Near Pierre in Hughes County, South Dakota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Pierre
August 25, 2011
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 28, 2025
1. Pierre Marker
On Aug. 25, 2011 the view from this vantage point looked a little different.
With a record snow pack in the mountains and rapidly filling reservoirs, the Missouri River dams, including Oahe Dam, began releasing water at record rates. The high releases from the Oahe Dam caused the river to breach the Causeway between La Framboise Island and Pierre.
As a result, the City water pipe that supplies well water to Pierre, seen in this picture, was destroyed. Before the flood, the water line was buried 7 feet underground.
At the peak of the 2011 Missouri River flood, the water level was 14 feet higher than normal.
The Causeway was reestablished in 2012.
Learn more about South Dakota's flood history at history.sd.gov/archives.
Silver Jackets brings together federal, state, and local agencies to collaborate in reducing flood risk. Prepare your family at bReady.sd.gov.
Photo courtesy: City of Pierre, South Dakota
Erected by Silver Jackets.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Disasters • Man-Made Features • Waterways & Vessels. A significant historical date for this entry is August 25, 2011.
Location. 44° 21.744′ N, 100° 21.754′ W. Marker is near Pierre
this page online
Regionally, this marker is in East River. It is also in the American Lewis & Clark Corridor, on the prairies, and on the Northern Plains. Globally, it is in North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once Ruperts Land and also the Louisiana Purchase.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: LaFramboise Island Nature Area (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Welcome to Steamboat Park! (approx. Ό mile away); Tichicala Cabin (approx. 0.3 miles away); Walter H. Burke (approx. 0.3 miles away); Alexander McDonald Putello (approx. 0.3 miles away); Exploring the Lewis & Clark Trail (approx. 0.4 miles away); Steamboats on the Missouri (approx. 0.4 miles away); Pierre Was A Cowtown / Reading Brands (approx. 0.4 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Pierre.
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 28, 2025
2. Pierre Marker looking north along LaFramboise Trail across the causeway
Photographed by Mark Parker, June 28, 2025
3. Pierre Marker looking across the Missouri. South Dakota Capitol in the background
Credits. This page was last revised on July 23, 2025. It was originally submitted on July 23, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. This page has been viewed 90 times since then and 15 times this year. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on July 23, 2025, by Mark Parker of Hickory, North Carolina. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
