Johnny and 

Beaver Creeks

-- 

May 1920 May 1920 -- X X X -- Various Various 

-- May 1920 -- X X -- -- Cheyenne River -- 

-- May 1920 -- -- X X -- Boxelder Creek -- 

-- May–June 1920 -- X X -- -- Cheyenne River -- 

-- June 1920 -- -- X X -- Cheyenne and Belle 

Fourche Rivers

-- 

June 25, 1920 June 25, 1920 -- -- -- -- X Cold Springs Creek -- 

June 28, 1920 -- -- -- -- -- X New Underwood -- 

June 1920 June 1920 -- -- -- -- X Johnny and Brushie 

Creeks

-- 

Aug. 28, 1920 Aug. 28, 1920 -- -- -- -- X Beaver and Cold 

Springs Creeks

-- 

-- Mar. 1921 -- -- -- -- X Fall River -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 115

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Reported as highest known flood stage for 

Cheyenne River as of date of article (1920).

Buffalo Gap Gazette (May 14, 1920).

Ardmore -- Extensive rail damage reported. Brief report of 

flood deaths near Ardmore provided.

Rapid City Journal (May 14, 1920).

Ardmore Edgemont Article reported deaths near Ardmore involving 

7-foot “body of water” on top of previous flood 

conditions. Conflicting reports provided on 

flood stages for Cheyenne River and Cottonwood Creek, relative to prior years. Old timers 

declared that water is highest in “their remembrance.”

Edgemont Express (May 14, 1920).

Rapid City Various Recap of flood damage reported by several previous articles was provided.Black Hills Weekly Journal (May 14, 1920).

Many Newell Article is primarily a report from travelers and 

other people in dealing with flood circumstances. Reported that “Newell suffered the heaviest 

rainfall ever known.”

Rapid City Journal (May 15, 1920).

-- -- Report from traveler of flood damage south of 

Rapid City and along the White River provided.

Rapid City Journal (May 16, 1920).

Sturgis -- Damage reported to Sturgis area cemeteries due 

to rain.

Black Hills Press (May 20, 1920).

-- -- Horsehead and Hat Creeks reported as very high. 

Debris carried across Cheyenne River by Hat 

Creek.

Hot Springs Star (May 20, 1920).

-- -- Short report of damage to a ranch house provided. Buffalo Gap Gazette (May 21, 1920).

-- -- Lame Johnny Creek reported as “highest flood 

stage in years.”

Buffalo Gap Gazette (May 26, 1920).

-- -- Many bridges destroyed on Bad and White Rivers. 

Hat Creek had “30 feet of raging water.”

Oelrichs Advocate (May 29, 1920).

-- -- Record flows reported all along the Cheyenne 

River.

Buffalo Gazette (June 4, 1920).

-- -- Boxelder Creek reported as “fully 4 feet higher 

than ever known before” and “over 3 miles 

wide.”

White Owl Oracle (June 4, 1920).

-- -- Reported that “all high water marks were broken” 

along the Cheyenne River.

Wasta Gazette (June 11, 1920).

-- -- Events and damage reported along the Cheyenne 

and Belle Fourche Rivers.

White Owl Oracle (June 20, 1920).

Pringle -- Minor damage reported along Cold Springs Creek. Custer Chronicle (June 26, 1920).

Wasta -- Heavy rain and hail reported near New Underwood.Wasta Gazette (July 2, 1920).

-- -- Bridge repairs reported along Johnny and Brushie 

Creeks.

White Owl Oracle (July 2, 1920).

-- -- Damage reported to roads and fences along 

Beaver and Cold Springs Creeks.

Custer Chronicle (Sept. 4, 1920).

Hot Springs -- Melting of heavy snow caused damage to bridges 

and highways.

White Owl Oracle (Apr. 1, 1921).
116 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 1921 June 1921 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne and Belle 

Fourche Rivers

-- 

-- June 1921 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne and Fourche 

Rivers

-- 

May 10, 1922 May 10, 1922 -- -- -- -- X Bear Butte Creek Belle Fourche River 

May 10, 1922 May 10, 1922 -- -- X X X Redwater River Spearfish Creek and 

many others

-- -- -- -- -- X X Cheyenne River Cottonwood Creek and 

others in Wyoming

May 10, 1922 May 10–11, 1922 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek Belle Fourche River 

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

-- -- X X -- Spearfish Creek Various 

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

-- -- X X -- Spearfish Creek Various 

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

-- -- X X -- Spearfish Creek Redwater River and 

others

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

-- -- X X X Redwater River, Spearfish and Hay CreeksVarious 

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

May 10 to 

unknown date, 

1922

-- -- X X X Spearfish Creek Belle Fourche River 

May 1922 May 1922 -- -- -- X X Belle Fourche and 

Cheyenne Rivers

-- 

Aug. 3, 1922 Aug. 3, 1922 -- -- -- X X Fall River -- 

Aug. 3, 1922 Aug. 3, 1922 -- -- -- X X Fall River -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 117

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Cheyenne and Belle Fourche Rivers reported as 

higher than usual.

White Owl Oracle (June 17, 1921).

-- -- Cheyenne River reported as higher this week, with 

the Belle Fourche River not as high.

White Owl Oracle (June 24, 1921).

Sturgis St. Onge Reported as worst storm and high water in years. 

Bear Butte Creek was out of its banks and the 

Belle Fourche River was at bankfull.

Black Hills Press (May 11, 1922).

Belle Fourche Many others Redwater River was higher by 3 feet at power 

plant than previous high in 1916. Serious flooding occurred in Spearfish. High water reported 

in many other parts of northern Hills.

Deadwood Telegram (May 11, 1922).

Edgemont -- Widespread flooding reported with substantial 

damage from large storm west of Edgemont.

Edgemont Express (May 12, 1922).

Rapid City Lead, Belle 

Fourche

Minor flooding reported for Rapid City. Lead had 

3.79 inches of precipitation before a foot of 

snow. Flooding reported in Belle Fourche.

Rapid City Journal (May 12, 1922).

Spearfish St. Onge Precipitation of 6.08 inches reported during a 

24-hour period was reported for what seems to 

be the Spearfish area. The article also provides 

an earlier report that about 9 inches of water 

fell in less than 20 hours, with damage reports 

focusing on Spearfish and surrounding areas.

