Free — you'll pick up right here.
Watch this water
Sign up to watch it — saving subscribes you to gate, closure and report changes.
South Dakota
Big Sioux River
We don't cover this water yet
No agency boundary, access route or field report is mapped to it — so there is no verdict, and we won't guess. We'll tell you the moment this water has something to say.
Covered nearby
Waters within 25 miles where we do have a current picture.
Nobody's filed a report here yet — be the first.
Why you'll love it
River facts
- Water
- Seasonal — can run dry
- Average flow
- 439 cfs
- Average current
- 1.1 ft/s
- Gradient
- 3.0 ft/mi
- Drainage area
- 3,017 sq mi
Long-term averages modeled by USGS (NHDPlus HR), not today's conditions. Check a gauge before you go.
Here's your day on the water, mapped
Big Sioux River
AI-suggested draft · review before you go
Photos
Directions & GPX
Permits & access
No permit or access details on file for this water — check with the local land manager before you go.
About this water
Big Sioux River is a 115-mile paddling stretch near Castlewood, South Dakota. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 439 cfs and a gradient of about 3.0 feet per mile.
Add to a trip & share
Keep exploring — more water worth the drive
Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant), CC BY-SA 2.5 (via Wikimedia Commons)Lac qui Parle River
~1h 8m drive
Lac qui Parle River is an 89-mile paddling stretch near Canby, Minnesota. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 106 cfs and a gradient of about 8.2 feet per mile.
Stink Lake Public Water Access
~45 min drive
Stink Lake Public Water Access is a boat launch in South Dakota.
Photo: Tim Kiser (w:User:Malepheasant), CC BY-SA 2.5 (via Wikimedia Commons)Yellow Bank River
~1h 23m drive
Yellow Bank River is a 12-mile paddling stretch near Odessa, Minnesota. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 31 cfs and a gradient of about 3.3 feet per mile. Land along it is managed by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Lake Henry Boat Ramp
~1h 1m drive
Lake Henry Boat Ramp is a boat launch in South Dakota.
Hidewood Creek
~17 min drive
Hidewood Creek is a 34-mile paddling stretch near Estelline, South Dakota. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 33 cfs and a gradient of about 3.6 feet per mile.
Lake Thompson Boat Ramp
~1h 2m drive
Lake Thompson Boat Ramp is a boat launch in South Dakota.
North Deer Creek
~34 min drive
North Deer Creek is a 43-mile paddling stretch near Brookings, South Dakota. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 40 cfs and a gradient of about 6.2 feet per mile.
Fordham Publice Water Access
~1h 18m drive
Fordham Publice Water Access is a boat launch in South Dakota.
Lake Campbell Outlet
~59 min drive
Lake Campbell Outlet is a 2.4-mile paddling stretch near Brookings, South Dakota. It flows year-round. USGS models an average flow of about 33 cfs and a gradient of about 1.1 feet per mile.
West Branch Lac qui Parle River
~1h 2m drive
West Branch Lac qui Parle River is a 60-mile paddling stretch near Canby, Minnesota. It is intermittent and may run dry in some seasons. USGS models an average flow of about 51 cfs and a gradient of about 10.1 feet per mile.
Also worth it near here
