U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey

Open-File Report 2006-1395

Prepared in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Transportation

Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at StreamflowGaging Stations in and near South Dakota through

Water Year 2001

Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions 

at Streamflow Gaging Stations in and near 

South Dakota through Water Year 2001

By Ryan F. Thompson

Prepared in cooperation with the South Dakota Department of Transportation

Open-File Report 2006-1395

U.S. Department of the Interior

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

DIRK KEMPTHORNE, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Mark D. Meyers, Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2007

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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:

Thompson, R.F., 2007, Peak stages from backwater conditions at streamflow-gaging stations in and near South 

Dakota through water year 2001: U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 2006–1395, 55 p.
iii

Contents

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

Introduction.....................................................................................................................................................1

Peak Stages due to Backwater Conditions...............................................................................................1

References Cited............................................................................................................................................5

Supplemental Information............................................................................................................................7

Section A. Information for Gaging Stations .................................................................................8

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge .................................24

Figures

1. Gaging stations in and near South Dakota for which peak-stage data are 

presented .......................................................................................................................................2

2. Relative frequency of backwater peak stages........................................................................3

3. Percent of backwater peak stages exceeding established flood stage.............................4

A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge....................................................25

Table

A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater

conditions, through water year 2001 .........................................................................................9

Conversion Factors

Multiply By To obtain

Length

foot (ft) 0.3048 meter (m)

mile (mi) 1.609 kilometer (km)

Flow rate

cubic foot per second (ft3/s) 0.02832 cubic meter per second (m3/s)

Horizontal coordinate information is referenced to the North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83).

A water year 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, 2001, is called the 

“2001 water year.”
iv
Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at StreamflowGaging Stations in and near South Dakota through Water 

Year 2001

By Ryan F. Thompson

(U.S. Geological Survey, 1962–1966). Prior to water year 

1961, streamflow records for South Dakota were published in 

a series of USGS Water-Supply Papers that contained streamflow records for the Missouri River Basin (U.S. Geological 

Survey, 1959, 1964).

The South Dakota Department of Transportation 

(SDDOT) uses peak-flow data for many purposes, and more 

detailed knowledge of the effects of backwater conditions at 

gaging stations could have utility for various applications. For 

example, if a bridge is to be placed over a stream that is known 

to commonly have backwater-influenced peak stages that are 

much higher than stages associated with peak flow, the bridge 

may be designed with countermeasures to help prevent ice 

jams on piers, or additional freeboard to low steel. The USGS, 

in cooperation with SDDOT, prepared this report to provide 

a summary of peak-stage data through water year 2001 for 

gaging stations in and near South Dakota where annual peak 

stages resulting from backwater conditions have exceeded 

stages associated with annual peak discharge.

Peak Stages due to Backwater 

Conditions

For purposes of USGS streamflow gaging, backwater 

typically refers to any condition that temporarily impedes 

the flow of water in a channel, and subsequently results in 

temporary influence of the stage-discharge relation at a gaging station. Peak stage can exceed the stage associated with 

annual peak discharge within the same year at any given 

gaging station for several reasons. The most common reason is backwater. Although there are conditions other than 

backwater that can cause a stage within a given water year to 

exceed the stage associated with peak discharge, these conditions are rather uncommon. These uncommon conditions can 

occur when there is a change in control at a gaging station, 

or when dikes are built, rebuilt, or raised. For the purposes of 

this report, annual peak stages greater than the stage at annual 

peak discharge were assumed to be influenced by backwater 

conditions.

Abstract

Stream stages associated with the annual peak discharge 

are presented for 182 streamflow-gaging stations in and near 

South Dakota. The peak stage at a station can occur as the 

result of the annual maximum discharge, but also as the result 

of backwater conditions. Backwater, often caused by ice, can 

produce a peak stage higher than the stage coincident with 

annual maximum discharge. The U.S. Geological Survey has 

cooperated with the South Dakota Department of Transportation to prepare this report, which provides a summary of 

peak-stage data through water year 2001 for gaging stations 

in and near South Dakota where annual peak stages resulting 

from backwater conditions have exceeded stages associated 

with annual peak discharge by as much as several feet. Where 

applicable, data summaries include the flood stage that is 

assigned by the National Weather Service.

Introduction

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) collected peak-flow 

and stage data for many years at numerous streamflow-gaging 

stations in and near South Dakota. Backwater conditions are 

conditions that temporarily impede the flow of water in the 

channel. Backwater, often caused by ice, can produce a peak 

stage higher than the stage coincident with annual maximum 

discharge. Many of the reported annual peak stages have 

resulted from backwater conditions in the vicinity of gaging 

stations, and such stages have exceeded stages associated with 

annual peak discharges by as much as several feet at some 

gaging stations.

Annual maximum instantaneous (peak) discharges and 

stages for continuous-record and partial-record streamflow 

gaging stations in and near the State historically have been 

reported in a series of annual statewide “Water Resources 

Data” reports for South Dakota for water years 1966–2001 

(U.S. Geological Survey, 1967–2002). For water years 1961–

1965, streamflow records for South Dakota were included 

in joint annual reports for North Dakota and South Dakota 
Grand

River

River

River

River

River

River

Keya

James

Big

East

West

Fork

River

Fork

River

River

Paha

River

RIVER

River River

White

Bad

Little

White

Moreau

L. Missouri R.

Cheyenne

Belle

Fourche

MISSOURI

L. Vermillion R

Vermillion Vermillion

Sioux

L. Minnesota R.

Elm

Maple

River

River

104° 103° 102° 101° 100° 99° 98° 97°

45°

44°

43°

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100,000, 1990

Universal Transverse Mercator projection 0 20 40 60

0 20 40 60

MILES

KILOMETERS

9

8

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58

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109 110 108

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102

101

100

Figure 1. Gaging stations in and near South Dakota for which peak-stage data are presented.

Stages associated with annual peak discharge were 

exceeded within the same year by higher stages resulting from 

backwater conditions at 182 streamflow-gaging stations in and 

near South Dakota (fig. 1). Selected data regarding peak stages 

for these gaging stations through water year 2001 are summarized in table A1 in the Supplemental Information section 

of this report. One of the columns in this table provides the 

percentage of peak stages from backwater conditions that have 

exceeded stages associated with annual peak discharge for 

each gaging station. These percentages are shown in figure 2.

Plots showing annual peak stages and stages associated 

with annual peak discharge are presented in Section B of the 

Supplemental Information section. Although annual peak-flow 

data are compiled by water year, which runs from October 1 

through September 30, the plots are shown by calendar year. 

These plots show that annual peak stages from backwater 

conditions can exceed stages associated with annual peak discharge by as little as a few hundredths of a foot to as much as 

several feet for some gaging stations. Where applicable, these 

plots also show the flood stage for the site assigned by the 

National Weather Service. Additional details regarding flood 

stages and percentages of backwater peaks that exceed flood 

stages are provided in table 1, and the percentages are shown 

in figure 3.

 Burr and Korkow (1996) provided tables of peak discharge and stage data for 250 gaging stations in South Dakota 

with 10 or more years of record through water year 1994, 

which included many of the gaging stations that are considered 

in this report. These tables provide specific dates and other 

details regarding annual peak discharges and associated stages, 

smaller peak discharges that comprise a “partial-duration flood 

series,” and annual peak stages that exceed stage associated 

with annual peak discharge. Current data regarding annual 

peak discharges and associated stages can be obtained by 

accessing the Web interface for the USGS National Water 

Information System (NWISWeb) at http://nwis.waterdata.

usgs.gov/sd/nwis/peak. Data sets provided include only data 

regarding annual peak discharges and associated stages for 

gaging stations in and near South Dakota. Additional details 

can be obtained upon request by contacting the USGS South 

Dakota Water Science Center.

