Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United 

States, February through September, 2011

Chapter C of

2011 Floods of the Central United States

Professional Paper 1798–C

U.S. Department of the Interior

U.S. Geological Survey
Front cover. Top photograph: View of flooding from Nebraska City, Nebraska, looking east across the Missouri River, August 2, 2011. 

Photograph by Robert Swanson, U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).

Lower left photograph: U.S. Geological Survey hydrographers inspecting the temporarily raised sensors and data logging 

equipment for the Yazoo River below Steele Bayou near Long Lake, Mississippi during May 2011 (USGS streamgage 07288955). 

Photograph by Jim Alvis, USGS.

Lower right photograph: U.S. Geological Survey hydrographers measure the streamflow on the White River at Clarendon, 

Arkansas (USGS streamgage 070778000) on May 10, 2011. Photograph by Rodney Knight, USGS.

Back cover. U.S. Geological Survey hydrographers make a streamflow measurement on the Mississippi River at Vidalia, Louisiana. In the 

background is the sandbag wall protecting the Riverpark Medical Center, May 21, 2011. Photograph by Robert Holmes, USGS.
Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for 

the Central United States, February through 

September, 2011

By Robert R. Holmes, Jr., Gregg J. Wiche, Todd A. Koenig, and Steven K. Sando

Professional Paper 1798–C

U.S. Department of the Interior

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

SALLY JEWELL, Secretary

U.S. Geological Survey

Suzette M. Kimball, Acting Director

U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Virginia: 2013

For more information on the USGS—the Federal source for science about the Earth, its natural and living 

resources, natural hazards, and the environment, visit http://www.usgs.gov or call 1–888–ASK–USGS.

For an overview of USGS information products, including maps, imagery, and publications, 

visit http://www.usgs.gov/pubprod

To order this and other USGS information products, visit http://store.usgs.gov

Any use of trade, firm, or product names is for descriptive purposes only and does not imply endorsement by the 

U.S. Government.

Although this information product, for the most part, is in the public domain, it also may contain copyrighted materials 

as noted in the text. Permission to reproduce copyrighted items must be secured from the copyright owner.

Suggested citation:

Holmes, R.R., Jr., Wiche, G.J., Koenig, T.A., and Sando, S.K., 2013, Peak streamflows and runoff volumes for the 

Central United States, February through September, 2011: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1798–C, 60 p., 

http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1798c/.
iii

Contents

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

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

Purpose and Scope ..............................................................................................................................1

Chronology of 2011 Flooding ........................................................................................................................4

Peak Streamflows and Stages ....................................................................................................................9

Runoff Volumes ............................................................................................................................................13

Comparisons to Past Floods by Peak Streamflow and Runoff Volume ...............................................16

Summary........................................................................................................................................................22

References Cited..........................................................................................................................................23

Figures

 1. Map showing major river basins of the Central United States along with other 

locations affected by flooding streams from February to September, 2011 .......................2

 2. Map showing streamflow conditions at U.S. Geological Survey streamgages on 

November 15, 2010 ........................................................................................................................4

 3. Graph showing stage hydrographs of selected streamgages on the upper and 

lower Mississippi Rivers, Ohio and lower Mississippi Rivers, and Missouri River 

from February to September 2011 ..............................................................................................6

 4. Map showing locations of selected streamgages in the Central United States 

where flooding took place during the February to September, 2011 .................................10

 5. Map showing major flood peaks during 2011 in the central United States ......................12

 6. Map showing ranks of the 2011 annual runoff for subbasins in the Souris/Red River 

of the North Basins for the 2011 water year ..........................................................................14

 7. Map showing ranks of the 2011 annual runoff for subbasins in the Mississippi River 

Basins for the 2011 water year .................................................................................................15

 8. Graphs showing cumulative runoff for selected streamgages in the Central United 

States for the 2011 water year ..................................................................................................17

 9. Graph showing 2011 flood peaks on the Missouri River in relation to other selected 

floods ............................................................................................................................................18

 10. Graph showing 2011 flood peaks on the Mississippi River in relation to other 

selected floods ............................................................................................................................19

 11. Map showing approximate inundated area in the lower Mississippi River valley 

during the 1927 and 2011 floods ...............................................................................................20

 12. Pie diagrams showing composition by selected upstream subbasins from the 

annual runoff for the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi (USGS streamgage 

07289000) ......................................................................................................................................21

Tables

 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 

2011 floods ...................................................................................................................................26

 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during 

water year 2011 ...........................................................................................................................47
iv

Conversion Factors

Inch/Pound to SI

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) 

Volume

acre-foot (acre-ft) 1,233 cubic meter (m3

)

acre-foot (acre-ft) 0.001233 cubic hectometer (hm3

) 

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).

Water year is the 12-month period from October 1 to September 30 and is designated by the year 

in which it ends. For example, Water Year 2011 would be the 12-month period from October 1, 

2010 to September 30, 2011.
Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central 

United States during the 2011 Floods

By Robert R. Holmes, Jr., Gregg J. Wiche, Todd A. Koenig, and Steven K. Sando

Abstract

During 2011, excessive precipitation resulted in widespread flooding in the Central United States with 33 fatalities 

and approximately $4.2 billion in damages reported in the 

Souris/Red River of the North (Souris/Red) and Mississippi 

River Basins. At different times, beginning in late February 

2011 and extending through September 2011, various rivers in 

these basins had major flooding, with some locations receiving multiple rounds of flooding. Peak streamflow records were 

broken at 105 streamgages in the Souris/Red and Mississippi 

River Basins and annual runoff volume records set at 47 of the 

211 streamgages analyzed for annual runoff. For the period of 

1950 through 2011, the Ohio River provided almost one-half 

of the annual runoff at Vicksburg; the Missouri River contributed less than one-fourth, and the lower Mississippi River 

less than one-fourth. Those relative contribution patterns also 

occurred in 1973 and 2011, with the notable exception of the 

decrease in contribution of the lower Mississippi River tributaries and the increase in contribution from the upper Missouri 

River Basin in 2011 as compared to 1973 and the long-term 

average from 1950 to 2011.

Introduction

Major flooding in parts of the upper Mississippi River, 

Missouri River, Ohio River, middle and lower Mississippi 

River, Red River of the North (Red River), which includes 

the Souris River, in the Central United States (fig. 1) and the 

southern Prairie Provinces of Canada at various times during 

2011, caused 33 fatalities and approximately $4.2 billion (B) 

in damages (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2011a). The flooding began in earnest in February and 

March in parts of the lower Missouri River, middle and lower 

Mississippi River, and Ohio River Basins. Snowmelt flooding began in late March and early April in the Red River and 

upper Mississippi River Basins, followed by successive flooding in the lower Mississippi River, and Missouri River Basins 

(second round) from mid-April through August. The Souris 

River, a part of the Red River of the North Basin, experienced 

a second round of flooding in June 2011. The 2011 floods in 

the Central United States were caused by one or more combinations of the following: saturated soil conditions, higher 

than average streamflow headed into 2011, rapid melting of 

the larger than normal snowpack, excessive precipitation on 

snowpack, or simply excessive precipitation. In some parts 

of the Central United States, precipitation amounts in excess 

of 20 inches in a 2-week period (700- to 1,000-percent above 

normal) were observed (National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 2012a) following snowpack greater than 

150 percent of normal in parts of the northern U.S. Rocky 

Mountains (Rockies) (National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration, 2012b). During the 2011 flooding, the 

U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) made more than 2,300 direct 

measurements of streamflow at USGS streamgages and other 

strategic river locations to enable documentation of peak 

streamflows, stages, and runoff volumes at locations throughout the Central United States.

Purpose and Scope

Throughout the United States, the USGS operates a 

network of more than 7,800 streamgages, providing data that 

are vital to human, economic, and environmental welfare. 

As the principal federal agency charged with the mission of 

documenting the water resources of the United States and 

assisting with understanding of natural hazards, it is important 

to document floods, particularly those of epic proportions. 

USGS streamflow data, some existing back to the late 1800s, 

are important to place context to magnitudes of the 2011 

floods. This report documents the peak streamflow and runoff 

volumes at selected locations in the Central United States during 2011. 

Mississippi River levee along the Louisiana State University campus in Baton Rouge, Louisiana on May 21, 2011.

Photograph by Zach Martin, USGS.
MONTANA

IOWA

WYOMING

KANSAS

COLORADO

OHIO

MISSOURI

NEBRASKA

OKLAHOMA

SOUTH DAKOTA

MINNESOTA

ILLINOIS

WISCONSIN

ARKANSAS

INDIANA

LOUISIANA

MICHIGAN

NORTH DAKOTA

MISSISSIPPI

KENTUCKY

PENNSYLVAN

NE

YO

WEST

VIRGINIA

VIRGINIA

NORTH

CAROLINA

ALABAMA

GEORGIA

SOUTH

CAROLINA

IDAHO

UTAH

ARIZONA

NEW MEXICO

TEXAS

TENNESSEE

Red

Ohio

River

River

River

River

Souris

Ennis LakeEnnis Lake

Truman

Reservoir

Wappapello

Reservoir

SUPERIOR

LAKE

LAKE ERIE

LAKEONTARIO

Lake

 Sakakawea

Fort PeckReservoir

GULF

OF

MEXICO

Jefferson River

Madison River

Gallatin River

River

Missouri

YellowstoneYellowstone

River Musselshell River

Sun

River

Red Lake River

Red River of the  North

Long Creek

River

River

Missouri

North

Platte

Sheyenne River

Mississippi

Wisconsin River

River

River

LAKE MICHIGAN

Illinois

River

River

Scioto

River

St. Francis

Arkansas

River

White

River

Tennessee Tennesse

C

e

anadian

Allegheny

Mountains

Rocky

Mountains

Lake Pontchartrain

Great Plains

River

Osage

Kansas River

Mississippi

River

CumberlandCumberland

River

0 200 400 600 MILES

0 200 400 600 KILOMETERS

Base from Esri digital data, 2000, 1:3,000,000

Albers Equal-Area Conic projection

Standard parallels 20°N and 60°N, central meridian 96°W

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)

UNITED STATES

MEXICO

CANADA

100° 90°

80°

120°

110°

40°

30°

Arkansas City

Baton Rouge

New Orleans

Belle Chasse

Cairo

Columbus

Vaughn

Fort Benton

Mosby

Logan

Landusky

McAllister

Three Forks

Minot

Bismarck

Westhope

Grand Forks

Sherwood

Noonan

Grand Rapids

Helena

Hermann

Memphis

Metropolis

SiouxCity

Saint Louis

Saint Joseph

SaintPaul

Thebes

Vicksburg

Kansas

City

Thompson

LAKE HURON

Wate

INSET A

INSET B

Figure 1.

Major river basins of the Central United States along with other locations affected by flooding streams from February to September, 2011.
Figure 1. Major river basins of the Central United States along with other locations affected by flooding streams from February to September, 2011.—

Cairo

Thebes

89°30' 89°

37°

36°30'

0 10 20 MILES

0 10 20 KILOMETERS

Cape

Girardeau

Paducah

24

55

57

Metropolis

New Madrid

Commerce

Base from Esri and U.S. Geological Survey digitaldata, 2013, various scalesAlbers Equal-Area Conic projectionStandard parallels 29°30’N and 45°30’N, central meridian 90°W

Levees and floodway from U.S. Army Corps of

Engineers, National Levee Database, 2007

Birds

Point

Commerce to Birds Point levee

New Madrid floodway

MISSOURI

KENTUCKY

ILLINOIS

TENNESSEE

Mississippi

River

Ohio

River

River

Mississippi

EXPLANATION

Levee centerline

INSET A

Fulton County levees

Base from Esri and U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 2013, various scalesAlbers Equal-Area Conic projectionStandard parallels 29°30’N and 45°30’N, central meridian 90°W

92° 91° 

31°30°29°

0 30 60 MILES0 30 60 KILOMETERS

49

10

55

12

GULF OF MEXICO

Lafayette

Baton Rouge

River

Mississippi

MI

LO

River

Red

A

tch

afa

l

ay

a

River

P

10

Bonnet Carré

Spillway

Morganza

Floodway

Old River control 

structure

Be

INSET B
4 Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011

Chronology of 2011 Flooding

The effects of the La Niña climate pattern (Vining and 

others, 2013) on the late summer and fall 2010 precipitation 

across the Northern Plains and upper Midwest left the soils 

saturated (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

2011a) and many rivers and streams flowing at above-normal 

levels (fig. 2) going into the winter freeze up. By late winter 

2010–2011, the below-normal temperatures and above-normal 

precipitation resulted in a large snowpack (National Oceanic 

and Atmospheric Administration, 2011b). Depending on the 

river basin in the Central United States, the dominant causes 

of flooding were excessive rainfall, rapidly melting snowpack, 

or both. Many river basins had more than one round of flooding in 2011. 

The first episodes of flooding during 2011 in the Central 

United States began in late February and early March in parts 

of the lower Missouri, middle and lower Mississippi, and Ohio 

River Basins, all stemming from excessive rainfall. Numerous 

streamgages had stages above flood stage after widespread 

rain of as much as 6 inches fell between February 20 and 

March 1 in parts of these basins (National Weather Service, 

2012). The cumulative effect of this first round of flooding is 

illustrated by selected stage hydrographs for the main-stem 

upper and lower Mississippi, Ohio, and Missouri Rivers near 

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 2006, 1:2,000,000

Universal Transverse Mercator projection, Zone 15

From U.S. Geological Survey WaterWatch, accessed 

April 9, 2012 (http://waterwatch.usgs.gov/?id=pamap)

0 200 400 600 MILES

0 200 400 600 KILOMETERS

EXPLANATION

0–24, below normal

Less than 10, much below normal

Low

Streamflow conditions, in percentile classes 

High

Greater than 90, much above normal

76–90, above normal

25–75, normal

90° 80°

70°

110°

100°

120°

40°

30°

Figure 2. Streamflow conditions at U.S. Geological Survey streamgages on November 15, 2010 (U.S. Geological Survey, 2012a).
Chronology of 2011 Flooding 5

the end of February and the beginning of March (fig. 3). The 

February/March round of flooding was the first of three flood 

waves to move through the reach of the Mississippi River 

downstream from St. Louis (fig. 3A). As flood waves move 

downstream, they often attenuate, with a general broadening 

and elongation of the flood hydrograph. Evidence of attenuation is particularly evident in the April–June flooding on the 

Mississippi River (fig. 3A). 

Rising temperatures in March in the upper Midwest and 

Northern Plains were accompanied by additional rainfall. 

Rivers in the northern reaches of the upper Mississippi River 

Basin and Red River of the North Basin began to flood in 

mid-March and into April. The low gradient of the Red River 

of the North and its tributary streams resulted in flooding of 

long duration compared to similarly sized river basins elsewhere in the United States. During the 2011 flood, the Red 

River at Grand Forks, N. Dak. (USGS streamgage 05082500) 

was above flood stage for 52 days, cresting on April 14 

(table 1, at the back of the report) and not falling below flood 

stage until May 20, 2011. Some initial flooding during March 

and April in the Souris River Basin in Canada and the United 

States lacked the severity that would come later in the summer of 2011. The upper Mississippi River tributaries in the 

northern part of the basin crested in late March and early 

April, sending a second flood pulse down the upper Mississippi River (fig. 3A). Downstream tributaries to the upper Mississippi River, particularly the Illinois and Missouri Rivers, 

contributed large streamflows that were the result of the 6 to 

15 inches of rainfall that fell over parts of the upper Mississippi Basin during the month of April (Vining and others, 

2013). 

The Missouri River upstream from Sioux City, Iowa is 

regulated by a series of six large multiuse main-stem dams 

constructed between 1933 and 1963 to “be operated for the 

purposes of flood control, navigation, irrigation, power, water 

supply, water quality control, recreation, and fish and wildlife” (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2006). The total system 

storage for the six main-stem reservoirs operated by the U.S. 

Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) is 73.1 million acre-feet 

(MAF) (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012a). The mainstem reservoirs were drawn down to a total system storage of 

56.8 MAF (which is the base of the annual flood control pool; 

as a result all 2010 floodwaters had been evacuated (Kevin 

Grode, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, written commun., 

Nov. 19, 2012) by January 28, 2011, to provide approximately 

16.3 MAF of flood control storage (U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, 2012b). The plains snowpack in the upper Missouri 

River Basin started to melt in mid-February and by April 1, 

2011, total available flood control storage decreased to about 

7.6 MAF (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012b). During the 

May rainfall, and on through July, much of the remaining storage in the six main-stem reservoirs on the Missouri River was 

used in an attempt to decrease flood elevations on the Missouri 

River (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012c). Although the 

Missouri River reservoirs are not operated to reduce flooding 

on the Mississippi River, by reducing flooding on the Missouri 

River, this typically has a secondary effect of reducing the 

flooding (even though slight) on the Mississippi River. Other 

flood control reservoirs in the Missouri and Mississippi River 

Basins, such as the Harry S. Truman Reservoir in central Missouri (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012b) and Wappapello 

Reservoir in southeast Missouri (Camillo, 2012, p. 70 and 

p. 105) held flood water back that decreased the peak streamflows downstream on the Mississippi River. 

The Ohio River Basin, particularly the lower end of the 

Ohio River Basin, received as much as 15 to 20 inches of rainfall during April (Vining and others, 2013), sending a second 

flood pulse down the main stem of the Ohio River (fig. 3B). 

Flood control reservoirs in the Tennessee and Cumberland 

River Basins (tributaries to the Ohio River) were used, when 

many of these reservoirs were already at record or near record 

levels, in an attempt to hold back as much water as possible 

from the Ohio River in an effort to decrease the flood crest in 

the area of the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi Rivers (Camillo, 2012, p. 63–70, p. 98). The second flood crest 

of the season of the Ohio River arrived at the confluence with 

the Mississippi River at Cairo, Ill. (confluence area) just as 

the second upper Mississippi River flood pulse was cresting 

at Thebes, Ill. (USGS Streamgage 07022000) in late April 

(figs. 3A and 3B). These two flood crests proceeding down 

the respective rivers also were coincident with a large multiday rainfall event from April 24 to May 3 (National Weather 

Service, 2012) centered over the confluence area, extending 

in area for hundreds of miles, and producing almost daily 

rainfalls (except April 29 and April 30) in excess of 3 inches in 

parts of the confluence area. 

As the flood waves combined and flowed into the 

lower Mississippi River, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

(USACE) activated the New Madrid Floodway (NMFW) 

at 10 p.m. local time on May 2 for only the second time in 

history (Camillo, 2012, p. 116–118). NMFW was activated 

to lessen water levels upstream on the flood wall at Cairo, 

Ill. and the Commerce-Birds Point levee, along with the 

Fulton County levees paralleling the NMFW across the river 

in Kentucky (Camillo, 2012, p. 33, p. 71, p. 76). The flood 

crest moved down the lower Mississippi River enhanced by 

floodwaters from the St. Francis, White, and Arkansas Rivers 

in Arkansas. The crest arrived at Memphis, Tenn. (USACE 

streamgage 07032000) on May 9 and 10, and at Arkansas City, 

Ark. (USACE streamgage 07265450), and Vicksburg, Miss. 

(USGS streamgage 07289000) on May 17. Because of complicated hydraulics of large river systems, such as the Mississippi 

River, the streamflow can peak before the stage crest, by as 

much as a day or more, and often can peak along a large reach 

(on the order of a 100 miles) of the river in the same day, as 

was the case on the lower Mississippi River during the 2011 

flood. 