Rapid City Journal (May 17, 1922).

Spearfish Deadwood, Lead, 

and St. Onge

Article provided detailed report of very heavy 

precipitation totals, but dates are unclear. Some 

precipitation came as snow and sleet, which 

helped reduce flood damage somewhat. Flooding reported in Spearfish.

Weekly Pioneer Times (May 18, 1922).

Spearfish, Belle 

Fourche

St. Onge No report from Spearfish Valley provided, but 

severe damage implied. Belle Fourche reported 

as under water. St. Onge reported the highest 

water in the history of the town. Redwater 

River reported as highest known as of date of 

article (1922).

Weekly Pioneer Times (May 1922).

Belle Fourche Various Lowland flooding reported near confluence of Hay 

Creek and Belle Fourche and Redwater Rivers. 

Record flood reported on Redwater River at 

power house. Widespread damage reported.

Belle Fourche Bee (May 18, 1922).

Spearfish, Belle 

Fourche

-- Article provided a summary of same information 

provided in several previous articles.

Western Call (May 18, 1922).

-- -- Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers reported as 

exceptionally high; perhaps as high as 2 years 

ago in this area. Heavy precipitation and flooding reported in the Black Hills area.

White Owl Oracle (May 19, 1922).

Hot Springs -- First of several articles on heavy storm and associated flooding in Hot Springs. Hot Springs Star (Aug. 3, 1922).

Hot Springs -- Worst flood in many years destroyed 13 rail 

bridges and 2 highway bridges.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (Aug. 4, 1922).
118 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

Aug. 3, 1922 Aug. 3, 1922 -- -- -- X X Fall River -- 

Aug. 3, 1922 Aug. 3, 1922 -- -- -- X X Fall River -- 

-- Apr. 12, 1923 -- -- -- X X Cheyenne River -- 

June 1923 June 6, 1923 -- -- -- -- X Boxelder Creek -- 

June 3–5, 1923 June 6, 1923 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

June 1923 June 1923 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

-- June 1923 -- -- -- -- X Cheyenne River -- 

July 1, 1923 July 1, 1923 -- -- -- -- X Fall River -- 

July 1, 1923 July 1, 1923 -- -- -- -- X Fall River -- 

July 9, 1923 July 9, 1923 -- -- -- X X French and Laughing 

Water Creeks

-- 

Sept. 1923 Sept. 29, 1923 -- -- X X -- Belle Fourche River Spearfish Creek 

Sept. 29–30, 1923 Oct. 1, 1923 -- -- -- X -- Cheyenne River -- 

Sept.–Oct. 1923 Sept.–Oct. 1923 -- -- -- -- X Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Feb. 13, 1924 -- -- -- -- X Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Feb., 1924 -- -- -- -- X Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Feb.–Mar. 1924 -- -- -- -- X Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 4–10, 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 8–9, 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 119

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Hot Springs -- Report that eight rail bridges between Hot Springs 

and Buffalo Gap were washed out.

Black Hills Press (Aug. 10, 1922).

Hot Springs -- More details provided on the August 3, 1922, 

flood. Water reported as 3 feet deep in power 

plant, which is ordinarily 13 feet above the 

water.

Hot Weekly Springs Star (April 18, 1946 

reprint of Aug. 10, 1922 article).

Edgemont -- Highway bridge over Cheyenne River at Edgemont was out of commission.Hot Springs Star (Apr. 16, 1923).

New Underwood -- Bridges near New Underwood damaged. Owanka Bee (June 7, 1923).

Wasta New Underwood Cheyenne River was out of its banks. Rail 

damaged near New Underwood.

Wasta Gazette (June 7, 1923).

-- -- Rains help crops. Creeks reported as high. 

Cheyenne River reported as near stage of 3 

years earlier.

White Owl Oracle (June 8, 1923).

-- -- Damage to crops reported along Cheyenne River. Wasta Gazette (June 21, 1923).

Hot Springs Deadwood Heavy storm occurred in Deadwood. Moderate 

flooding reported in Hot Springs.

Rapid City Journal (July 2, 1923).

Hot Springs -- Moderate flood damage reported in Hot Springs. Rapid City Journal (July 3, 1923).

Custer -- Reported as heaviest rain storm ever experienced 

as of date of article (1923). Bridge damage 

along French Creek initially reported as severe, 

but subsequent correction reported much less 

damage.

Custer Chronicle (July 14, 1923).

Belle Fourche Whitewood Belle Fourche River reported as highest ever 

experienced as of date of article (1923). Stage 

was nearing floor of American Legion building.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (Sept. 30, 1923).

Edgemont -- Cheyenne River reported at highest point in many 

years.

Edgemont Express (Oct. 5, 1923).

-- -- High water reported in Belle Fourche River. White Owl Oracle (Oct. 5, 1923).

-- -- Flooding from ice jam reported. Wasta Gazette (Feb. 14, 1924).

-- Nisland Flooding from ice jams reported. Nisland reported 

highest water in 15 years.

Black Hills Press (Feb. 21, 1924).

-- -- Continue flooding from ice jams reported along 

Belle Fourche River.

Wasta Gazette (Mar. 6, 1924).

Belle Fourche -- Flood damage reported as worst in history of 

Belle Fourche as of date of article (1924). 

Flooding was caused by melting of heavy snow 

to the west and exacerbated by ice jamming. 

American Legion building partly submerged.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (Apr. 10, 1924).

Belle Fourche -- Crest of Belle Fourche River was reported within 

2 inches of American Legion Hall. Stage 

receded 18 inches on morning of April 10, 

1924, but was “still higher than any previous 

high water mark.” Residents of Belle Fourche 

reported that this was the worst flood in history 

of the town as of date of article (1924).

