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Sioux Rapids, Iowa

9 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1954 and the latest in 1985. It stands in Sioux Rapids City. It lies in ZIP code area 50585. It stands on Soldier Creek. The Survey maps it on the Sioux Rapids quadrangle. 748 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 1,260 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Sioux Rapids within Buena Vista County

On record in Sioux Rapids

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 2 records

Population over time

2 figures

Sioux Rapids fell from 775 to 748 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
2010775
2020748-27 (-3%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

5 surveys from 9 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Fires near this place

3 since 2006

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 3 fires within 5 miles of Sioux Rapids between 2006 and 2011, burning about 44 acres in total. None started naturally. None was recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Missing data/not specified/undetermined3

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
1 April 2009Missing data/not specified/undetermined3.0 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
11 March 2006Missing data/not specified/undetermined40 acresIowa Department of Natural Resourcesnot named
13 December 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresIowa Department of Natural Resources215TH AND 500TH, IA

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Buena Vista County

Mines and quarries near this place

9 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 9 workings within 5 miles of Sioux Rapids: 6 past producers, 3 producers. 3 still produce. What was taken out: Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Angier PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Collins PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Cornell PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
Linn Grove PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Railroad PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer
UnknownSand and Gravel, ConstructionPast Producer

Every working recorded in Buena Vista County

Storms near this place

56 since 1994

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Sioux Rapids in 56 storm reports between 1994 and 2024: 26 hail, 20 flood, 8 thunderstorm wind, 1 lightning. No death or injury is recorded in these reports. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
June 1994HailSioux Rapids$50,000no account filed
June 2013Thunderstorm WindSioux Rapids$10,000Thunderstorm winds caused tree damage, including several trees blown down. The winds also caused roof damage to homes.
May 1998LightningSioux Rapids$10,000no account filed
July 1996Thunderstorm WindSioux Rapids$10,000no account filed
May 1994HailSioux Rapids$5,000no account filed
June 1994HailSioux Rapids$5,000no account filed
July 2024FloodSioux Rapids-Flooding continued from June on the Little Sioux River at Linn Grove, with declining river levels. The river fell below flood stage on the afternoon of July 2nd.
June 2024FloodSioux Rapids-The Little Sioux River at Linn Grove rose above flood stage the morning of June 21st, cresting around 11.97 feet above flood stage (29.97 feet) on June 23rd. This crest is in the Major Stage and broke the previous record. The river stayed above flood stage into July. For a more comprehensive description of flood damage, please see other entries for Buena Vista County.
June 2019FloodSioux Rapids-A continuation of flooding from May, the Little Sioux River at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) began the month at 1.50 feet above flood stage. Significant amounts of agricultural land remained flooded, and further impeded spring planting.
May 2019FloodSioux Rapids-This is a continuation of flooding from April. The Little Sioux River at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) hovered near flood stage with an early month crest at 0.24 feet above flood stage on May 12, before falling below flood stage on May 16. Late month rains pushed the river back over flood stage on May 24, reaching a crest in moderate flood stage of 1.63 feet above flood stage on May 31. Significant agricultural flooding persisted, with no opportunity for spring planting throughout the flood plain. The river remained at moderate flood stage at the end of the month.
March 2019FloodSioux Rapids-Snow melt and heavy rainfall (measured 1.27 inches at Spencer and 1.04 inches 4 miles east of Sioux Rapids) resulted in significant flooding of agricultural land. The Little Sioux River at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) reached the highest stage on record for the fourth time in nine months, cresting 6.13 feet above flood stage on March 16. The river remained in minor flood stage at the end of the month.
April 2019FloodSioux Rapids-Runoff from occasional precipitation in early April returned significant flooding of agricultural lands. The Little Sioux River at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) crested twice during the period. The first crest was 0.77 feet above flood stage on April 14. After a brief period below flood stage from April 23-29, a second crest occurred on April 30 at 0.17 feet above flood stage. The river remained in minor flood stage at the end of the month.
March 2018FloodSioux Rapids-Snow melt runoff on top of already high river levels produced minor flooding of lowland agricultural areas along middle portions of the Little Sioux River. River levels reached 0.4 feet above flood stage near Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) by the end of the month.
April 2018FloodSioux Rapids-A continuation of flooding from March 2018, the river crested at minor flood level at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) 0.6 feet above flood stage on April 1.
April 2018FloodSioux Rapids-Flooding returned to the Little Sioux River in mid-April, and was generally minor with impacts limited to near river agricultural areas. Periodic rain and snow brought 1 to 3 inches of liquid equivalent in the week prior to a return to flood stage at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) on April 17. The river crested in moderate flood stage (1.5 feet above flood stage) on April 26, inundating a large amount of pasture and crop land along the flood plain as well as the city park in Sioux Rapids. The river remained in moderate flood stage at the end of the month.