Flooding in the lower Mississippi River Basin below 

Arkansas City, Ark. was virtually nonexistent during much of 

2011 outside of what was occurring on the main-stem Mississippi and Atchafalaya Rivers and small stream flooding 

in the State of Mississippi from early spring thunderstorms. 
Wickliffe*, Kentucky (952 miles)

Memphis*, Tennessee (734 miles)

Helena*, Arkansas (663 miles)

Arkansas City*, Arkansas (554 miles)

Vicksburg, Mississippi (436 miles)

Baton Rouge, Louisiana (228 miles)

Belle Chasse, Louisiana (76 miles)

NWS flood stage

not defined

NWS

flood stage

not defined

St. Paul*, Minnesota (1,799 miles)

McGregor, Iowa (1,592 miles)

Clinton, Iowa (1,475 miles)

Keokuk*, Iowa (1,323 miles)

Grafton, Illinois (1,177 miles)

St. Louis, Missouri (1,138 miles)

Thebes, Illinois (1,003 miles)

Missouri River confluence 

(no graph, 1,156 miles)

5 feet

February March April May June July August September

2011

Streamgages (river miles above Gulf of 

Mexico). *Indicates data from U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers. All other data from 

U.S. Geological Survey.

Lower Mississippi River (below the confluence with the Ohio River)

Upper Mississippi River (above the confluence with the Ohio River)

Streamgages—Numbers above line indicate gage height, in feet, at each 

streamgage. Bold line segments indicate gage heights exceeding National 

Weather Service (NWS) flood stage, if defined for that streamgage

EXPLANATION

A

10

10 10

10

10

10

10 10

15

15 15

15 15

15 15

15

15

15

15

20

20

20 20

20

20

20

20

25

25

25 25

25

25

25

25 25

30 30

30

30

30

30

30

30

35

35

45

55

45

45

45

35

35

35

35 35 35

35

35

40 10

10

15

15

20 20

20

5 5

25 25

25

30 30 30

35 35

35

45 45 45 45

45 45

40 40 40

40 40

60

50 50 50

55 55 55

55

50

50

50

50 50

40

40 40

40

40

30

40

5

15

20

10

20 20

20 20

20

20

20

10

10

10

10

10

5

5

25

25

25 25

25 25

10

10

10

30 30 30

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

15

35 35 35

45

20 20

25

30 30

40 40

10

15

5

5

20

15

6 Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011

Figure 3. Stage hydrographs of 

selected streamgages on the A, upper and lower Mississippi Rivers

(U.S. Geological Survey, 2011; Mark Richter, U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, Memphis District, written commun., May 29, 2012; Thomas 

Nock, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Rock Island District, written 

commun., May 30, 2012).
B

February March April May June July August September

2011

Wickliffe*, Kentucky (952 miles)

Memphis*, Tennessee (734 miles)

Helena*, Arkansas (663 miles)

Arkansas City*, Arkansas (554 miles)

Vicksburg, Mississippi (436 miles)

Baton Rouge, Louisiana (228 miles)

Belle Chasse, Louisiana (76 miles)

Pittsburgh*, Pennsylvania (1,935 miles)

Huntington*, West Virginia (1,624 miles)

Cincinnati*, Ohio (1,465 miles)

Louisville, Kentucky (1,328 miles)

Evansville*, Indiana (1,143 miles)

Metropolis, Illinois (991 miles)

Cairo*, IIllinois (955 miles)

Streamgages (river miles above Gulf of 

Mexico). *Indicates data from U.S. Army 

Corps of Engineers. All other data from 

U.S. Geological Survey.

10

10 10

10

10

10

10 10

15

15 15

15 15

15 15

15

15

15

15

20

20

20 20

20

20

20

20

25

25

25 25

25

25

25

25 25

30 30

30

30

30

30

30

30

35

35

45

55

45

45

45

35

35

35

35 35 35

35

35

40 10

10

15

15

20 20

20

5 5

25 25

25

30 30 30

35 35

35

45 45 45 45

45 45

40 40 40

40 40

60

50 50 50

55 55 55

55

50

50

50

50 50

40

40 40

40

40

30

40

15

15

15

20 10

20 20

20

20 20 20

20 20 20

25

25

25

25 25 25

25 25 25 25

25

30 30 30

30

30

30 30

30 30

30

30

30 30

30

35

35

35

35

35 35

35 35

35

35

35

35 35

35 35 35

35

45 45

45

45

45

40

40

40

40

40

40 40

45

45 45

45 45 45

45

40 40

40 40

40 40

60

60

50

50

50

50

50

50

50 50 50

55 55

55

55

55

55

20 20

25

25

25

30 30

45

40 40

40

60

50 50

55

NWS

flood stage

not defined

NWS flood stage

not defined

5 feet

EXPLANATION

Streamgages—Numbers above line indicate gage height, in feet, at each 

streamgage. Bold line segments indicate gage heights exceeding National 

Weather Service (NWS) flood stage, if defined for that streamgage

Lower Mississippi River (below the confluence with the Ohio River)

Ohio River 15

35

Chronology of 2011 Flooding 7

Figure 3. Stage hydrographs of 

selected streamgages on the B, Ohio and lower Mississippi Rivers 

(U.S. Geological Survey, 2011; Robert Moyer, U.S. Army Corps of 

Engineers, Ohio River Division, written commun., July 26, 2012; Mark 

Richter, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Memphis District, written 

commun., May 29, 2012).—Continued
8 Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011

C

10

10

10

10

10 10

10 10

15

15

15 15

15

20

25

25 25

30

30 30

35

35

15 15

20

25

15

20

20 20

20

20

20

20

20

25 25

30

30

15 15

15 25 25

30

15 15

20

25

5 5

NWS flood stage not defined

Great Falls, Montana (2,105 miles)

Culbertson, Montana (1,621 miles)

Bismarck, North Dakota (1,315 miles)

Sioux City, Iowa (732 miles)

Omaha, Nebraska (616 miles)

Rulo, Nebraska (498 miles)

St.Joseph, Missouri (448 miles)

Kansas City, Missouri (366 miles)

Hermann, Missouri (97.9 miles)

February March April May June July August September

2011

Streamgages (river miles above outlet)

All data from U.S. Geological Survey.

EXPLANATION

Streamgages on the Missouri River—Numbers above line indicate gage height, in feet, at each streamgage. 

Bolder line segments indicate gage heights that exceed National Weather Service (NWS) flood stage

5

5 feet

Figure 3. Stage hydrographs of selected streamgages on the C, Missouri River from February to September 2011 (U.S. Geological Survey).—

Continued
Peak Streamflows and Stages 9

Streamflow was much below normal in many of the tributary 

rivers in the southern extent of the lower Mississippi River 

Basin (U.S. Geological Survey, 2012b). 

Approximately 119 miles downstream from Vicksburg, 

Miss., the flow of the Mississippi River is partially diverted 

into the Atchafalaya River at all times of the year through the 

Old River Control Structure (Old River), with the purpose of 

maintaining the distribution of the upstream flow at 70 percent continuing down the Mississippi River and 30 percent 

diverted into the Atchafalaya (Camillo, 2012, p. 13). During 

the 2011 flood, a maximum value of 671,000 cubic feet per 

second (ft3/s) was diverted through the Old River and into the 

Atchafalaya River at the peak of the flood (Camillo, 2012, 

p. 278). Downstream of Old River, the USACE activated the 

Morganza Floodway (Morganza) for only the second time 

since it was completed in 1954 to bypass additional flow into 

the Atchafalaya River from the Mississippi River to prevent 

flooding downstream at Baton Rouge, La. and farther downstream. A maximum of 195,000 ft3

/s was diverted through 

Morganza during the height of the flooding (Paul Ensminger, 

USGS Louisiana Water Science Center, written commun., 

Sept. 18, 2012). Finally, to protect New Orleans, La. and other 

locations, the Bonnet Carré Spillway (Bonnet Carré) was 

activated to bypass water from the Mississippi River into Lake 

Pontchartrain, with a maximum diversion of 314,000 ft3

/s on 

May 19, 2011 (Paul Ensminger, USGS Louisiana Water Science Center, written commun., Sept. 14, 2012). The 2011 flood 

was the first time that NMFW, Morganza, and Bonnet Carré 

floodways were operated simultaneously. 

With the diversions of water at Old River, Morganza, 

and Bonnet Carré, the peak streamflow of the Mississippi 

River was decreased by almost 1 million ft3

/s from Vicksburg, 

Mississippi (USGS streamgage 07289000) to Belle Chasse, 

La. (USGS streamgage 07374525), before emptying in the 

Gulf of Mexico, with the difference flowing to the Gulf of 

Mexico either by way of the Atchafalaya River system or 

Lake Pontchartrain. Given the unusual hydraulics of the lower 

Mississippi River below Vicksburg, induced by the various 

flow diversion control structures (Old River, Morganza, and 

Bonnet Carré), the Mississippi River at Belle Chasse crested 

on May 17, concurrent with the crest at Vicksburg, and a day 

earlier than the crest upstream at Baton Rouge, Louisiana 

(USGS streamgage 07374000). 

While the lower Mississippi River was cresting and 

beginning to recede in mid- to late-May, the combination 

of widespread snowmelt and prolonged, heavy rainfall in 

the Rockies and Great Plains was producing major flooding on the upper Missouri River. May 2011 saw as much as 

15 to 20 inches of rain in parts of the Missouri River basin 

(National Weather Service, 2012). Rainfall totals during 

late May and early June in parts of Montana approached or 

exceeded average annual rainfall of about 15 to 20 inches 

(National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012b). 

The previously available flood control storage of the Missouri 

River main-stem reservoirs was substantially diminished from 

the floodwaters in April and early May. The ensuing rainfall 

in late May and June, in addition to the snowmelt, resulted 

in 98 percent of the flood control storage in the main-stem 

reservoir being used at the peak amount of storage of flood 

water on July 1, 2011 (U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012c). 

Hydrographs for many of the Missouri River streamgages 

(fig. 3C) are prolonged and drawn out, particularly on the 

downstream extent of the Missouri River, because of various 

factors including prolonged snowmelt, prolonged rainfall, and 

attenuation of the flood waves attributable to main-stem and 

tributary reservoirs. 

The same meteorological patterns affecting the Missouri River Basin in May and June also affected the Souris 

River Basin with a second round of flooding, this time much 

larger than the first major flood in April. Snowmelt in March, 

causing rivers and reservoirs to be full, combined with heavy 

May and June rainfall, resulted in a record flood crest progressing down the Souris River, peaking upstream of Minot 

(USGS streamgage 05117500 ) and Westhope, N. Dak. (USGS 

streamgage 05124000) on June 25 and July 5, respectively. 

As is the case in the Red River of the North, the Souris Basin 

is low gradient and as such the flooding was prolonged. 

An example of the long flood duration is demonstrated by 

the Souris River at Minot, which was above flood stage for 

131 days during this time. 

Peak Streamflows and Stages

Peak streamflow and stage during the 2011 floods for 

369 streamgages in the Upper Mississippi, Arkansas-RedWhite, Ohio, Missouri, lower Mississippi, and Red-Souris 

River Basins are listed in table 1 (at the back of this report), 

with their locations shown in figure 4. The streamgages 

included in table 1 were chosen either because the 2011 peak 

streamflow for that site had an annual exceedance probability estimated to be less than 10 percent or were included to 

allow comparison with past major floods. The annual exceedance probability for the peak streamflows is documented in 

a separate chapter of this Professional Paper (Jerad Bales, 

USGS Water Missin Area, written commun., Nov. 2, 2011).

The rank for the 2011 streamflow peak at selected 

streamgages for the period of record are presented in table 1; 

105 streamgages had peaks of record for streamflow. Because 

of engineering controls and manmade changes to the river 

and associated hydraulic controls, some locations that did not 

have record streamflow did experience record stage. Similarly, 

some streamgages experienced record streamflow but not 

record stage. Streamgages that had flood peak streamflows that 

were either peak of record, one of the top five peaks for that 

site, or had stages that were above National Weather Service 

(NWS) flood stage for the central United States are shown in 

figure 5.
10

9

8 7

6

5

4 3

2

1

99

98 97

96

95

94

93

92

91 90

89 88

87

86

85

84

83

82

81

80 79

75 78

77

76 74

73

72 70 71 69 67

61

66 65

63

62

64

60

59

58

57

56

55

53

54

52

51

50

48

47 46 45 44

43 42 41 40 39 38 37

32

35

36

33 30

31

27

28 29

24 21

22

26 25 23

20

19 18

17

15

14

12 11

497

496

495 494

493

492

490 491

489

488

487

479

486

485 484

481

480

474

475

471

473 472 470

468

467

466 465

464

463

462

461

460

459 458

457

451

455

453 444

456

449

450 441

443

442

448 440

439 438

437

436

435 446

429 428

424

423

422

420

417 416

415

414

413

408 

406 

405 404

403

402

401

400

394

396

395 393

392

391

390

389 388

386 387

385 3

382

3

37

346

345

344 343

342

341 340

339 338 337

336

335

334

333

332

331

330 329

328

315 326 327

325

324

323

322

321

320

319

318

316

313 314

312

311

310

309

308

307

306

305

304

301

300

299

297 296

293

292

289

288

287

286

283 284 285 282 281

280

279

276 275

274

273

272

270

269

268

267

266

265

264

261

260

259

258

257

255 256

253

254

251

250

249

248 247

243 242

238

237 236

234

233

232 231 230

229

227

228

226

224

221

219

218

217

214

213

212

211 210 209

208

205207

204

203

202

201

200

198 199 197

192

190

189

188

160

178

185

182 181

179

177

174

175 187

172

153

171

168

164,165

162

156

159

154

151

150

147

149

148

143

146

145 144

140

142

141 139

138

137

136

135

134 133

132

131 130 129

128

127 126

125

124

123

122

120

121

119

118

117

116

115

114

113

111 112

110

109

106 108 103

107 104

105

102 101

100

183

184 180

176

170

169

167 161 157

158

152

215

173

186

191

193

155 166

216

163 222 239 240

235

225 223

194

196 195

206

245

244 246

241

252

262

263

271

277

278

49

317

13

16 291

290

295

294

298

302

303

478 477

476

469

482

483

34

68

430

445 431432

433

447

452 434

454

398 397

399 383

426

419

421

425

427

220

418

GULF O

L

SUPER

AKE

IOR

LAKE

MICHIGAN

Red River

 of the 

 North

River

River

Missouri

Mississippi

Great Salt Lake

Ohio

0 200 400 600 MILES

0 200 400 600 KILOMETERS

Base from Esri digital data, 2000, 1:3,000,000

Albers Equal-Area Conic projection

Standard parallels 20°N and 60°N, central meridian 96°W

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)

UNITED STATES

110°

100° 90°

120°

40°

MEXICO

10 Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011

Figure 4. Locations of selected streamgages in the Central United States where flooding took place during the February to September, 

2011.
10

9

8 

6

5

4 3

2

1

99

98 97

96

95

94

93

92

91 90

89 88

87

86

85

84

83

82

81

80 79

75 78

77

76 74

73

72 70 71 69 67

61

66 65

63

62

64

60

59

58

57

45 

42 

1 

39 

37

32

35

36

31

27

28 29

21

2

25 

497

496

495 494

493

492

490 491

489

488

487

479

486

485 484

481

480

474

475

471

473 472 470

468

467

466 

65

464

461

451

455

453 444

456

449

450 441

443

442

448 440

439 438

437

436

435 446

429 428

424

423

422

420

417 416

415

414

413

412

411

410

408 409

406 407

405 404

403

402

401

400

394

396

395 393

392

391

390

389 388

386 387

385 384

382

381

380

379

378

377 376

374

372

371

370

369 368

367

366

363

362

361 360

359

358

357 355

354

353 352

351

350

348

347

346

345

344 343

342

341 340

339 338 

336

334

333

332

331

330 329

328

315 

327

25

313 314

312

311

310

309

308

307

5

147

149

148

143

146

145 144

140

142

141 139

138

137

136

135

134 133

132

131 130 129

128

127 126

125 124

123

122

120

121

119

118

117

116

115

114

113

111 112

110

109

106 108 103

107 104

105

102 101

100

478 477

476

469

482

483

34

68

430

445 431432

433

447

452 434

454

349

356

364

365

375

398 397

399 383

373

426

419

421

425

427

418

A

TLANTIC

OCEAN

GULF OF MEXICO

SUPERIOR

LAKE

LAKE ERIE

LAKE ONTARIO

LAKE

MICHIGAN

LAKE

HURON

Red River

 of the 

 North

River

Mississippi

River

Ohio

90°

80°

70°

Watershed boundaries from Watermolen, 2005

40°

30°

CANADA

EXPLANATION

Mississippi River Basin

Ohio River subbasin

Upper Mississippi River subbasin

Lower Mississippi River subbasin

Missouri River subbasin

Red River of the North Basin

Streamgage and site number 

(table 1)

347

Peak Streamflows and Stages 11

Figure 4. Locations of selected streamgages in the Central United States where flooding took place during the February to September, 

2011.—Continued
MONTANA

IOWA

WYOMING

KANSAS

COLORADO

OHIO

MISSOURI

NEBRASKA

OKLAHOMA

SOUTH DAKOTA

TENNESSEE

MINNESOTA

ILLINOIS

WISCONSIN

ARKANSAS

INDIANA

LOUISIANA

MICHIGAN

NORTH

DAKOTA

MISSISSIPPI

KENTUCKY

PENNSYLVANIA

VIRGINIA

WEST

VIRGINIA

NORTH

CAROLINA

ALABAMA

GEORGIA

 SOUTH

CAROLINA

NEW MEXICO

TEXAS

Red

River

River

River

Souris

Kentucky Lake

SUPERIOR

LAKE

LAKE ERIE

LAKEONTARIO

GULF

OF

MEXICO

Jefferson River

Madison River

Gallatin River

River

YellowstoneYellowstone

River

Sun

River

Red Lake River

Red River of the  North

Long Creek

River

River

North

Platte

Wisconsin River

LAKE MICHIGAN

River

River

Canadian

Lake Pontchartrain

River

Osage

River

MississippiMississippi

River

LAKE HURON

Missouri

Missouri

Kansas

Arkansas

Illinois River

SciotoRiver

Ohio River

Tennessee

0 200 400 600 MILES

0 200 400 600 KILOMETERS

Base from Esri digital data, 2000, 1:3,000,000

Albers Equal-Area Conic projection

Standard parallels 20°N and 60°N, central meridian 96°W

North American Datum of 1983 (NAD 83)

100° 90°

80°

120°

110°

40°

30°

Wate

UNITED STATES

MEXICO

CANADA

Figure 5.

Major flood peaks during 2011 in the central United States.
Runoff Volumes 13

When comparing peak streamflow among stream 

locations and basins, the magnitude of streamflow must be 

considered in the context of the drainage area of the basin 

at that location. The Mississippi River at St. Louis, Mo. 

(USGS streamgage 07010000, table 1) 2011 peak streamflow 

of 615,000 ft3

/s is large in comparison with the 26,900 ft3/s 

Souris River above Minot, N. Dak. (USGS streamgage 

05117500, table 1). However, the Mississippi River at 

St. Louis drains 697,000 square miles (mi2) and the Souris 

River above Minot drains 3,900 mi2

. As a result, the peak 

yield of water for Minot was almost 8 times that at St. Louis 

(6.9 ft3/s/mi2 compared to 0.88 ft3/s/mi2). The peak streamflows along the Souris River were remarkable as they were the 

largest floods experienced by residents there in more than a 

century and caused an estimated $1 billion in damage (Winnipeg Free Press, 2011). The peak streamflow at the Minot 

streamgage was the largest in 108 years of record and was 

more than twice as large as the next largest peak (table 1). 

