Rivermatics

USGS Streamgage 06438500

Cheyenne River near Plainview, SD

Cheyenne River near Plainview, SD is USGS streamgage 06438500 in South Dakota, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 10120112. It sits on the Cheyenne River, alongside 8 other gauges Rivermatics tracks on the same river. It drains a watershed of about 21,351 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1920. Typical flow runs near 417.1 cfs in July and 454.6 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.

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Gauge details

State
South Dakota
Drainage area
21,351 sq mi
Gauge elevation
1,859 ft
Subbasin (HUC-8)
10120112
Coordinates
44.52944, -101.92972
USGS site number
06438500
Records begin
1920-05-01 (106 years)

14-day flow forecast

Based on observations through for Cheyenne River near Plainview, 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
87 108 134
83.8 114 157
81.9 117 172
83.5 124 192
82 126 200
88.1 137 218
106 163 285
126 217 402
125 228 435
119 220 402
110 204 361
108 194 330
100 182 312
92.4 170 294

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 75 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 35 108.8 503.6
February 66 186.3 787.1
March 121.3 391.2 2,723.3
April 131 454.6 2,273.3
May 117.9 534.3 5,301
June 193.1 667.8 5,360.7
July 140.8 417.1 1,673.5
August 168.5 382.8 953
September 168.2 324.9 632.8
October 113 218.6 650.9
November 100.5 175.2 482.2
December 69.4 139.1 449.9

All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).

Common questions

When does Cheyenne River near Plainview, SD normally run highest?
June, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 667.8 cfs, against 108.8 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 Cheyenne River near Plainview, SD?
It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 108.8 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 35 and 503.6 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
How long has Cheyenne River near Plainview, SD been measured?
Discharge records at USGS site 06438500 begin in 1920, about 106 years, covering roughly 9,014 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
Where is Cheyenne River near Plainview, SD?
The gauge sits at 44.52944, -101.92972, in South Dakota, in hydrologic subbasin 10120112, at an elevation of about 1,859 feet, draining roughly 21,351 square miles.
Can I use Cheyenne River near Plainview, 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 Cheyenne River

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

Other gauges in this region