USGS Streamgage 06425100
Elk Creek near Rapid City, SD
Elk Creek near Rapid City, SD is USGS streamgage 06425100 in South Dakota, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 10120111. It drains a watershed of about 211 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1978. Typical flow runs near 2.4 cfs in July and 5.9 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in April.
Gauge details
- State
- South Dakota
- Drainage area
- 211 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 2,954 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 10120111
- Coordinates
- 44.24028, -103.15083
- USGS site number
- 06425100
- Records begin
- 1978-11-01 (48 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 47 years of data), averaged within each month. These describe the historical normal range — they are not a forecast and not today's reading.
| Month | Low p10 | Typical p50 | High p90 | Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | 0 | 2.9 | 18.6 | |
| February | 0 | 4.4 | 19.5 | |
| March | 0 | 6.4 | 27.3 | |
| April | 0 | 5.9 | 53.2 | |
| May | 0 | 7.8 | 150.5 | |
| June | 0 | 4.8 | 119.2 | |
| July | 0 | 2.4 | 37.6 | |
| August | 0 | 0.9 | 24.3 | |
| September | 0 | 0.7 | 16 | |
| October | 0 | 2.2 | 18.6 | |
| November | 0 | 3.4 | 18.5 | |
| December | 0 | 3.2 | 16.9 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Elk Creek near Rapid City, SD normally run highest?
- May, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 7.8 cfs, against 0.7 cfs in September, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Elk Creek near Rapid City, SD?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 2.9 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 0 and 18.6 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Elk Creek near Rapid City, SD been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 06425100 begin in 1978, about 48 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 Elk Creek near Rapid City, SD?
- The gauge sits at 44.24028, -103.15083, in South Dakota, in hydrologic subbasin 10120111, at an elevation of about 2,954 feet, draining roughly 211 square miles.
- Can I use Elk Creek near Rapid City, 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.