Although the flooding was major along many rivers 

and caused record peak streamflows at some locations in the 

Mississippi River Basin, many locations did not experience 

peak of record flooding. The more telling aspect of the 2011 

floods was the vast spatial extent of major flooding across the 

Central United States. The flooding in the Missouri, upper 

Mississippi, and Ohio River Basins, although not the peak 

streamflow of record in all locations combined to cause record 

peak streamflow along reaches of the lower Mississippi River 

(table 1). These record peak streamflows along reaches of the 

lower Mississippi River are particularly remarkable given 

the long period of record for many of these Mississippi River 

streamgages and the history of the flood of 1927, which held 

the record in most of these locations until 2011. In addition, 

many flood control reservoirs and diversions, such as the 

Morganza and Bonnet Carré floodways, have been built since 

1927. Without these structures, the peak streamflows in the 

lower Mississippi River would likely have been even larger. 

Runoff Volumes

Runoff is that part of the precipitation, snowmelt, or 

irrigation water that appears in surface streams. It is generally described in units of inches of water that would have 

uniformly covered a drainage basin or in units of acre-feet: 

the uniform depth of water in feet of water per acre that would 

result in the amount of runoff measured at a given location on a stream. Annual runoff volumes (annual runoff) for 

211 streamgages in the Souris and Red River of the North, 

Missouri, upper and middle Mississippi, Ohio, and lower 

Mississippi River Basins are listed in table 2 (at the back 

of this report). The 211 streamgages were selected with the 

overarching goal of analyzing the annual runoff volume of all 

the major subbasins in the Mississippi and Red River Basins, 

along with the main stem streamgages along the Mississippi, 

Missouri, Ohio, Red, and Souris Rivers. To increase the 

contextual validity of the analysis, an attempt was made to use 

only streamgages with at least 50 years of record, although 

some exceptions were made. Of the 211 streamgages listed, 

47 streamgages set new records for annual runoff in 2011. Of 

the 47 streamgages, none were in the lower Mississippi or 

Ohio River Basins (table 2).

 In addition to the record peak streamflow described 

earlier, the maximum annual runoff for the period of record 

was recorded at all USGS streamgages in the Souris River 

Basin (fig. 6 and table 2). Based on the Souris River above 

Minot, N. Dak. streamgage data (USGS streamgage 05117500 

with 108 years of record) and anecdotal accounts, the 2011 

annual runoff was the greatest since N. Dak. statehood in 

1889. Statistics of annual runoff for Long Creek near Noonan 

(USGS streamgage 05113600, table 2) provide insight into the 

magnitude of the 2011 flood. The total volume of water that 

flowed past the Noonan streamgage during the period from 

1960 through 2010 was 1,448,000 acre-feet (acre-ft), and the 

annual runoff in 2011 was 390,200 acre-ft. As a result, the 

annual runoff for 2011 was equal to about 27 percent of all the 

runoff recorded in the previous 51 years of record.

Although a record peak streamflow along the Red River 

of the North was recorded only for the streamgage near 

Thompson, N. Dak. (USGS streamgage 05070000, table 1), 

with only 13 years of record, record annual runoff was 

recorded at all Red River of the North main-stem streamgages 

in the United States (table 2) and Canada (Robert Harrison, 

Manager, Surface Water Management, Manitoba Water Stewardship, oral commun., 2012). The Red River of the North 

near Thompson, N. Dak. does not appear in table 2 given its 

short period of record (13 years). The ratio of the 2011 runoff 

to the previous maximum annual runoff indicates the largest 

ratios (approximately 1.50) in the tributaries draining much 

of southeast North Dakota. Tributaries downstream from the 

confluence of the Red Lake River and Red River did not have 

record annual runoff, but generally ranked in the top five for 

the period of record (fig. 6 and table 2).

The Missouri River main stem begins in Montana at the 

confluence of the Jefferson, Madison, and Gallatin Rivers 

(fig. 7). The USGS streamgages for the Jefferson River near 

Three Forks, Mont. (USGS streamgage 06036650), Madison 

River below Ennis Lake near McCallister, Mont. (USGS 

streamgage 06041000), and Gallatin River at Logan, Mont. 

(USGS streamgage 06052500) received runoff in 2011 with 

rank values of 4, 19, and 6 respectively, for their periods of 

record (fig. 7 and table 2). Although the 2011 annual runoff 

volumes are not record volumes at these three streamgages, 

their combined volumes along with that of the sixth-ranked 

Sun River near Vaughn, Mont. (table 2, USGS streamgage 

0608900) and other tributary contributions produced the 

maximum annual runoff for the 121-year period of record 

into the Missouri River at Fort Benton, Mont. (table 2, USGS 

streamgage 06090800). In addition to the record runoff 

into the Missouri River upstream from Fort Benton, record 

runoff from the high plains of Montana entered the Missouri 

River downstream from Fort Benton, and combined with 
14 Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011

0 30 60 90 120 MILES

0 60 90 30 120 KILOMETERS

102° 96°

50°

46°

50

56 47 45

41

36

10

5

Devils Lake

closed basin

Red River of the North Basin

Souris River Basin

EXPLANATION

Gaged tributary subbasin

Drainage basin boundary

Main-stem streamgage and site number (table 1)—Water year 2011 

annual mean runoff rank = 1

*Water year 2011 is the 12-month period from October 1, 2010, 

through September 30, 2011.

Water year 2011* annual mean runoff rank = 1

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 2–5

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 6–10

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 1

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 2–5 (no areas on map)

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 6–10

Drainage subbasin boundary

50

Ungaged area between main-stem streamgages—Ranks of 

annual mean runoff for ungaged areas between main-stem 

streamgages determined based on analysis of the annual 

series of differences in runoff between main-stem 

streamgages

Base from U.S. Geological Survey digital data, 2012, 1:1,000,000

Albers Equal-Area Conic projection

Standard parallels 29°30’N and 45°30’N, central meridian 96°W

Figure 6. Ranks of the 2011 annual runoff for subbasins in the Souris/Red River of the North Basins for the 2011 water year.
Runoff Volumes 15

0 150 300 MILES

0 150 300 KILOMETERS

100° 80°

45°

35°

Gaged tributary subbasin

Water year 2011* annual mean runoff rank = 1

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 2–5

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 6–10

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 11–15

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank greater than 15

Ungaged area between main-stem streamgages—Ranks of 

annual runoff for ungaged areas between main-stem 

streamgages determined based on analysis of the 

annual series of differences in runoff between 

main-stem streamgages

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 1

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 2–5

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 6–10

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 11–15

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank greater than 15

Drainage basin boundary

Main-stem streamgage and site number (table 1)

333

149

490

416

383

EXPLANATION

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 1

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 2–5

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 6–10

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank = 11–15

Water year 2011 annual mean runoff rank greater than 15

*Water year 2011 is the 12-month period from October 1, 

2010, through September 30, 2011.

168

180

189 201

Missouri River Basin

Upper Mississippi River Basin

Ohio River Basin Lower Mississippi River Basin

213

271

57

59 65

84

86

90

92

102

311

330

333

346 146

148

149 416

383

437

426

490

Base from U.S. Geological

Survey digital data, 2012, 

1:1,000,000

Albers Equal-Area Conic 

projection

Standard parallels 29°30’N 

and 45°30’N, 

central meridian 96°W

353

Figure 7. Ranks of the 2011 annual runoff for subbasins in the Mississippi River Basins for the 2011 water year.
16 Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011

additional headwaters runoff from the Yellowstone River to 

produce record annual runoff at every main-stem streamgage 

on the Missouri River from Fort Benton (USGS Streamgage 

06090800) to the Missouri River at St. Joseph, Mo. (USGS 

streamgage 06818000) except for the Missouri River near 

Landusky, Mont. (USGS streamgage 06115200), which ranked 

number two for the period of record (table 2). 

Annual runoff from Missouri River tributaries draining large parts of North Dakota, South Dakota, northeast 

Wyoming, and northern Nebraska generally ranked from 1–5 

for the period of record (fig. 7 and table 2). The four listed 

tributaries to the Missouri River downstream from St. Joseph, 

Missouri ranked in the range of 21 through 55 for 2011, with 

3 of the 4 tributaries having runoff volumes below the mean 

annual runoff for the period of record. This illustrates that the 

flooding along the Missouri River was driven by the tributaries in the Rockies and Great Plains, with smaller contributions 

from the tributaries in Kansas, Iowa, and Missouri that made 

the 1993 flooding rank as the largest flood on the lower Missouri River (Parret and others, 1993; and Southard, 1995). 

Much above normal annual runoff from the headwaters 

of the Mississippi River (upstream from Mississippi River at 

Grand Rapids, Minn., USGS streamgage 05211000), combined with record or near-record runoff from central and 

southern Minnesota tributaries to the Mississippi River (fig. 7 

and table 2), produced the largest annual runoff (by a factor of 

1.24) for the Mississippi River at St. Paul (USGS streamgage 

05331000) for the 112-year period of record. Runoff from 

tributaries to the Mississippi River draining eastern Iowa and 

most of Illinois were above normal, but not peaks of record 

(table 2).

The 2011 annual runoff from many subbasins of the Ohio 

River Basin was above normal. As an example, annual runoff 

for the Ohio River at Metropolis, Ill. (USGS streamgage 

03611500) ranked 26 out of 83 years of record (table 2), 

and the runoff was about 16 percent greater than the median 

annual runoff. As indicated by the rank of annual runoff listed 

in table 2, tributaries draining parts of western Pennsylvania, 

much of Ohio, and northern Kentucky had the largest comparative runoff in the Ohio River Basin, with ranks ranging 

from 2–12 for the period of record. An example tributary 

is the Scioto River at Columbus, Ohio (USGS streamgage 

03227500) whose 2011 annual runoff ranked second (table 2). 

The cumulative runoff at this streamgage is shown in figure 8. 

Annual runoff into tributaries draining much of Kentucky, 

Indiana, and the southeastern part of Illinois were substantially 

above the median annual runoff, but well below record annual 

runoff. Annual runoff to the Ohio River from tributaries draining most of western West Virginia and Tennessee were slightly 

below to slightly above the median annual runoff for the 

respective stations (table 2).

Annual runoff from the Missouri River and the Mississippi Rivers upstream from St. Louis combined to produce the 

fifth largest annual runoff in 149 years of record on the Mississippi River at St. Louis, Mo. (USGS streamgage 07010000, 

table 2). Annual runoff from the large tributaries (Ohio and 

White Rivers) entering the Mississippi River downstream 

from St. Louis was slightly above the median runoff, but 

runoff from the Arkansas River was much below the median 

annual runoff. The annual runoff for the Mississippi River at 

Vicksburg, Miss. (USGS streamgage 07289000) had the rank 

of 10 in 80 years of record. 

Comparisons to Past Floods by Peak 

Streamflow and Runoff Volume

When comparing past floods, no single past flood is 

common to the entirety of the Central United States because 

the area is so large. However, the 2011 floods covered a vast 

area of the United States, with record or near-record peak 

streamflows (fig. 5) and annual runoff or both (figs. 6 and 7) 

occurring at streamgages near the Canadian border in the north 

to the headwaters of the Rockies in the west to the Allegheny 

Mountains in the east to New Orleans in the south. 

The year of occurrence of the previous record flood is 

quite variable throughout the Central United States. This is 

not just by major basin (Red River, Missouri River, Ohio, 

upper Mississippi, and lower Mississippi River basins) but 

also within individual subbasins. The previous flood of record 

for peak streamflow at each streamgage is listed in table 1 and 

information for previous record runoff volumes is listed in 

table 2. 

During 2011, the flooding resulted in a peak of record 

streamflow and a record annual runoff volume at every 

main-stem streamgage on the Souris River in Canada (Robert 

Harrison, Manager, Surface Water Management, Manitoba 

Water Stewardship, oral commun., 2012) and the United 

States (table 1 and 2). The 2011 flood far surpassed the previous flood of record in 1976 for peak streamflow and maximum 

annual runoff. Of particular note are the peak streamflows and 

runoff volumes recorded for 2011 along the Souris River. The 

2011 runoff at Minot (1,969,000 acre-ft) was almost 2.5 times 

greater than the previous record annual runoff in 1976 

(table 2). The 2011 annual runoff volume was 14 percent of 

the total runoff volume for the 108 years of recorded streamflow at this location. 

For the 2011 flood in the Red River of the North Basin, 

only one location had record peak streamflow. For the most 

part, the 1997 and 2009 Red River of the North floods remain 

the largest peak streamflow at most locations. However, new 

records for annual runoff were set on many tributaries in the 

headwaters and at all main-stem streamgages on the Red River 

of the North in the United States (table 2) and Canada (Robert 

Harrison, Manager, Surface Water Management, Manitoba 

Water Stewardship, oral commun., 2012).

For a major river with long flow length, the year that the 

peak of record streamflow occurs may be different depending on the location along the river. For example, the 1993 

flood is the peak of record streamflow for the lower Missouri 

River (Kansas City, Mo. to the mouth of the Missouri River), 
Comparisons to Past Floods by Peak Streamflow and Runoff Volume 17

whereas in the middle parts of the Missouri River (Bismarck, 

N. Dak. to St. Joseph, Mo.), the 1952 flood, when Ft. Peck 

Dam was the only main-stem Missouri River dam in place, 

is the flood of record (fig. 9). The main-stem Missouri River 

dams have had a substantial impact in reducing peak streamflow in the middle reaches of the Missouri River. From table 1, 

the 2011 flood on the Missouri River main stem had peak 

of record streamflows at only three streamgages in Montana 

(table 1), which are at the upper end of the Missouri River. 

Although few record peak streamflows were recorded 

during 2011 on the Missouri River main stem, several annual 

runoff records were recorded. The previous record annual runoff volume had been recorded in 1894 for the Missouri River 

at Fort Benton, Mont.; in 1975 for the main-stem Missouri 

River streamgages in the reach of the Missouri River from 

Landusky, Mont. to above Sioux City, Iowa; and in 1997 for 

those main-stem Missouri River streamgages from Sioux City, 

Iowa to St. Joseph, Mo.. The 2011 runoff volumes for the Missouri River at Hermann, Mo. (USGS streamgage 06934500) 

ranked fifth, with the peak of record annual runoff occurring in 

1993. Some annual runoff volumes from tributaries to the Missouri River also set records for annual runoff. As an example, 

the 2011 runoff for the Musselshell River at Mosby, Mont. 

(fig. 8, USGS streamgage 06130500) was almost 11 times the 

median annual runoff and is nearly double the previous peak 

annual runoff in 1978 (table 2).

In contrast to the Mississippi and Missouri Rivers, no 

USGS Ohio River main-stem streamgage with more than 

20 years of record had a peak of record during 2011. This is 

particularly notable because the Ohio River contributed the 

EXPLANATION

A. Souris River near Sherwood, North Dakota

(U.S. Geological Survey streamgage 05114000)

B. Musselshell River near Mosby, Montana

(U.S. Geological Survey streamgage 06130500)

C. Scioto River at Columbus, Ohio

(U.S. Geological Survey streamgage 03227500)

D. Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi

(U.S. Geological Survey streamgage 07289000)

0

100

200

300

400

500

600

700

800

Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.

Cumulative streamflow, in millions of acre-feet

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.

Cumulative streamflow, in millions of acre-feet

2.0

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.

Cumulative streamflow, in millions of acre-feet

0

0.2

0.4

0.6

0.8

1.0

1.2

1.4

1.6

1.8

Oct. Nov. Dec. Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May June July Aug. Sept.

Cumulative streamflow, in millions of acre-feet

EXPLANATION

Annual minimum (1954) 

Daily average 

Previous annual maximum (1973)

Annual maximum (water year 2011*)

Annual minimum (1934) 

Daily average 

Previous annual maximum 

(2008)

Annual maximum 

(water year 2011*)

EXPLANATION

Annual minimum (1988)—not visible on graph

Daily average 

Previous annual maximum (1976)

Annual maximum (water year 2011*)

EXPLANATION

Annual minimum (2002)—not visible on graph

Daily average 

Previous annual maximum (1978)

Annual maximum (water year 2011*)

*Water year 2011 is the 12-month period from October 1, 2010, through September 30, 2011.

Figure 8. Cumulative runoff for selected streamgages in the Central United States for the 2011 water year.
18 Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011

largest volume of flood water to the lower Mississippi River. 

However, without the retention of water by the flood control 

reservoirs in the Ohio River Basin, particularly along the 

Tennessee and Cumberland Rivers, it is conceivable that peak 

of record streamflows would have occurred in 2011. For the 

long-term main stem Ohio River streamgages, the 1937 flood 

is the flood of record in regards to peak streamflow (table 1). 

For annual runoff volume, 1979 and 2004 stand out as record 

years for the main-stem Ohio River (table 2). 

The record peak streamflow for the Mississippi River 

is quite variable depending on location (table 1 and fig. 10). 

Some of the large floods on the Mississippi River include 

those in 1844, 1912, 1927, 1937, 1945, 1965, 1993, and 

2010. Peak streamflow records were set by the 2011 flood 

at the streamgages at Memphis, Tenn. (USACE streamgage 

07032000), Helena, Ark. (USACE streamgage 07047970), 

Vicksburg, Miss. (USGS streamgage 07289000), and Belle 

Chasse, La. (USGS streamgage 07374525), all on the lower 

Mississippi River, although the streamgage at Belle Chasse 

has only 3 years of record. The 1927 flood on the Mississippi 

River inundated approximately 16.8 million acres from Cairo, 

Ill. to the Gulf of Mexico (fig. 11). The damages inflicted by 

EXPLANATION

River miles above confluence (not to scale)

Peak discharge, in cubic feet per second

2,296 2,211 2,140 2,034 2,105 1,922 1,621 1,315 616 732 563 448 498 366 294 98 197

1,000

10,000

100,000

1,000,000

Toston, Montana

Great Falls, Montana

Wolf Creek, Montana

Ulm, Montana

Virgelle, Montana

Landusky, Montana

Culbertson, Montana

Bismarck, North Dakota

Sioux City, Iowa

Omaha, Nebraska

Nebraska City, Nebraska

Rulo, Nebraska

St. Joseph, Missouri

Kansas City, Missouri

Waverly, Missouri

Boonville, Missouri

Hermann, Missouri

1952

1993

2011

Figure 9. 2011 flood peaks on the Missouri River in relation to other selected floods.

Temporary U.S. Geological Survey streamgage installed downstream 

from the Morganza Floodway Control Structure , May 22, 2011.

Photograph by Robert Holmes, USGS.
Comparisons to Past Floods by Peak Streamflow and Runoff Volume 19

the 1927 flood resulted in establishment and construction of 

the Mississippi Rivers and Tributaries Project on the lower 

Mississippi River with the purpose of lessening flood effects 

to lands adjacent to the Mississippi River. The 2011 flood, 

with peak streamflows larger than those in 1927 at many 

locations, inundated only one-third of the land (approximately 

5.16 million acres) that was inundated in 1927 (approximately 

16.8 million acres) (fig. 11). 

