River stage
Stratford, James River
- River level
- 5.51 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.16 ft
- Recent high
- 12.85 ft
- Recent low
- 5.42 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS SFDS2
- 30-day change
- +0.09 ft
- Average
- 8.01 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 21.57 ft
In brief
The James River at Stratford, SD read 5.51 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.49 ft below action stage. That is 0.09 ft higher than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge SFDS2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 21.57 ft | 2011-07-19 |
| 2 | 20.08 ft | 2010-03-29 |
| 3 | 19.98 ft | 2009-04-26 |
| 4 | 19.86 ft | 1995-05-18 |
| 5 | 19.48 ft | 1997-04-06 |
| 6 | 18.68 ft | 2019-04-19 |
| 7 | 18.46 ft | 2001-04-23 |
| 8 | 18.43 ft | 2020-04-18 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 14.00 ft
Significant amounts of agricultural lands begin flooding.
- 16.00 ft
137th Street and 140th Street begin to flood as does 391st Ave north of Hwy 20.
- 17.00 ft
Additional county roads begin to flood, including 146th St.
- 18.50 ft
395th Ave/County Rd 16 as well as 142nd/County Rd 23 both may begin to flood creating significant travel impacts to the area. 151st St is also flooded and the bridge on 146th Street is overtopped.
- 20.00 ft
The bridges on 395th Ave as well as 142nd St are overtopped.
- 22.00 ft
The bridge on 151st St is overtopped.
- 23.00 ft
Water approaches Hwy 20 and may flood the lowest portions west of the bridge.
- 25.00 ft
The bridge at the gauge location on 148th/County Rd 27 is overtopped.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the James River flooding at Stratford?
No. The James River at Stratford is at 5.51 ft, 7.49 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Stratford?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 13 ft, minor flooding 14 ft, moderate flooding 17 ft and major flooding 18.5 ft.
What is the highest the James River has been at Stratford?
The highest crest on record is 21.57 ft, on 2011-07-19.
Is the James River high or low right now at Stratford?
At 5.51 ft it is higher than 9% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge SFDS2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 06472000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.