USGS Streamgage 06430770
Spearfish Creek near Lead, SD
Spearfish Creek near Lead, SD is USGS streamgage 06430770 in South Dakota, monitoring river discharge in hydrologic subbasin 10120203. It drains a watershed of about 65 square miles. Discharge records at this site go back to 1988. Typical flow runs near 32 cfs in July and 30.6 cfs in April, with the higher of the two arriving in July.
Gauge details
- State
- South Dakota
- Drainage area
- 65 sq mi
- Gauge elevation
- 5,298 ft
- Subbasin (HUC-8)
- 10120203
- Coordinates
- 44.29923, -103.86768
- USGS site number
- 06430770
- Records begin
- 1988-10-01 (38 years)
Typical flow by month
Long-term daily discharge percentiles from the USGS record (up to 38 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 | 13.3 | 26.6 | 38.6 | |
| February | 13.2 | 26.2 | 40.6 | |
| March | 13.6 | 26.7 | 41.7 | |
| April | 16.7 | 30.6 | 47.3 | |
| May | 21.3 | 33.2 | 57.6 | |
| June | 19.5 | 34.4 | 57.4 | |
| July | 16.8 | 32 | 50.2 | |
| August | 15 | 30.6 | 48.3 | |
| September | 14.8 | 29 | 47 | |
| October | 14.6 | 27.8 | 44.5 | |
| November | 15.3 | 27.1 | 43.9 | |
| December | 14.1 | 26.8 | 40.3 |
All values in cubic feet per second (cfs).
Common questions
- When does Spearfish Creek near Lead, SD normally run highest?
- June, on the long-term record. The median daily flow that month is about 34.4 cfs, against 26.2 cfs in February, the lowest month. These are historical normals for the date, not a forecast and not today's reading.
- What is a normal flow for Spearfish Creek near Lead, SD?
- It depends on the month. In January, half of days historically fall near 26.6 cfs, with the middle 80% of days between 13.3 and 38.6 cfs. The month-by-month table on this page gives the full range.
- How long has Spearfish Creek near Lead, SD been measured?
- Discharge records at USGS site 06430770 begin in 1988, about 38 years, covering roughly 9,194 days of published daily values. The long record is what makes the monthly percentiles on this page meaningful.
- Where is Spearfish Creek near Lead, SD?
- The gauge sits at 44.29923, -103.86768, in South Dakota, in hydrologic subbasin 10120203, at an elevation of about 5,298 feet, draining roughly 65 square miles.
- Can I use Spearfish Creek near Lead, 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.