July 2018Thunderstorm WindSioux Rapids-Strong thunderstorm outflow knocked down power lines were and damaged numerous trees. Information was gleaned from social media.
March 2018FloodSioux Rapids-Runoff from snow melt along with periods of rainfall through mid March caused minor flooding of lowland agricultural areas along portions of the Little Sioux River. The river reached a crest of 0.9 feet above flood stage near Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) on March 20.
July 2018FloodSioux Rapids-Significant amounts of crop and pasture land were severely impacted by major flooding as river levels climbed to 3.9 feet above flood stage at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) on July 1.
May 2018FloodSioux Rapids-Minor flooding of the Little Sioux River continued from April, impacting near-river agricultural areas. However, rainfall was relentless over the first two weeks of May, totaling a widespread 3 to 5 inches in the upper Little Sioux Basin, including 5.01 inches at Lake Park, 4.85 inches 4 miles northwest of Milford, 4.69 inches in Spirit Lake, 3.95 inches near Everly and 3.20 inches at Spencer. There were multiple crests at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) during the following three weeks, with the highest crest reaching moderate flooding (1.7 feet above flood stage) on May 15, inundating a large amount of pasture and crop land along the flood plain as well as the city park in Sioux Rapids. The river dropped below flood stage on May 26.
September 2018FloodSioux Rapids-Rainfall throughout the Little Sioux Basin during the period of September 18-21 totaled generally 4 to 8 inches, resulting in record flooding. Significant crop and pasture land was flooded, and city and county parks along the reach of the river were severely inundated. The Little Sioux River at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) crested at 5.9 feet above flood stage on September 22, the second record crest of the year. The river remained in minor flood at the end of the month.
October 2018FloodSioux Rapids-Minor flooding of agricultural land occurred as well as inundation of the city park in Sioux Rapids as the Little Sioux River at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) crested 1.0 feet above flood stage on October 14.
June 2018FloodSioux Rapids-A week of prolific rainfall ending June 26 resulted in a widespread 4 to 7 inches of rainfall, much of which occurred on June 20 and 24. Specific weekly totals included 3.65 4 miles east of Sioux Rapids, 4.03 at Spencer and 6.70 near Everly. Record flooding occurred with significant amounts of crop and pasture land inundated, as well as the city park in Sioux Rapids as the river crested at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) at 5.4 feet above flood stage on June 27. The river remained in major flood stage at the end of the month.
October 2018FloodSioux Rapids-A continuation of flooding from September, river levels on the Little Sioux River at Linn Grove (gage site LNNI4) continued to fall in early October. Impacts were limited to minor agricultural flooding.
April 2016Thunderstorm WindSioux Rapids-Thunderstorm winds caused minor tree damage.
June 2014Thunderstorm WindSioux Rapids-Thunderstorm winds caused widespread tree damage, including numerous trees blown down.
April 2013Heavy RainSioux Rapids-Rainfall of 2.79 inches was measured.
April 2010HailSioux Rapids-Large hail covered the ground.
April 2010HailSioux Rapids-Hail was accompanied by strong, but not damaging, winds.
April 2010HailSioux Rapids-Hail covered the ground.
August 2008HailSioux Rapids-Large hail covered the ground.
June 2008FloodSioux Rapids-Heavy rain caused continued minor flooding of farmland along the Little Sioux River.
August 2007FloodSioux Rapids-Heavy rainfall over several days, mainly upstream, caused minor flooding of the Little Sioux River. The river crested at 0.5 feet above flood stage at Linn Grove on August 29th.|
May 2007FloodSioux Rapids-Heavy rain caused flooding along the Little Sioux River. The river peaked at 1.6 feet above flood stage at Linn Grove on May 10th.
April 2007FloodSioux Rapids-Heavy rain at the end of March led to minor flooding along the Little Sioux River. Some lowlands along the river were flooded but no significant damage was reported.
September 2005HailSioux Rapids-Large hail covered the ground.
September 2019HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
September 2019HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
March 2017Thunderstorm WindSioux Rapids-no account filed
April 2011HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
April 2010HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
April 2010HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
March 2007HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
May 2005HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
May 2002HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
May 2002HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
May 2001Thunderstorm WindSioux Rapids-no account filed
June 2001HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
June 2001HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
June 2001HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
June 2001HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
June 2001HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
July 2000HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
July 2000HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
May 1998Thunderstorm WindSioux Rapids-no account filed
July 1996HailSioux Rapids-no account filed
September 1996HailSioux Rapids-no account filed

Every storm recorded in Buena Vista County

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
Rembrandt4.7 miles9
Linn Grove5.1 miles9
Marathon9.2 miles8
Leverett9.5 miles8
Truesdale11.5 miles9
Albert City13.2 miles8
Elkton13.3 miles9
Alta16.9 miles10

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on Sioux RapidsAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q1925584The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 461655. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.