BIG SIOUX RIVER AT WATERTOWN, SD
USGS 06479500 · South Dakota · reports discharge (live), gauge height
Reading BIG SIOUX RIVER AT WATERTOWN, SD…
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USGS 06479500 · South Dakota · reports discharge (live), gauge height
What the agencies suggest
During periods of high water, fish move towards the banks to find calmer water and lower velocitiesPennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Wading and boating should be avoided if waters are running high and muddy and the streambed is not visiblePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
If stream conditions are not favorable, consider fishing at a lakePennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
General guidance from the readings and the published lines named above, not a fishing forecast. Local rules and closures come first.
Reading Nov 5, 9:15 PM CST · provisional USGS data
Much above normal for Nov 5 Rising · 24 h Below NWS action stage
Discharge, last 7 days: 169 readings from Oct 29, 10:15 PM CDT to Nov 5, 9:15 PM CST; ranging 2.56 to 151 ft³/s; latest 151 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, 9:15 PM CST | 151 | 5.33 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 PM CST | 151 | 5.33 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 PM CST | 151 | 5.33 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 PM CST | 151 | 5.33 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 PM CST | 149 | 5.31 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 PM CST | 150 | 5.32 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 PM CST | 149 | 5.31 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 PM CST | 148 | 5.3 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 PM CST | 149 | 5.31 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 PM CST | 148 | 5.3 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 11:15 AM CST | 145 | 5.27 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 10:15 AM CST | 147 | 5.29 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 9:15 AM CST | 146 | 5.28 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 8:15 AM CST | 145 | 5.27 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 7:15 AM CST | 145 | 5.27 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 6:15 AM CST | 142 | 5.24 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 5:15 AM CST | 140 | 5.22 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 4:15 AM CST | 141 | 5.23 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 3:15 AM CST | 141 | 5.23 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 2:15 AM CST | 138 | 5.2 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 1:15 AM CST | 138 | 5.2 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 5, 12:15 AM CST | 136 | 5.18 | 0.57–11 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 PM CST | 137 | 5.19 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 PM CST | 136 | 5.18 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 PM CST | 132 | 5.14 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 PM CST | 132 | 5.14 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 PM CST | 131 | 5.12 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 PM CST | 129 | 5.1 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 PM CST | 126 | 5.07 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 PM CST | 127 | 5.08 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 PM CST | 124 | 5.05 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 PM CST | 122 | 5.03 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 PM CST | 123 | 5.04 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 PM CST | 121 | 5.01 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 11:15 AM CST | 122 | 5.02 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 10:15 AM CST | 118 | 4.98 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 9:15 AM CST | 120 | 5 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 8:15 AM CST | 117 | 4.97 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 7:15 AM CST | 117 | 4.97 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 6:15 AM CST | 115 | 4.94 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 5:15 AM CST | 112 | 4.91 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 4:15 AM CST | 112 | 4.91 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 3:15 AM CST | 110 | 4.89 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 2:15 AM CST | 109 | 4.87 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 1:15 AM CST | 107 | 4.85 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 4, 12:15 AM CST | 104 | 4.81 | 0.5–13 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 PM CST | 102 | 4.78 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 PM CST | 101 | 4.77 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 PM CST | 96.5 | 4.72 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 PM CST | 92.9 | 4.68 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 PM CST | 87 | 4.61 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 PM CST | 83.7 | 4.57 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 PM CST | 82.1 | 4.55 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 PM CST | 75.7 | 4.47 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 PM CST | 72.5 | 4.43 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 PM CST | 67 | 4.36 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 PM CST | 63.3 | 4.31 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 PM CST | 58.4 | 4.24 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 11:15 AM CST | 54.3 | 4.18 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 10:15 AM CST | 50.5 | 4.12 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 9:15 AM CST | 47.4 | 4.07 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 8:15 AM CST | 45 | 4.03 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 7:15 AM CST | 41.6 | 3.97 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 6:15 AM CST | 39.3 | 3.93 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 5:15 AM CST | 39.3 | 3.93 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 4:15 AM CST | 38 | 3.91 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 3:15 AM CST | 36.8 | 3.89 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 2:15 AM CST | 34.9 | 3.86 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 1:15 AM CST | 34.9 | 3.86 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 3, 12:15 AM CST | 33.7 | 3.84 | 0.49–14 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 PM CST | 32 | 3.81 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 PM CST | 30.3 | 3.78 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 PM CST | 28.7 | 3.75 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 PM CST | 26.5 | 3.71 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 PM CST | 24.3 | 3.67 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 PM CST | 24.8 | 3.68 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 PM CST | 24.3 | 3.67 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 PM CST | 23.2 | 3.65 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 PM CST | 23.2 | 3.65 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 