Backwater conditions can be caused by a variety of factors including ice formation, ice jams or debris jams, sediment 

or leaf deposition, beaver dams, plant growth, or tributary 

   Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Grand

River

River

River

River

River

River

Keya

James

Big

East

West

Fork

River

Fork

River

River

Paha

River

RIVER

River River

White

Bad

Little

White

Moreau

L. Missouri R.

Cheyenne

Belle

Fourche

MISSOURI

L. Vermillion R

Vermillion Vermillion

Sioux

L. Minnesota R.

Elm

Maple

River

River

104° 103° 102° 101° 100° 99° 98° 97°

45°

44°

43°

0 20 40 60

0 20 40 60

MILES

KILOMETERS 2.5 to 12.5

12.6 to 23.5

23.6 to 36.6

36.7 to 61.1

61.2 to 100

Relative frequency of backwater peak

 stages—Number indicates map number 

 in table A1

EXPLANATION

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100,000, 1990

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

9

8

9

12

16

42

120

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6

5

4

3

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100

Figure 2. Relative frequency of backwater peak stages.

inflows within a reach. Some of these factors may have negligible effects during high-flow conditions; however, notation 

of backwater conditions is independent of the magnitude of 

a flow event, and annual peak discharges for many years at 

many locations in South Dakota may be zero-flow or very low 

flow. Backwater conditions can be widespread throughout a 

reach of a river or very localized and restricted to the immediate vicinity of a gaging station. For example, ice jamming can 

be widespread within a reach, or can be restricted to a bridge 

in the vicinity of a gaging station. More detailed information 

regarding backwater conditions at specific gaging stations generally can be obtained from examination of data provided in 

the annual statewide “Water Resources Data” reports for South 

Dakota described previously.

Various procedures related to database handling or coding 

of peak-flow data also have potential to affect the data sets that 

are presented in this report. The following paragraphs include 

brief examples of the peak-flow data sets for several of the 

gaging stations and associated streams addressed within this 

report, with a purpose of providing a brief overview of some 

of the factors that affect backwater conditions at gaging stations in and near South Dakota and factors that have affected 

reporting of backwater conditions. Examples are presented 

according to the downstream ordering system used by USGS, 

which determines the ordering of stations in table A1 and the 

plots in Supplemental Information Section B.

The first gaging station considered is station 05050000 

(Bois de Sioux River near White Rock), which is located 

in northeastern South Dakota (fig. 1, map number 1). Table 

A1 indicates that peak annual stages from backwater conditions have exceeded peak stages associated with annual peak 

discharge for 15 of 59 years of record, or 25.4 percent of the 

Peak Stages due to Backwater Conditions 
Grand

River

River

River

River

River

River

Keya

James

Big

East

West

Fork

River

Fork

River

River

Paha

River

RIVER

River River

White

Bad

Little

White

Moreau

L. Missouri R.

Cheyenne

Belle

Fourche

MISSOURI

L. Vermillion R

Vermillion Vermillion

Sioux

L. Minnesota R.

Elm

Maple

River

River

104° 103° 102° 101° 100° 99° 98° 97°

45°

44°

43°

0 20 40 60

0 20 40 60

MILES

KILOMETERS 2.6 to 25.0

25.1 to 44.4

44.5 to 66.7

66.8 to 100

Percent of backwater peak stages greater 

 than flood stage—Number indicates map

 number in table A1

EXPLANATION

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data 1:100,000, 1990

Universal Transverse Mercator projection

35

122

110

11

8

4

58

96

94

90

89

72

60

35

19 21

15

11

177

174

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147

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135

133

131

130

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128

125

122

118

110

109

Figure 3. Percent of backwater peak stages exceeding established flood stage.

 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
time. None of these backwater peak stages have exceeded the 

flood stage of 15 feet assigned for this site by the National 

Weather Service. The plot of annual peak stages for this site 

(Supplemental Information Section B) illustrates a relatively 

infrequent circumstance where peak annual stage is documented, but the smaller stage associated with annual peak discharge is not populated in the USGS peak-flow database. This 

is fairly common when the associated hydrographs are very 

flat and maximum instantaneous discharge approximates average daily discharge, as was documented for water years 1996 

and 1998 in the “Water Resources Data” reports for South 

Dakota for these water years (U.S. Geological Survey, 1997, 

1999). A similar circumstance can occur when the annual 

peak discharge is coded as an estimate and the stage at peak 

discharge is undocumented, as was done for station 05290000 

(Little Minnesota River near Peever) for 1950 (Burr and 

Korkow, 1996). A fairly unique example is water year 1976 for 

station 06355500 (North Fork Grand River near White Butte), 

where an annual peak discharge is noted as a maximum daily 

average (Burr and Korkow, 1996); however, an annual peak 

stage associated with the maximum daily average discharge is 

not documented.

The data shown in the plots in Supplemental Information 

Section B are for the period of available peak-stage record for 

each gaging station, through water year 2001. Additional years 

of peak-discharge record are available for some stations, most 

typically for older records. An example is station 06356500 

(South Fork Grand River near Cash), which has additional 

peak-discharge record for water years 1946–1966. Some years 

without a recorded peak stage can result from a lack of documented flow (annual peak discharge equal to zero) for a year, 

or minimal flow, which are not uncommon for some stations. 

Station 06408500 (Spring Creek near Hermosa) provides such 

an example for water years 1989 and 1990. This station also 

has peak-flow data for water years 1950–1972. Additional 

peak-discharge records for such stations typically can be found 

by accessing the NWISWeb link that was referenced earlier.

Ice conditions are the predominant cause of backwater 

conditions in South Dakota. Annual peak stages at some stations were caused by ice accumulating during winter months 

within stream or river channels. Station 06436180 (Whitewood 

Creek above Whitewood) is a good example of such a station, 

with many backwater peak stages occurring during December through February (Burr and Korkow, 1996). Backwater 

conditions resulting from ice jams during ice-out is a common 

occurrence in many rivers and streams that can cause very 

large increases in stage at some locations. An excellent example is station 06452000 (White River near Oacoma), which is 

a location where flood stages have frequently been exceeded 

because of backwater effects. This site also illustrates that 

annual peak stages associated with annual peak discharge can 

have very large effects from backwater. An example is 1978, 

when a peak stage of 23.59 feet resulted from backwater 

conditions on March 14, in association with the annual peak 

discharge of 25,000 cubic feet per second (ft3/s) (Burr and 

Korkow, 1996). A secondary peak of 23,100 ft3/s occurred on 

March 20 of that year, but reached a stage of only 12.77 feet, 

which is well below flood stage.

Some very unique backwater conditions can occur along 

upstream reaches of the James River in northeastern South 

Dakota, where the channel gradient is very low. Large flows in 

several major tributaries can cause backwater for many miles 

upstream in the main stem of the James River, and can cause 

“reverse flow” at some gaging stations. Station 06471000 

(James River at Columbia) frequently experiences backwater 

conditions from the Elm River, which enters the James River 

about 0.3 mile downstream. The minimum daily mean flow 

recorded at this site is reverse flow of 2,400 ft3/s on March 

30, 1997. Peak stages at this station can occur at zero flow, 

which occurs at the transition between reverse flow and flow 

downstream. This circumstance occurred in association with 

the annual peak stage of 16.93 feet for water year 1989, as 

documented in the “Water Resources Data” report for South 

Dakota for this year (U.S. Geological Survey, 1990). Station 

06473000 (James River at Ashton) experiences backwater 

conditions from the Snake River, which enters the James River 

about 6.1 miles downstream. The minimum daily mean flow 

recorded at this site is reverse flow of 8,400 ft3/s on March 

31, 1997. In comparison, the maximum instantaneous peak 

discharge and maximum daily mean discharge recorded at this 

site are 9,150 and 9,100 ft3/s, respectively, on April 23, 1997.

References Cited

Burr, M.J., and Korkow, K.L., 1996, Peak-flow frequency 

estimates through 1994 for gaged streams in South Dakota: 

U.S. Geological Survey Open-File Report 96–202, 407 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1959, Compilation of records of surface waters of the United States through September 1950, 

Part 6–A. Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, Iowa: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1309, 672 p.

U.S. Geological Survey, 1962–1966, Surface water records for 

North Dakota and South Dakota, water years 1961–1965: 

U.S. Geological Survey Water Data Reports for North and 

South Dakota (published annually in unnumbered documents).

U.S. Geological Survey, 1964, Compilation of records of surface waters of the United States, October 1950 to September 

1960, Part 6–A. Missouri River Basin above Sioux City, 

Iowa: U.S. Geological Survey Water-Supply Paper 1729, 

507 p.

