Rivermatics

USGS Streamgage 06436000

Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, SD

Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, SD is USGS streamgage 06436000 in South Dakota, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 10120202. It sits on the Belle Fourche River, alongside 5 other gauges Rivermatics tracks on the same river. It drains a watershed of about 4,500 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1945. Typical flow runs near 11.3 cfs in July and 6.6 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.

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Gauge details

State
South Dakota
Drainage area
4,500 sq mi
Gauge elevation
2,930 ft
Subbasin (HUC-8)
10120202
Coordinates
44.69083, -103.73722
USGS site number
06436000
Records begin
1945-11-01 (81 years)

14-day flow forecast

Based on observations through for Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, SD. Each day carries a median estimate and the band the model expects the flow to fall within — not a single number to plan against. Forecasts are re-issued daily; see the live screen for the current outlook.

Forecast daily mean discharge in cubic feet per second, by date
Date Low p10 Expected p50 High p90 Range
6.9 8.6 10.4
6.1 8.6 11.6
5.8 8.9 12.9
5.4 8.8 13.5
5.5 9.2 14.3
5.1 9 14.7
5 9.1 16.8
5.7 11 20.2
5.5 10.9 20.2
5.2 10.7 19.4
4.9 10.3 18.6
4.5 9.7 17.6
4.2 9.3 16.6
4 9 16.2

All values in cubic feet per second (cfs). Estimates only — do not use them for navigation or for any safety, rescue, or emergency decision.

Typical flow by month

Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 73 years of data), averaged within each month. These describe the historical normal range — they are not a forecast and not today's reading.

Historical monthly discharge percentiles in cubic feet per second
Month Low p10 Typical p50 High p90 Range
January 2.7 4.4 221.4
February 2.5 4.7 264.8
March 2.9 5.7 498.4
April 3 6.6 678.4
May 3.2 11.5 1,000.8
June 3.8 12.9 819.2
July 3.8 11.3 177.5
August 5.3 11.7 40
September 5.4 10.1 33.7
October 4.5 7.9 96
November 3.9 6.9 145.7
December 3.2 4.9 212.1

All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).

Common questions

When does Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, SD normally run highest?
June, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 12.9 cfs, against 4.4 cfs in January, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
What is a normal flow for Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, SD?
It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 4.4 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 2.7 and 221.4 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
How long has Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, SD been measured?
Discharge records at USGS site 06436000 begin in 1945, about 81 years, covering roughly 9,099 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
Where is Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, SD?
The gauge sits at 44.69083, -103.73722, in South Dakota, in hydrologic subbasin 10120202, at an elevation of about 2,930 feet, draining roughly 4,500 square miles.
Can I use Belle Fourche River near Fruitdale, SD data for flood or safety decisions?
No. Rivermatics provides estimates, not guarantees, and the readings and forecasts here may be delayed, inaccurate, or wrong. Do not use them for navigation or for any safety, rescue, or emergency decision. Check the National Weather Service and USGS directly, and use your own judgment.

Upstream and downstream on the Belle Fourche River

Every gauge Rivermatics tracks on this river, ordered by drainage area — upstream first. See the Belle Fourche River in full.

Other gauges in this subbasin