The record annual runoff for the Mississippi River at 

Vicksburg, Miss. (USGS streamgage 07289000) is 720.4 MAF 

in 1973, with the 2011 annual runoff volume ranking 10th 

at 568.3 MAF (fig. 12 and table 2). For the period of 1950 

through 2011, the Ohio River provided almost one-half of the 

annual runoff at Vicksburg, the Missouri River contributed 

less than one-fourth and the lower Mississippi River less than 

one-fourth (fig. 12). Those relative contribution patterns also 

occurred in 1973 and 2011, with the notable exception of the 

decrease in contribution of the lower Mississippi River tributaries and the increase in contribution from the upper Missouri 

River Basin in 2011 as compared to 1973 and the long-term 

average from 1950 to 2011 (fig. 12). 

River miles above Gulf of Mexico (not to scale)

Peak discharge, in cubic feet per second

Bemidji, Minnesota

Grand Rapids, Minnesota

Brainerd, Minnesota

St. Cloud, Minnesota

St. Paul, Minnesota

Winona, Minnesota

Clinton, Iowa

Thebes, Illinois

Vicksburg, Mississippi

Baton Rouge, Louisiana

EXPLANATION

2,235 2,141 1,963 1,885 1,799 1,685 1,475 1,003 436 228

1,000

10,000

100,000

1,000,000

1927

1937

1993

2011

Figure 10. 2011 flood peaks on the Mississippi River in relation to other selected floods.

Morganza Floodway Control Structure in operation on May 22, 2011. 

Photograph by Robert Holmes, USGS.
20 Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011

Red

Arkansas River

Sabine

Black

White

Pearl

Brazos

Ohio

Canadian River

Arkansas River

River

River

River

Alabama River

Tombigbee River

Mississippi River River

Tennessee River

River

River

White

River

River

96° 94° 92° 90° 88°

36°

34°

32°

30°

Memphis

Cairo

Pine Bluff

Tulsa

Mobile

Jackson

Beaumont

Lafayette

Shreveport

New Orleans

Baton Rouge

Little Rock

Clarksville

Springfield

45

10

12

59

55

20

30

40

40

44

24

20

65

0 100

0 100

50

50

150 MILES

150 KILOMETERS

Base from U.S. Geological Survey, variously dated, 1:2,000,000

Albers Equal-Area Conic projection

Standard parallels 29°30’N and 45°30’N, 

central meridian 92°W

Estimated flood-inundation areas modified

from U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2011?

2011 estimated inundation areas*—5,160,000 acres

1927 estimated inundation areas*—16,800,000 acres

*U.S. Army Corps of Engineers disclaimer: Flood inundation areas were compiled using the best information available and are believed to be accurate;

however, its preparation required many assumptions. Actual conditions during a flood event may 

vary from those assumed, so the accuracy cannot 

be guaranteed. The limits of flooding shown should

only be used as a guideline for emergency planning

and response actions. Actual areas inundated will

depend on specific flooding conditions and may

differ from the areas shown on the map. 

EXPLANATION

KANSAS

MISSOURI

OKLAHOMA

TENNESSEE

ILLINOIS

ARKANSAS

LOUISIANA

MISSISSIPPI

KENTUCKY

ALABAMA

TEXAS

GULF

OF MEXICO

Cumberla n d

Vicksburg

Figure 11. Approximate inundated area in the lower Mississippi River valley during the 1927 and 2011 floods (modified from the 

Mississippi River Commission, 2012).
Comparisons to Past Floods by Peak Streamflow and Runoff Volume 21

EXPLANATION

Contribution from Ohio 

River Basin

Contribution from Mississippi River 

Basin between the mouth 

of the Missouri River and 

the mouth of the 

Ohio River

Contribution from Mississippi River 

Basin upstream from the mouth 

of the Missouri River1

Contribution from Missouri 

River Basin between 

Sioux City, Iowa, and 

Hermann, Missouri

Contribution from 

Missouri River 

Basin upstream 

from Sioux City, 

Iowa

Contribution from 

Mississippi River 

Basin downstream 

from the mouth of 

the Ohio River

Sizes (areas) of individual pie charts are variable and proportional to

annual runoff

1

Water year 1973

annual mean runoff 

(720.4 MAF)

10

Water year 2011

annual mean runoff

(568.3 MAF)

Water years 1950–2011

mean annual runoff

(453.9 MAF)

Source-area contributions to annual runoff volume

at Mississippi River at Vicksburg

(Water year is the 12-month period from October 1 through 

September 30 and is designated by the year in which it ends)

1

Annual runoff at the mouth of the Missouri River is represented by Missouri River at 

Hermann, Missouri (station 06934500), which accounts for 99.7 percent of the 

Missouri River Basin drainage area. The runoff contribution between station 

06934500 and the mouth of the Missouri River was assumed to be negligible to the 

source-area balance.

10

Water year 2011

annual mean runoff

(568.3 MAF) Annual runoff for Mississippi River at Vicksburg 

(station 07289000). MAF, million acre feet

Annual runoff period and characteristic

Rank of annual mean runoff

Figure 12. Composition by selected upstream subbasins from the 

annual runoff for the Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi (USGS 

streamgage 07289000).

Electric powered water pumps are in danger of being flooded and put out of 

commission by the rising Mississippi River in Vicksburg, Mississippi, May 6, 2011. 

Photograph by Howard Greenblatt, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA).
22 Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011

Summary

During 2011, flooding on numerous rivers in the Central 

United States, spanning from the Canadian border to the Gulf 

of Mexico and the Rocky Mountains to the Allegheny Mountains, resulted in 33 fatalities and approximately $4.2 billion in 

damages. The floods were the result of: (1) excess rainfall (in 

some locations rainfall was as much as 700- to 1,000- percent 

above normal), (2) melting of larger than normal snowpacks, 

or (3) a combination of excess rainfall and melting snow. The 

flooding began in late February 2011 in parts of the Mississippi River Basin and continued in parts of the Mississippi 

River Basin or Red/Souris River Basins until September 2011. 

Some locations received multiple flood pulses, such as the 

Souris River, which received two separate flood pulses, and 

the lower Mississippi River, which had three separate flood 

pulses pass through that reach. 

Peak streamflow records were broken at 105 streamgages 

across the Souris/Red and Mississippi River Basins, with 

many previous peaks being longstanding records. For 

example, the record peak streamflow on the Souris River at 

Minot, N. Dak. broke the record set more than 100 years prior. 

The widespread major flooding in the upper Mississippi River, 

Missouri, and Ohio Basins during 2011 resulted in record peak 

streamflows in the lower Mississippi River; in some locations 

breaking the record peak streamflow magnitudes established 

during the 1927 flood. Annual runoff volume records were 

recorded at 47 of the 211 streamgages analyzed for annual 

runoff in the Souris/Red and Mississippi River Basins, with no 

annual runoff records occurring in the Ohio or lower Mississippi River Basins.

For the period of 1950 through 2011, the Ohio River provided almost one-half of the annual runoff at Vicksburg, Miss., 

the Missouri River contributed less than one-fourth, and the 

lower Mississippi River less than one-fourth. Those relative 

contribution patterns also occurred in 1973 and 2011; with the 

notable exception of the decrease in contribution of the lower 

Mississippi River tributaries and the increase in contribution 

from the upper Missouri River Basin in 2011 as compared to 

1973 and the long-term average from 1950 to 2011. 

U.S. Geological Survey boat nosed into shore loading research equipment before 

measurement downstream from the Old River Control Structure on May 22, 2011. 

Photograph by Robert Holmes, USGS.
References Cited 23

References Cited

Camillo, C.A., 2012, Divine providence: Mississippi River 

Commission, 312 p.

 Holmes, R.R., Jr., Koenig, T.A., and Karstensen, K.A., 2010, 

Flooding in the United States Midwest, 2008: U.S. Geological Survey Professional Paper 1775, 64 p. (Also available 

online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1775/.)

Mississippi River Commission, 1954, Annual highest and 

lowest stages of the Mississippi River and its outlets and 

tributaries to 1953, Vicksburg, Mississippi: 253 p.

Mississippi River Commission, 1955, Annual maximum 

minimum and mean discharges of the Mississippi River and 

its outlets and tributaries to 1953, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 

140 p.

Mississippi River Commission, 2012, MR&T flood report, 

45 p. 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012a, 

Service assessment Spring 2011 Middle and Lower Mississippi River Valley Floods: National Oceanic and 

Atmospheric Administration National Weather Service Report of March 2012, 54 p., accessed on May 30, 

2012, at http://www.nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/

MisssissippiRiverFloods12.pdf.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2012b, 

Service assessment of the Missouri/Souris River floods of 

May-August, 2011: National Oceanic and Atmospheric 

Administration National Weather Service Report of May 

2012, 68 p., accessed on September 11, 2012, at http://www.

nws.noaa.gov/om/assessments/pdfs/Missouri_floods11.pdf.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2011a, 

United States flood loss report—Water year 2011: National 

Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, National Weather 

Service, accessed March 29, 2012, at http://www.nws.noaa.

gov/hic/summaries/WY2011.pdf.

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2011b, 

Another spring of major flooding likely in north central 

U.S.: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 

accessed November 3, 2011, at http://www.noaanews.noaa.

gov/stories2011/20110218_floodoutlook.html.

National Weather Service, 2012, Advanced hydrologic prediction service precipitation: Archive of 1-day observed 

precipitation, National Weather Service, accessed on June 6, 

2012, at http://water.weather.gov/precip/.

Parrett, Charles, Melcher, N.B., and James, Jr., R.W., 1993, 

Flood Discharges in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, 

1993, U.S. Geological Survey Circular 1120–A, 14 p. 

Southard, Rodney, 1995, Flood volumes in the Upper Mississippi River Basin, April 1 through September 30, 1993, U.S. 

Geological Survey Circular 1120–H, 32 p.

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012a, Summary of Engineering Data—Missouri River Main Stem System : Accessed 

June 6, 2012, at http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/

projdata/summaryengdat.pdf.

 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012b, Missouri River Mainstem Reservoir System—Summary of Actual 2011 Regulation Missouri River Basin: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers 

Northwestern Division, 90 p., accessed on September 11, 

2012, at http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/reports/

pdfs/rcc2011summary.pdf.

 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2012c, Post 2011 flood event 

analysis of the Missouri River mainstem flood control storage: U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Northwestern Division, 

29 p., accessed on June 6, 2012, at http://www.nwd-mr.

usace.army.mil/rcc/reports/pdfs/Post2011FloodEventAnalys

isofMainstemFloodControlStorage.pdf.

 U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, 2006, Missouri River Missouri River mainstem reservoir system master water control 

manual Missouri River Basin: 432 p., accessed on November 30, 2012, at http://www.nwd-mr.usace.army.mil/rcc/

reports/mmanual/MasterManual.pdf.

U.S. Geological Survey, 2011, USGS water data for the nation, 

accessed June 10, 2012 at http://waterdata.usgs.gov/nwis/.

U.S. Geological Survey, 2012a, WaterWatch: Archive of 

streamflow maps (United States), November 15, 2010, U.S. 

Geological Survey, accessed on April 9, 2012, at http://

waterwatch.usgs.gov/?id=pamap.

U.S. Geological Survey, 2012b, WaterWatch: Archive of 

streamflow maps (United States), March 1 to June 30, 2011, 

U.S. Geological Survey, accessed on June 6, 2012, at http://

waterwatch.usgs.gov/?id=pamap.

Vining, K.C., Chase, K.J., and Loss, G.R., 2013, General 

weather conditions and precipitation contributing to the 

2011 flooding in the Mississippi and Red River of the North 

Basins, December 2010 through July 2011: U.S. Geological 

Survey Professional Paper 1798–B, 22 p. (Also available 

online at http://pubs.usgs.gov/pp/1798b/.)

Watermolen, John, 2005, 1:2,000,000-Scale Hydrologic Unit 

Boundaries: National Atlas of the United States, Reston, 

VA. Available online at http://nationalatlas.gov/mld/

hucs00m.html.

Winnipeg Free Press, 2011, Minot a wasteland after ‘tsunami’ 

hits, July 22, 2011, accessed on April 2, 2013, at http://

www.winnipegfreepress.com/local/minot-a-wasteland-aftertsunami-hits-126001723.html.
U.S. Geological Survey hydrographers collecting streamflow data on the Mississippi River above the Morganza Floodway on May 22, 2011. 

Photograph by Robert Holmes, USGS.
Tables
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods. [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

Red River of the North Basin 1 05030500 Otter Tail River near Elizabeth, Minnesota 1,230 05/2009 9.66 21,330 1/34 6/1/2011 

2 05046000 Otter Tail River below Orwell Dam near Fergus Falls, Minnesota 1,740 05/2001 5.46 22,040 3/81 5/2/2011 3 05049000 Mustinka River above Wheaton, Minnesota 810 04/2001 421.18 11,000 3/63 4/6/2011 

4 05050000 Bois De Sioux River near White Rock, South Dakota 1,160 04/1997 16.90 28,750 2/70 4/15/2011 

5 05051500 Red River of the North at Wahpeton, North Dakota 4,010 04/1997 519.25 212,800 7/71 4/7/2011 6 05051522 Red River of the North at Hickson, North Dakota 4,300 03/2009 39.04 223,700 3/36 4/7/2011 7 05051600 Wild Rice River near Rutland, North Dakota 296 04/1997 10.11 2,700 5/52 4/5/2011 

8 05052000 Wild Rice River near Mantador, North Dakota 1,160 03/2010 11.37 24,730 2/35 4/11/2011 

9 05053000 Wild Rice River near Abercrombie, North Dakota 1,490 03/2009 27.78 214,100 2/79 4/6/2011 

10 05054000 Red River of the North at Fargo, North Dakota 6,800 03/2009 40.84 229,500 3/111 4/9/2011 

11 05054500 Sheyenne River above Harvey, North Dakota 424 04/2009 10.46 2,100 2/56 4/13/2011 

12 05056000 Sheyenne River near Warwick, North Dakota 760 04/2009 8.43 4,930 1/62 4/11/2011 13 05056060 Mauvais Coulee Trib #3 near Cando, 

North Dakota

60.2 04/1969 9.35 2,300 2/42 4/14/2011 

14 05056100 Mauvais Coulee near Cando, North 

Dakota

377 04/1997 11.68 3,000 1/54 4/15/2011 

15 05056239 Starkweather Coulee near Webster, 

North Dakota

210 04/2009 8.58 978 3/32 4/16/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

16 05057000 Sheyenne River near Cooperstown, 

North Dakota

1,270 04/1950 18.69 7,830 1/67 4/14/2011 

17 05057200 Baldhill Creek near Dazey, North 

Dakota

351 04/1979 17.78 79,000 4/56 4/10/2011 

18 05058000 Sheyenne River below Baldhill Dam, 

North Dakota

1,910 04/2009 38.35 26,200 1/63 4/13/2011 

19 05058500 Sheyenne River at Valley City, North 

Dakota

2,110 04/2009 520.59 27,940 2/73 4/18/2011 

20 05058700 Sheyenne River at Lisbon, North 

Dakota

2,490 04/2009 522.86 29,250 2/55 4/20/2011 

21 05059000 Sheyenne River near Kindred, North 

Dakota

3,020 04/1997 521.38 25,970 1/63 4/27/2011 

22 05059500 Sheyenne River at West Fargo, North 

Dakota

3,090 04/1997 22.68 24,810 1/86 4/29/2011 

23 05059600 Maple River near Hope, North Dakota 17.4 03/2004 56.98 1,000 1/47 8/1/2011 

24 05059700 Maple River near Enderlin, North 

Dakota

796 06/1975 15.41 7,610 3/56 4/11/2011 

25 05060400 Sheyenne River at Harwood, North 

Dakota

-- 04/1997 92.02 2,711,000 1/16 4/10/2011 

26 05060500 Rush River at Amenia, North Dakota 116 04/1979 510.37 3,490 5/65 4/7/2011 

29 05064500 Red River of the North at Halstad, 

Minnesota

21,800 04/1997 40.74 271,500 3/72 4/12/2011 

30 05065500 Goose River near Portland, North 

Dakota

407 05/1950 427.10 8,530 6/46 4/8/2011 

31 05066500 Goose River at Hillsboro, North 

Dakota

1,093 04/1979 16.76 14,800 2/85 4/9/2011 

32 05069000 Sand Hill River at Climax, Minnesota 420 04/1965 17.81 4,560 1/69 4/10/2011 

33 05070000 Red River of the North near Thompson, 

North Dakota

24,010 04/2009 64.56 261,300 1/13 4/13/2011 

34 05076000 Thief River near Thief River Falls, 

Minnesota

985 05/1950 17.38 5,610 3/100 4/6/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

36 05082500 Red River of the North at Grand Forks, North Dakota 26,300 04/1997 552.04 2137,000 2/130 4/14/2011 

37 05083500 Red River of the North at Oslo, Minnesota 27,400 04/1997 38.00 2120,000 2/49 4/14/2011 41 05092000 Red River of the North at Drayton, North Dakota 34,800 04/1997 45.55 2124,000 5/74 4/19/2011 43 05099600 Pembina River at Walhalla, North Dakota 3,350 04/1997 16.53 923,100 4/65 4/18/2011 

44 05100000 Pembina River at Neche, North Dakota 3,410 04/2009 21.61 16,900 2/104 4/19/2011 

Souris River Basin 46 05113600 Long Creek near Noonan, North Dakota 630 03/1976 17.61 6,310 1/52 6/21/2011 

47 05114000 Souris River near Sherwood, North Dakota 3,040 04/1976 25.15 214,800 1/82 6/23/2011 

48 05116000 Souris River near Foxholm, North Dakota 3,270 04/1976 17.17 28,600 1/75 6/25/2011 49 05116500 Des Lacs River at Foxholm, North Dakota 539 04/1979 21.23 24,260 3/66 6/1/2011 50 05117500 Souris River above Minot, North Dakota 3,900 04/1904 4,721.90 912,000 1/108 6/25/2011 51 05120000 Souris River near Verendrye, North Dakota 4,400 04/2009 17.92 210,900 1/75 6/26/2011 52 05120500 Wintering River near Karlsruhe, North Dakota 285 04/1949 612.00 23,000 6/75 4/12/2011 53 05122000 Souris River near Bantry, North Dakota 4,700 04/1976 14.59 29,330 1/75 6/28/2011 54 05123400 Willow Creek near Willow City, North 

Dakota

730 04/1969 16.76 5,900 4/55 4/12/2011 

55 05123510 Deep River near Upham, North Dakota 370 04/1969 18.18 6,760 2/49 4/11/2011 

56 05124000 Souris River near Westhope, North 

Dakota

6,600 04/1976 19.16 212,600 1/82 7/5/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

Upper Mississippi River Basin (upstream of the mouth of the Ohio River), excluding the Missouri River Basin

61 05278930 Buffalo Creek near Glencoe, Minnesota 373 09/1991 11.78 104,300 4/27 3/25/2011 

62 05280000 Crow River at Rockford, Minnesota 2,640 04/1965 19.27 22,400 9/90 4/10/2011 

64 05287890 Elm Creek near Champlin, Minnesota 86.0 04/2001 10.02 875 3/33 3/24/2011 66 05288705 Shingle Creek at Queen Ave In 

