Environment

Big Sioux River and Lake Kampeska bring flooding to Glacial Lakes

SDPB Radio | By C.J. Keene

Published April 14, 2023 at 11:19 AM CDT

Big Sioux River flood waters were staging Thursday morning (4-13-23) above Lake Kampeska waiting to enter the lake through the inlet (slightly right of center). Lake Kampeska absorbs significant flood waters in large spring snow melts.

Northeastern South Dakota was hammered by winter storms this season, and with all that snow melting at once, floods are the new concern.

Steve Fleegel is science and operations officer for the Aberdeen National Weather Service office. He said while the Big Sioux River is beginning to level, they’re keeping an eye on the future.

“The big thing we’re watching here over the next few days and into next week is any additional precipitation we’ll get," Fleegel said. "Right now, it looks like the stuff we’ll get in the Big Sioux area tonight and tomorrow generally looks pretty light, but we’re watching some unsettled weather as we go into the middle part of next week. With river levels already being higher that’s just something we’re going to watch to determine how long some of these will stay in their flood stage levels.”

Troy VanDusen is the public information officer for the Watertown Police Department. He said the main area of concern has moved from the Big Sioux to Lake Kampeska.

“Lake Kampeska continues to climb at a rate of approximately 12 to 15 inches per day up by Florence and those little tributaries that drain into Lake Kampeska are really causing the lake to rise," VanDusen said. "As of 8:15 this (Friday) morning, Lake Kampeska was about three feet – 36.12 inches – over full.”

VanDusen said there’s still a lot of water going into the lake.

A map showing at risk areas of flooding around Lake Kampeska

“We’re looking at Lake Kampeska to crest sometime Saturday night, Sunday morning at 50.4 inches over full – which, that’s pretty significant, we’re going to have some homes taking on some water," VanDusen said. "So, right now we’re really urging residents to begin sandbagging their properties if they haven’t done so already in preparation for those high waters.”

Free sandbags are available at the Codington County Sheriff’s Office and the Emergency Management Office.

Other communities seeing flooding include Castlewood and Florence.

1 of 18 — Flood pool headed toward Watertown.jpg

Flood water pooled along the west side of Sioux Conifer Road Thursday (4-13-23) as it moved toward the city of Watertown and points south.

Brad Johnson

2 of 18 — Big Sioux Flood waters about six miles north of Watertown.jpg

Significant flood waters extend all the way to the headwaters of the Big Sioux River near Ortley more than 20 miles north of Watertown.

Brad Johnson

3 of 18 — Flood waters moving through Glacial Lakes Energy rail loop and along north side of ethanol plant.jpg

The Glacial Lakes Energy rail loop just south of U.S. Highway 212 was inundated with flood waters as the river flowed north of the ethanol plant.

Brad Johnson

4 of 18 — Soil erosion in flooded field adjacent to Big Sioux just north of Lake Kampeska.jpg

Flooded agricultural land adjacent the Big Sioux River was contributing soil erosion to the river as it moved toward Lake Kampeska and Watertown.

Brad Johnson

5 of 18 — Brad Johnson 1.jpg

Buildings at Kampeska Lodge on Lake Kampeska’s north lake drive were flooded Friday morning (4-14-23). At the time the lake was about 35 inches above full and rising. The National Weather Service projected the lake to reach 38 inches above full by Saturday, but that level likely will be hit by mid-day Friday. The Weather Service projected the lake will rise to 50.4 inches above full by Monday.

Brad Johnson