U.S. Geological Survey 1967–2002, Water resources data for 

South Dakota, water years 1966–2001: U.S. Geological Survey Water Data Reports SD–66–1 to SD–01–1 (published 

annually).

References Cited 

Supplemental Information
Section A. Information for Gaging Stations

 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

05050000 1 Bois de Sioux River 

near White Rock, SD

59 15 25.4 0 0 15 Flooding begins downstream of the White 

Rock Dam on the Bois de Sioux River.

05051650 2 La Belle Creek near 

Veblen, SD

14 4 28.6 -- -- -- --

05289985 3 Big Coulee Creek 

near Peever, SD

14 3 21.4 0 0 10 At 9.5 feet the water reaches the bottom of 

the bridge just southwest of the gage. At 10.5 feet the water reaches the bottom of the bridge 1 mile northeast of the gage, and the bridge just southwest of the gage is overtopped.

05290000 4 Little Minnesota 

River near Peever, SD

54 26 48.1 8 30.8 9 At 10.0 feet low-lying wooded pasture land 

begins flooding on the right bank of the river.

05291000 5 Whetstone River 

near Big Stone City, SD

72 27 37.5 0 0 12 The road 2 miles west and 1 mile south of 

the gage floods.

05292704 6 North Fork Yellow 

Bank River near Odessa, MN

11 2 18.2 -- -- -- --

05299700 7 Cobb Creek near 

Gary, SD

10 2 20.0 0 0 15 --

06334500 8 Little Missouri River 

at Camp Crook, SD

47 11 23.4 4 36.4 12 Overflows east bank onto first terrace of 

levee.

06354860 9 Spring Creek near 

Herried, SD

30 1 3.3 -- -- -- --

06354882 10 Oak Creek near 

Wakpala, SD

17 2 11.8 0 0 10 At 18.0 feet water reaches the bottom of the 

bridge just northwest of the gage.

06355500 11 North Fork Grand 

River near White Butte, SD

55 14 25.5 1 7.1 12 --

Section A. Information for Gaging Stations 
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06356000 12 South Fork Grand 

River at Buffalo, SD

40 9 22.5 -- -- -- --

06356500 13 South Fork Grand 

River near Cash, SD

32 11 34.4 0 0 12 --

06357500 14 Grand River at 

Shadehill, SD

28 8 28.6 -- -- -- --

06357800 15 Grand River at Little 

Eagle, SD

31 14 45.2 2 14.3 15 Low-lying pasture and hay land along the 

river begins to flood.

06358000 16 Grand River near 

Wakpala, SD

4 1 25.0 -- -- -- --

06358520 17 Deadman Creek 

tributary near Mobridge, SD

25 1 4.0 -- -- -- --

06359000 18 Moreau River at 

Bixby, SD

20 4 20.0 -- -- -- --

06359500 19 Moreau River near 

Faith, SD

58 11 19.0 2 18.2 16 Right bank overflows and lowland flooding 

begins.

06360000 20 Moreau River near 

Eagle Butte, SD

15 4 26.7 0 0 21 --

06360500 21 Moreau River near 

Whitehorse, SD

48 9 18.8 3 33.3 21 Low-lying pasture lands along the river 

begin to flood.

06361000 22 Moreau River at 

Promise, SD

30 4 13.3 -- -- -- --

06392900 23 Beaver Creek at 

Mallo Camp near Four Corners, WY

17 6 35.3 -- -- -- --

06392950 24 Stockade Beaver Creek near 

Newcastle, WY

17 3 17.6 -- -- -- --

10 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06395000 25 Cheyenne River at 

Edgemont, SD

61 8 13.1 0 0 11 At 8.0 feet the left bank begins to overflow. At 13.5 feet flooding begins in the 

Dudley, SD, community.

06400000 26 Hat Creek near 

Edgemont, SD

26 4 15.4 0 0 13 At 9.0 feet the left bank will overflow. At 

10.0 feet the right bank will overflow.

06400497 27 Cascade Springs 

near Hot Springs, SD

8 2 25.0 -- -- -- --

06400875 28 Horsehead Creek at 

Olerichs, SD

18 1 5.6 0 0 17 --

06401500 29 Cheyenne River 

below Angostura Dam, SD

46 4 8.7 0 0 -- --

06402000 30 Fall River at Hot 

Springs, SD

63 1 1.6 0 0 13 At 4.5 feet banks begin to overflow causing 

minor flooding along North River Street. At 16.0 feet there is extensive flooding to buildings along the river.

06402500 31 Beaver Creek near 

Buffalo Gap, SD

63 21 33.3 0 0 6.5 At 6.0 feet the right bank begins to overflow.

06402600 32 Cheyenne River near 

Buffalo Gap, SD

11 1 9.1 -- -- -- --

06403300 33 French Creek above 

Fairburn, SD

20 3 15.0 -- -- -- --

06404000 34 Battle Creek near 

Keystone, SD

30 5 16.7 0 0 6.5 --

06404998 35 Grace Coolidge 

Creek near Game Lodge near Custer, SD

25 8 32.0 3 37.5 9.5 At 10.8 feet cabins along Grace Coolidge 

Creek are threatened.

06405000 36 Grace Coolidge 

Creek near Custer, SD

10 3 30.0 -- -- -- --

Section A. Information for Gaging Stations 11
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06405800 37 Bear Gulch near 

Hayward, SD

13 1 7.7 -- -- -- --

06406000 38 Battle Creek at Hermosa, SD 40 1 2.5 0 0 8 Pasture and farm lands begin flooding.06406500 39 Battle Creek below 

Hermosa, SD

13 2 15.4 0 0 9 --

06406920 40 Spring Creek above 

Sheridan Lake near Keystone, SD

11 3 27.3 -- -- -- --

06408500 41 Spring Creek near 

Hermosa, SD

27 9 33.3 0 0 8 The right bank will begin to overflow.

06408700 42 Rhoads Fork near 

Rochford, SD

18 7 38.9 -- -- -- --

06408860 43 Rapid Creek near 

Rochford, SD

6 2 33.3 -- -- -- --

06409000 44 Castle Creek above 

Deerfield Reservoir near Hill City, SD

53 43 81.1 0 0 6.5 --

06410000 45 Castle Creek below 

Deerfield Dam, SD

18 3 16.7 0 0 -- --

06410500 46 Rapid Creek above 

Pactola Reservoir at Silver City, SD

48 21 43.8 0 0 13 Flooding of roads begins.

06411500 47 Rapid Creek below 

Pactola Dam, SD

39 9 23.1 -- -- -- --

06412000 48 Rapid Creek at Big 

Bend near Rapid City, SD

13 1 7.7 0 0 7 Flooding begins on roads in Dark Canyon.

12 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06412500 49 Rapid Creek above 

Canyon Lake near Rapid City, SD

54 21 38.9 0 0 15 --

06412800 50 Cleghorn Springs 

north channel at Fish Hatchery at Rapid City, SD

1 1 100 -- -- -- --

06413700 51 Rapid Creek above 

water treatment plant at Rapid City, SD

5 1 20.0 -- -- -- --

06414000 52 Rapid Creek at 

Rapid City, SD

30 3 10.0 0 0 11 Parks in Rapid City and low-lying areas in 

Rapid Valley begin flooding.

06416000 53 Rapid Creek below 

Hawthorn Ditch at Rapid City, SD

11 3 27.3 -- -- -- --

06418500 54 Rapid Creek below 

Little Giant Ditch near Rapid City, SD

5 3 60.0 -- -- -- --

06421500 55 Rapid Creek near 

Farmingdale, SD

53 13 24.5 0 0 11 The creek overflows the Farmingdale-Folsom road.

06422500 56 Boxelder Creek near 

Nemo, SD

32 9 28.1 0 0 6 At 6.5 feet the right bank begins overflowing.

06423010 57 Boxelder Creek near 

Rapid City, SD

13 1 7.7 0 0 33.5 Basements begin to flood.

06423500 58 Cheyenne River near 

Wasta, SD

74 14 18.9 1 7.1 14 The right bank begins to overflow and affect 

agricultural land.