Minneapolis, Minnesota

28.2 09/2005 13.26 11291 1/15 7/16/2011 

67 05292000 Minnesota River at Ortonville, 

Minnesota

1,160 03/2010 12.84 25,680 5/74 4/9/2011 

68 05293371 Pomme De Terre River below Elbow 

Lake, Minnesota

340 03/2009 6.81 744 1/26 7/15/2011 

69 05294000 Pomme De Terre River at Appleton, 

Minnesota

905 04/1997 18.13 128,890 7/79 4/6/2011 

71 05301000 Minnesota River near Lac Qui Parle, 

Minnesota

4,050 04/1997 -- 2,7,943,000 5/66 4/6/2011 

72 05311000 Minnesota River at Montevideo, 

Minnesota

6,180 04/1997 23.90 247,500 6/102 4/7/2011 

73 05313500 Yellow Medicine River near Granite 

Falls, Minnesota

664 04/1969 14.90 17,200 8/80 3/25/2011 

74 05316500 Redwood River near Redwood Falls, 

Minnesota

629 06/1957 15.92 19,700 6/86 3/25/2011 

75 05316950 Cottonwood River near Springfield, 

Minnesota

777 04/1969 31.55 918,300 4/40 3/23/2011 

76 05317000 Cottonwood River near New Ulm, 

Minnesota

1,300 04/1969 19.15 28,700 6/85 3/24/2011 

77 05319500 Watonwan River near Garden City, 

Minnesota

851 04/1965 18.89 919,000 6/44 3/24/2011 

78 05320000 Blue Earth River near Rapidan, 

Minnesota

2,410 04/1965 21.36 43,100 7/99 3/22/2011 

79 05320270 Little Cobb River near Beauford, 

Minnesota

130 09/2010 15.31 5,120 2/15 3/20/2011 

80 05320480 Maple River near Rapidan, Minnesota 338 09/2010 18.30 12,800 4/40 3/20/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

81 05320500 Le Sueur River near Rapidan, Minnesota 1,110 09/2010 21.35 30,500 4/69 3/21/2011 

82 05325000 Minnesota River at Mankato, Minnesota 14,900 04/1965 29.09 94,100 8/109 3/26/2011 83 05330000 Minnesota River near Jordan, Minnesota 16,200 04/1965 4,533.89 117,000 7/77 3/28/2011 

84 05331000 Mississippi River at Saint Paul, Minnesota 36,800 04/1965 26.01 2171,000 7/119 3/29/2011 

86 05344500 Mississippi River at Prescott, Wisconsin 44,800 04/1965 43.11 228,000 8/83 4/12/2011 

87 05348550 Cannon River below Sabre Lake near Kilkenny, Minnesota 87.9 04/2001 13.83 563 3/26 7/16/2011 90 05378500 Mississippi River at Winona, Minnesota 59,200 04/1965 20.77 268,000 7/83 4/15/2011 92 05389500 Mississippi River at McGregor, Iowa 67,500 04/1965 25.38 2,8276,000 10/74 4/17/2011 

93 05394500 Prairie River Near Merrill, Wisconsin 184 08/1941 9.45 5,800 7/90 4/12/2011 

94 05398000 Wisconsin River at Rothschild, Wisconsin 4,020 09/1941 22.30 2,975,000 6/68 4/11/2011 

97 05414350 Little Maquoketa River near Graf, Iowa 39.6 06/2008 16.47 8,370 1/61 7/28/2011 98 05414400 Middle Fork Little Maquoketa River near Rickardsville, Iowa 30.2 08/1972 27.70 23,000 8/58 7/28/2011 99 05414450 North Fork Little Maquoketa River near Rickardsville, Iowa 21.6 06/2008 12.58 8,040 3/61 7/28/2011 

100 05414605 Bloody Run Tributary near Sherrill, Iowa 0.6 06/2008 22.71 1,110 3/21 7/28/2011 

101 05418400 North Fork Maquoketa River near 

Fulton, Iowa

505 07/2010 22.44 25,000 4/13 7/29/2011 

102 05420500 Mississippi River at Clinton, Iowa 85,600 04/1965 24.65 2,8307,000 10/138 4/20/2011 

107 05451080 South Fork Iowa River near Blairsburg, 

Iowa

12.0 06/2008 12.50 762 3/6 2/16/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

111 05465150 North Fork Long Creek at Ainsworth, 

Iowa

30.2 06/1990 90.66 75,800 7/48 6/15/2011 

113 05469350 Haight Creek at Kingston, Iowa 2.7 05/2010 20.17 3,170 2/22 6/15/2011 

114 05474500 Mississippi River at Keokuk, Iowa 119,000 07/1993 27.58 2,13446,000 11/134 4/25/2011 

115 05474900 Elk Creek On CSAH 1 near Brewster, 

Minnesota

61.0 05/2001 25.59 4,360 2/11 7/12/2011 

116 05476000 Des Moines River at Jackson, 

Minnesota

1,250 04/1969 19.45 15,700 7/86 3/26/2011 

121 05486490 Middle River near Indianola, Iowa 489 06/1947 426.40 34,000 4/72 6/10/2011 

122 05488110 Des Moines River near Pella, Iowa 12,330 07/1993 109.71 2105,000 5/19 7/20/2011 

123 05488500 Des Moines River near Tracy, Iowa 12,479 06/1947 26.50 155,000 34/93 6/28/2011 

124 05489500 Des Moines River at Ottumwa, Iowa 13,374 05/1903 19.40 7140,000 16/96 6/15/2011 125 05490500 Des Moines River at Keosauqua, Iowa 14,038 06/1903 27.85 146,000 13/104 6/15/2011 126 05495000 Fox River at Wayland, Missouri 400 04/1973 21.71 26,400 2/90 6/15/2011 127 05496000 Wyaconda River above Canton, 

Missouri

393 06/1933 730.00 17,700 6/86 6/16/2011 

139 05587450 Mississippi River at Grafton, Illinois 171,300 08/1993 38.17 2598,000 7/25 5/1/2011 

140 05592100 Kaskaskia River at Cowden, Illinois 1,330 05/2002 20.36 225,300 3/41 4/26/2011 142 05592575 Hickory Creek near Brownstown, 

Illinois

44.2 11/1993 16.43 6,250 1/23 4/26/2011 

145 05599490 Big Muddy River at Route 127 at 

Murphysboro, Illinois

2,159 03/2008 37.24 231,500 5/84 5/2/2011 

146 07010000 Mississippi River at St. Louis, Missouri 697,000 08/1993 49.58 21,070,000 45/151 4/30/2011 148 07020500 Mississippi River at Chester, Illinois 708,600 04/1927 34.40 2,81,060,000 18/87 5/2/2011 149 07022000 Mississippi River at Thebes, Illinois 713,200 07/1844 -- 2,91,075,000 5/80 5/2/2011 

Missouri River Basin

150 06012500 Red Rock River below Lima Reservoir 

near Monida, Montana

570 05/1933 5.40 22,500 10/87 6/13/2011 

151 06015430 Clark Canyon near Dillon, Montana 18.0 05/1984 7.10 415 2/39 6/8/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

152 06019500 Ruby River above reservoir near Alder, Montana 534 05/1984 6.24 3,810 5/73 6/8/2011 153 06020600 Ruby River below reservoir near Alder, Montana 596 05/1984 8.52 23,010 3/49 6/9/2011 

154 06023000 Ruby River near Twin Bridges, Montana 965 06/1947 6.89 1,500 1/27 7/1/2011 155 06023100 Beaverhead River at Twin Bridges, Montana 4,779 06/2010 5.52 2,830 2/3 7/1/2011 156 06024540 Big Hole River below Mudd Creek near Wisdom, Montana 1,267 06/2010 6.47 5,580 1/14 6/10/2011 157 06024580 Big Hole River near Wise River, Montana 1,611 06/2010 6.85 8,100 1/5 6/11/2011 

158 06026210 Big Hole River near Glen, Montana 2,655 06/2010 7.16 10,400 1/14 6/10/2011 159 06031950 Cataract Creek near Basin, Montana 30.6 05/1981 6.88 3,150 3/39 6/7/2011 

160 06033000 Boulder River near Boulder, Montana 381 05/1981 12.30 97,000 2/72 6/7/2011 

161 06036650 Jefferson River near Three Forks, Montana 9,532 06/1995 9.00 17,000 1/33 6/12/2011 162 06036905 Firehole River near West Yellowstone, Montana 282 05/1996 6.10 2,050 2/22 6/8/2011 163 06037500 Madison River near West Yellowstone, Montana 420 05/1996 3.78 2,820 3/85 6/8/2011 164 06040800 Madison River above powerplant near McAllister, Montana 2,186 06/2010 9.53 24,220 1/10 6/24/2011 

166 06043500 Gallatin River near Gallatin Gateway, Montana 825 06/1997 6.71 9,160 3/83 6/30/2011 167 06052500 Gallatin River at Logan, Montana 1,795 06/1899 -- 9,840 7/92 6/30/2011 

168 06054500 Missouri River at Toston, Montana 14,669 06/1997 12.22 34,000 4/79 6/15/2011 169 06056300 Cabin Creek near Townsend, Montana 11.8 06/1960 2.00 70 1/52 5/9/2011 

170 06061500 Prickly Pear Creek near Clancy, 

Montana 

192 05/1981 8.82 2,300 3/71 6/7/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

171 06062500 Tenmile Creek near Rimini, Montana 30.9 05/1981 6.20 3,290 4/95 6/7/2011 172 06071300 Little Prickly Pear Creek at Wolf 

Creek, Montana 

381 05/1975 7.45 94,500 3/26 6/9/2011 

173 06076690 Smith River near Fort Logan, Montana 846 05/1981 7.80 4,600 3/23 6/10/2011 174 06077200 Smith River below Eagle Creek near 

Fort Logan, Montana 

1,088 06/1997 57.00 3,900 1/15 6/9/2011 

175 06077500 Smith River near Eden, Montana 1,594 06/1953 10.46 12,300 3/27 6/10/2011 176 06078200 Missouri River near Ulm, Montana 20,941 06/1953 17.00 2,9,1435,000 3/56 6/11/2011 

177 06089000 Sun River near Vaughn, Montana 1,849 06/1964 23.40 53,500 4/78 6/10/2011 178 06090300 Missouri River near Great Falls, 

Montana

23,292 06/1964 -- 2,872,000 5/60 6/11/2011 

179 06090650 Lake Creek near Power, Montana 83.8 03/1993 7.30 8300 2/22 6/7/2011 

180 06090800 Missouri River at Fort Benton, 

Montana 

24,749 06/1908 718.50 7140,000 10/120 6/10/2011 

181 06091700 Two Medicine River below South Fork, 

Near Browning, Montana

250 05/1991 7.78 11,700 4/35 6/7/2011 

182 06099500 Marias River near Shelby, Montana 3,242 06/1964 23.64 12241,000 10/105 6/10/2011 

184 06108800 Teton River at Loma, Montana 2,010 06/2002 5.87 2,000 1/14 6/12/2011 185 06109500 Missouri River at Virgelle, Montana 34,379 06/1953 -- 2,7122,000 6/77 6/12/2011 

186 06112800 Bull Creek Tributary near Hilger, 

Montana 

1.0 06/1991 5.69 415 2/38 5/21/2011 

187 06114550 Wolf Creek Tributary near Coffee 

Creek, Montana 

1.7 07/1978 5.55 780 4/38 6/9/2011 

188 06114700 Judith River near mouth, Near 

Winifred, Montana 

2,731 03/2003 59.06 7,600 1/11 5/26/2011 

189 06115200 Missouri River near Landusky, 

Montana 

40,987 06/1953 -- 2137,000 6/78 6/11/2011 

190 06120500 Musselshell River at Harlowton, 

Montana 

1,125 06/1975 10.01 7,270 2/103 5/25/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

191 06123030 Musselshell River above Mud Creek near Shawmut, Montana 1,513 06/2010 5.76 1,290 1/14 5/26/2011 192 06126050 Musselshell River near Lavina, Montana 2,970 06/1997 11.13 26,220 1/20 5/25/2011 

193 06126500 Musselshell River near Roundup, Montana 4,023 06/1967 12.45 29,610 1/65 5/26/2011 194 06127500 Musselshell River at Musselshell, Montana 4,568 06/1967 11.57 29,850 1/66 5/27/2011 195 06127520 Home Creek near Sumatra, Montana 2.0 03/1994 5.11 278 2/39 5/10/2011 196 06127570 Butts Coulee near Melstone, Montana 6.7 07/1993 20.18 705 4/49 5/10/2011 197 06127585 Little Wall Creek Tributary near Flatwillow, Montana 9.8 07/2009 6.78 45 1/38 6/7/2011 

198 06129000 Box Elder Creek near Winnett, Montana 684 06/1962 15.34 9,910 2/22 5/22/2011 

199 06130500 Musselshell River at Mosby, Montana 7,846 06/1944 -- 18,000 1/80 5/23/2011 200 06130915 Russian Coulee near Jordan, Montana 3.5 08/1993 7.45 840 3/38 5/21/2011 201 06132000 Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam, Montana 57,556 08/1946 -- 251,000 1/78 6/15/2011 202 06142400 Clear Creek near Chinook, Montana 135 09/1986 8.21 571 2/28 6/4/2011 203 06144450 Middle Creek above Lodge Creek near Govenlock, Saskatchewan 276 09/1986 13.84 738 3/25 4/27/2011 204 06154100 Milk River near Harlem, Montana 9,822 1952 -- 7,8,9,1419,000 6/41 6/11/2011 

205 06155030 Milk River near Dodson, Montana 11,192 09/1986 29.79 13,200 2/29 5/23/2011 

206 06164510 Milk River at Juneberg Bridge near Saco, Montana 17,670 04/1978 24.20 212,400 5/34 4/14/2011 

207 06166000 Beaver Creek below Guston Coulee 

near Saco, Montana 

1,208 09/1986 14.68 23,500 2/29 6/13/2011 

208 06167500 Beaver Creek near Hinsdale, Montana 1,785 06/2007 16.00 2,050 1/7 6/9/2011 

209 06172310 Milk River at Tampico, Montana 21,078 03/1997 -- 7,811,000 1/28 4/15/2011 

210 06174500 Milk River at Nashua, Montana 22,332 04/1952 31.38 245,300 2/72 6/9/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

211 06177000 Missouri River near Wolf Point, 

Montana 

82,290 03/1939 614.40 2,766,800 1/83 6/14/2011 

212 06178500 East Poplar River at international 

boundary, Montana

541 04/1975 12.01 24,020 12/78 4/12/2011 

213 06185500 Missouri River near Culbertson, 

Montana 

91,557 03/1943 615.12 278,200 1/63 6/16/2011 

214 06186500 Yellowstone River at Yellowstone Lake 

Outlet, Wyoming

991 06/1997 8.90 9,950 2/86 7/11/2011 

215 06187915 Soda Butte Creek at Park Boundary at 

Silver Gate, Montana

31.2 06/2010 3.83 1,250 2/13 6/30/2011 

216 06188000 Lamar River near Tower Ranger 

Station, Wyoming 

660 06/1996 12.15 19,500 4/72 6/24/2011 

217 06191500 Yellowstone River at Corwin Springs, 

Montana 

2,619 06/1996 10.92 32,200 5/105 6/30/2011 

218 06192500 Yellowstone River near Livingston, 

Montana 

3,551 06/1997 10.72 38,000 1/87 6/30/2011 

219 06195600 Shields River near Livingston, 

Montana 

852 06/1979 6.80 5,600 2/33 5/25/2011 

220 06200000 Boulder River at Big Timber, Montana 523 06/1997 9.00 9,940 4/64 6/30/2011 221 06205000 Stillwater River near Absarokee, 

Montana 

935 06/1967 7.17 12,000 6/81 6/30/2011 

222 06207500 Clarks Fork Yellowstone River near 

Belfry, Montana

1,154 06/1981 9.97 14,800 3/90 7/5/2011 

223 06208500 Clarks Fork Yellowstone River at 

Edgar, Montana 

2,022 06/1997 9.30 11,100 5/72 7/6/2011 

224 06209500 Rock Creek near Red Lodge, Montana 105 06/1957 4.78 3,110 4/63 6/29/2011 

225 06211000 Red Lodge Creek above Cooney 

Reservoir near Boyd, Montana 

143 05/2005 7.35 3,720 1/75 5/25/2011 

226 06211500 Willow Creek near Boyd, Montana 53.3 05/2005 8.59 2,100 1/75 5/25/2011 

227 06214500 Yellowstone River at Billings, Montana 11,408 06/1997 15.00 82,000 3/86 7/2/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

228 06217300 Twelvemile Creek near Shepherd, Montana 9.1 06/2001 10.25 1,230 2/39 5/24/2011 229 06218500 Wind River near Dubois, Wyoming 232 06/1972 55.48 21,940 1/57 7/1/2011 

230 06224000 Bull Lake Creek above Bull Lake, Wyoming 187 06/1981 7.98 4,470 2/58 7/1/2011 231 06225500 Wind River near Crowheart, Wyoming 1,891 06/1991 11.04 214,300 1/67 6/30/2011 232 06227600 Wind River near Kinnear, Wyoming 2,194 06/1991 8.03 213,900 1/27 7/2/2011 233 06228000 Wind River at Riverton, Wyoming 2,309 06/1935 48.15 213,300 5/103 7/2/2011 

234 06236100 Wind River above Boysen Reservoir near Shoshoni, Wyoming 4,390 06/2010 9.19 219,200 2/21 7/2/2011 

235 06278300 Shell Creek above Shell Creek Reservoir, Wyoming 23.1 06/1963 77.84 1,870 2/55 6/29/2011 

236 06278500 Shell Creek near Shell, Wyoming 145 06/1945 7.49 23,020 1/70 6/29/2011 

237 06280300 South Fork Shoshone River near Valley, Wyoming 297 06/1981 9.24 210,000 2/54 6/29/2011 238 06281000 South Fork Shoshone River above Buffalo Bill Reservoir, Wyoming 585 06/1981 9.41 29,960 4/48 6/30/2011 240 06289820 East Pass Creek near Dayton, Wyoming 21.7 06/2007 47.64 2755 2/29 5/21/2011 241 06291000 Owl Creek near Lodge Grass, Montana 163 06/1944 14.18 1,020 1/20 5/25/2011 242 06293300 Long Otter Creek near Lodge Grass, Montana 11.7 05/2008 9.18 360 3/39 5/22/2011 

243 06294000 Little Bighorn River near Hardin, Montana 1,294 05/1978 11.20 22,600 2/59 5/23/2011 244 06294400 Andresen Coulee near Custer, Montana 2.4 06/1991 4.40 255 3/49 3/10/2011 245 06294500 Bighorn River above Tullock Creek 

near Bighorn, Montana 

22,414 06/1991 57.17 216,100 1/47 5/23/2011 

246 06294930 Sarpy Creek Tributary near Colstrip, 

Montana 

4.4 03/1978 4.84 590 5/40 5/21/2011 

247 06294985 East Fork Armells Creek Tributary near 

Colstrip, Montana 

1.9 07/1993 3.71 357 2/39 5/21/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

248 06295000 Yellowstone River at Forsyth, Montana 39,455 05/1978 14.53 109,800 2/37 5/24/2011 249 06295113 Rosebud Creek at Reservation 

Boundary near Kirby, Montana

123 03/1996 56.30 219 1/32 5/22/2011 

250 06307616 Tongue River at Birney Day School 

Bridge near Birney, Montana

2,621 06/2007 7.06 25,340 3/32 6/12/2011 

251 06307740 Otter Creek at Ashland, Montana 707 03/1978 68.65 425 3/29 5/25/2011 