Black Hills Press (Apr. 10, 1924).
120 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

-- Apr. 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 9–10, 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 9, 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River Sundance and Sand 

Creeks

-- Apr. 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River Various streams in 

Wyoming

-- Apr. 1924 -- -- X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 1924 -- X X X -- Belle Fourche River -- 

May 27, 1926 May 27, 1926 -- -- -- -- -- Rapid City -- 

June 22, 1926 June 22, 1926 -- -- -- X X Beaver Creek -- 

May 5 to 

unknown date, 

1927

May 1927 -- -- X X X Cheyenne and Bad 

Rivers

White and Missouri 

Rivers

May 1927 May 1927 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

May 1927 May 8–9, 1927 -- -- -- X X Belle Fourche River Cheyenne River 

May 1927 May 1927 -- -- -- X X Boxelder and Elk 

Creeks

-- 

May 1927 May 1927 -- -- -- -- X -- Cheyenne River 

May 1927 May 1927 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 121

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Belle Fourche -- Primarily provides same information and damage 

reports as previous articles.

Deadwood Daily Pioneer Times (Apr. 10, 

1924).

Belle Fourche -- New high water mark for Belle Fourche River 

was set 3 feet higher than previously registered. 

Back water from Belle Fourche River pushed 

bridge 100 feet upstream in Redwater River.

Belle Fourche Bee (Apr. 10, 1924).

Belle Fourche -- More information provided on same flood (April 

1924). Water was very high in Hulett, Wyo.

Northwest Post - Belle Fourche (Apr. 10, 

1924).

Belle Fourche -- Flooding reported in Belle Fourche from rain on 5 

feet of snow, with 55 families displaced.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Belle Fourche -- Peak flow of 22,400 ft3/s occurred on April 9, 

1924, at station 06435500 (Belle Fourche River 

near Belle Fourche).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Hulett and Beulah, 

Wyo.

-- Additional information provided on the April 

1924 flood. Reported as highest known water 

level in Hulett, Wyo. Flooding reported in 

Sundance Creek and near Beulah, Wyo., as of 

date of article (1924).

Queen City Mail (Apr. 16, 1924).

Belle Fourche -- Not as much damage reported in areas downstream from Belle Fourche.New Underwood Times (Apr. 17, 1924).

Belle Fourche -- Article provided a brief account of flooding along 

Belle Fourche River and other streams in 

Wyoming.

Sundance Times (Apr. 17, 1924).

Belle Fourche -- Reported that Minturn bridge on Sturgis road can 

not be crossed.

White Owl Oracle (Apr. 18, 1924).

Belle Fourche -- Article provided a brief account of flooding along 

Belle Fourche River.

Deadwood Telegram (May 10, 1924).

Sturgis, Deadwood -- Rainfall of 3 inches in 3 hours reported in Rapid 

City, Sturgis, and Deadwood.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Buffalo Gap -- Heavy storm occurred west of Buffalo Gap, with 

lowland flooding and crop damage reported.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (June 26, 1926).

-- -- Heavy flooding occurred from prolonged precipitation through much of western South Dakota.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

-- -- Reported as worst May storm in 22 years. Heavy 

stock losses reported from snow that followed 4 

days of rain.

Black Hills Press (May 12, 1927).

-- -- Article provided brief account of flood damage 

along the Belle Fourche and Cheyenne Rivers.

Wasta Gazette (May 12, 1927).

-- -- Widespread high water and flooding from 

prolonged precipitation reported.

New Underwood Times (May 12, 1927).

-- -- Heavy snow, high water, and rail damage 

reported. Old timers say they have never seen 

more moisture.

Wasta Gazette (May 12, 1927).

-- -- Prolonged precipitation and lowland flooding 

reported.

Oelrichs Advocate (May 12, 1927).
122 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

May 1927 May 9, 1927 -- X X X X Sulphur Creek Red Owl Creek 

-- May 13, 1927 -- -- -- X X Belle Fourche River -- 

May 1927 May 1927 -- X X X X Many -- 

May 1927 May 1927 -- -- -- X X Boxelder Creek -- 

May 1927 May 1927 -- -- -- X X Belle Fourche River -- 

-- May 1927 -- X -- -- -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- -- -- -- -- -- -- Beaver Creek -- 

June 19, 1927 June 19-20, 1927 -- -- X X -- Cold Brook, Fall River -- 

-- June 30, 1927 -- -- -- -- X Fall River -- 

-- Mar. 12, 1928 -- -- -- -- -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- Apr. 8, 1929 -- -- -- -- -- Belle Fourche River -- 

-- May 6, 1932 -- X X X -- Rapid Creek -- 

May 22, 1933 May 23, 1933 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek Various 

May 22–23, 1933 May 23, 1933 -- -- -- X X Whitewood Creek Spearfish Creek 

May 22–23, 1933 May 23, 1933 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek Bear Butte and Battle 

Creeks

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 123

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Sulphur Creek reported as higher by almost 8 feet 

than during any other high water. 

White Owl Oracle (May 13, 1927).

Belle Fourche -- Peak flow of 8,250 ft3/s occurred on May 13, 

1927, at station 06435500 (Belle Fourche River 

near Belle Fourche).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Many -- Widespread heavy flooding reported over large 

parts of western South Dakota.

Custer Chronicle (May 14, 1927).

Owanka -- Flood took out both bridges across Boxelder 

Creek near Owanka.

Wasta Gazette (May 19, 1927).

-- -- Bridge across Belle Fourche River reported as 

impassable.

White Owl Oracle (May 20, 1927).

-- -- USGS records indicate a stage of 21.8 feet during 

May 1927 at station 06438000 (Belle Fourche 

River near Elm Springs). The discharge is 

unknown, but this is the highest known stage 

by about 2 feet (followed by 20.00 feet in 1933 

and 19.73 feet in 2008).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- USGS records (Annual Data reports) indicate 

a 1927 flood stage of 18.0 feet for station 

06402500 (Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Hot Springs -- Two people drowned when the crest of flood 

waters on Cold Brook struck the car in which 

they were crossing the bridge at the northern 

end of Hot Springs.

Hot Springs Weekly Star (June 21, 1927)

Hot Springs -- Photographs show minor flooding occurred in Hot 

Springs.

Photographs by Fall River County Historical Society.

