BELLE FOURCHE RIVER NEAR ELM SPRINGS, SD
USGS 06438000 · South Dakota · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading BELLE FOURCHE RIVER NEAR ELM SPRINGS, SD…
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USGS 06438000 · South Dakota · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
Carry a pocket thermometer to monitor water temperatureNational Park Service
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 9:00 PM MST · provisional USGS data
Below normal for Nov 5 Steady · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT to Nov 5, 9:00 PM MST; ranging 21.3 to 43.6 ft³/s; latest 37.6 ft³/s; shaded band: typical range (25th–75th percentile) for each date.
USGS provisional data may be revised. Source: USGS instantaneous values.
| Time | Discharge (ft³/s) | Gauge height (ft) | Normal, 25th–75th (ft³/s) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nov 5, 9:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 PM MST | 36.7 | 4.02 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 PM MST | 38.6 | 4.04 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 PM MST | 39.6 | 4.05 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 PM MST | 41.6 | 4.07 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 PM MST | 42.6 | 4.08 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 PM MST | 42.6 | 4.08 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 11:00 AM MST | 43.6 | 4.09 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 10:00 AM MST | 42.6 | 4.08 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 9:00 AM MST | 42.6 | 4.08 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 8:00 AM MST | 39.6 | 4.05 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 7:00 AM MST | 38.6 | 4.04 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 6:00 AM MST | 38.6 | 4.04 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 5:00 AM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 4:00 AM MST | 38.6 | 4.04 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 3:00 AM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 2:00 AM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 1:00 AM MST | 38.6 | 4.04 | 43–81 |
| Nov 5, 12:00 AM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 43–81 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 PM MST | 36.7 | 4.02 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 PM MST | 36.7 | 4.02 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 PM MST | 36.7 | 4.02 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 PM MST | 35.7 | 4.01 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 PM MST | 38.6 | 4.04 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 PM MST | 37.6 | 4.03 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 11:00 AM MST | 36.7 | 4.02 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 10:00 AM MST | 36.7 | 4.02 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 9:00 AM MST | 35.7 | 4.01 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 8:00 AM MST | 34.8 | 4 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 7:00 AM MST | 34.8 | 4 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 6:00 AM MST | 34.8 | 4 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 5:00 AM MST | 34.8 | 4 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 4:00 AM MST | 34.8 | 4 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 3:00 AM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 2:00 AM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 1:00 AM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 4, 12:00 AM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 PM MST | 33 | 3.98 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 PM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 PM MST | 33 | 3.98 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 PM MST | 33 | 3.98 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 PM MST | 33 | 3.98 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 PM MST | 33 | 3.98 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 PM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 PM MST | 33 | 3.98 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 PM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 PM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 PM MST | 34.8 | 4 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 PM MST | 34.8 | 4 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 11:00 AM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 10:00 AM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 9:00 AM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 8:00 AM MST | 33.9 | 3.99 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 7:00 AM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 6:00 AM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 5:00 AM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 4:00 AM MST | 31.2 | 3.96 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 3:00 AM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 2:00 AM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 1:00 AM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 44–83 |
| Nov 3, 12:00 AM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 44–83 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 PM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 PM MST | 33 | 3.98 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 PM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 PM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 PM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 PM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 PM MST | 32 | 3.97 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 PM MST | 31.2 | 3.96 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 PM MST | 29.4 | 3.94 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 PM MST | 27.7 | 3.92 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 PM MST | 27.7 | 3.92 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 PM MST | 26 | 3.9 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 11:00 AM MST | 26 | 3.9 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 10:00 AM MST | 27.7 | 3.92 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 9:00 AM MST | 28.5 | 3.93 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 8:00 AM MST | 26.8 | 3.91 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 7:00 AM MST | 26 | 3.9 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 6:00 AM MST | 27.7 | 3.92 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 5:00 AM MST | 26.8 | 3.91 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 4:00 AM MST | 25.2 | 3.89 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 3:00 AM MST | 25.2 | 3.89 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 2:00 AM MST | 25.2 | 3.89 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 1:00 AM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 45–85 |