252 06307990 Tongue River above T&Y Diversion 

Dam near Miles City, Montana

4,508 06/2007 10.40 27,510 2/7 5/22/2011 

253 06308340 La Grange Creek near Volborg, 

Montana 

3.7 07/1993 9.65 550 5/38 5/23/2011 

254 06308400 Pumpkin Creek near Miles City, 

Montana 

697 05/1975 12.27 2,890 1/20 5/20/2011 

255 06308500 Tongue River at Miles City, Montana 5,397 06/1962 11.33 213,300 1/70 5/21/2011 

256 06309000 Yellowstone River at Miles City, 

Montana 

48,253 05/1978 16.50 2102,000 3/84 5/24/2011 

257 06311000 North Fork Powder River near 

Hazelton, Wyoming

24.5 06/1953 44.34 886 3/65 6/13/2011 

258 06326500 Powder River near Locate, Montana 13,068 02/1943 411.23 31,000 5/74 5/21/2011 

259 06327500 Yellowstone River at Glendive, 

Montana 

66,739 06/1909 12.70 118,000 1/20 5/23/2011 

260 06329500 Yellowstone River near Sidney, 

Montana 

68,392 06/1921 -- 159,000 6/99 5/24/2011 

261 06331000 Little Muddy River below Cow Creek 

near Williston, North Dakota

775 04/1979 12.77 29,180 2/57 4/12/2011 

262 06332523 East Fork Shell Creek near Parshall, 

North Dakota

360 03/1999 6.39 1,170 1/20 4/11/2011 

263 06332770 Deepwater Creek at Mouth near Raub, 

North Dakota

220 03/1997 613.26 71,300 1/20 4/11/2011 

264 06334500 Little Missouri River at Camp Crook, 

South Dakota

1,974 04/2009 17.67 12,400 1/56 5/24/2011 
Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

265 06334625 Coal Creek tributary near Mill Iron, Montana 0.6 06/1991 6.64 205 4/38 5/10/2011 266 06335500 Little Missouri River at Marmarth, North Dakota 4,640 03/1947 21.70 45,000 3/73 5/23/2011 267 06336000 Little Missouri River at Medora, North Dakota 6,190 03/1947 20.50 65,000 5/61 5/25/2011 268 06336600 Beaver Creek near Trotters, North Dakota 616 03/1978 518.61 2,720 2/34 4/3/2011 

269 06337000 Little Missouri River near Watford City, North Dakota 8,310 03/1947 24.00 110,000 5/77 5/27/2011 

271 06342500 Missouri River at Bismarck, North Dakota 186,400 04/1952 27.90 500,000 8/83 6/25/2011 

274 06357800 Grand River at Little Eagle, South Dakota 5,322 03/2009 24.60 232,400 5/53 3/18/2011 275 06359500 Moreau River near Faith, South Dakota 2,596 04/1944 421.90 26,000 6/68 3/17/2011 276 06360500 Moreau River near Whitehorse, South Dakota 4,878 03/1997 526.93 29,700 1/58 3/20/2011 

277 06392900 Beaver Creek at Mallo Camp near Four Corners, Wyoming 10.3 04/1994 2.14 103 1/29 5/21/2011 278 06428500 Belle Fourche River at the Wyoming- South Dakota State Line 3,241 05/1995 16.33 26,320 2/65 5/23/2011 

279 06430800 Annie Creek near Lead, South Dakota 3.7 06/2007 5.35 270 3/23 5/22/2011 280 06430850 Little Spearfish Creek near Lead, South Dakota 27.8 06/1999 5.79 90 2/23 5/22/2011 281 06436000 Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, South Dakota 4,513 05/1982 14.32 212,700 4/66 5/24/2011 282 06436760 Horse Creek above Vale, South Dakota 461 05/1982 24.80 217,700 3/31 5/21/2011 

283 06437000 Belle Fourche River near Sturgis, 

South Dakota

5,814 05/1982 19.10 236,400 3/66 5/25/2011 

284 06438000 Belle Fourche River near Elm Springs, 

South Dakota

7,022 06/2008 19.73 247,500 6/84 5/25/2011 

Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

286 06441500 Bad River near Fort Pierre, South 

Dakota

3,147 07/1905 32.90 7,9,1470,000 6/86 6/21/2011 

288 06452320 Platte Creek near Platte, South Dakota 747 05/1995 11.29 2,600 1/23 6/22/2011 

290 06468170 James River near Grace City, North 

Dakota

410 04/2009 17.74 7,910 1/43 4/11/2011 

291 06468250 James River above Arrowwood Lake 

near Kensal, North Dakota

450 04/2009 5,614.70 8,470 2/26 4/12/2011 

292 06469400 Pipestem Creek near Pingree, North 

Dakota

260 04/2009 13.15 9,200 2/38 4/9/2011 

293 06470000 James River at Jamestown, North 

Dakota

1,170 05/1950 15.82 6,390 5/77 9/20/2011 

294 06470500 James River at Lamoure, North Dakota 1,790 04/2009 17.56 212,200 5/62 7/1/2011 295 06470800 Bear Creek near Oakes, North Dakota 102 04/2009 512.25 1,900 1/35 4/6/2011 

296 06470878 James River at North Dakota-South 

Dakota State Line

2,180 04/2009 96.35 211,800 2/10 4/12/2011 

297 06471000 James River at Columbia, South 

Dakota

4,961 04/2009 619.73 29,620 2/66 7/17/2011 

298 06472000 James River near Stratford, South 

Dakota

7,647 04/2009 19.98 9,910 2/38 4/29/2011 

299 06473000 James River at Ashton, South Dakota 8,326 04/2009 5,623.03 9,500 1/66 5/2/2011 300 06475000 James River near Redfield, South 

Dakota

11,869 04/1997 29.92 17,000 3/62 4/27/2011 

301 06476000 James River at Huron, South Dakota 13,743 04/1997 21.28 23,400 2/72 3/26/2011 

302 06477000 James River near Forestburg, South 

Dakota

15,549 04/1997 20.61 25,600 1/62 3/25/2011 

303 06477500 Firesteel Creek near Mount Vernon, 

South Dakota

587 07/2010 16.04 7,420 6/56 3/17/2011 

304 06478000 James River near Mitchell, South 

Dakota

17,023 04/1997 423.14 928,000 1/25 3/25/2011 

305 06478500 James River near Scotland, South 

Dakota

18,601 06/1984 20.45 29,400 2/83 3/27/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

306 06478513 James River near Yankton, South Dakota 18,891 04/1997 22.94 28,800 1/25 3/28/2011 307 06480000 Big Sioux River near Brookings, South Dakota 2,469 04/1969 14.77 33,900 3/58 3/24/2011 308 06481000 Big Sioux River near Dell Rapids, South Dakota 3,057 04/1969 16.47 41,300 9/63 3/24/2011 

309 06482020 Big Sioux River at North Cliff Ave at Sioux Falls, South Dakota 3,778 04/1969 27.45 2,940,700 9/41 3/25/2011 

311 06486000 Missouri River at Sioux City, Iowa 314,600 04/1952 424.28 441,000 4/76 7/20/2011 

313 06601200 Missouri River at Decatur, Nebraska 316,200 04/1997 31.99 2100,000 1/23 6/28/2011 315 06610000 Missouri River at Omaha, Nebraska 322,800 04/1952 430.20 396,000 2/83 7/2/2011 316 06614800 Michigan River near Cameron Pass, Colorado 1.5 07/1995 3.69 115 4/38 7/8/2011 

317 06622700 North Brush Creek near Saratoga, Wyoming 37.4 06/2010 5.38 1,360 1/52 7/19/2011 318 06623800 Encampment River above Hog Park Creek near Encampment, Wyoming 72.7 06/2010 6.18 2,280 2/47 6/30/2011 319 06630000 North Platte River above Seminoe Reservoir near Sinclair, Wyoming 4,061 06/2010 11.64 216,700 2/72 6/9/2011 

320 06657000 North Platte River below Whalen Diversion Dam, Wyoming 15,018 06/1955 49.85 222,000 17/96 6/22/2011 321 06674500 North Platte River at Wyoming- Nebraska State Line 22,218 06/1929 46.04 217,900 8/83 6/11/2011 322 06715000 Clear Creek above West Fork Clear Creek near Empire, Colorado 86.3 06/1995 6.63 1,030 1/17 7/8/2011 323 06727500 Fourmile Creek at Orodell, Colorado 24.2 06/1991 44.38 256 1/20 7/13/2011 

324 06746110 Joe Wright Creek below Joe Wright 

Reservoir, Colorado 

6.9 08/1991 2.71 2284 1/34 6/30/2011 

328 06807000 Missouri River at Nebraska City, 

Nebraska

410,000 04/1952 4,524.48 414,000 2/82 7/7/2011 

330 06813500 Missouri River at Rulo, Nebraska 414,900 04/1952 25.60 358,000 2/62 6/27/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

332 06817000 Nodaway River at Clarinda, Iowa 762 06/2008 26.61 47,900 5/85 6/27/2011 333 06818000 Missouri River at St. Joseph, Missouri 426,500 04/1952 26.82 2397,000 5/93 6/28/2011 

334 06819110 Middle Branch 102 River near Gravity, 

Iowa

34.5 06/2010 70.29 7,100 1/46 5/11/2011 

335 06853800 White Rock Creek near Burr Oak, 

Kansas

227 09/1973 1525.06 15,800 3/55 5/25/2011 

336 06856600 Republican River at Clay Center, 

Kansas

17,042 06/1935 25.74 195,000 11/96 6/2/2011 

337 06875900 Solomon River near Glen Elder, 

Kansas

5,340 07/1993 29.57 29,410 4/47 6/2/2011 

339 06893000 Missouri River at Kansas City, 

Missouri

484,100 06/1844 48.00 9625,000 15/85 6/10/2011 

343 06928000 Gasconade River near Hazelgreen, 

Missouri

1,250 01/1916 30.60 9,1490,000 7/67 4/26/2011 

344 06933500 Gasconade River at Jerome, Missouri 2,840 12/1982 31.34 136,000 8/93 4/27/2011 345 06934000 Gasconade River near Rich Fountain, 

Missouri

3,180 12/1982 33.27 9134,000 6/72 4/28/2011 

346 06934500 Missouri River at Hermann, Missouri 522,500 07/1993 36.97 2750,000 45/84 5/27/2011 

Ohio River Basin

354 03118000 Middle Branch Nimishillen Creek at 

Canton, Ohio

43.1 01/1959 6.50 2,470 2/70 3/1/2011 

355 03118500 Nimishillen Creek at North Industry, 

Ohio

175 07/2003 14.18 9,310 3/90 2/28/2011 

357 03139000 Killbuck Creek at Killbuck, Ohio 464 07/1969 26.40 47,500 5/80 3/1/2011 374 03271000 Wolf Creek at Dayton, Ohio 68.7 01/1959 455.13 7,912,500 4/38 4/19/2011 

375 03272700 Sevenmile Creek at Camden, Ohio 69.0 05/1989 18.67 20,200 4/41 4/19/2011 378 03277200 Ohio River at Markland Dam near 

Warsaw, Kentucky

83,170 03/1997 60.72 2582,000 7/41 4/26/2011 

382 03291780 Indian-Kentuck Creek near Canaan, 

Indiana

27.5 05/1990 11.34 7,800 1/42 4/19/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

383 03294500 Ohio River at Louisville, Kentucky 91,170 01/1937 85.44 1,110,000 13/148 4/27/2011 

385 03303280 Ohio River at Cannelton Dam at Cannelton, Indiana 97,000 03/1997 52.42 2736,000 2/33 4/28/2011 387 03320000 Green River at Lock 2 at Calhoun, Kentucky 6,032 01/1937 37.50 208,000 9/81 5/4/2011 394 03373500 East Fork White River at Shoals, Indiana 4,927 03/1913 42.20 160,000 13/109 4/26/2011 395 03374000 White River at Petersburg, Indiana 11,125 03/1913 429.50 7,9235,000 8/89 5/3/2011 396 03375500 Patoka River at Jasper, Indiana 262 03/1913 415.90 2,1416,000 16/66 5/3/2011 

397 03376300 Patoka River at Winslow, Indiana 603 03/1964 528.84 15,500 5/38 4/27/2011 

398 03376500 Patoka River near Princeton, Indiana 822 01/1937 26.80 18,700 2/77 5/4/2011 

399 03377500 Wabash River at Mount Carmel, Illinois 28,635 03/1913 4,531.00 428,000 9/131 5/3/2011 400 03378550 Big Creek near Wadesville, Indiana 104 03/2008 20.55 14,300 5/46 4/24/2011 401 03380500 Skillet Fork at Wayne City, Illinois 464 05/1990 25.75 59,400 8/94 4/28/2011 402 03381500 Little Wabash River at Carmi, Illinois 3,102 05/1961 536.66 246,900 1/72 5/3/2011 403 03381700 Ohio River at Old Shawneetown, Illinois 141,000 01/2005 50.57 1,030,000 1/9 5/6/2011 

404 03382100 South Fork Saline River near Carrier Mills, Illinois 147 03/2008 18.41 24,300 2/46 5/3/2011 405 03383000 Tradewater River at Olney, Kentucky 246 01/1937 19.27 9,1417,000 4/70 4/28/2011 

406 03399800 Ohio River at Smithland Dam, Smithland, Kentucky 144,000 03/1997 51.44 2,8831,000 1/18 5/6/2011 

415 03605555 Trace Creek above Denver, Tennessee 31.9 05/2010 17.88 7,9,10,1414,000 4/49 4/27/2011 

416 03611500 Ohio River at Metropolis, Illinois 203,000 02/1937 -- 2,81,850,000 4/83 5/6/2011 

417 03612000 Cache River at Forman, Illinois 244 03/2008 539.01 220,400 2/88 4/27/2011 

Lower Mississippi River Basin (downstream from the mouth of the Ohio River)

418 07022300 Mississippi River near Wickliffe, 

Kentucky

918,500 02/1937 358.18 162,010,000 1/1 5/5/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

419 07024500 South Fork Obion River near 

Greenfield, Tennessee

383 05/2010 523.08 38,000 7/78 5/3/2011 

420 07026040 Obion River at Highway 51 near 

Obion, Tennessee

1,875 01/1937 40.40 999,500 2/68 5/6/2011 

421 07030050 Hatchie River at Rialto, Tennessee 2,308 01/1946 1522.90 55,700 1/47 5/3/2011 

422 07030240 Loosahatchie River near Arlington, 

Tennessee

262 05/2010 25.44 29,600 5/42 4/28/2011 

423 07030392 Wolf River at La Grange, Tennessee 210 05/2010 15.72 12,200 1/16 4/27/2011 424 07030500 Wolf River at Rossville, Tennessee 503 01/1935 13.75 40,000 3/52 4/28/2011 425 07031650 Wolf River at Germantown, Tennessee 699 03/1975 27.98 33,400 2/38 4/29/2011 426 07032000 Mississippi River at Memphis, 

Tennessee

932,800 02/1937 3,1750.40 182,020,000 1/83 5/9/2011 

427 07032200 Nonconnah Creek near Germantown, 

Tennessee

68.2 10/2002 23.87 14,600 2/42 4/27/2011 

428 07035000 Little St. Francis River at 

Fredericktown, Missouri

90.5 11/1993 26.50 25,100 2/23 4/26/2011 

429 07036100 St. Francis River near Saco, Missouri 664 11/1993 36.10 161,000 4/20 4/26/2011 430 07037500 St. Francis River near Patterson, 

Missouri

956 12/1982 35.77 155,000 4/91 5/2/2011 

431 07039500 St. Francis River at Wappapello, 

Missouri

1,311 08/1915 -- 1485,000 2/71 5/3/2011 

432 07040000 St. Francis River at Fisk, Missouri 1,370 04/2008 23.33 211,400 1/13 5/3/2011 433 07040100 St. Francis River at St. Francis, 

Arkansas

1,770 03/1935 28.20 39,200 2/90 5/3/2011 

434 07040450 St. Francis River at Lake City, 

Arkansas

2,370 04/1979 -- 242,700 2/87 5/3/2011 

435 07043500 Little River Ditch 1 near Morehouse, 

Missouri

341 02/1989 19.50 12,200 3/63 4/28/2011 

436 07047800 St. Francis River at Parkin, Arkansas 11-- 01/1930 -- 225,300 5/75 5/6/2011 437 07047970 Mississippi River at Helena, Arkansas 941,800 04/1912 3,1754.30 142,040,000 1/132 5/11/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

438 07050700 James River near Springfield, Missouri 246 07/1909 22.00 9,1462,000 4/57 4/26/2011 

439 07052250 James River near Boaz, Missouri 461 03/2008 23.55 241,900 3/18 4/25/2011 440 07052500 James River at Galena, Missouri 987 03/2008 35.96 85,100 3/90 4/26/2011 

441 07057500 North Fork River near Tecumseh, Missouri 561 11/1985 28.10 133,000 3/67 4/26/2011 442 07058000 Bryant Creek near Tecumseh, Missouri 570 12/1982 26.74 71,100 2/57 4/26/2011 445 07062500 Black River at Leeper, Missouri 987 03/1904 22.30 9,14125,000 24/79 4/24/2011 

446 07063000 Black River at Poplar Bluff, Missouri 1,245 03/1904 -- 7,9,14100,000 15/90 4/26/2011 

447 07064000 Black River near Corning, Arkansas 1,750 06/1945 16.92 48,600 2/95 4/28/2011 448 07068000 Current River at Doniphan, Missouri 2,038 03/1904 24.90 9,14130,000 7/95 4/26/2011 

449 07069000 Black River at Pocahontas, Arkansas 4,840 04/1927 25.90 980,000 1/76 4/28/2011 

450 07071500 Eleven Point River near Bardley, Missouri 793 12/1982 21.64 49,800 5/91 4/26/2011 451 07072500 Black River at Black Rock, Arkansas 7,370 12/1982 731.51 7190,000 2/107 4/26/2011 

452 07074420 Black River at Elgin Ferry, Arkansas 8,420 03/2008 632.57 7127,000 1/24 4/28/2011 

453 07074500 White River at Newport, Arkansas 19,900 04/1945 5,735.19 2343,000 6/126 5/4/2011 

454 07074850 White River near Augusta, Arkansas 20,500 03/2008 38.41 2252,000 1/74 5/5/2011 456 07077380 Cache River at Egypt, Arkansas 701 01/1966 21.88 8,940 2/62 5/4/2011 457 07083710 Arkansas River below Empire Gulch near Malta, Colorado 238 06/2008 5.41 21,530 1/12 6/17/2011 

458 07105800 Fountain Creek at Security, Colorado 500 07/1965 11.30 25,000 4/47 9/14/2011 459 07105900 Jimmy Camp Creek at Fountain, Colorado 65.4 06/1965 -- 7,9124,000 4/37 9/15/2011 

460 07106300 Fountain Creek near Pinon, Colorado 865 04/1999 9.80 219,100 2/39 9/15/2011 

469 07188653 Big Sugar Creek near Powell, Missouri 141 04/2008 18.11 15,800 1/11 4/25/2011 470 07188885 Indian Creek near Lanagan, Missouri 239 03/2008 13.31 14,600 1/12 5/24/2011 471 07189100 Buffalo Creek at Tiff City, Missouri 91.6 06/2007 14.31 15,700 1/11 5/24/2011 472 07189540 Cave Springs Branch near Southwest 

City, Missouri

7.9 04/2008 12.45 2,470 2/14 5/23/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued[mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable]

Map 

site 

number 

(fig. 4)

Station 

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage

area

(mi2)

Flood data

Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s)

