Upper James HUC8 10160003
A 11,583 km² sub-basin of the Missouri region in ND, SD. Drought coverage is from the US Drought Monitor (map of 2026-10-13); streamflow classes place each USGS gauge's latest reading against its own day-of-year record.
Health score
62
Moderate
Drought index
152
Moderate
Area in D2+
12.14%
0% exceptional (D4)
Gauges below normal
17%
of 6 reporting
Median flow
395%
p79 of record
Water assets
6,664
2 springs · 5,504 wells
USGS gauges (8)
- FOOT CREEK NEAR ABERDEEN, SD064718000 cfsp9 · much below normal
- BEAR CREEK NEAR OAKES, ND064708000 cfsp29 · normal
- JAMES RIVER NEAR STRATFORD, SD06472000328 cfsp74 · normal
- JAMES RIVER AT LAMOURE, ND06470500240 cfsp83 · above normal
- JAMES RIVER AT COLUMBIA, SD06471000545 cfsp86 · above normal
- JAMES RIVER AT JAMESTOWN, ND06470000143 cfsp91 · much above normal
- JAMES RIVER ON STATE HIGHWAY 46 NEAR ADRIAN, ND064704251,890 cfsno long-term record
- JAMES RIVER AT ND-SD STATE LINE06470878231 cfsno long-term record
Recent conditions
| Date | DSCI | D2+ % | Gauges low | Flow pct |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2026-10-21 | 152 | 12.14 | 1/6 | p79 |
| 2026-10-20 | 152 | 12.14 | 1/6 | p78 |
| 2026-10-19 | 152 | 12.14 | 1/6 | p75 |
| 2026-10-18 | 152 | 12.14 | 1/6 | p72 |
| 2026-10-17 | 152 | 12.14 | 0/6 | p67 |
| 2026-10-16 | 152 | 12.14 | 1/6 | p65 |
| 2026-10-15 | 152 | 12.14 | 1/6 | p53 |
| 2026-10-14 | 152 | 12.14 | 2/6 | p41 |
| 2026-10-13 | 152 | 12.14 | 1/6 | p41 |
| 2026-10-12 | 152 | 12.14 | 1/6 | p44 |
| 2026-10-11 | 152 | 12.14 | 2/6 | p45 |
| 2026-10-10 | 152 | 12.14 | 2/7 | p48 |
| 2026-10-09 | 152 | 12.14 | 2/7 | p49 |
| 2026-10-08 | 162 | 12.22 | 2/7 | p50 |
Top water assets
- 76Elmer Knechtwell
- 76Dennis Jonesriver
- 76City Of Aberdeenriver
- 76Authur Joneswell
- 76City Of Aberdeenriver
- 76John Mcdowellwell
- 76Knecht Farms Incwell
- 76Kyle Sueltzriver
- 76Elmer Christiansonwell
- 76William O Christiansonwell