PM CST | 23.2 | 3.65 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 PM CST | 23.7 | 3.66 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 PM CST | 25.3 | 3.69 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 11:15 AM CST | 26.5 | 3.71 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 10:15 AM CST | 25.3 | 3.69 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 9:15 AM CST | 23.7 | 3.66 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 8:15 AM CST | 20.9 | 3.61 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 7:15 AM CST | 14 | 3.48 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 6:15 AM CST | 9.5 | 3.39 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 5:15 AM CST | 6.5 | 3.33 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 4:15 AM CST | 4.43 | 3.28 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 3:15 AM CST | 4.09 | 3.27 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 2:15 AM CST | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 1:15 AM CST | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 2, 12:15 AM CST | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.5–21 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 PM CST | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 PM CST | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 PM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 PM CST | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 PM CST | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 PM CST | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 PM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 PM CST | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 PM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 PM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 PM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 PM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 11:15 AM CST | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 10:15 AM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 9:15 AM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 8:15 AM CST | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 7:15 AM CST | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 6:15 AM CST | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 5:15 AM CST | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 4:15 AM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 3:15 AM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 2:15 AM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CST | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 1:15 AM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.54–14 |
| Nov 1, 12:15 AM CDT | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.54–14 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 PM CDT | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 PM CDT | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 PM CDT | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 PM CDT | 3.77 | 3.26 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 PM CDT | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 11:15 AM CDT | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 10:15 AM CDT | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 9:15 AM CDT | 3.77 | 3.26 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 8:15 AM CDT | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 7:15 AM CDT | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 6:15 AM CDT | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 5:15 AM CDT | 3.47 | 3.25 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 4:15 AM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 3:15 AM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 2:15 AM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 1:15 AM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 31, 12:15 AM CDT | 2.56 | 3.21 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 PM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 PM CDT | 2.56 | 3.21 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 PM CDT | 2.56 | 3.21 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 PM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 PM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 PM CDT | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 PM CDT | 2.56 | 3.21 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 PM CDT | 2.56 | 3.21 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 PM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 PM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 11:15 AM CDT | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 10:15 AM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 9:15 AM CDT | 2.56 | 3.21 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 8:15 AM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 7:15 AM CDT | 2.56 | 3.21 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 6:15 AM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 5:15 AM CDT | 2.56 | 3.21 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 4:15 AM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 3:15 AM CDT | 2.97 | 3.23 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 2:15 AM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 1:15 AM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 30, 12:15 AM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.6–15 |
| Oct 29, 11:15 PM CDT | 3.2 | 3.24 | 0.54–15 |
| Oct 29, 10:15 PM CDT | 2.76 | 3.22 | 0.54–15 |
Map of USGS gauge 06479500 and the river around it
Where BIG SIOUX RIVER AT WATERTOWN, SD sits, with 6 other gauges 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.
Normal for Nov 5: 0.57–11 ft³/s (middle half of 54 years of record). Now: 151 ft³/s, much above normal.
Much above normal for this date. 151 ft³/s is above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for Nov 5 at this gauge over 54 years of record (1946–2026): 10th 0.17, 25th 0.57, median 2.4, 75th 11, 90th 48 ft³/s.
Daily means on record for Nov 5: lowest 0 ft³/s, highest 465 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).
Rising over 24 hours: discharge up 14.4%, from 132 to 151 ft³/s. 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.
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.
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)Rising water. Rising over the last 24 hours (discharge up 14.4%). Keep your way back to the bank in sight and watch the level while you fish. “Rising” is our rule of thumb: more than 10% in discharge or 0.2 ft of gauge height in 24 hours, not a USGS or NWS class.
Flow far above normal. Above the 90th percentile of daily mean flow for this date (USGS class “much above normal”), from 54 years of record. Expect higher, faster water than usual for the season.
hyswap: flow categories (WDFN_stats schema) (U.S. Geological Survey) Statistics documentation (percentiles of daily mean discharge) (U.S. Geological Survey)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 5.33 ft stage, 130 ft³/s at Nov 5, 8:15 PM CST (NWS gauge WBSS2; 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, 9:54 PM CST; 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.