South Dakota Water Temperatures
Current lake & river temperatures in South Dakota — updated daily from USGS sensors.
South Dakota — Ranked by Temperature
15 with data| # | Water Body | °F | °C | Condition | 🏊 | Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Lewis And Clark Lake At Springfield,Sd Lake | 84.9° | 29.4° | ☀️ Warm | 🏊 Excellent | Aug 27 |
| 2 | Whetstone River Near Big Stone City, Sd River | 75.2° | 24° | ☀️ Warm | ✅ Good | Aug 31 |
| 3 | Cheyenne River At Red Shirt, Sd River | 70.3° | 21.3° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 4 | Missouri River At Yankton, Sd River | 69.6° | 20.9° | 🌤️ Comfortable | ⚠️ Brisk | Jun 4 |
| 5 | James River At Ashton,Sd River | 61.7° | 16.5° | 🌊 Cool | 🚫 Cold | Jul 1 |
| 6 | James River At Columbia,Sd River | 56.3° | 13.5° | 🌊 Cool | 🚫 Cold | Sep 30 |
| 7 | Big Sioux River Near Brookings,Sd River | 51.3° | 10.7° | ❄️ Cold | ⛔ Very cold | Sep 29 |
| 8 | Cheyenne River Near Eagle Butte Sd River | 51.1° | 10.6° | ❄️ Cold | ⛔ Very cold | Oct 20 |
| 9 | Little White River Near Vetal,Sd River | 46.8° | 8.2° | ❄️ Cold | ⛔ Very cold | Oct 28 |
| 10 | James River Near Scotland,Sd River | 42.6° | 5.9° | 🧊 Very Cold | ⛔ Very cold | Nov 14 |
| 11 | Big Sioux River Near Dell Rapids,Sd River | 41.7° | 5.4° | 🧊 Very Cold | ⛔ Very cold | Nov 8 |
| 12 | Cheyenne River Near Buffalo Gap Sd River | 41° | 5° | 🧊 Very Cold | ⛔ Very cold | Oct 28 |
| 13 | Big Sioux R At North Cliff Ave At Sioux Falls,Sd Lake | 39.9° | 4.4° | 🧊 Very Cold | ⛔ Very cold | Nov 22 |
| 14 | Cheyenne River Near Scenic, Sd River | 38.3° | 3.5° | 🧊 Very Cold | ⛔ Very cold | Oct 28 |
| 15 | Rapid Creek Above Wrf Nr Rapid City, Sd River | 37.9° | 3.3° | 🧊 Very Cold | ⛔ Very cold | Nov 21 |
| 16 | Spearfish Creek At Spearfish,Sd River | — | — | — | — | — |
| 17 | Big Sioux River At Broadway At Watertown, Sd River | — | — | — | — | — |
| 18 | Mud Lake Above White Rock Dam Near White Rock, Sd Lake | — | — | — | — | — |
| 19 | Belle Fourche River Near Sturgis,Sd River | — | — | — | — | — |
| 20 | Big Sioux River Below Diversion At Sioux Falls, Sd River | — | — | — | — | — |
| 21 | North Fork Grand River Near White Butte,Sd River | — | — | — | — | — |
| 22 | South Fork Bad River Near Cottonwood,Sd River | — | — | — | — | — |
| 23 | Big Sioux River Near Hawarden, Ia River | — | — | — | — | — |
| 24 | Horsehead Creek At Oelrichs,Sd River | — | — | — | — | — |
| 25 | Elm Creek Near Gann Valley Sd River | — | — | — | — | — |
More South Dakota Resources
❓ South Dakota Water Temperature FAQ
What is the warmest lake in South Dakota today?
Based on our latest USGS data, Lewis And Clark Lake At Springfield,Sd is currently the warmest water body in South Dakota at 84.9°F.
Which South Dakota lakes are good for swimming right now?
Lakes with water temperatures above 72°F are generally comfortable for swimming. Currently, South Dakota's average water temperature is 53.9°F — check individual lakes above for specific conditions.
What is the best water temperature for fishing in South Dakota?
The optimal temperature range depends on your target species. For bass fishing, look for water bodies between 65–75°F. For trout, target the coldest water bodies in South Dakota — typically 50–65°F. Use the table above to identify which lakes are in the ideal range for your target species.
🔬 Data Methodology & Sources
Water temperature readings on this site are collected from USGS (United States Geological Survey) monitoring stations installed at lakes, rivers, and reservoirs across the country. Sensors measure water surface temperature in Celsius, which is converted to Fahrenheit for display. Data is retrieved and stored daily. Temperatures shown reflect the most recent available sensor reading for each water body, typically from the past 1–30 days depending on station reporting frequency.
⚠️ Water temperatures can vary significantly across a water body due to depth, currents, and time of day. Sensor readings represent conditions at the monitoring station location. Always exercise caution when swimming and consult local authorities for official safety advisories.