Sioux City Public MuseumAerial view of the Missouri River shows massive flooding in the spring of 1952. Both Sioux City and South Sioux City, right, sustained huge damage when the river crested at 44.28 feet on April 14 of that year.

15

20

25

30

35

40

45

2827262524

Leve

l in

feet

2322212019181716151413121110987654321June

31302928272625May

30.21'Flood stage

Moderate flood stage

Major flood stage

Missouri River levels in Sioux City

33.22'34.70'

Fore

cast

edriv

er le

vels

44.28' 1952

Historical crests

38.72' 1943

33.40' 1934

30.65' 1971

16.55' 2002

20.97' 1985

25.49' 2010

Graphic: Amy Hynds Source : National Weather Service, USGS

Missouri River levels in Sioux CityA look at how river levels has risen on the Missouri River at Sioux City since May 25, and how the current levels compare to some historic floods through the past 100 years.

Journal photo by Tim HyndsFloodwaters from the Big Sioux River are shown looking southeast from near Jefferson, S.D., on Sept. 29, 2010, as they flow toward the Missouri River and Sioux City. The Missouri hit a crest of 25.49 feet on Sept. 30.

Journal archivesThe flood in 1971 came in February and hit a crest of 30.65 feet. It flooded rural areas and cities alike. The location of this photograph is unknown.

Journal archivesResidents rowed boats through the streets in the 1934 flood, which hit a crest of 33.40 feet. This photo was taken on Sioux City’s east side.

1952

1934

1971 2010

City workers set up pumps Tuesday to

drain water from heavy rains into the

Big Sioux River in the Riverside area.

The crest this year is estimated to reach

34.70 feet.

Journal photo by Jim Lee

2011