-- -- Peak flow of 9,660 ft3/s occurred on March 12, 

1928, at station 06435500 (Belle Fourche River 

near Belle Fourche).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- Peak flow of 15,000 ft3/s occurred on April 8, 

1929, at station 06435500 (Belle Fourche River 

near Belle Fourche).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- Peak flow of 16,000 ft3/s occurred on May 6, 

1932, at station 06422000 (Rapid Creek at 

Creston).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Various -- Widespread storm reported. Rapid Creek was 

high at Mystic. Bear Butte Creek was over the 

highway near Ft. Meade for the first time in 

history. Flooding reported in Spearfish.

Rapid City Journal (May 23, 1933).

Lead Spearfish and 

others

Widespread storm reported; Lead received about 

4.8 inches of rain in 12 hours. Worst flooding since 1910 reported in Spearfish. A later 

May 31, 1946, article refers to substantial rail 

damage in Spearfish Canyon from 1933 flooding.

Lead Call (May 23, 1933).

Various Various Article provided similar information as other 

articles for May 23, 1933. High water reported 

in Custer State Park.

Hot Springs Star (May 23, 1933).
124 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

May 22–23, 1933 May 23, 1933 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek Bear Butte Creek 

May 22–23, 1933 May 23, 1933 -- -- -- X X Whitewood Creek Various 

-- May 24, 1933 -- X X X -- Cheyenne River -- 

June 22, 1933 June 22, 1933 -- -- -- -- X Beaver Creek -- 

Aug. 26–28, 1933 Aug.–Sept. 1933 -- -- X X X Cheyenne River White River 

July 26, 1934 July 26, 1934 -- -- -- X X Beaver Creek Elm Creek 

May 31, 1935 May 31, 1935 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

May 31, 1935 May 31, 1935 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek Various 

June 1935 June 1935 -- -- -- X X Various Various 

June 1935 June 1935 -- -- -- X X Old Woman Creek Hat Creek 

May 31, 1935 May 31, 1935 -- -- -- X X Boxelder Creek -- 

June 17, 1937 June 17, 1937 -- -- -- -- X Beaver Creek -- 

June 17, 1937 June 17–18, 1937 -- X X -- -- Fall River -- 

June 17, 1937 June 17–18, 1937 -- -- -- -- X Fall River -- 

June 17, 1937 June 17–18, 1937 -- X X -- -- Fall River -- 

June 17, 1937 June 17–18, 1937 -- X X -- -- Fall River -- 

June 1937 June 1937 -- -- -- -- X Ash Creek -- 

June 17, 1937 June 17–18, 1937 -- X X -- -- Fall River -- 

June 17, 1937 June 17, 1937 -- X X X -- Fall River -- 

July 10, 1937 July 10, 1937 -- -- X X -- Hay Creek -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 125

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Article provided similar information as other 

articles for May 23, 1933. 

Lead Call (May 23, 1933).

Deadwood Various Article provided similar information as other 

articles for May 23, 1933. Extensive damage 

reported to area roads.

Deadwood Pioneer Times (May 24, 1933).

-- -- Peak of record flow of 114,000 ft3/s occurred on 

May 24, 1933, at station 06439500 (Cheyenne 

River near Eagle Butte).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- Beaver Creek reported as highest in several years, 

with some damage reports provided.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (June 23, 1933).

-- -- Cheyenne River reported as highest since 1926. Buffalo Gap Gazette (Sept. 1, 1933).

Buffalo Gap -- Beaver Creek reached “highest stage in years.” 

Water was 1 foot deep in streets of Buffalo Gap.

Buffalo Gap Gazette (July 27, 1934).

Rapid City Black Hawk Rapid Creek reported as out of its banks in several 

places.

Rapid City Journal (May 31, 1935).

-- -- Minor flooding in Rapid City reported with good 

rains throughout much of the Black Hills area.

Rapid City Journal (May 31, 1935).

-- -- Moderate damage reported to highways and rail 

lines from recent flooding.

Rapid City Journal (June 3, 1935).

-- -- Heavy, widespread rains reported. Old Woman 

Creek reported as highest level ever seen as of 

date of article (1935).

Edgemont Tribune (June 5, 1935).

New Underwood Box Elder Lowland flooding reported in New Underwood. New Underwood Times (June 6, 1935).

Buffalo Gap -- Beaver Creek exceeded capacity of rail bridge. Buffalo Gap Gazette (June 18, 1937).

Hot Springs -- Severe flood occurred along Fall River, with 

13 rail bridges and 8 city bridges destroyed. 

The 1937 flood is specifically mentioned in 

the article “prelude” as being larger than the 

“smaller floods” of 1938 and 1941.

Hot Springs Weekly Star (April 18, 1946 

reprint of June 18, 1937 article).

Hot Springs -- Substantial damage reported in Hot Springs from 

severe flood along Fall River.

Rapid City Journal (June 18, 1937).

Hot Springs -- Flooding along Fall River caused substantial 

damage in Hot Springs.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

-- -- Photograph showing aftermath of 1937 flood in 

Hot Springs

Original photos courtesy of Hot Springs 

Public Library and Rapid City Journal.

-- -- Vehicle was swept downstream in flood. Black Hills Press (June 20, 1937).

Hot Springs -- Two scanned articles available; one relating flood 

damage and one relating an account by the late 

Joe Petty “that the Indians showed him water 

marks halfway up the cliff” in Hot Springs.

Rapid City Journal and Hot Springs 

Evening Star (June 21, 1937).

Hot Springs -- Hydroelectric dam damaged. Hot Springs Weekly Star (June 22, 1937).

Belle Fourche -- About 50 residences along Hay Creek flooded. Lead Call (July 10, 1937).
126 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

July 10 and 12, 

1937

July 10 and 12, 

1937

-- -- X X X Hay Creek -- 

July 10–12, 1937 July 10 and 12, 

1937

-- -- -- X X Hay Creek -- 

July 23, 1938 July 23–24, 1938 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek Cheyenne River 

Sept. 4, 1938 Sept. 4, 1938 -- X X -- -- Fall River -- 

Sept. 4, 1938 Sept. 4, 1938 -- X X -- -- Beaver Creek -- 

-- Sept. 4, 1938 -- -- -- X -- Cheyenne and Belle 

Fourche Rivers

Fall River 

Sept. 4, 1938 Sept. 4, 1938 -- -- X -- -- Fall River -- 

July 1941 July 1941 -- -- -- X X Dry Creek Various 

July 1941 July 1941 -- -- -- -- X -- Crow Creek 

Aug.1941 Aug. 6, 1941 -- -- X X -- Fall River -- 

1943 June 13, 1943 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

July 12, 1944 July 12, 1944 -- -- -- -- X Fall River -- 

Apr.–May 1946 May 1–2, 1946 -- -- -- X X Bear Butte Creek -- 

Apr.–May 1946 May 1–2, 1946 -- -- -- X X Whitewood Creek Bear Butte Creek 

Apr.–May 1946 May 1–2, 1946 -- -- -- X X Bear Butte Creek -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 127

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Belle Fourche, 

Vale

-- Second flood reported along Hay Creek in 3 days. 