06424000 59 Elk Creek near 

Roubaix, SD

18 1 5.6 0 0 11 Water will flood roads near Elk Creek, 

including Forestry Road 151.

06425100 60 Elk Creek near 

Rapid City, SD

21 1 4.8 1 100 9 Banks will begin to overflow.

Section A. Information for Gaging Stations 13
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06425500 61 Elk Creek near Elm 

Springs, SD

35 2 5.7 0 0 12 Flooding of agricultural land begins.

06428500 62 Belle Fourche River 

at Wyoming-South Dakota State line

55 14 25.5 0 0 15 Minor lowland flooding begins.

06429500 63 Cold Springs Creek 

at Buckhorn, WY

8 7 87.5 -- -- -- --

06429905 64 Sand Creek near 

Ranch A near Beulah, WY

16 4 25.0 -- -- -- --

06430500 65 Redwater Creek at 

Wyoming-South Dakota State line

47 16 34.0 0 0 12 Flooding of nearby roads begins.

06430532 66 Crow Creek near 

Beulah, WY

10 4 40.0 -- -- -- --

06430770 67 Spearfish Creek near 

Lead, SD

13 4 30.8 0 0 9 At 11.2 feet banks begin overflowing. At 

11.7 feet water will begin affecting nearby roads, including Highway 14A.

06430800 68 Annie Creek near 

Lead, SD

13 2 15.4 0 0 10 At 9.7 feet the creek overflows its banks and 

runs down a ditch on Highway 14A.

06430898 69 Squaw Creek near 

Spearfish, SD

13 1 7.7 -- -- -- --

06431500 70 Spearfish Creek at 

Spearfish, SD

55 23 41.8 0 0 9 At 9.5 feet the right bank begins 

overflowing.

06432020 71 Spearfish Creek 

below Spearfish, SD

13 2 15.4 -- -- -- --

06433000 72 Redwater River 

above Belle Fourche, SD

55 28 50.9 3 10.7 10 Banks begin overflowing.

14  Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06433500 73 Hay Creek at Belle 

Fourche, SD

43 9 20.9 -- -- -- --

06434500 74 Inlet Canal near 

Belle Fourche, SD

1 1 100 -- -- -- --

06436000 75 Belle Fourche River 

near Fruitdale, SD

52 7 13.5 0 0 12 The right bank is subject to overflow and 

flooding of lowlands begins.

06436156 76 Whitetail Creek at 

Lead, SD

13 3 23.1 -- -- -- --

06436170 77 Whitewood Creek at 

Deadwood, SD

14 3 21.4 -- -- -- --

06436180 78 Whitewood Creek 

above Whitewood, SD

19 14 73.7 0 0 10 At 11.5 feet the left bank will overflow.

06436190 79 Whitewood Creek 

near Whitewood, SD

20 1 5.0 -- -- -- --

06436198 80 Whitewood Creek 

above Vale, SD

19 8 42.1 -- -- -- --

06436500 81 Horse Creek near 

Newell, SD

8 2 25.0 -- -- -- --

06436700 82 Indian Creek near 

Arpan, SD

20 6 30.0 -- -- -- --

06436760 83 Horse Creek above 

Vale, SD

21 1 4.8 0 0 17 At 7.0 feet the right bank begins to overflow.

06436800 84 Horse Creek near 

Vale, SD

19 3 15.8 -- -- -- --

06437000 85 Belle Fourche River 

near Sturgis, SD

56 14 25.0 0 0 15 Flooding of agricultural land begins.

06437200 86 Bear Butte Creek 

near Galena, SD

3 1 33.3 0 0 6.5 Gravel roads near the creek begin flooding.

Section A. Information for Gaging Stations 15
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06437500 87 Bear Butte Creek 

near Sturgis, SD

20 1 5.0 -- -- -- --

06438000 88 Belle Fourche River 

near Elm Springs, SD

73 15 20.5 0 0 15 Flooding of agricultural land begins.

06438500 89 Cheyenne River near 

Plainview, SD

40 8 20.0 1 12.5 16 --

06439000 90 Cherry Creek near 

Plainview, SD

55 4 7.3 1 25.0 17 --

06439300 91 Cheyenne River at 

Cherry Creek, SD

34 3 8.8 -- -- -- --

06439430 92 Cottonwood Creek 

near Cherry Creek, SD

16 2 12.5 -- -- -- --

06439500 93 Cheyenne River near 

Eagle Butte, SD

41 8 19.5 -- -- -- --

06440200 94 South Fork Bad 

River near Cottonwood, SD

13 1 7.7 1 100 12 Flooding of agricultural land begins.

06441000 95 Bad River near 

Midland, SD

35 1 2.9 0 0 21 Flooding of agricultural land begins.

06441500 96 Bad River near Fort 

Pierre, SD

76 12 15.8 4 33.3 21 Bad River Road begins flooding about 7 

miles upstream of the gage.

06442000 97 Medicine Knoll 

Creek near Blunt, SD

43 8 18.6 -- -- -- --

06442500 98 Medicine Creek at 

Kennebec, SD

43 3 7.0 -- -- -- --

06442718 99 Campbell Creek near 

Lee’s Corner, SD

14 2 14.3 0 0 15 Lowland flooding begins.

16 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06442900 100 Elm Creek near 

Gann Valley, SD

11 1 9.1 -- -- -- --

06443000 101 Missouri River at 

Chamberlain, SD

12 3 25.0 0 0 60 American Creek Marina just upstream of the 

gage will begin flooding.

06445685 102 White River near 

Nebraska-South Dakota State line

14 2 14.3 0 0 18 Flooding of agricultural land begins.

06445700 103 White River at Slim 

Butte, SD

17 2 11.8 -- -- -- --

06445980 104 White Clay Creek 

near Oglala, SD

29 10 34.4 -- -- -- --

06446000 105 White River near 

Oglala, SD

58 10 17.2 -- -- -- --

06446100 106 Wounded Knee 

Creek at Wounded Knee, SD

9 1 11.1 -- -- -- --

06446200 107 White River near 

Rockyford, SD

9 2 22.2 -- -- -- --

06446500 108 White River near 

Interior, SD

14 3 21.4 -- -- -- --

06447000 109 White River near 

Kadoka, SD

46 8 17.4 2 25.0 13 Minor lowland flooding begins.

06447230 110 Blackpipe Creek 

near Belvidere, SD

9 1 11.1 1 100 14 At 13.5 feet the left bank will overflow.

06447500 111 Little White River 

near Martin, SD

44 9 20.4 0 0 10 Flooding of agricultural land begins.

06448000 112 Lake Creek above 

Refuge near Tuthill, SD

24 17 70.8 0 0 4.5 Water overflows the culverts.

Section A. Information for Gaging Stations 17
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06449000 113 Lake Creek below 

Refuge near Tuthill, SD

42 11 26.2 -- -- -- --

06449100 114 Little White River 

near Vetal, SD

41 13 31.7 0 0 11 At 9.7 feet the right bank will overflow and 

affect agricultural land. At 11.0 feet the left bank will overflow.

06449250 115 Spring Creek near 

St. Francis, SD

15 1 6.7 -- -- -- --

06449300 116 Little White River 

above Rosebud, SD

18 11 61.1 -- -- -- --

06449400 117 Rosebud Creek at 

Rosebud, SD

23 9 39.1 -- -- -- --

06449500 118 Little White River 

near Rosebud, SD

58 38 65.5 1 2.6 12 At 6.0 feet the left band will overflow into 

the floodplain.

06450000 119 Little White River at 

White River, SD

2 2 100 -- -- -- --

06450500 120 Little White 

River below White River, SD

32 26 81.3 0 0 13 Banks overflow extensively causing agricultural flooding.

06451500 121 Little White River at 

Westover, SD

6 3 50.0 -- -- -- --

06452000 122 White River near 

Oacoma, SD

41 15 36.6 7 46.7 15 Flooding of residences near the White River 

begins.

06452320 123 Platte Creek near 

Platte, SD

13 1 7.7 -- -- -- --

06464000 124 Keya Paha River 

near Hidden Timber, SD

5 1 20.0 -- -- -- --

18  Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06464100 125 Keya Paha River 

near Keyapaha, SD

20 6 30.0 1 16.7 10 At 5.5 feet the right bank will overflow. At 

9.0 feet the left bank will overflow.

