Lower Belle Fourche HUC8 10120202
A 8,408 km² sub-basin of the Missouri region in MT, SD, WY. Drought coverage is from the US Drought Monitor (map of 2026-09-01); streamflow classes place each USGS gauge's latest reading against its own day-of-year record.
Health score
41
Stressed
Drought index
316
Extreme
Area in D2+
77.88%
0% exceptional (D4)
Gauges below normal
90%
of 10 reporting
Median flow
40%
p12 of record
Water assets
5,129
49 springs · 2,236 wells
USGS gauges (11)
- WHITEWOOD CREEK ABOVE VALE, SD064361980 cfsp0 · much below normal
- WHITEWOOD CREEK AT DEADWOOD, SD064361704 cfsp4 · much below normal
- WHITEWOOD CREEK ABOVE WHITEWOOD, SD064361803 cfsp5 · much below normal
- WHITEWOOD CREEK NEAR WHITEWOOD, SD064361901 cfsp5 · much below normal
- BELLE FOURCHE RIVER NEAR STURGIS, SD06437000144 cfsp12 · below normal
- BELLE FOURCHE RIVER NEAR ELM SPRINGS, SD06438000125 cfsp12 · below normal
- BEAR BUTTE CREEK NEAR DEADWOOD, SD064370201 cfsp19 · below normal
- INLET CANAL ABOVE BELLE FOURCHE RESERVOIR, SD0643450553 cfsp20 · below normal
- BELLE FOURCHE RIVER AT WY-SD STATE LINE0642850016 cfsp22 · below normal
- BELLE FOURCHE RIVER NEAR FRUITDALE, SD0643600011 cfsp50 · normal
- WHITETAIL CREEK AT LEAD, SD0643615620 cfsno long-term record
Recent conditions
| Date | DSCI | D2+ % | Gauges low | Flow pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-09-07 | 316 | 77.88 | 9/10 | p12 |
Top water assets
- 78John C Schaeferriver
- 78W R Sanfordriver
- 78Davis Ranches Incriver
- 78Olin M Matkinsriver
- 78Finn Livestock Companywell
- 76Rodney Winklerriver
- 76Doug R Eichlerriver
- 76R0Ss Lamphereriver
- 76Louis Barberriver
- 76Patrick J O'Connerriver