Earlier flood (July 10, 1937) was largest along 

Hay Creek since 1923 and caused worst flooding in Belle Fourche since 1924 (as of date of 

article). Almost 6 inches of rain fell in deluge 

near Vale.

Belle Fourche Post (July 13, 1937).

-- -- Two floods along Hay Creek and heavy rain near 

Vale were mentioned. Reported that 7 inches of 

rain fell in upper Horse Creek. Large benefits 

from widespread rains reported.

Rapid City Journal (July 14, 1937).

Rapid City -- Lowland flooding in Rapid City and some road 

damage east of Rapid City reported.

Rapid City Journal (June 24, 1938).

Hot Springs -- Peak of record flow of 13,100 ft3/s occurred on 

September 4, 1938, at station 06402000 (Fall 

River at Hot Springs).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Buffalo Gap -- Peak of record flow of 11,700 ft3/s occurred 

on September 4, 1938, at station 06402500 

(Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Hot Springs -- September 4, 1938, flood on Lame Johnny Creek 

reported as worst in 35 years. Flood on same 

date in Hot Springs was less severe than flood 

of June 17, 1937.

Rapid City Journal (Sept. 24, 1938).

Hot Springs -- Article reported that the 1938 flood was higher 

in Hot Springs by about 1 foot than the 1937 

flood, however, farther down the canyon the 

1937 water level exceeded that of 1938 by 

about 3 feet.

Hot Springs Weekly Star (Sept. 6, 1938)

Sturgis -- Some rail and highway damage from heavy rains 

and high water reported throughout widespread 

area.

Valley Irrigator (June 12, 1941).

-- -- Area streams were high from widespread, 

prolonged precipitation.

Valley Irrigator (June 19, 1941).

Hot Springs -- Peak flow of 4,700 ft3/s occurred on August 6, 

1941, at station 06402000 (Fall River at Hot 

Springs).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 936 ft3/s reported for Rapid Creek 

for June 13, 1943.

Miller (1986). 

Hot Springs -- Article reported 2.34 inches of rain fell on July 12, 

1944, in Hot Springs in an hour.

Hot Springs Weekly Star (July 20, 1944).

Sturgis -- Nearly 7 inches of rain reported for past 2 days 

at Deadwood. Several homes along Bear Butte 

Creek were moved because of flood threat.

Rapid City Journal (May 2, 1946).

Deadwood Sturgis Street damage reported for Deadwood. Additional 

damage along Bear Butte Creek reported.

Rapid City Journal (May 3, 1946).

Sturgis -- Congressional committee ordered review by army 

engineers of possible flood improvements along 

Bear Butte Creek; instigated by flooding of 

recent days.

Rapid City Journal (May 4, 1946).
128 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

-- May 24, 1946 -- -- X X X Bear Butte Creek -- 

May 1946 May 1946 -- -- X -- -- Spearfish Creek -- 

May 1946 May 1946 -- -- -- X X Spearfish Creek -- 

May 1946 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

-- July 18, 1946 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

-- 1946 -- -- -- -- -- Redwater River and Hay 

Creek

-- 

June 20, 1947 June 20, 1947 -- X X -- -- Fall River -- 

June 20, 1947 June 20, 1947 -- X X -- -- Fall River -- 

June 17, 1947 June 17–18, 1947 -- X X -- -- Fall River -- 

June 20, 1947 June 20, 1947 -- X X -- -- Fall River -- 

-- June 24, 1947 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

Aug. 15, 1949 Aug. 15, 1949 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

-- Aug. 15, 1949 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

May 21–22, 1952 May 21–22, 1952 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek Various 

May 22, 1952 May 22–23, 1952 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek -- 

-- May 23, 1952 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek -- 

-- May 23,24, 1952 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 129

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Peak flow of 9,800 ft3/s occurred on May 24, 

1946, at station 06437500 (Bear Butte Creek 

near Sturgis).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Spearfish -- May rainfall at Lead (?) broke 41-year record. 

Spearfish Creek reported to be as high as 

during flood of 1933, when rail bed in Spearfish 

Canyon was washed out.

Lead Call (May 31, 1946).

Spearfish -- Damage in Spearfish area reported to be most 

severe since early 1930s. Army engineers 

arrived to investigate flood damages.

Queen City Mail (May 4, 1946).

Lead, Deadwood -- Precipitation totals for May 1946 of 18.61 inches 

for Deadwood and 15.31 inches for Lead 

provided. Indicates that very wet conditions 

existed in May 1946 for this area.

Driscoll and others (2000). 

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 1,000 ft3/s reported for Rapid Creek 

for July 18, 1946.

Miller (1986). 

-- -- Article listed major flood years for Redwater 

River as 1906, 1922, 1935, 1941, and 1946; and 

for Hay Creek as 1923, 1926, 1930, 1937, and 

1940.

Rapid City Journal (Oct. 22, 1946).

Hot Springs -- Fall River reported as highest since 1938. Edgemont Tribune (June 25, 1947).

-- -- Peak flow of 8,300 ft3/s occurred on June 20, 

1947, at station 06402000 (Fall River at Hot 

Springs). This was the last large peak flow prior 

to the construction of two flood-control reservoirs within Fall River Basin.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Hot Springs -- Flooding along Fall River caused substantial 

damage in Hot Springs.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Spearfish Deadwood, SpearfishFlash flood occurred in Hot Springs. Wet conditions existed near Deadwood and Spearfish.Queen City Mail (June 26, 1947).

