PROJECT ALERT NOTICE (SD) Dakota WSC Flooding

Date: Wed, 22 May 2019 21:20:53 EDT

Summary: USGS response to flooding in central and western South Dakota caused by heavy precipitation.

"A large storm brought heavy rain and historic late season snowfall to the Black Hills region May 20-22, 2019", Rapid City NWS (https://www.weather.gov/unr/2019-05-20_22). At lower elevations, the storm delivered 3-5 inches of rain over a broad area from central to western SD. Gage-heights at twenty-nine (29) U.S. Geological Survey streamgages operated by the Dakota WSC in South Dakota (SD) are exceeding National Weather Service (NWS) minor to major flood stages. The distribution of the twenty-nine sites experiencing flooding can be observed at the WaterWatch link below. All data section staff in the Rapid City and Pierre Offices were deployed in the field today.

Crews are actively documenting high water marks, making discharge measurements, and repairing damaged gages. One gage is currently inaccessible due to road conditions and is not operational. Stakeholders are being informed of our activities through updates to NWISWeb, NWSChat, email, and phone calls.

Map of flood and high flow condition (South Dakota)