06464500 126 Keya Paha River at 

Wewela, SD

46 19 41.3 0 0 11 Begins affecting agricultural land.

06467500 127 Missouri River at 

Yankton, SD

65 23 35.4 18 78.3 20 --

06471000 128 James River at 

Columbia, SD

54 29 53.7 19 65.5 13 Flooding of the lower-lying agricultural 

areas begins.

06471200 129 Maple River at North 

Dakota-South Dakota State line

38 7 18.4 4 57.1 10 --

06471350 130 Maple River at 

Frederick, SD

13 1 7.7 1 100 10 At 10.5 feet the bridge 2 miles north of the 

gage is overtopped.

06471500 131 Elm River at 

Westport, SD

54 9 16.7 2 22.2 14 The county road east of Westport becomes 

impassable.

06471550 132 James River below 

Columbia, SD

6 2 33.3 -- -- -- --

06472000 133 James River near 

Stratford, SD

23 3 13.0 2 66.7 14 Significant amounts of agricultural land 

begin flooding.

06472500 134 Mud Creek near 

Stratford, SD

10 1 10.0 -- -- -- --

06473000 135 James River at 

Ashton, SD

42 18 42.9 9 50.0 13 Flooding begins to affect some cropland 

along with moderate flooding of pasture and low-lying areas.

06473500 136 South Fork Snake 

Creek near Athol, SD

20 3 15.0 -- -- -- --

06473700 137 Snake Creek near 

Ashton, SD

22 2 9.1 -- -- -- --

Section A. Information for Gaging Stations 19
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06473750 138 Wolf Creek near Ree 

Heights, SD

18 7 38.9 -- -- -- --

06474000 139 Turtle Creek near 

Tulare, SD

31 8 25.8 -- -- -- --

06474300 140 Medicine Creek near 

Zell, SD

27 7 25.9 -- -- -- --

06474500 141 Turtle Creek at 

Redfield, SD

10 1 10.0 0 0 7 The water reaches the bottom of the bridge 

on the east side of Redfield. Moderate flooding of agricultural land outside of Redfield begins on the right side of Turtle Creek.

06475000 142 James River near 

Redfield, SD

51 12 23.5 2 16.7 20 Flooding of low-lying agricultural and pasture land begins.

06475850 143 Foster Creek 

tributary near Carpenter, SD

12 1 8.3 -- -- -- --

06476000 144 James River at 

Huron, SD

60 6 10.0 1 16.7 11 Significant amounts of rural areas will experience some flooding.

06476500 145 Sand Creek near 

Alpena, SD

46 7 15.2 -- -- -- --

06477000 146 James River near 

Forestburg, SD

54 7 13.0 3 42.9 12 The left bank flooding begins and some of 

the gravel roads along the river begin to flood.

06477500 147 Firesteel Creek near 

Mitchell, SD

46 6 13.0 5 83.3 8 --

06478000 148 James River near 

Mitchell, SD

9 1 11.1 -- -- -- --

06478052 149 Enemy Creek near 

Mitchell, SD

24 3 12.5 0 0 17 Lower banks overflow.

06478390 150 Wolf Creek near 

Clayton, SD

24 4 16.7 -- -- -- --

20 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06478500 151 James River near 

Scotland, SD

73 9 12.3 1 11.1 13 Significant agricultural flooding begins.

06478513 152 James River near 

Yankton, SD

19 1 5.3 -- -- -- --

06478535 153 East Fork Vermillion 

River near Ramona, SD

9 5 55.6 2 40.0 7.5 The bridge 1 mile north of the gage is 

overtopped. Significant amount of agricultural land is flooded as both banks are overtopped.

06478540 154 Little Vermillion 

River near Salem, SD

31 4 12.9 1 25.0 6 At 8.0 feet the water reaches the bottom of 

the bridge at the gaging location as well as the 2 bridges 2 miles east of the gage.

06478600 155 East Fork Vermillion 

River near Parker, SD

6 2 33.3 1 50.0 12 At 13.0 feet the water reaches the bottom of 

the bridge 1 mile east and 1 mile south of the gage.

06478690 156 West Fork 

Vermillion River near Parker, SD

40 4 10.0 2 50.0 9 Minor flooding of agricultural land begins.

06479000 157 Vermillion River 

near Wakonda, SD

40 16 40.0 9 56.3 14 Minor flooding of low-lying areas begins 

if not leveed, and some agricultural land will flood if the levees fail.

06479010 158 Vermillion River 

near Vermillion, SD

18 1 5.6 0 0 21 The water reaches the bottom of the bridge 

4.5 miles northeast of the gage. Significant agricultural flooding begins and a few farm houses are also affected by high water.

06479215 159 Big Sioux River near 

Florence, SD

18 5 27.8 4 80.0 8 At 8.5 feet the water reaches the bottom of 

the bridge 1 mile east and 1.5 miles north of the gage.

06479438 160 Big Sioux River near 

Watertown, SD

29 9 31.0 0 0 10 Significant amounts of pasture and cropland 

are flooded.

Section A. Information for Gaging Stations 21
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06479450 161 Lake Kampeska 

(inlet/outlet) near Watertown, SD

7 6 85.7 -- -- -- --

06479500 162 Big Sioux River at 

Watertown, SD

30 12 40.0 2 16.7 8 --

06479515 163 Willow Creek near 

Watertown, SD

18 8 44.4 0 0 10 --

06479520 164 Big Sioux River 

below Watertown, SD

7 3 42.9 -- -- -- --

06479525 165 Big Sioux River near 

Castlewood, SD

25 6 24.0 3 50.0 11 Significant amounts of pasture and other 

agricultural lands will be flooded.

06479529 166 Stray Horse Creek 

near Castlewood, SD

17 6 35.3 -- -- -- --

06479640 167 Hidewood Creek 

near Estelline, SD

29 10 34.5 -- -- -- --

06479910 168 Sixmile Creek near 

Brookings, SD

10 4 40.0 -- -- -- --

06479928 169 Battle Creek near 

Nunda, SD

10 3 30.0 -- -- -- --

06479980 170 Medary Creek near 

Brookings, SD

21 6 28.6 -- -- -- --

06480000 171 Big Sioux River near 

Brookings, SD

40 11 27.5 6 54.5 9 Significant amounts of pasture and farm 

lands begin flooding on the left bank of the river.

06480400 172 Spring Creek near 

Flandreau, SD

11 1 9.1 -- -- -- --

06480650 173 Flandreau Creek 

above Flandreau, SD

20 2 10.0 -- -- -- --

22 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Table A1. Information for gaging stations with annual peak stages from backwater conditions, through water year 2001.—Continued

[NWS, National Weather Service; --, not applicable]

Station 

number

Map 

number Station name

Total 

number 

of years 

with a 

peak 

stage1

Number of 

years with 

backwater 

peak stages

Relative 

frequency of 

backwater 

peak stage 

(in percent)

Number of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

Percent of 

backwater 

peak stages 

greater than 

flood stage

NWS 

flood 

stage2

(in feet)

NWS flood stage local effect2

(where available)

06481000 174 Big Sioux River near 

Dell Rapids, SD

40 9 22.5 4 44.4 12 Agricultural lands along the lower banks of 

the river begin to flood.

06481500 175 Skunk Creek at 

Sioux Falls, SD

17 2 11.8 0 0 11.5 Minor flooding of rural pasture land begins 

along with some flooding in the parks and fields in Sioux Falls.

06482000 176 Big Sioux River at 

Sioux Falls, SD

17 6 35.3 -- -- -- --

06482020 177 Big Sioux River 

at North Cliff Avenue at Sioux Falls, SD

31 1 3.2 1 100 16 Rural flooding downstream of Sioux Falls 

begins and the Glenwood Stable begins to flood.

06482100 178 Big Sioux River near 

Brandon, SD

13 1 7.7 -- -- -- --

06482610 179 Split Rock Creek at 

Corson, SD

32 5 15.6 -- -- -- --

06482848 180 Beaver Creek at 

Canton, SD

18 2 11.1 -- -- -- --

06485500 181 Big Sioux River at 

Akron, IA

40 5 12.5 2 40.0 16 Several farm levees are overtopped with 

significant flooding of agricultural lands.