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 1,170 ft3/s reported for Rapid Creek 

for June 24, 1947.

Miller (1986). 

Rapid City -- Flash flooding occurred along Rapid Creek. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rapid City -- Heavy rain reported in western part of Rapid City. Miller (1986). 

Rapid City -- Flooding occurred in many streams from widespread rains throughout Black Hills area.Rapid City Journal (May 22, 1952).

Rapid City Deadwood, Sturgis Damage reported for Canyon Lake area of western 

Rapid City. Heavy rains reported for other 

areas.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 2,540 ft3/s reported for Rapid Creek 

for May 23, 1952.

Miller (1986). 

Rapid City -- Peak flows of 2,540 ft3/s on May 23, 1952, at 

station 06414000 (Rapid Creek at Rapid City) 

and 1,770 ft3/s on May 24, 1952, at station 

06421500 (Rapid Creek near Farmingdale) 

occurred on Rapid Creek.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 
130 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

-- May 23, 1952 -- -- X X X Rapid Creek -- 

-- May 23, 1954 -- -- X X -- Hat Creek -- 

July 28, 1955 July 28, 1955 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek -- 

July 28, 1955 July 28, 1955 -- -- X X -- Castle and Rapid Creeks -- 

July 28, 1955 July 28, 1955 -- -- -- X -- Rapid Creek -- 

June 20, 1960 1960 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

May 15–22, 1962 May 22, 1962 -- -- -- -- X Bear Butte Creek -- 

May 1962 May–June 1962 -- -- -- -- X Alkali Creek -- 

June 15, 1962 June 15–16, 1962 -- X X -- -- Bear Butte Creek Deadman and Spring 

Creeks

June 15, 1962 June 15–16, 1962 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek Bear Butte Creek 

June 16, 1962 June 16–17, 1962 -- -- X X X Rapid Creek Others 

-- June 15–16, 1962 -- X X -- -- Bear Butte Creek -- 

July 13–14, 1962 July 13–14, 1962 -- -- -- -- X Bear Butte Creek Deadman Creek 

July 13, 1962 July 13, 1962 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek -- 

July 13, 1962 July 13, 1962 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 131

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Aerial photographs showed flooding for Rapid 

Creek east of Rapid City.

USGS aerial photos.

-- -- Peak flow of 9,430 ft3/s occurred on May 23, 

1954, at station 06400000 (Hat Creek near 

Edgemont); second only to peak flow of 

13,300 ft3/s on June 16, 1967.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Rochford, Mystic -- Heavy rain and minor flooding reported for Rochford and Mystic area.National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rochford -- Indirect measurements of peak flow reported for 

nine sites where large flows occurred.

Wells (1962). 

-- -- Peak flow of 1,520 ft3/s on July 28, 1955, at 

station 06410500 (Rapid Creek above Pactola 

Reservoir).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Rapid City, New 

Underwood

-- Heavy storm reported for the Rapid City and New 

Underwood area.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Sturgis -- Article reported 7.93 inches of rain in Sturgis 

between May 15 and May 22, 1962. Bear Butte 

Creek was running high in Boulder Canyon.

Sturgis Tribune. (May 23, 1962).

Sturgis -- Alkali Creek was running high following recent 

rains.

Sturgis Tribune. (June 6, 1962).

Sturgis -- Almost 4.5 inches of rain reported for June 15 in 

Sturgis. Severe flooding reported with evacuations and destruction of homes, highways, and 

infrastructure.

Black Hills Press. (June 16, 1962).

Rapid City Sturgis, Whitewood, St. OngeSubstantial storm damage and flooding reported 

from Rapid City to Sturgis to Whitewood. 

Reported an unofficial 2-day rainfall total of 

8.15 inches near Piedmont.

Rapid City Journal. (June 16, 1962).

Rapid City Sturgis, others Second heavy storm in 2 days reported for Rapid 

City and other parts of the Black Hills. Flooding generally was less severe than for the storm 

of the previous day.

Rapid City Journal. (June 17, 1962).

Sturgis -- Article reported that a 1957 U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers flood plan was not implemented 

because of lack of local support. Also reported 

that 14 inches of rain fell between 5 and 11 p.m. 

on June 15, 1962, in Whitewood. 

Black Hills Press. (June 23, 1962).

Sturgis -- Reported that 1.46 inches of rain fell in 24 hours 

that ended July 14, 1962, but did not cause 

flood damage. 

Black Hills Press. (July 14, 1962).

Rapid City -- Substantial flooding reported along Rapid Creek. 

Reported that as much as 3 or 4 inches of rain 

fell west of town.

Rapid City Journal. (July 14, 1962).

Rapid City -- Additional information provided about substantial 

damage from flooding along Rapid Creek.

Rapid City Journal. (July 15, 1962).
132 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 1962 June 15, 1962 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

July 13, 1962 July 13, 1962 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek -- 

July 13, 1962 July 13, 1962 -- -- X X -- Rapid Creek -- 

July 13, 1962 July 13, 1962 -- X -- -- -- Cleghorn Canyon -- 

-- May–June1962 -- -- X X X Elk Creek, Redwater 

River, Bear Butte 

Creek

-- 

-- June 9, 1964 -- -- X X -- Spearfish Creek -- 

May 15, 1965 May 15, 1965 -- -- X X X Spearfish and Rapid 

Creeks

Various 

-- May 14–15, 1965 -- -- X X X Various -- 

-- June 11, 1965 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

-- June 16, 1967 -- X X X -- Hat Creek -- 

June 9–10, 1972 June 9–10, 1972 X X X X -- Rapid Creek Various 

June 9–10, 1972 June 9–10, 1972 X -- -- -- -- Rapid Creek -- 

June 9–10, 1972 June 9–10, 1972 X X X X -- Many Many 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 133

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Rapid City Various Minor flooding reported for Rapid City on June 

15, 1962, and subsequent dates. Heavy rains 

and flood damage reported throughout northern 

Black Hills during late June.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rapid City -- Heavy rain and flooding reported for Rapid City. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 3,300 ft3/s occurred on July 13, 1962, 

for station 06414000 (Rapid Creek at Rapid 

City) after 3.4 inches of rain in Rapid City.

