Flood in Hutchinson County, South Dakota

Major flooding of the James River, as well as flooding of small streams and lakes in the county, continued through April. Much farmland remained flooded, both near to and away from the James River. The James River was 5.8 feet above flood stage northeast of Scotland on April 1st, and fell very slowly during the month. A large area of land and numerous roads were flooded at the start of the month. Water was running over other roads, from flooded streams, creeks, and fields as well as from the James River. Many roads were heavily damaged. Some homes and businesses were also flooded, with the flooding of these places slowly alleviating through the month. High water and groundwater levels from record precipitation in the year 2010, a main reason the flooding onset was so fast in March, was also a main reason that the flooding subsided so slowly during April.

Rainfall amounts across Hutchinson County from June 20-22 ranged from 4 to 6 inches. Overland flooding ensued with additional major flooding along Wolf Creek and the James River. ||Multiple residences in Parkston, Tripp, Olivet, Menno, Freeman, and other smaller communities across the county had water or sewer backup into their homes. In addition, many roads had gravel wash and several culverts were swept away. Preliminary damage assessments estimate loss to public infrastructure across the county to be nearly 758 thousand dollars.||The majority of overland flooding subsided by June 24, but river flooding continued through the end of the month. For additional information on river flooding, please see other flood entries for Hutchinson County.

A continuation of flooding from August; after falling briefly below flood stage on September 10, the James River near Scotland (gage site SCOS2) responded to excessive rainfall of 4 to 8 inches upstream September 10-12 (7.54 inches at Mitchell and 7.21 inches 7 miles south of Parkston) to crest at a record 9.24 feet above flood stage on September 13. Innumerable roads were inundated and closed for several days, including South Dakota Highway 44 near Milltown, Parkston and Freeman, Highway 18 near Olivet, Highway 81 north of Yankton, Highway 46 west of Irene and 431st Avenue in northern Yankton county – all major area roadways. Tschetter Hutterite Colony was inundated when water overtopped protective levies, causing extensive damage to buildings and displacing 10 families. Similarly, water inundated Wolf Creek Colony when an earthen dam was breached displacing 20 families. Numerous turkeys and hogs were lost in the flooding. Elsewhere, extensive amounts of agricultural land were inundated. Moderate flooding continued at the end of the month.