Rank1/

annual 

peaks in 

record

Date of 

peak 

streamflow

473 07189542 Honey Creek near Southwest City, 

Missouri

48.2 04/2008 13.89 9,210 2/14 5/24/2011 

474 07191000 Big Cabin Creek near Big Cabin, 

Oklahoma

450 05/1943 434.96 63,000 4/72 5/24/2011 

476 07194800 Illinois River at Savoy, Arkansas 167 04/2004 19.63 39,800 1/19 4/25/2011 

477 07195000 Osage Creek near Elm Springs, 

Arkansas

130 05/1961 16.66 22,500 1/46 4/25/2011 

478 07195400 Illinois River at Highway 16 near 

Siloam Springs, Arkansas

509 03/2008 21.53 61,000 1/12 4/26/2011 

479 07195430 Illinois River south of Siloam Springs, 

Arkansas

575 04/2004 20.54 52,000 1/16 4/26/2011 

480 07195500 Illinois River near Watts, Oklahoma 635 07/1960 25.96 68,000 1/56 4/26/2011 

481 07196090 Illinois River at Chewey, Oklahoma 825 n/a n/a n/a 1/1 4/26/2011 482 07196500 Illinois River near Tahlequah, 

Oklahoma

959 05/1950 27.94 7150,000 4/79 4/26/2011 

483 07197000 Baron Fork at Eldon, Oklahoma 307 06/2000 26.77 54,700 1/65 4/25/2011 484 07197360 Caney Creek near Barber, Oklahoma 89.6 06/2000 4,515.67 7,89,720 1/14 4/25/2011 485 07198000 Illinois River near Gore, Oklahoma 1,626 05/1950 430.20 180,000 14/73 5/24/2011 487 07249985 Lee Creek near Short, Oklahoma 420 04/2004 527.77 82,400 3/66 4/26/2011 

488 07250965 Frog Bayou at Winfrey, Arkansas 54.2 04/2004 11.58 12,900 1/9 4/25/2011 489 07265450 Mississippi River at Arkansas City, 

Arkansas

1,130,600 05/1927 359.20 2,14,19 2,500,000 2/88 5/17/2011 

490 07289000 Mississippi River at Vicksburg, 

Mississippi

1,140,500 05/1927 356.20 72,278,000 1/91 5/17/2011 

492 07374000 Mississippi River at Baton Rouge, 

Louisiana

1,125,810 04/1945 45.18 1,473,000 2/36 5/18/2011 

493 07374525 Mississippi River at Belle Chase, 

Louisiana

1,110,000 02/2010 515.84 1,210,000 1/3 5/17/2011 

494 07381482 Old River Outflow Channel below 

Hydropower Channel, Louisiana

20

-- 04/2010 535.08 423,000 1/3 5/20/2011 
Table 1. Peak streamflows at selected streamgages in the Central United States during the 2011 floods.—Continued [mi2, square miles; ft, feet; ft3/s, cubic feet per second; --, data not available; n/a, not applicable] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contributing drainage area (mi2) Flood data Previous maximum streamflow Floods 

Date Stage (ft) Streamflow (ft3/s) Rank1/ annual peaks in record Date of peak streamflow 

495 07381490 Atchafalaya River at Simmesport, Louisiana 20-- 05/1973 53.40 781,000 3/9 5/24/2011 

496 07381590 Wax Lake Outlet at Calumet, Louisiana 20-- 04/1997 -- 8258,000 1/67 5/27/2011 

497 07381600 Lower Atchafalaya River at Morgan City, Louisiana 20-- 04/2008 57.81 366,000 1/34 5/29/2011 

1Rank of the maximum instantaneous peak streamflow measured during 2011 event compared to all systematic and historic annual peaks. A rank of 1 indicates that the 2011 p

all other recorded annual peaks. 2Streamflow was affected by regulation or diversion. 3Stage corresponds to maximum stage for the flood, not the stage when the peak streamflow occurred. 4Gage height was measured at a different site or datum (or both) than the 2011 peak. 5Stage is the stage of peak flow, not the maximum historic stage. 6Stage is affected by backwater. 7Estimated. 8Streamflow is a maximum daily average. Peak streamflow may be higher. 9Streamflow is an historic peak. 10Streamflow is unknown but greater than the reported value. 11All or part of the record is affected by urbanization, mining, agricultural changes, channelization, or other. 12Streamflow was affected by dam failure. 13No USGS streamgage is currently in operation at this site. Streamflow is provided by AmerenUE and computed from operation of turbines in power plant and spillway gates 

14Month or day of occurrence is unknown or not exact. 15A previous historic peak stage and unknown streamflow exists that likely exceeds the previous max streamflow. 16This value is for Hickman, Kentucky which is 29.6 river miles downstream from Wickliffe, Kentucky and includes the flow through the New Madrid Floodway (Mississippi 

1912 and 1913 maximum discharges were 2,015,000 ft3/s (Mississippi River Commission, 1955). 17Source: Mississippi River Commission, 1954, Annual highest and lowest stages of the Mississippi River and its outlets and tributaries to 1953, Vicksburg, Mississippi, 253 p

18Source: Mississippi River Commission, 1955, Annual maximum minimum and mean discharges of the Mississippi River and its outlets and tributaries to 1953, Vicksburg, M19The amount of flow actually measured was 1,712,000 ft3/s (Mississippi River Commission, 1955) , but 2,500,000 ft3/s was the estimated total flow past Arkansas City factori

bypassing the main channel area through the ruptured levees (written commun., 2012, Charles Shade, Chief, Water Control, Mississippi Valley Division, U.S. Army Corps of En

20Major river diversions upstream cause these drainage areas to be indeterminate.
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.[mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than]

Map 

site

number 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Period of record

Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years

with streamflow data

Number of 

years with 

streamflow 

data

Median 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Mean 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Water 

year

Annual 

(acre-

Red River of the North Basin

2 05046000 Otter Tail River below Orwell Dam near 

Fergus Falls, Minnesota

1,740 1931–2011 81 255,600 295,700 2009 679

4 05050000 Bois De Sioux River near White Rock, 

South Dakota

1,160 1942–2011 70 59,000 100,300 1997 388

5 05051500 Red River of the North at Wahpeton, 

North Dakota

4,010 1944–2011 68 453,600 531,000 2009 1,332

9 05053000 Wild Rice River near Abercrombie, North 

Dakota

1,490 1933–2011 79 41,270 106,400 2009 697

10 05054000 Red River of the North at Fargo, North 

Dakota

6,800 1902–2011 110 417,400 580,800 2009 2,527

12 05056000 Sheyenne River near Warwick, North 

Dakota

760 1950–2011 62 44,890 62,890 2009 272

22 05059500 Sheyenne River at West Fargo, North 

Dakota

3,090 1904–05, 

1930–2011

84 133,900 199,300 2010 752

27 05062000 Buffalo River near Dilworth, Minnesota 975 1932–2011 80 108,200 131,900 2009 526

28 05064000 Wild Rice at Hendrum, Minnesota 1,560 1945–84, 

1986–2011

66 228,800 268,500 2009 738

31 05066500 Goose River at Hillsboro, North Dakota 1,093 1932, 

1935–2011

78 44,890 83,450 2009 298

32 05069000 Sand Hill River at Climax, Minnesota 420 1947–84, 

1986–2011

64 60,810 67,650 1999 180

35 05079000 Red Lake River at Crookston, Minnesota 5,270 1902–2011 110 810,900 893,000 1950 2,266

36 05082500 Red River of the North at Grand Forks, 

North Dakota

26,300 1905–2011 107 1,911,000 2,405,000 2009 7,964

38 05085000 Forest River at Minto, North Dakota 620 1945–2011 67 35,470 43,230 2009 198

39 05087500 Middle River at Argyle, Minnesota 255 1951–81, 

1983–2011

60 34,030 41,270 1999 143

40 05090000 Park River at Grafton, North Dakota 695 1932–2011 80 40,900 51,400 2009 259
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued [mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drainage area (mi2) Period of record Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years with stream- flow data Number of years with streamflow data Median annual runoff (acre-feet) Mean annual runoff (acre-feet) Water year Annual 

(acre-

41 05092000 Red River of the North at Drayton, North Dakota 34,800 1950–2011 62 3,334,000 3,570,000 2009 9,846

42 05094000 South Branch Two Rivers at Lake Bronson, Minnesota 422 1929–36, 1942–43, 1946–47, 1954–81, 1986–2011 66 54,300 83,420 2009 237

44 05100000 Pembina River at Neche, North Dakota 3,410 1904–08, 1910–15, 1920–2011 103 115,100 189,700 1995 810

45 05102500 Red River at Emerson, Manitoba 40,200 1913–2011 99 2,324,000 3,184,000 2009 10,930

Souris River Basin 46 05113600 Long Creek near Noonan, North Dakota 630 1960–2011 52 15,200 35,350 1976 145

47 05114000 Souris River near Sherwood, North Dakota 3,040 1931–2011 81 45,610 106,900 1976 637

49 05116500 Des Lacs River at Foxholm, North Dakota 539 1905–06, 1946–2011 68 10,860 22,260 1976 107

50 05117500 Souris River above Minot, North Dakota 3,900 1904–2011 108 60,450 127,700 1976 803

52 05120500 Wintering River near Karlsruhe, North Dakota 285 1938–2011 74 9,050 13,000 1999 5954 05123400 Willow Creek near Willow City, North Dakota 730 1957–2011 55 15,100 42,060 1999 23356 05124000 Souris River near Westhope, North Dakota 6,600 1931–2011 81 105,000 237,000 1976 1,23

Upper Mississippi River Basin (upstream of the mouth of the Ohio River), excluding the Missouri River Basin

57 05211000 Mississippi River at Grand Rapids, 

Minnesota

3,370 1886–88, 

1901–03, 1905–09, 1912–37, 

1939–2011

110 890,500 898,700 1906 1,759
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued[mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than]

Map 

site

number 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Period of record

Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years

with streamflow data

Number of 

years with 

streamflow 

data

Median 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Mean 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Water 

year

Annual 

(acre-

58 05244000 Crow Wing River at Nimrod, Minnesota 1,030 1940–81, 

1992–2011

62 360,500 349,100 1999 548

59 05267000 Mississippi River near Royalton, 

Minnesota

11,600 1925–2011 87 3,388,000 3,524,000 1966 6,92

60 05270500 Sauk River near St. Cloud, Minnesota 1,030 1910–12, 

1931, 

1935–81, 

1991–2011

72 233,800 238,300 1972 530

62 05280000 Crow River at Rockford, Minnesota 2,640 1910–11, 

1913–17, 

1931, 

1935–2011

85 521,300 632,900 1986 1,99

63 05286000 Rum River near St. Francis, Minnesota 1,360 1931, 

1934–2011

79 461,200 471,000 1986 1,093

65 05288500 Mississippi River near Anoka, Minnesota 19,100 1932–2011 80 5,998,000 6,064,000 1986 12,810

67 05292000 Minnesota River at Ortonville, Minnesota 1,160 1939–2011 73 72,400 112,600 2010 45369 05294000 Pomme De Terre River at Appleton, 

Minnesota

905 1936–99, 

2004–11

72 78,190 107,900 1997 304

70 05300000 Lac Qui Parle River near Lac Qui Parle, 

Minnesota

960 1913, 1932, 

1934–99, 

2002–11

78 92,670 125,900 1993 452

72 05311000 Minnesota River at Montevideo, 

Minnesota

6,180 1910–17, 

1930–2011

90 530,700 727,400 1997 2,295

76 05317000 Cottonwood River near New Ulm, 

Minnesota

1,300 1912–13, 

1936–37, 

1939–2011

77 202,700 298,100 1993 1,303

78 05320000 Blue Earth River near Rapidan, 

Minnesota

2,410 1940–45, 

1950–2011

68 721,800 827,500 1993 3,272
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued [mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drainage area (mi2) Period of record Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years with stream- flow data Number of years with streamflow data Median annual runoff (acre-feet) Mean annual runoff (acre-feet) Water year Annual 

(acre-

81 05320500 Le Sueur River near Rapidan, Minnesota 1,110 1940–45, 1950–2011 68 413,400 420,600 1993 1,477

82 05325000 Minnesota River at Mankato, Minnesota 14,900 1905, 1911–17, 1930–2011 90 2,237,000 2,801,000 1993 10,790

83 05330000 Minnesota River near Jordan, Minnesota 16,200 1935–2011 77 2,744,000 3,476,000 1993 12,240

84 05331000 Mississippi River at Saint Paul, Minnesota 36,800 1895, 1897, 1901–05, 1907–2011 112 8,579,000 8,845,000 1986 21,430

85 05340500 St. Croix River at St. Croix Falls, Wisconsin 6,240 1911–2011 101 3,178,000 3,175,000 1986 6,204

86 05344500 Mississippi River at Prescott, Wisconsin 44,800 1929–2011 83 13,830,000 13,600,000 1986 27,870

88 05355200 Cannon River at Welch, Minnesota 1,340 1912–13, 1932–71, 1992–2011 62 431,100 479,600 1993 1,542

89 05369500 Chippewa River at Durand, Wisconsin 9,010 1929–2011 83 5,640,000 5,540,000 1942 8,39890 05378500 Mississippi River at Winona, Minnesota 59,200 1929–2011 83 21,570,000 21,650,000 1986 41,12091 05382000 Black River near Galesville, Wisconsin 2,080 1933–2011 79 1,303,000 1,283,000 1993 2,50592 05389500 Mississippi River at McGregor, Iowa 67,500 1937–2005, 2008–11 73 28,020,000 27,330,000 1993 46,840

94 05398000 Wisconsin River at Rothschild, Wisconsin 4,020 1945–2011 67 2,490,000 2,511,000 1973 4,308

95 05407000 Wisconsin River at Muscoda, Wisconsin 10,400 1914–2011 98 6,277,000 6,293,000 1973 11,580

96 05412500 Turkey River at Garber, Iowa 1,545 1914–16, 1920–27, 

1930–2011

91 718,900 754,900 1993 2,107

102 05420500 Mississippi River at Clinton, Iowa 85,600 1874–2011 138 35,730,000 35,720,000 1882 68,560103 05422000 Wapsipinicon River near De Witt, Iowa 2,336 1935–2011 77 1,158,000 1,267,000 1993 3,953
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued[mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than]

Map 

site

number 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Period of record

Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years

with streamflow data

Number of 

years with 

streamflow 

data

Median 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Mean 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Water 

year

Annual 

(acre-

104 05430500 Rock River at Afton, Wisconsin 3,340 1915–2011 97 1,376,000 1,460,000 2008 3,598

105 05437500 Rock River at Rockton, Illinois 6,363 1904–05, 

1915–19, 

1940–2011

79 3,026,000 3,254,000 2008 7,124

106 05446500 Rock River near Joslin, Illinois 9,549 1940–2011 72 4,608,000 4,973,000 1993 10,570

108 05454500 Iowa River at Iowa City, Iowa 3,271 1904–2011 108 1,256,000 1,425,000 1993 6,154

109 05458500 Cedar River at Janesville, Iowa 1,661 1905–06, 

1915–27, 1933–42, 

1946–2011

91 626,200 729,000 1993 2,498

110 05464500 Cedar River at Cedar Rapids, Iowa 6,510 1903–2011 109 2,585,000 2,873,000 1993 10,930

112 05465500 Iowa River at Wapello, Iowa 12,500 1915–2011 97 5,263,000 5,809,000 1993 22,150

116 05476000 Des Moines River at Jackson, Minnesota 1,250 1936–2011 76 216,500 307,600 1993 1,520

117 05479000 East Fork Des Moines River at Dakota 

City, Iowa

1,308 1941–2011 71 396,700 481,400 1993 1,984

118 05480500 Des Moines River at Fort Dodge, Iowa 4,190 1914–27, 

1947–2011

79 1,173,000 1,374,000 1993 5,705

119 05484500 Raccoon River at Van Meter, Iowa 3,441 1916–2011 96 962,900 1,191,000 1993 4,14

120 05485500 Des Moines River below Racoon River at 

Des Moines, Iowa

9,879 1941–2011 71 3,461,000 3,851,000 1993 13,900

125 05490500 Des Moines River at Keosauqua, Iowa 14,038 1904–05, 

1912–2011

102 4,130,000 4,971,000 1993 19,470

128 05526000 Iroquois River near Chenbanse, Illinois 2,091 1924–2011 88 1,274,000 1,303,000 1993 3,243

129 05527500 Kankakee River near Wilmington, Illinois 5,150 1916–33, 

1936–2011

94 3,189,000 3,316,000 1993 7,529

130 05543500 Illinois River at Marseilles, Illinois 8,259 1920–2011 92 7,674,000 7,817,000 1993 12,960

131 05552500 Fox River at Dayton, Illinois 2,642 1916–2011 96 1,372,000 1,366,000 1993 2,852

132 05555300 Vermilion River near Leonore, Illinois 1,251 1932–2011 80 628,100 653,300 1993 1,752
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued [mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drainage area (mi2) Period of record Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years with stream- flow data Number of years with streamflow data Median annual runoff (acre-feet) Mean annual runoff (acre-feet) Water year Annual 

(acre-

133 05568500 Illinois River at Kingston Mines, Illinois 15,818 1940–2011 72 11,440,000 11,640,000 1993 23,310

134 05570000 Spoon River at Seville, Illinois 1,636 1915–2011 97 760,200 825,500 1993 2,592

135 05576500 Sangamon River at Riverton, Illinois 2,618 1909–12, 1915–56, 1987–2011 71 1,318,000 1,332,000 1927 3,482

136 05582000 Salt Creek near Greenview, Illinois 1,804 1942–2011 70 984,600 1,020,000 1993 2,433

137 05583000 Sangamon River near Oakford, Illinois 5,093 1910–11, 1915–18, 1922, 1929–33, 1940–2011 84 2,563,000 2,624,000 2010 6,545

138 05586100 Illinois River at Valley City, Illinois 26,743 1939–2011 73 16,290,000 16,970,000 1993 33,880

141 05592500 Kaskaskia River at Vandalia, Illinois 1,940 1909–12, 1915–2011 101 1,108,000 1,132,000 1927 2,614

143 05595000 Kaskaskia River at New Athens, Illinois 5,189 1910–12, 1915–21, 1935–71, 2010–11 49 2,795,000 2,728,000 1950 5,893

144 05597000 Big Muddy River at Plumfield, Illinois 794 1909, 1912, 1915–2011 99 544,400 523,100 1950 1,325

146 07010000 Mississippi River at St. Louis, Missouri 697,000 1863–2011 149 131,800,000 135,500,000 1993 311,300

147 07019000 Meramec River near Eureka, Missouri 3,788 1904–05, 1922–2011 92 2,299,000 2,379,000 1985 5,365

148 07020500 Mississippi River at Chester, Illinois 708,600 1943–2011 69 145,500,000 153,200,000 1993 320,000

149 07022000 Mississippi River at Thebes, Illinois 713,200 1934–37, 

1940–2011

76 148,400,000 154,100,000 1993 322,900
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued[mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than]

