River stage
Ashton, James River
- River level
- 3.49 ft
- Status
- Below flood stage
- 7-day change
- -0.29 ft
- Recent high
- 8.96 ft
- Recent low
- 3.49 ft
Last reported 2026-10-13 | NWS ATNS2
- 30-day change
- -0.12 ft
- Average
- 5.56 ft
- Readings
- 122
- Data span
- 122 days
- Record crest
- 26.64 ft
In brief
The James River at Ashton, SD read 3.49 ft on Oct 13, 2026, 7.51 ft below action stage. That is 0.12 ft lower than 30 days earlier.
Source: National Weather Service gauge ATNS2
River level timeline
Stage threshold profile
Highest crests on record
| Rank | Crest | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | 26.64 ft | 1997-04-06 |
| 2 | 25.25 ft | 2010-03-22 |
| 3 | 24.40 ft | 2011-04-28 |
| 4 | 23.20 ft | 2019-04-23 |
| 5 | 22.96 ft | 2009-04-30 |
| 6 | 21.21 ft | 1995-05-22 |
| 7 | 20.63 ft | 1969-04-24 |
| 8 | 19.85 ft | 2023-04-21 |
Flood crests recorded at this gauge by the National Weather Service.
What happens at each level
- 11.00 ft
Flooding of low-lying pasture and wooded areas begins.
- 13.00 ft
Flooding begins to affect some crop land along with moderate flooding of pasture and low-lying areas.
- 14.00 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the bridge on 161st northeast of Ashton.
- 15.00 ft
Significant amounts of farm land begin flooding.
- 16.00 ft
161st begins to flood.
- 19.50 ft
Water reaches the bottom of the bridge on 167th southeast of Ashton.
- 21.00 ft
The lowest portions of 165th/County Rd 14 begin to flood. At least one house a couple miles north of the gauge begins to flood. Water overtops the bridge on 167th southeast of Ashton.
- 22.50 ft
Several outbuildings near and north of the gauge on 165th/County Rd 14 begin to flood. The water reaches the bottom of the bridge on 165th/County Rd 14.
- 24.50 ft
The bridge at the gauge on 165th/County Rd 14 is overtopped. 170th west of the bridge is flooded with most river crossings inaccessible due to flooding. Several additional structures are also flooded.
Written by the local National Weather Service forecast office for this exact gauge.
Frequently asked questions
Is the James River flooding at Ashton?
No. The James River at Ashton is at 3.49 ft, 7.51 ft below action stage.
What is the flood stage at Ashton?
The National Weather Service sets action stage 11 ft, minor flooding 13 ft, moderate flooding 14 ft and major flooding 16 ft.
What is the highest the James River has been at Ashton?
The highest crest on record is 26.64 ft, on 1997-04-06.
Is the James River high or low right now at Ashton?
At 3.49 ft it is higher than 0% of readings over the last 122 days.
Stage and flood information from the NOAA National Weather Service (gauge ATNS2); daily history from the U.S. Geological Survey (site 06473000). Last reading 2026-10-13. For flood safety decisions always follow official National Weather Service warnings.