Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused major flooding of the Big Sioux River, and of many small streams and lakes. Widespread flooding of farmland was also reported, including farmland both near to and away from the Big Sioux River. Numerous roads were flooded and some of the roads suffered heavy damage. High water and groundwater levels resulting from record precipitation in the previous year contributed to the rapid onset of the flooding. The flooding began with warm weather which arrived at the middle of the month, and continued through the end of the month.

Flood in UNION, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 17-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: ALSEN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate to major flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of small streams and lakes in the county. Farmland was flooded, especially near the Big Sioux River, and other lowlands were flooded. The Big Sioux River crested at 8.3 feet above flood stage across from Hawarden, Iowa on March 26th. Several roads were closed by the flooding, and water was running over other roads, from flooded streams, creeks, and fields as well as from the Big Sioux River. The flooded roads included numerous rural roads. Some roads were heavily damaged, but the amount of damage could not be determined before repairs began. Some homes and businesses were also flooded. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in LINCOLN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 17-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: TEA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: Official NWS Observations

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate to major flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of small streams and lakes in the county. Farmland was flooded, both near to and away from the Big Sioux River, and other lowlands were flooded. Numerous roads were closed by the flooding, and water was running over other roads, from flooded streams, creeks, and fields as well as from the Big Sioux River. The flooded roads included numerous rural roads. Some roads were heavily damaged, but the amount of damage could not be determined before repairs began. Some homes and businesses were also flooded. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in MINNEHAHA, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 17-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BUFFALO TRADING POST
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate to major flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of small streams and lakes in the county. Farmland was flooded, both near to and away from the Big Sioux River. Other lowlands were flooded, including parkland in Sioux Falls. The Big Sioux River crested at 5.55 feet above flood stage at North Cliff Avenue in Sioux Falls on March 25th. Numerous roads were closed by the flooding, and water was running over other roads, from flooded streams, creeks, and fields as well as from the Big Sioux River. The flooded roads included numerous rural roads, including many of the east and west roads between Dell Rapids and Interstate 90 near the Big Sioux River. Some roads were heavily damaged, but the amount of damage could not be determined before repairs began. Some homes and businesses were also flooded. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in BROOKINGS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 17-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: BRUCE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate to major flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of small streams and lakes in the county. Most notable was flooding of Six Mile Creek in the Brookings area, and flooding around the south end of Lake Poinsett in the northwest part of the county. Farmland was flooded, both near to and away from the Big Sioux River. The Big Sioux River crested at 4.41 feet above flood stage near Brookings on March 24th. Several roads were closed by the flooding, and water was running over other roads, from flooded streams, creeks, and fields as well as from the Big Sioux River. U. S. Highways 81 and 14 were two of the major roads flooded. Some roads were heavily damaged, but the amount of damage could not be determined before repairs began. Some homes and businesses were also flooded. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.

Flood in MOODY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 17-MAR-11 06:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: COLMAN
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Melting of a heavy winter snow cover caused moderate flooding of the Big Sioux River, as well as flooding of small streams and lakes in the county. Farmland was flooded, both near to and away from the Big Sioux River. Other lowlands were flooded, including the Flandreau City Park. The Big Sioux River crested at 2.90 feet above flood stage at Flandreau on March 24th. Several roads were closed by the flooding, and water was running over other roads, from flooded streams, creeks, and fields as well as from the Big Sioux River. The flooded roads included numerous rural roads. Some roads were heavily damaged, but the amount of damage could not be determined before repairs began. Some homes and businesses were also flooded. The flooding onset was rapid for a snow melt flood due to high water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010.