River Conditions
Illustrated map of Wilson Lake

River stage

Seward, Big Blue River

River level
1.77 ft
Status
Below flood stage
Action stage
16.00 ft
Flood stage
18.00 ft
Record crest
24.11 ft

Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS SWRN1

Record crest
24.11 ft
Flood stage
18.00 ft
Moderate flood
22.00 ft
Major flood
27.00 ft
Crest date
2019-03-14

In brief

The Big Blue River at Seward, NE read 1.77 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 14.23 ft below action stage.

Source: National Weather Service gauge SWRN1

Stage threshold profile

Action stage 16.00 ftMinor flooding 18.00 ftModerate flooding 22.00 ftMajor flooding 27.00 ft CURRENT 1.77 ft

Highest crests on record

RankCrestDate
1 24.11 ft 2019-03-14
2 22.37 ft 1986-07-02
3 22.15 ft 2008-07-07
4 20.86 ft 1993-03-11
5 20.28 ft 1985-07-20
6 19.54 ft 1998-05-23
7 19.53 ft 2005-05-14
8 19.35 ft 1987-03-25

Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.

What happens at each level

  1. 18.00 ft

    Lowland flooding begins, including the Blue Valley Campground in Seward.

  2. 22.00 ft

    State Highway 34 may flood. In addition the Fairgrounds is flooding.

  3. 22.50 ft

    Water begins to impact the bottom of the Highway 34 bridge at the gage site. Extensive flooding is occurring along the mainstem of the Big Blue River.

  4. 25.00 ft

    Highway 34 crossing needs to be closed.

  5. 27.00 ft

    Floodwaters are level with the top of the federal levee. Overflows from the mouth of Lincoln Creek can create a "lake effect" and affect the readings at the Highway 34 bridge gage on the Blue River during extreme floods.

Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Big Blue River flooding at Seward?

No. The Big Blue River at Seward is at 1.77 ft, 14.23 ft below action stage.

What is the flood stage at Seward?

The National Weather Service sets action stage 16 ft, minor flooding 18 ft, moderate flooding 22 ft and major flooding 27 ft.

What is the highest the Big Blue River has been at Seward?

The highest crest on record is 24.11 ft, on 2019-03-14.

Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge SWRN1); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 06880500). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.