| Nov 2, 12:00 AM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 45–85 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 PM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 PM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 PM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 PM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 PM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 PM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 PM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 PM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 PM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 PM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 PM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 PM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 11:00 AM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 10:00 AM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 9:00 AM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 8:00 AM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 7:00 AM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 6:00 AM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 5:00 AM MST | 24.4 | 3.88 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 4:00 AM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 3:00 AM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 2:00 AM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM MST | 23.6 | 3.87 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 1:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 46–82 |
| Nov 1, 12:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 46–82 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 PM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 PM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 PM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 PM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 PM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 PM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 PM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 PM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 PM MDT | 24.4 | 3.88 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 PM MDT | 24.4 | 3.88 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 PM MDT | 24.4 | 3.88 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 PM MDT | 24.4 | 3.88 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 11:00 AM MDT | 24.4 | 3.88 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 10:00 AM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 9:00 AM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 8:00 AM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 7:00 AM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 6:00 AM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 5:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 4:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 3:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 2:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 1:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 45–82 |
| Oct 31, 12:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 45–82 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 PM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 PM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 PM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 PM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 PM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 PM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 PM MDT | 24.4 | 3.88 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 PM MDT | 25.2 | 3.89 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 PM MDT | 24.4 | 3.88 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 PM MDT | 24.4 | 3.88 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 PM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 PM MDT | 23.6 | 3.87 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 11:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 10:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 9:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 8:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 7:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 6:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 5:00 AM MDT | 22.8 | 3.86 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 4:00 AM MDT | 22 | 3.85 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 3:00 AM MDT | 21.3 | 3.84 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 2:00 AM MDT | 21.3 | 3.84 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 1:00 AM MDT | 22 | 3.85 | 47–85 |
| Oct 30, 12:00 AM MDT | 22 | 3.85 | 47–85 |
| Oct 29, 11:00 PM MDT | 21.3 | 3.84 | 48–85 |
| Oct 29, 10:00 PM MDT | 21.3 | 3.84 | 48–85 |
Map of USGS gauge 06438000 and the river around it
Where BELLE FOURCHE RIVER NEAR ELM SPRINGS, SD sits, with 1 other gauge on the same river.
No current water-temperature reading at this gauge, so no temperature guidance is given. Take a stream thermometer. South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks publishes no water-temperature line for trout anglers that we found. The lines below are the National Park Service's, federal guidance, not a South Dakota rule: 68°F.
Species list not on file for this gauge. Check the South Dakota Game, Fish and Parks: South Dakota fishery surveys, reports and stocking · South Dakota regulations and handbooks.
Normal for Nov 5: 43–81 ft³/s (middle half of 73 years of record). Now: 37.6 ft³/s, below normal.
Below normal for this date. 37.6 ft³/s is between the 10th and 25th percentiles of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 73 years of record (1954–2026): 10th 31, 25th 43, median 61, 75th 81, 90th 235 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 18 ft³/s, highest 1,010 ft³/s.
Classes as USGS labels them (hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) ); percentiles from the USGS daily statistics (U.S. Geological Survey) (approved daily means; the reading is provisional and instantaneous).
Steady over 24 hours (+0% discharge). Rising or falling means a change of more than 10% in discharge (or 0.2 ft of gauge height) over 24 hours; our rule of thumb, not a USGS class.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
Flood categories: action stage, minor, moderate and major flooding (National Weather Service)Turn Around Don't Drown. “A mere 6 inches of fast-moving flood water can knock over an adult.” No flow number makes a crossing safe; if in doubt, stay out.
Turn Around Don't Drown (National Weather Service)Guidance from the readings above and the published thresholds named with each line; not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access. Local rules and closures come first.
Below NWS action stage. The National Weather Service reports this gauge below its action stage. That is not a statement that wading is safe.
NWS observed 4.02 ft stage, 32 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:00 PM MST (NWS gauge EMSS2; its stage datum can differ from the USGS gauge height).
Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available.
Open the NWS gauge page · What the categories mean (National Weather Service)
Checked Nov 5, 9:24 PM MST; readings refresh at most every 15 minutes and statistics daily. Provisional USGS data can be revised. Conditions change: re-check before you go. This is general guidance, not a fishing forecast, a safety guarantee or a statement about access.