Map 

site

number 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Period of record

Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years

with streamflow data

Number of 

years with 

streamflow 

data

Median 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Mean 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Water 

year

Annual 

(acre-

Missouri River Basin

161 06036650 Jefferson River near Three Forks, 

Montana

9,532 1895, 

1897–1898, 1900–1905, 1939–1969, 

1979–2011

72 1,473,000 1,457,000 1984 2,643

165 06041000 Madison River below Ennis Lake near 

McAllister, Montana

2,186 1939–2011 73 1,216,000 1,271,000 1997 1,832

167 06052500 Gallatin River at Logan, Montana 1,795 1894–1905, 

1929–2011

95 760,200 770,100 1997 1,209

168 06054500 Missouri River at Toston, Montana 14,669 1911–16, 

1942–2011

76 3,660,000 3,705,000 1997 5,604

177 06089000 Sun River near Vaughn, Montana 1,849 1935–2011 77 469,100 486,900 1943 948180 06090800 Missouri River at Fort Benton, Montana 24,749 1891–2011 121 5,459,000 5,511,000 1894 8,615

183 06101500 Marias River near Chester, Montana 4,927 1946–47, 

1956–2011

58 540,400 579,200 1959 1,079

189 06115200 Missouri River near Landusky, Montana 40,987 1935–2011 77 6,349,000 6,510,000 1975 11,080

199 06130500 Musselshell River at Mosby, Montana 7,846 1931–32, 

1935–2011

79 129,600 199,200 1978 789

201 06132000 Missouri River below Fort Peck Dam, 

Montana

57,556 1935–2000, 

2002–2011

76 6,085,000 6,393,000 1975 10,860

210 06174500 Milk River at Nashua, Montana 22,332 1940–2011 72 380,100 475,800 1952 1,716

213 06185500 Missouri River near Culbertson, Montana 91,557 1942–1951, 

1959–2011

63 6,653,000 7,220,000 1975 12,020

218 06192500 Yellowstone River near Livingston, 

Montana

3,551 1898–1905, 

1929–1932, 

1938–2011

86 2,632,000 2,713,000 1997 4,43

222 06207500 Clarks Fork Yellowstone River near 

Belfry, Montana

1,154 1922–2011 90 648,300 676,200 1997 1,079
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued [mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drainage area (mi2) Period of record Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years with stream- flow data Number of years with streamflow data Median annual runoff (acre-feet) Mean annual runoff (acre-feet) Water year Annual 

(acre-

227 06214500 Yellowstone River at Billings, Montana 11,408 1929–2011 83 5,090,000 5,027,000 1997 8,760

239 06289000 Little Bighorn River at State line near Wyola, Montana 182 1940–2011 72 103,900 108,000 1975 183255 06308500 Tongue River at Miles City, Montana 5,397 1939–41, 1947–2011 68 291,400 296,300 1978 713

256 06309000 Yellowstone River at Miles City, Montana 48,253 1923, 1929–2011 84 8,507,000 8,177,000 1997 12,670

258 06326500 Powder River near Locate, Montana 13,068 1939–2011 73 396,000 412,900 1944 1,180260 06329500 Yellowstone River near Sidney, Montana 68,392 1911–31, 1934–2011 99 9,339,000 9,027,000 1924 15,420

269 06337000 Little Missouri River near Watford City, North Dakota 8,310 1935–2011 77 329,400 400,900 1971 1,187

270 06340500 Knife River at Hazen, North Dakota 2,240 1930–33, 1938–2011 78 99,180 122,100 2009 373

271 06342500 Missouri River at Bismarck, North Dakota 186,400 1929–2011 83 15,350,000 16,060,000 1975 25,770

272 06349000 Heart River at Mandan, North Dakota 3,310 1929–32, 1938–2011 78 140,100 195,200 2009 687

273 06354000 Cannonball River at Breien, North Dakota 4,100 1935–2011 77 124,500 181,000 2009 738

274 06357800 Grand River at Little Eagle, South Dakota 5,322 1959–2011 53 128,100 192,900 2009 818

275 06359500 Moreau River near Faith, South Dakota 2,596 1944–2011 68 68,780 107,000 2009 41

285 06438500 Cheyenne River near Plainview, South Dakota 21,414 1951–1981, 1995–2011 48 468,800 573,200 1997 1,752

287 06452000 White River near Oacoma, South Dakota 9,859 1929–2011 83 372,800 425,700 1942 1,252

289 06465500 Niobrara River near Verdel, Nebraska 11,580 1939, 

1959–2011

54 1,166,000 1,269,000 2010 1,976

294 06470500 James River at LaMoure, North Dakota 1,790 1951–2011 61 78,190 151,600 2009 810

305 06478500 James River near Scotland, South Dakota 18,601 1929–2011 83 254,800 558,100 2010 4,214
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued[mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than]

Map 

site

number 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Period of record

Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years

with streamflow data

Number of 

years with 

streamflow 

data

Median 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Mean 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Water 

year

Annual 

(acre-

310 06485500 Big Sioux River at Akron, Iowa 6,996 1929–2011 83 760,200 995,300 1993 4,539

311 06486000 Missouri River at Sioux City, Iowa 314,600 1929–31, 

1939–2011

76 20,600,000 21,720,000 1997 40,470

312 06600500 Floyd River at James, Iowa 886 1936–2011 76 150,900 198,300 1983 693314 06607500 Little Sioux River near Turin, Iowa 3,526 1943–57, 

1959–2011

68 894,100 961,800 1993 3,808

321 06674500 North Platte River at Wyoming-Nebraska 

State Line

22,218 1930–2011 82 444,500 568,400 1984 2,078

325 06774000 Platte River near Ducan, Nebraska 54,630 1930–2011 82 991,800 1,255,000 1984 4,822

326 06793000 Loup River near Genoa, Nebraska 5,620 1930–31, 

1944–2011

70 494,500 583,900 1930 1,976

327 06796000 Platte River at North Bend, Nebraska 57,800 1950–2011 62 3,077,000 3,308,000 1984 7,312

329 06810000 Nishnabotna River above Hamburg, Iowa 2,806 1923, 

1929–2011

84 810,900 965,800 1993 3,663

330 06813500 Missouri River at Rulo, Nebraska 414,900 1950–2011 62 29,320,000 31,340,000 1997 52,050

331 06815000 Big Nemaha River at Falls City, Nebraska 1,339 1945–2011 67 353,300 437,600 1993 1,853333 06818000 Missouri River at St. Joseph, Missouri 426,500 1929–2011 83 29,030,000 31,540,000 1997 55,020

338 06892350 Kansas River at De Soto, Kansas 59,756 1918–2011 94 4,554,000 5,325,000 1993 22,150

340 06902000 Grand River near Sumner, Missouri 6,880 1925–2011 87 2,795,000 3,120,000 1993 12,600

341 06905500 Chariton River near Prairie Hill, Missouri 1,870 1930–2011 82 850,700 959,500 2010 3,30

342 06926000 Osage River near Bagnell, Missouri 14,000 1926–2011 86 7,385,000 7,653,000 1927 17,810

346 06934500 Missouri River at Hermann, Missouri 522,500 1929–2011 83 57,270,000 59,430,000 1993 131,800

Ohio River Basin

347 03016000 Allegheny River at West Hickory, 

Pennsylvania

3,660 1942–2005, 

2008–2011

68 4,901,000 4,880,000 2004 7,146

348 03031500 Allegheny River at Parker, Pennsylvania 7,671 1933–2011 79 9,991,000 10,050,000 2004 15,490

349 03044000 Connemaugh River at Tunnelton, 

Pennsylvania

1,358 1940–1991, 

2010–2011

54 1,658,000 1,730,000 1951 2,519
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued [mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drainage area (mi2) Period of record Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years with stream- flow data Number of years with streamflow data Median annual runoff (acre-feet) Mean annual runoff (acre-feet) Water year Annual 

(acre-

350 03049500 Allegheny River at Natrona, Pennsylvania 11,410 1939–2011 73 14,260,000 14,340,000 2004 21,790

351 03069500 Cheat River near Parsons, West Virginia 722 1914–2011 98 1,256,000 1,261,000 1996 2,266

352 03075070 Monongahela River at Elizabeth, Pennsylvania 5,340 1934–2011 78 6,679,000 6,693,000 1996 10,430

353 03086000 Ohio River at Sewickley, Pennsylvania 19,500 1934–2011 78 23,750,000 24,390,000 2004 37,210

356 03129000 Tuscarawas River at Newcomerstown, Ohio 2,443 1922–2011 90 1,843,000 1,900,000 2004 3,779

358 03140500 Muskingum River near Coshocton, Ohio 4,859 1937–2011 75 3,649,000 3,739,000 2004 6,907

359 03150000 Muskingum River at McConnelsville, Ohio 7,422 1922–92, 2002–2011 81 5,495,000 5,668,000 2004 9,99

360 03155000 Little Kanawha River at Palestine, West Virginia 1,516 1940–2011 72 1,524,000 1,556,000 1994 2,628

361 03159500 Hocking River at Athens, Ohio 943 1916–2011 96 722,200 746,300 2004 1,318

362 03176500 New River at Glen Lyn, Virginia 3,783 1928–2011 84 3,500,000 3,599,000 2003 5,423

363 03184000 Greenbrier River at Hilldale, West Virginia 1,619 1937–2011 75 1,651,000 1,656,000 2003 3,157

364 03192000 Gauley River above Belva, West Virginia 1,317 1930–2011 82 1,998,000 2,006,000 2003 2,932

365 03193000 Kanawha River at Kanawha Falls, West Virginia 8,371 1878–2011 134 8,977,000 9,071,000 1901 15,350

366 03197000 Elk River at Queen Shoals, West Virginia 1,145 1929–2011 83 1,499,000 1,493,000 1994 2,237

367 03198000 Kanawha River at Charleston, West Virginia 10,448 1941–2011 71 11,080,000 11,040,000 2004 16,510

368 03212500 Levisa Fork at Paintsville, Kentucky 2,144 1916, 

1929–2011

84 1,774,000 1,786,000 1994 3,062

369 03213700 Tug Fork at Williamson, West Virginia 936 1968–2011 44 818,100 810,200 1979 1,252

370 03214500 Tug Fork at Kermit, West Virginia 1,280 1916–17, 

1930–34, 

1986–2011

33 1,057,000 1,054,000 1994 1,65
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued[mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than]

Map 

site

number 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Period of record

Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years

with streamflow data

Number of 

years with 

streamflow 

data

Median 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Mean 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Water 

year

Annual 

(acre-

371 03227500 Scioto River at Columbus, Ohio 1,629 1921–90, 

1992–2011

90 1,137,000 1,075,000 2008 1,875

372 03234500 Scioto River at Higby, Ohio 5,131 1931–2011 81 3,490,000 3,542,000 1996 5,937

373 03253500 Licking River at Catawba, Kentucky 3,300 1916–17, 

1929–2011

85 2,954,000 3,015,000 1979 5,596

376 03274000 Great Miami River at Hamilton, Ohio 3,630 1928–2011 84 2,534,000 2,546,000 2008 4,604

377 03276500 Whitewater River at Brookville, Indiana 1,224 1916–17, 

1924–2011

90 1,014,000 991,800 1996 1,738

379 03282000 Kentucky River at Lock 14 at Heidelberg, 

Kentucky

2,657 1926–31, 

1939–2011

79 2,686,000 2,692,000 1994 5,046

380 03284500 Kentucky River at Lock 8 near Camp 

Nelson, Kentucky

4,414 1940–71, 

2003–11

41 4,134,000 4,087,000 2004 6,574

381 03290500 Kentucky River at Lock 2 at Lockport, 

Kentucky

5,984 1926–30, 

1933–37, 

1940–2011

82 5,919,000 6,050,000 1927 10,570

383 03294500 Ohio River at Louisville, Kentucky 91,170 1929–2011 83 84,710,000 85,500,000 2004 133,900

384 03298500 Salt River at Shepherdsville, Kentucky 1,197 1939–2011 73 1,100,000 1,169,000 1979 2,62

386 03308500 Green River at Munfordville, Kentucky 1,493 1916–22, 

1928–31, 

1938–2011

85 1,984,000 1,974,000 1979 3,830

387 03320000 Green River at Lock 2 at Calhoun, 

Kentucky

6,032 1931–2011 81 8,036,000 8,080,000 1979 16,000

388 03325000 Wabash River at Wabash, Indiana 1,768 1924–34, 

1936–2011

87 1,187,000 1,165,000 1950 2,165

389 03329000 Wabash River at Logansport, Indiana 3,779 1924–2011 88 2,530,000 2,564,000 1950 4,785

390 03336000 Wabash River at Covington, Indiana 8,218 1940–2011 72 5,596,000 5,729,000 1950 10,860

391 03341500 Wabash River at Terre Haute, Indiana 12,263 1928–2011 84 8,434,000 8,311,000 1950 16,510

392 03351000 White River near Nora, Indiana 1,219 1930–2011 82 883,300 869,300 2007 1,49

393 03360500 White River at Newberry, Indiana 4,688 1929–2011 83 3,757,000 3,688,000 2008 6,458
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued [mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drainage area (mi2) Period of record Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years with stream- flow data Number of years with streamflow data Median annual runoff (acre-feet) Mean annual runoff (acre-feet) Water year Annual 

(acre-

394 03373500 East Fork White River at Shoals, Indiana 4,927 1904–05, 1910–16, 1924–2011 97 4,358,000 4,181,000 1950 7,529

395 03374000 White River at Petersburg, Indiana 11,125 1929–2011 83 9,629,000 9,171,000 1950 16,510

398 03376500 Patoka River near Princeton, Indiana 822 1935–2011 77 760,200 772,200 1950 1,506

399 03377500 Wabash River at Mount Carmel, Illinois 28,635 1928–2011 84 22,370,000 21,240,000 1950 41,050

402 03381500 Little Wabash River at Carmi, Illinois 3,102 1940–2011 72 2,255,000 2,081,000 1950 4,409

407 03404500 Cumberland River at Cumberland Falls, Kentucky 1,977 1908–11, 1916–31, 1933–94, 2003–05, 2011 86 2,349,000 2,345,000 1927 3,765

408 03431500 Cumberland River at Nashville, Tennessee 12,856 1893–1954, 1993–2011 81 14,330,000 14,700,000 1920 25,340

409 03455000 French Broad River near Newport, Tennessee 1,858 1904–05, 1921–94, 1997–2011 91 2,114,000 2,111,000 1973 3,359

410 03528000 Clinch River Above Tazewell, Tennessee 1,474 1920–2011 92 1,528,000 1,479,000 1927 2,367

411 03532000 Powell River near Arthur, Tennessee 685 1920–1981, 1997–2011 77 818,100 803,600 1974 1,347

412 03566000 Hiwassee River at Charleston, Tennessee 2,298 1901–02, 1921–39, 1964–76, 1980–81, 1988–2011 61 3,410,000 3,319,000 1990 4,988

413 03584600 Elk River at Prospect, Tennessee 1,805 1905–07, 

1920–94, 

1999–2001, 

2004–2011

89 2,194,000 2,198,000 1920 3,946
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued[mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than]

Map 

site

number 

(fig. 4)

Station

number Station name

Contributing 

drainage 

area 

(mi2)

Period of record

Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years

with streamflow data

Number of 

years with 

streamflow 

data

Median 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Mean 

annual 

runoff 

(acre-feet)

Water 

year

Annual 

(acre-

414 03603000 Duck River above Hurricane Mills, 

Tennessee

2,557 1926–94, 

1999–2001, 

2009–11

75 2,860,000 2,966,000 1973 6,313

416 03611500 Ohio River at Metropolis, Illinois 203,000 1929–2011 83 201,300,000 202,100,000 1979 316,400

Lower Mississippi River Basin (downstream from the mouth of the Ohio River)

420 07026040 Obion River at Highway 51 near Obion, 

Tennessee

1,875 1930–58, 

1967–95, 

2002–11

68 1,940,000 1,995,000 1973 3,873

421 07030050 Hatchie River at Rialto, Tennessee 2,308 1941–74, 

1977–78, 1980–84, 1986–88, 

2004–11

52 2,186,000 2,333,000 1973 4,894

426 07032000 Mississippi River at Memphis, Tennessee 932,800 1934–2011 78 374,100,000 365,800,000 1973 571,100

437 07047970 Mississippi River at Helena, Arkansas 941,800 1929–2011 83 378,900,000 369,700,000 1973 589,400

443 07060500 White River at Calico Rock, Arkansas 9,980 1940–2011 72 7,370,000 7,430,000 1945 16,580444 07061000 White River at Batesville, Arkansas 11,070 1938–58, 

1987–94, 

2001–11

40 9,593,000 9,157,000 1945 19,190

447 07064000 Black River near Corning, Arkansas 1,750 1939–95, 

1999–2011

70 1,321,000 1,368,000 1973 2,903

448 07068000 Current River at Doniphan, Missouri 2,038 1922–2011 90 1,991,000 2,035,000 1985 4,243451 07072500 Black River at Black Rock, Arkansas 7,370 1930–31, 

1940–2011

74 5,814,000 6,321,000 1973 12,520

455 07077000 White River at DeValls Bluff, Arkansas 23,400 1950–1970, 

1989–2011

44 19,870,000 19,460,000 1950 37,140

461 07144300 Arkansas River at Wichita, Kansas 33,227 1935–2011 77 631,300 754,900 1993 2,787

462 07151000 Salt Fork Arkansas River at Tonkawa, 

Oklahoma

4,470 1936–2011 76 568,700 650,800 1999 2,693
Table 2. Annual runoff volumes at selected streamgages in the Central United States during water year 2011.—Continued [mi2, square miles; <, less than; >, greater than] Map site number (fig. 4) Station number Station name Contribut- ing drainage area (mi2) Period of record Previous maxi

annual runoff ba

data throug

water year 20

Water years with stream- flow data Number of years with streamflow data Median annual runoff (acre-feet) Mean annual runoff (acre-feet) Water year Annual 

(acre-

463 07152000 Chikaskia River near Blackwell, Oklahoma 1,873 1937–2011 75 362,000 449,900 1999 1,44464 07152500 Arkansas River at Ralston, Oklahoma 46,631 1926–2011 86 3,584,000 3,965,000 1999 12,160465 07160000 Cimarron River near Guthrie, Oklahoma 12,932 1938–76, 1984–2011 67 680,500 831,100 1987 2,824

466 07164500 Arkansas River at Tulsa, Oklahoma 62,811 1926–2011 86 5,350,000 5,610,000 1999 16,580467 07176000 Verdigris River near Claremore, Oklahoma 6,451 1936–2011 76 2,827,000 3,086,000 1999 7,89468 07183000 Neosho River near Iola, Kansas 3,723 1896–97, 1899–1903, 1918–2011 101 1,158,000 1,365,000 1951 4,807

475 07191500 Neosho River near Chouteau, Oklahoma 11,580 1938–1950, 1964–2011 61 6,081,000 6,517,000 1993 16,070

486 07245000 Canadian River near Whitefield, Oklahoma 39,149 1939–2011 73 3,707,000 4,317,000 1993 11,000

490 07289000 Mississippi River at Vicksburg, Mississippi 1,140,500 1932–2011 80 448,100,000 443,400,000 1973 720,400

491 07290000 Big Black River near Bovina, Mississippi 2,812 1937–2011 75 2,592,000 2,766,000 1983 7,89

1The U.S. Geological Survey water year begins October 1 of the previous calendar year and ends September 30 of the calendar year.
Publishing support provided by:

Rolla and Denver Publishing Service Centers

For more information concerning this publication, contact: 

Chief, USGS Office of Surface Water 

415 National Center 

12201 Sunrise Valley Drive 

Reston, VA 20192 

(703) 648-5301

Or visit the Office of Surface Water Web site at: 

http://water.usgs.gov/osw/
Holmes and others—Peak Streamflows and Runoff Volumes for the Central United States, February through September, 2011—Professional Paper 1798–C