Miller (1986); U.S. Geological Survey 

(2009). 

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 2,920 ft3/s occurred on July 13, 1962, 

at station 440325103182500 along Cleghorn 

Canyon.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- High flows reported for several streams along 

northeastern flank of Black Hills in 1962. 

Noteworthy peak flows include 7,040 ft3/s 

on May 29 at station 06425500 (Elk Creek 

near Elm Springs); 16,400 ft3/s on June 16 at 

station 06433000 (Redwater River above Belle 

Fourche); and 12,700 ft3/s on June 16 at station 

06437500 (Bear Butte Creek near Sturgis).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Spearfish -- Peak flow of 3,040 ft3/s occurred on June 9, 

1964, at station 06431500 (Spearfish Creek at 

Spearfish).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Spearfish Various Heavy rain on snow caused flooding in Spearfish 

and many other areas.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

-- -- High flows in many streams in central and 

northern Black Hills in May 1965. Noteworthy peak flows include a peak of record flow 

of 2,060 ft3/s on May 15 at station 06410500 

(Rapid Creek above Pactola Reservoir); and 

peak flows of 4,240 ft3/s on May 15 at station 

06431500 (Spearfish Creek at Spearfish); 

1,060 ft3/s on May 14 at station 06432200 (Polo 

Creek near Whitewood); and 8,480 ft3/s on May 

15 at station 06433000 (Redwater River above 

Belle Fourche).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 706 ft3/s reported for Rapid Creek on 

June 11, 1965.

Miller (1986). 

-- -- Peak of record flow of 13,300 ft3/s occurred on 

June 16, 1967, at station 06400000 (Hat Creek 

near Edgemont).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Rapid City Various Various details provided for worst known storm 

and flooding since European settlement of the 

Black Hills area.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Rapid City -- Peak flow of 50,000 ft3/s reported for Rapid Creek 

on June 9, 1972.

Miller (1986). 

-- -- Large peak flows occurred for many streams in 

Black Hills area, with peaks of record for many. 

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 
134 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 9–10, 1972 June 9–10, 1972 X X X X -- Many Many 

June 9–10, 1972 June 9–10, 1972 X X X X -- Many Many 

June 9–10, 1972 June 9–10, 1972 X X -- -- -- Rapid Creek Many 

June 9–10, 1972 June 9–10, 1972 X X -- -- -- Rapid Creek Many 

June 9–10, 1972 June 9–10, 1972 -- -- -- -- -- -- -- 

June 8, 1975 June 8, 1975 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

June 13–16, 1976 June 1976 -- -- X X X -- -- 

-- June 15–16, 1976 -- -- X X X Various -- 

July 23, 1981 July 23, 1981 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

-- June 9, 1982 -- -- X X -- Spearfish Creek, Horse 

Creek, Belle Fourche 

River

Redwater River, Whitewood Creek

1991 1991 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

May–Aug.1993 May–Aug.1993 -- -- -- -- X Battle Creek -- 

May 7–9, 1995 May 7–9, 1995 -- -- -- -- X -- -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 135

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Documented the storm, flood, and damage from 

the 1972 event. Nearly 15 inches of rain fell 

in about 6 hours near Nemo and more than 10 

inches of rain fell over a 60 square-mile area. 

Schwarz and others (1975).

-- -- Fact sheet recounted the 1972 flood 25 years after 

the event that claimed the lives of 238 people.

Carter and others (2002).

Rapid City Many Web page describes 1972 flood event and provides 

photographs.

http://www.crh.noaa.gov/unr/?n=1972_

Flood

Rapid City Many Web page describes 1972 flood event and provides 

photographs.

http://sd.water.usgs.gov/projects/1972flood/

-- -- The 1972 flood event was one of the most severe 

flash flood events in US history in terms of 

loss of life. Numerous documents proving 

more details are available; however, providing 

a comprehensive bibliography is beyond the 

intended scope of this product.

Numerous unlisted sources.

Rapid City -- Almost 2.5 inches of rain fell in 30 minutes in the 

Rapid City area.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Various -- Substantial damage reported for the northern 

Black Hills from prolonged heavy rain and 

flooding.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008).

-- -- High flows in many streams in northern Black 

Hills in June 1976. Noteworthy peak flows 

include 1,460 ft3/s on June 15 at station 

06425500 (Elk Creek near Elm Springs); 

3,870 ft3/s on June 15 at station 06431500 

(Spearfish Creek at Spearfish); 6,780 ft3/s on 

June 15 at station 06433000 (Redwater River 

above Belle Fourche); and 16,700 ft3/s on June 

15 at station 06436700 (Indian Creek near 

Arpan).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Rapid City -- Minor flooding of Rapid City streets reported. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

-- -- Peaks of record flow were recorded for stations 

along Horse Creek (station 06436700) and the 

Belle Fourche River (station 06437000). Large 

peak flows also were recorded along Spearfish 

Creek, Redwater River, and Whitewood Creek.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Keystone -- Minor flooding of roads reported. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Keystone Rapid City Minor flooding for three separate dates reported. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). (3 entries). 

Hill City , Rapid 

City

-- Flooding and damage of roads reported. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). (2 entries). 
136 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

-- May 8–9, 1995 -- -- -- X X Various -- 

May 30, 1996 May 30, 1996 -- -- X X -- Spring Creek -- 

May 30, 1996 May 30, 1996 -- -- X X -- Spring Creek -- 

June 14, 1996 June 14, 1996 -- -- X X -- Alkali Creek -- 

June 14, 1996 June 14, 1996 -- -- X X -- Alkali Creek -- 

May 24, 1997 May 24, 1997 -- -- -- -- X Rapid Creek -- 

June 2, 1997 June 2, 1997 -- -- -- X X Rapid Creek -- 

June 14, 1997 -- -- -- -- X X -- -- 

June 23–24, 1998 -- -- -- -- X X -- -- 

June 18, 1999 June 18, 1999 -- -- -- X X Battle Creek -- 

June 18, 1999 June 18, 1999 -- -- -- X X Battle Creek -- 

Aug. 7, 1999 -- -- -- -- X X -- -- 

July 21, 2001 July 21, 2001 -- -- -- -- X Battle Creek -- 

July 5, 2003 -- -- -- -- X X -- -- 

May 6–7, 2005 -- -- -- -- X X -- -- 

May 19, 2007 -- -- -- -- X X -- -- 

May 28, 2007 -- -- -- -- X X -- -- 

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 137

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

-- -- Relatively small peak flows reported for several 

streams in southern Black Hills, including 

French, Battle, Grace Goolidge, and Spring 

Creeks. Larger peak flows reported for many 

streams in northern Black Hills, including 

Redwater River and Spearfish, Hay, Whitewood, and Bear Butte Creeks. Peaks of record 

were established on May 8, 1995, at four 

stations along Whitewood Creek.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- Severe storm documented along Spring Creek 

south of Rapid City. 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008).

