A widespread and deep snow pack began to melt in early March across central and northeast South Dakota. The runoff brought many rivers and creeks across the area over flood stage. Many roads were flooded along with many acres of crop and pastureland.  Road and bridge damage occurred along with some outbuildings being damaged.  A Presidential Disaster was declared for much of the area. Much of the flooding continued into April.

Flood in CODINGTON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 20-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: (ATY)WATERTOWN ARPT
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snowmelt flooding on the Big Sioux River occurred from near Watertown to the southern part of the county. The river went above flood stage on March 20th and continued above flood stage into April at the gage below Watertown. The river rose from 1 to 1 1/2 feet above flood stage. Agricultural land along with few roads were flooded.

Flood in SPINK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 20-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: DUXBURY
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The James River went above flood stage in Spink county on March 20th continuing through the end of the month and into April. The river rose to 22 to 26 feet at both Ashton and Redfield or 6 to 9 feet above flood stage. These moderate to major stages flooded countless acres of crop and pastureland along with many roads.

Flood in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: HECLA
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The James River went above flood stage throughout Brown county from Columbia to Stratford on March 22nd continuing through the end of the month and into April. The river rose above the flood stage of 13 to 14 feet to 3 to 4 feet above flood stage by the end of the month.  Agricultural and pastureland along with many roads were flooded. The river continued to rise into April to moderate to major stage.

Flood in DEWEY, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 17-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 21-MAR-11 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: BEAR CREEK
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snowmelt runoff caused the Moreau River to rise above the flood stage of 21 feet on March 17th.  The river rose to near 27 feet on March 20th before falling quickly back  to below flood stage on March 21st.  Pasture and agricultural land along with a few roads were flooded as a result. Some homes were also threatened by the river. The ice on the river also broke several power poles leaving some people without power.

Flood in HAMLIN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 21-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 27-MAR-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: THOMAS
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

The Big Sioux River went above and back below flood stage at the end of March. The river rose above flood stage of 11 feet to 12.87 feet at the gaging site at Castlewood. Minor flooding of agricultural land along with a few roads occurred.

Flood in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 17-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 22-MAR-11 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: LITTLE EAGLE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snowmelt flooding occurred for a short time on the Grand River in eastern Corson county. The river at Little Eagle rose above the flood stage of 15 feet to 21.9 feet on March 17th before falling back below flood stage on March 22nd.

Flood in BROWN, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 22-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 27-MAR-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: WINSHIP
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snowmelt runoff brought the Elm River twice above and below flood stage at the end of March. The river rose above the flood stage of 14 feet to 14.2 feet and again to 15.9 feet.  Minor flooding of crop and pastureland occurred.

Flood in SPINK, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 20-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 31-MAR-11 23:59:00 (CST-6)
Location: TULARE
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Turtle creek went above flood stage near Redfield on March 20th and remained above flood stage into April. The creek rose quickly to 16 feet on March 22nd or 9 feet above flood stage.

Flood in CORSON, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 19-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 08:00:00 (MST-7)
Location: MAPLE LEAF
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Oak Creek near Wakpala went above the flood stage of 10 feet on March 19th rising quickly to 14.3 feet on March 20th. The creek then fell back below flood stage on March 23rd. Minor flooding of surrounding crop and pastureland resulted.

Flood in ROBERTS, SOUTH DAKOTA
From 17-MAR-11 08:00:00 to 23-MAR-11 08:00:00 (CST-6)
Location: PEEVER
Flood cause: Heavy Rain / Snow Melt
Property damage: 0.00K
Crop damage: 0.00K
Reported by: River/Stream Gage

Snowmelt runoff brought the Little Minnesota River near Peever above flood stage a couple times from March 17th to March 23rd. The river went above the 17 foot flood stage on March 17th and then below on the 18th. The river went back above flood stage on the 20th and then back below on March 23rd. Mainly pasture and cropland flooding occurred along with a few roads being overtopped.