06485696 182 Brule Creek near Elk 

Point, SD

12 2 16.7 -- -- -- --

1Includes years with a peak stage associated with peak flow and/or a peak stage associated with a backwater event.2Information accessed Nov. 25, 2002, at www.crh.noaa.gov/cgi-bin/ahps.cgi

Section A. Information for Gaging Stations 23
Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge

24  Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.

2

7

12

17

22

1943 1948 1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

4

10

8

12

14

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

3

5

7

9

11

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

4

10

8

14

12

16

1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

STAGE, IN FEET

0

5

15

10

25

20

30

1919 1924 1929 1934 1939 1944 1949 1954 1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004

STAGE, IN FEET

2

7

12

17

22

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

05051650 La Belle Creek near Veblen, SD

05289985 Big Coulee Creek near Peever, SD

05290000 Little Minnesota River near Peever, SD

05291000 Whetstone River near Big Stone City, SD

05292704 North Fork Yellow Bank River near Odessa, MN

CALENDAR YEAR

05050000 Bois de Sioux River near White Rock, SD

Note: Date of 1919 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1 

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge 25
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

6

8

12

10

14

16

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

14

10

18

22

1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

4

8

12

10

14

1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

6

3

12

9

18

15

21

1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

10

6

18

14

22

1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

STAGE, IN FEET

2

7

12

17

1908 1913 1918 1923 1928 1933 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

06334500 Little Missouri River at Camp Crook, SD

06354860 Spring Creek near Herried, SD

06354882 Oak Creek near Wakpala, SD

06355500 North Fork Grand River near White Butte, SD

06356000 South Fork Grand River at Buffalo, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

05299700 Cobb Creek near Gary, SD

Note: Date of 1952 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

Note: Date of 1908 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

26 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

2

5

8

11

14

1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

4

3

7

5

6

8

9

1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994

STAGE, IN FEET

2

7

12

17

22

1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

8

7

10

9

11

12

1961 1962 1963 1964 1965

STAGE, IN FEET

2

8

6

4

12

10

14

1956 1961 1966 1971 1976 1981

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

4

12

10

8

14

1953 1955 1957 1959 1961 1963 1965 1967 1969 1971 1973 1975

STAGE, IN FEET

06357500 Grand River at Shadehill, SD

06357800 Grand River at Little Eagle, SD

06358000 Grand River near Wakpala, SD

06358520 Deadman Creek tributary near Mobridge, SD

06359000 Moreau River at Bixby, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06356500 South Fork Grand River near Cash, SD

Note: Date of May 1957 peak flow unknown, assigned to May 1; date of March 1959 peak flow unknown, assigned to March 1; 

date of March 1960 peak flow unknown, assigned to March 1; date of March 1961 peak flow unknown, assigned to May 1; date 

of May 1965 peak flow unknown, assigned to May 1; date of April 1966 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge 27
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

2

10

6

14

22

18

26

1944 1947 1950 1953 1956 1959 1962 1965 1968 1971 1974 1977 1980 1983 1986 1989 1992 1995 1998 2001 2004

STAGE, IN FEET

2

10

6

18

14

22

26

1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959

STAGE, IN FEET

2

10

6

18

14

26

22

30

1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

7

2

17

12

22

27

1929 1934 1939 1944 1949 1954 1959

STAGE, IN FEET

0

4

2

8

6

10

1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

6

7

12

11

10

9

8

13

1975 1977 1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001

STAGE, IN FEET

06360000 Moreau River near Eagle Butte, SD

06360500 Moreau River near Whitehorse, SD

06361000 Moreau River at Promise, SD

06392900 Beaver Creek at Mallo Camp near Four Corners, WY

06392950 Stockade Beaver Creek near Newcastle, WY

CALENDAR YEAR

06359500 Moreau River near Faith, SD

Note: Date of June 1953 peak flow unknown, assigned to June 1

28  Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

2

8

6

4

10

14

12

16

1905 1910 1915 1920 1925 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

STAGE, IN FEET

6

10

8

14

12

16

18

1976 1978 1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

6

8

10

12

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997

STAGE, IN FEET

4

1

10

13

7

16

19

1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

2

7

12

17

1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

0

2

10

8

6

4

14

12

1938 1942 1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06400000 Hat Creek near Edgemont, SD

06400497 Cascade Springs near Hot Springs, SD

06400875 Horsehead Creek at Olerichs, SD

06401500 Cheyenne River below Angostura Dam, SD

06402000 Fall River at Hot Springs, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06395000 Cheyenne River at Edgemont, SD

Note: Date of 1985 backwater event unknown, assigned to March 1

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge 29
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

2

8

6

4

10

12

1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

4

10

8

12

14

1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981

STAGE, IN FEET

0

1

3

2

4

5

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

2

8

10

6

14

12

16

1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

6

8

10

12

14

1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

1

2

5

4

3

6

1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978

STAGE, IN FEET

06402600 Cheyenne River near Buffalo Gap, SD

06403300 French Creek above Fairburn, SD

06404000 Battle Creek near Keystone, SD

06404998 Grace Coolidge Creek near Game Lodge near Custer, SD

06405000 Grace Coolidge Creek near Custer, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06402500 Beaver Creek near Buffalo Gap, SD

Note: Date of 1985 backwater event unknown, assigned to March 1

30 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

8

6

4

10

12

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

7

12

17

22

1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

4

6

8

10

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

2

8

10

6

14

12

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

1

4

7

10

13

1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001

STAGE, IN FEET

1.0

2.5

2.0

1.5

4.0

3.5

3.0

4.5

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06406000 Battle Creek at Hermosa, SD

06406500 Battle Creek below Hermosa, SD

06406920 Spring Creek above Sheridan Lake near Keystone, SD

06408500 Spring Creek near Hermosa, SD

06408700 Rhoads Fork near Rochford, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06405800 Bear Gulch near Hayward, SD

Note: Date of 1985 backwater event unknown, assigned to March 1

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  31
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

5.0

5.5

4.5

4.0

6.0

6.5

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

STAGE, IN FEET

2

3

4

5

6

7

1949 1952 1955 1958 1961 1964 1967 1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

2.0

3.0

2.5

4.0

3.5

5.0

4.5

5.5

1979 1981 1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

6

4

10

8

14

12

1954 1957 1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

5

6

7

8

9

10

1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

0

2

6

4

8

1932 1937 1942 1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06409000 Castle Creek above Deerfield Reservoir near Hill City, SD

06410000 Castle Creek below Deerfield Dam, SD

06410500 Rapid Creek above Pactola Reservoir at Silver City, SD

06411500 Rapid Creek below Pactola Dam, SD

06412000 Rapid Creek at Big Bend near Rapid City, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06408860 Rapid Creek near Rochford, SD

32 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

10

6

2

14

18

1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

0

0.5

1.0

1.5

2.0

1987 1988

STAGE, IN FEET

5

6

7

8

9

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990

STAGE, IN FEET

7

2

12

22

17

1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

7

12

17

1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

3

5

4

6

1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952

STAGE, IN FEET

06412800 Cleghorn Springs North Channel at Fish Hatchery at Rapid City, SD

06413700 Rapid Creek above water treatment plant at Rapid City, SD

06414000 Rapid Creek at Rapid City, SD

06416000 Rapid Creek below Hawthorn Ditch at Rapid City, SD

06418500 Rapid Creek below Little Giant Ditch near Rapid City, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06412500 Rapid Creek above Canyon Lake near Rapid City, SD

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  33
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

6

4

2

10

8

12

1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

0

5

15

10

20

25

1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

30

31

32

33

34

1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998 2000 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

7

2

12

22

17

1915 1920 1925 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

STAGE, IN FEET

6

8

12

10

14

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

4

12

10

8

14

1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

06423010 Boxelder Creek near Rapid City, SD

06423500 Cheyenne River near Wasta, SD

06424000 Elk Creek near Roubaix, SD

06425100 Elk Creek near Rapid City, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06421500 Rapid Creek near Farmingdale, SD