-- -- Peak flow of 6,910 ft3/s occurred on May 30, 

1996, at station 06408500 (Spring Creek near 

Hermosa); second only to 1972 peak flow of 

13,400 ft3/s.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- Various damage reported from severe storm along 

Alkali Creek of Sturgis. 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008).

-- -- Peak flow of 16,900 ft3/s occurred on June 14, 

1996, at station 442205103073200 along Alkali 

Creek.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

-- -- Minor flooding reported along Rapid Creek and 

tributaries from 4 to 5 inches of rain.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008).

-- -- Flooding along Rapid Creek and tributaries from 

as much as 4.5 inches of rain in 30 minutes.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

East of Sturgis -- No information is available regarding magnitudes 

of any associated peak flows.

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration.

East of Sturgis -- No information is available regarding magnitudes 

of any associated peak flows.

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration.

Keystone -- Damage from heavy rains along Battle Creek 

reported. 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). & radar image.

-- -- Peak flow of 2,000 ft3/s occurred on June 18, 

1999, at station 06404000 (Battle Creek near 

Keystone); second only to 1972 peak flow of 

26,200 ft3/s.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Northwest of 

Custer

-- No information is available regarding magnitudes 

of any associated peak flows.

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration.

Keystone -- Some damage from localized flooding in Keystone 

reported.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (2008). 

Nemo, Rockerville -- No information is available regarding magnitudes 

of any associated peak flows.

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration.

Hot Springs, Red 

Shirt

-- No information is available regarding magnitudes 

of any associated peak flows.

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration.

Lead, Rochford -- No information is available regarding magnitudes 

of any associated peak flows.

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration.

Lead, Spearfish -- No information is available regarding magnitudes 

of any associated peak flows.

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration.
138 Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area

Date of storm Date of flood Relative magnitude of event Primary stream Secondary stream(s) 

1 2 3 4 5

June 21, 2007 -- -- -- -- X X -- -- 

Aug. 17, 2007 Aug. 17, 2007 -- X X X X -- -- 

-- Aug. 17, 2007 -- X X X X Battle Creek -- 

July 6–7, 2008 July 6–7, 2008 -- -- X X X Rapid Creek -- 

July 6–7, 2008 July 6–7, 2008 -- X X X X Rapid Creek -- 

-- April 14, 2009 -- -- -- -- X Belle Fourche River -- 

1

All newspaper articles used as source documentation in this chronology are available from U.S. Geological Survey (2010a).

Table 10. Chronology of selected large storm and flood events for the Black Hills area, 1877–2009.—Continued

[All locations in South Dakota unless otherwise specified. Peak of record flow is the maximum instantaneous peak flow that has been recorded for the period of 

record for the streamflow-gaging station. Relative magnitude of event: 1, extreme; 2, severe; 3, moderate; 4, minor; 5, very minor; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; 

USGS, U.S. Geological Survey; X, indicates applicable magnitude; --, not applicable or unknown]
Supplemental Tables 139

Primary town 

or area

Secondary town 

or area Description of event Source of information1

Newcastle -- No information is available regarding magnitudes 

of any associated peak flows.

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration.

Hermosa Piedmont Severe hail damage near Piedmont and substantial 

flooding along Battle Creek near Hermosa. 

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration.

Hermosa Piedmont Peak flow of 18,600 ft3/s occurred on August 17, 

2007, at station 06406000 (Battle Creek at 

Hermosa); second only to 1972 peak flow of 

21,400 ft3/s.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Rochford -- High flows in Rapid Creek extended from Pactola 

Reservoir to upstream from Rochford. Flood 

damage was limited primarily to relatively 

minor damage to various roads.

Radar image from National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration (2008).

Rochford -- Peak flow of 400 ft3/s occurred on July 7, 2008, at 

station 06408850 (Silver Creek near Rochford); 

next largest peak flows were 14 ft3/s (1976 and 

1978). Peak flow of 1,640 ft3/s occurred on 

July 7, 2008, at station 06410500 (Rapid Creek 

above Pactola Reservoir), which was second 

only to 1965 peak flow of 2,060 ft3/s.

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 

Elm Springs -- Peak flow of 29,500 ft3/s occurred on April 14, 

2009, at station 06438000 (Belle Fourche River 

near Elm Springs).

U.S. Geological Survey (2009). 
Publishing support provided by:

Rolla and Denver Publishing Service Centers

For more information concerning this publication, contact:

Director, USGS South Dakota Water Science Center

1608 Mt. View Rd.

Rapid City, SD 57702

(605) 394–3200

Or visit the South Dakota Water Science Center Web site at:

http://sd.water.usgs.gov
Back cover. Center: Reach of Rapid Creek downstream from Silver Creek. Photograph by Dan Driscoll. 

Lower left: More than 10 inches of rain in 3 hours were reported during the August 17, 2007 storm. Photograph by 

Mark T. Anderson.

Lower right: Water standing in low-lying areas on the flood plain of Battle Creek on the day after the August 2007 flood 

event in the Hermosa area. Photograph by Mark T. Anderson.

Background: Aftermath of May 17, 1883, flood in Deadwood. Photographs courtesy of Adams Museum, Deadwood, 

SD (used with permission).
Driscoll and others—Thunderstorms and Flooding of August 17, 2007, and Other Large Storm and Flood Events in the Black Hills Area—SIR 2010–5187

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