06422500 Boxelder Creek near Nemo, SD

Note: Date of 1911 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

Note: Date of May 1920 peak flow unknown, assigned to May 1; date of 1984 backwater event unknown, assigned to March 1

34  Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

9

7

5

3

15

13

11

17

1967 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

2

12

7

17

1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

3

5

4

7

6

8

1980 1982 1984 1986 1988 1990 1992 1994 1996 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

2

0

4

8

6

1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

5

11

8

14

1955 1959 1963 1967 1971 1975 1979 1983 1987 1991 1995 1999 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

6

7

5

10

9

8

11

1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06428500 Belle Fourche River at Wyoming-South Dakota State line

06429500 Cold Springs Creek at Buckhorn, WY

06429905 Sand Creek near Ranch A near Beulah, WY

06430500 Redwater Creek at Wyoming-South Dakota State line

06430532 Crow Creek near Beulah, WY

CALENDAR YEAR

06425500 Elk Creek near Elm Springs, SD

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  35
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

7

6

9

8

10

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET 

0

8

6

10

4

2

12

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

5

7

6

9

8

10

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

6

4

8

12

10

1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

5

7

6

8

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

0

3

9

6

12

1946 1951 1956 1961 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996 2001

STAGE, IN FEET

06430800 Annie Creek near Lead, SD

06430898 Squaw Creek near Spearfish, SD

06431500 Spearfish Creek at Spearfish, SD

06432020 Spearfish Creek below Spearfish, SD

06433000 Redwater River above Belle Fourche, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06430770 Spearfish Creek near Lead, SD

Note: Date of 1954, 1980, and 1986 backwater events unknown, assigned to March 1

36 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

4

2

10

8

6

12

1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

8

11

10

12

9

13

1994 1995

STAGE, IN FEET

1

4

7

13

10

16

1949 1952 1955 1958 1961 1964 1967 1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

3

2

1

4

7

6

5

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

4

10

8

6

12

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1984 1995 1996

STAGE, IN FEET

0

3

9

6

12

1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

06434500 Inlet Canal near Belle Fourche, SD

06436000 Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, SD

06436156 Whitetail Creek at Lead, SD

06436170 Whitewood Creek at Deadwood, SD

06436180 Whitewood Creek above Whitewood, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06433500 Hay Creek at Belle Fourche, SD

Note: Date of 2001 backwater events unknown, assigned to March 1

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  37
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

1

0

6

5

4

3

2

7

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

1

4

3

5

2

6

1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

2

4

6

8

12

10

14

1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970

STAGE, IN FEET

7

2

12

22

17

1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982

STAGE, IN FEET

3

8

23

18

13

28

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

6

14

12

10

8

16

1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982

STAGE, IN FEET

06436198 Whitewood Creek above Vale, SD

06436500 Horse Creek near Newell, SD

06436700 Indian Creek near Arpan, SD

06436760 Horse Creek above Vale, SD

06436800 Horse Creek near Vale, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06436190 Whitewood Creek near Whitewood, SD

38  Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

2

17

12

7

22

1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

3

5

6

4

7

1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

7

12

17

1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

5

0

10

15

25

20

1927 1932 1937 1942 1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

5

10

20

15

25

1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000 2004

STAGE, IN FEET

5

0

20

15

10

25

1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06437200 Bear Butte Creek near Galena, SD

06437500 Bear Butte Creek near Sturgis, SD

06438000 Belle Fourche River near Elm Springs, SD

06438500 Cheyenne River near Plainview, SD

06439000 Cherry Creek near Plainview, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06437000 Belle Fourche River near Sturgis, SD

Note: Dates of 1990 and 1991 peak flows unknown, assigned to April 1

Note: Date of May 1920 peak flow unknown, assigned to May 1; date of May 1927 peak flow unknown, assigned May 1

Note: Date of May 1920 peak flow unknown, assigned to May 1; date of 1933 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  39
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

5

15

13

11

9

7

17

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995

STAGE, IN FEET

2

8

12

10

6

4

14

1983 1985 1987 1989 1991 1993 1995 1997 1999 2001

STAGE, IN FEET

3

9

6

15

12

18

21

1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944 1948 1952 1956 1960 1964 1968

STAGE, IN FEET

6

11

21

16

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1967 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

7

22

17

12

27

1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

0

10

30

20

40

1905 1910 1915 1920 1925 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

STAGE, IN FEET

06439430 Cottonwood Creek near Cherry Creek, SD

06439500 Cheyenne River near Eagle Butte, SD

06440200 South Fork Bad River near Cottonwood, SD

06441000 Bad River near Midland, SD

06441500 Bad River near Fort Pierre, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06439300 Cheyenne River at Cherry Creek, SD

Note: Date of July 1905 peak flow unknown, assigned to July 1; date of 1915 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1; date of June

1920 peak flow unknown, assigned to June 1; date of April 1927 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

40 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

6

12

10

8

14

1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

0

10

15

5

20

1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

8

4

6

12

10

14

16

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

6

10

8

18

14

12

16

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

STAGE, IN FEET

7

22

17

12

27

1929 1931 1933 1935 1937 1939 1941 1943 1945 1947 1949 1951 1953

STAGE, IN FEET

5

10

15

20

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06442500 Medicine Creek at Kennebec, SD

06442718 Campbell Creek near Lee's Corner, SD

06442900 Elm Creek near Gann Valley, SD

06443000 Missouri River at Chamberlain, SD

06445685 White River near Nebraska-South Dakota State line

CALENDAR YEAR

06442000 Medicine Knoll Creek near Blunt, SD

Note: Date of 1917 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

Note: Date of April 1952 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1; date of 1974 backwater event unknown, assigned to April 1

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  41
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

5

20

15

10

25

1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

6

12

10

14

8

16

1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

5

10

15

20

25

1944 1949 1954 1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2000

STAGE, IN FEET

2

4

10

8

6

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

6

14

12

10

8

16

1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974

STAGE, IN FEET

4

8

6

12

10

14

1912 1916 1920 1924 1928 1932 1936 1940 1944

STAGE, IN FEET

06445980 White Clay Creek near Oglala, SD

06446000 White River near Oglala, SD

06446100 Wounded Knee Creek at Wounded Knee, SD

06446200 White River near Rockyford, SD

06446500 White River near Interior, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06445700 White River at Slim Butte, SD

Note: Date of 1972 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

42 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

6

16

14

12

10

8

18

1955 1958 1961 1964 1967 1970 1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

5

13

11

9

15

7

17

1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

5

8

11

14

1932 1937 1942 1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

1

2

5

4

3

1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

5

4

3

7

1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

2

8

6

4

12

10

14

1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06447230 Blackpipe Creek near Belvidere, SD

06447500 Little White River near Martin, SD

06448000 Lake Creek above Refuge near Tuthill, SD

06449000 Lake Creek below Refuge near Tuthill, SD

06449100 Little White River near Vetal, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06447000 White River near Kadoka, SD

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  43
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

4

7

6

5

8

1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975

STAGE, IN FEET

0

6

4

8

2

10

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000

STAGE, IN FEET

2

4

8

6

10

12

1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999

STAGE, IN FEET

2

8

5

17

14

11

1944 1949 1954 1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004

STAGE, IN FEET

3

8

7

6

5

4

9

1939 1940 1941

STAGE, IN FEET

2

10

8

6

4

14

12

16

1969 1973 1977 1981 1985 1989 1993 1997 2001

STAGE, IN FEET

06449300 Little White River above Rosebud, SD

06449400 Rosebud Creek at Rosebud, SD

06449500 Little White River near Rosebud, SD

06450000 Little White River at White River, SD

06450500 Little White River below White River, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06449250 Spring Creek near St. Francis, SD

44  Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

8

14

12

10

16

1913 1914 1915 1916 1917 1918 1919

STAGE, IN FEET

4

20

16

24

12

8

28

1960 1963 1966 1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

4

10

8

12

14

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

8

6

12

10

1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953

STAGE, IN FEET

3

11

9

7

5

13

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

10

8

6

4

14

12

1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06452000 White River near Oacoma, SD

06452320 Platte Creek near Platte, SD

06464000 Keya Paha River near Hidden Timber, SD

06464100 Keya Paha River near Keyapaha, SD

06464500 Keya Paha River at Wewela, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06451500 Little White River at Westover, SD

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  45
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

12

32

27

22

17

37

1931 1936 1941 1946 1951 1956 1961 1966 1971 1976 1981 1986 1991 1996

STAGE, IN FEET

3

15

12

18

9

6

21

1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

3

9

6

12

15

18

1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

6

9

15

12

1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970

STAGE, IN FEET

4

20

16

12

8

24

1947 1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

12

7

17

1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

STAGE, IN FEET

06471000 James River at Columbia, SD

06471200 Maple River at North Dakota-South Dakota State line

06471350 Maple River at Frederick, SD

06471500 Elm River at Westport, SD

06471550 James River below Columbia, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06467500 Missouri River at Yankton, SD

Note: Date of May 1956 peak flow unknown, assigned to May 1.

46 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

4

7

19

13

16

10

22

1952 1957 1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

5

7

4

3

8

1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978

STAGE, IN FEET

4

16

8

12

20

24

28

1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

6

10

8

20

18

14

12

16

1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973

STAGE, IN FEET

4

20

16

12

8

24

1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

4

8

9

6

5

7

10

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990

STAGE, IN FEET

06472500 Mud Creek near Stratford, SD

06473000 James River at Ashton, SD

06473500 South Fork Snake Creek near Athol, SD

06473700 Snake Creek near Ashton, SD

06473750 Wolf Creek near Ree Heights, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06472000 James River near Stratford, SD

Note: Date of 1958 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1;

date of 1977 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  47
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

2

17

12

7

22

1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

10

8

12

6

4

14

1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990

STAGE, IN FEET

0

10

5

15

20

1964 1968 1972 1976 1980 1984 1988 1992 1996 2000

STAGE, IN FEET

0

10

5

30

35

25

20

15

1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

3.0

5.5

5.0

4.0

4.5

3.5

6.0

1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

8

18

20

12

14

10

16

22

1944 1949 1954 1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004

STAGE, IN FEET

06474300 Medicine Creek near Zell, SD

06474500 Turtle Creek at Redfield, SD

06475000 James River near Redfield, SD

06475850 Foster Creek tributary near Carpenter, SD

06476000 James River at Huron, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06474000 Turtle Creek near Tulare, SD

Note: Date of 1992 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

Note: Date of March 1978 peak flow unknown, assigned to March 1; date of April 1979 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

48  Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

6

14

12

10

8

16

1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

2

14

18

10

6

22

1920 1925 1930 1935 1940 1945 1950 1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

STAGE, IN FEET

0

10

5

15

20

1955 1960 1965 1970 1975 1980 1985 1990 1995 2000 2005

STAGE, IN FEET

4

12

8

24

20

16

1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

4

16

14

10

12

6

8

18

1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

3

15

9

6

12

18

1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06477000 James River near Forestburg, SD

06477500 Firesteel Creek near Mitchell, SD

06478000 James River near Mitchell, SD

06478052 Enemy Creek near Mitchell, SD

06478390 Wolf Creek near Clayton, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06476500 Sand Creek near Alpena, SD

Note: Date of March 1920 peak flow unknown, assigned to March 1; date of March 1992 peak flow unknown, assigned to March 1

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  49
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

2

17

12

7

22

1929 1934 1939 1944 1949 1954 1959 1964 1969 1974 1979 1984 1989 1994 1999 2004

STAGE, IN FEET

2

17

22

12

7

27

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

7

6

5

8

9

1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

3

7

5

13

11

9

1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

5

13

11

7

9

15

1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

0

12

6

2

4

10

8

14

1962 1967 1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06478513 James River near Yankton, SD

06478535 East Fork Vermillion River near Ramona, SD

06478540 Little Vermillion River near Salem, SD

06478600 East Fork Vermillion River near Parker, SD

06478690 West Fork Vermillion River near Parker, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06478500 James River near Scotland, SD

Note: Date of 1968 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1; date of 1975 peak flow

unknown, assigned to April 1; date of 1981 peak flow unknown, assigned to April 1

50 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

4

16

13

10

7

19

1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

7

27

31

23

19

15

11

35

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

6

4

8

10

1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

3

7

5

13

11

9

1973 1976 1979 1982 1985 1988 1991 1994 1997 2000 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

18

26

24

20

22

28

1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001

STAGE, IN FEET

3

11

7

5

9

13

1946 1950 1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06479010 Vermillion River near Vermillion, SD

06479215 Big Sioux River near Florence, SD

06479438 Big Sioux River near Watertown, SD

06479450 Lake Kampeska (inlet/outlet) near Watertown, SD

06479500 Big Sioux River at Watertown, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06479000 Vermillion River near Wakonda, SD

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  51
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

3

11

9

7

5

13

1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

5

13

11

9

7

15

1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

10

8

6

12

14

1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

6

10

8

16

14

12

1969 1970 1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986

STAGE, IN FEET

2

12

10

6

4

8

14

1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2001

STAGE, IN FEET

4

10

9

7

6

5

8

11

1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1976 1977 1978 1979 1980 1981

STAGE, IN FEET

06479520 Big Sioux River below Watertown, SD

06479525 Big Sioux River near Castlewood, SD

06479529 Stray Horse Creek near Castlewood, SD

06479640 Hidewood Creek near Estelline, SD

06479910 Sixmile Creek near Brookings, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06479515 Willow Creek near Watertown, SD

52 Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

6

12

10

8

14

1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

2

12

10

8

6

4

14

1981 1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

0

8

4

12

16

1954 1958 1962 1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

8

12

10

18

16

14

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994

STAGE, IN FEET

4

10

6

8

12

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

2

14

6

10

18

1948 1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

06479980 Medary Creek near Brookings, SD

06480000 Big Sioux River near Brookings, SD

06480400 Spring Creek near Flandreau, SD

06480650 Flandreau Creek above Flandreau, SD

06481000 Big Sioux River near Dell Rapids, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06479928 Battle Creek near Nunda, SD

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  53
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

2

14

10

6

18

1972 1977 1982 1987 1992 1997 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

3

15

12

9

6

18

1944 1945 1946 1947 1948 1949 1950 1951 1952 1953 1954 1955 1956 1957 1958 1959 1960 1961

STAGE, IN FEET

5

20

10

15

25

30

1969 1972 1975 1978 1981 1984 1987 1990 1993 1996 1999 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

4

12

8

28

24

20

16

1960 1961 1962 1963 1964 1965 1966 1967 1968 1969 1970 1971 1972 1973

STAGE, IN FEET

2

14

6

10

18

1966 1970 1974 1978 1982 1986 1990 1994 1998

STAGE, IN FEET

2

14

12

6

4

10

8

16

1982 1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

STAGE, IN FEET

06482000 Big Sioux River at Sioux Falls, SD

06482020 Big Sioux River at North Cliff Avenue at Sioux Falls, SD

06482100 Big Sioux River near Brandon, SD

06482610 Split Rock Creek at Corson, SD

06482848 Beaver Creek at Canton, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06481500 Skunk Creek at Sioux Falls, SD

54  Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota
Figure A1. Plots of annual peak stage and stage at peak discharge.—Continued

4

19

14

9

24

1928 1933 1938 1943 1948 1953 1958 1963 1968 1973 1978 1983 1988 1993 1998 2003

STAGE, IN FEET

5

20

15

10

25

1983 1984 1985 1986 1987 1988 1989 1990 1991 1992 1993 1994 1995

STAGE, IN FEET

06485696 Brule Creek near Elk Point, SD

CALENDAR YEAR

06485500 Big Sioux River at Akron, IA

Stage at annual peak discharge

Annual peak stage caused by backwater

Flood stage

EXPLANATION

Section B. Plots of Annual Peak Stage and Stage at Peak Discharge  55
Manuscript approved for publication, December 19, 2006.

Prepared by the Helena Publishing Service Center.

For more information concerning the research in this report, contact:

 U.S. Geological Survey

 Director, South Dakota Water Science Center

 1608 Mountain View Road

 Rapid City, SD 57702

 http://sd.water.usgs.gov/
Thompson—Peak Stages from Backwater Conditions at Streamflow-Gaging Stations in and near South Dakota—Open-File Report 2006-1395

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