Rivers in Kansas
Arkansas River at Arkansas City
Below flood stage
3.22ftStage
Observed Thu, Sep 24, 4:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 11.00 ft
- Record crest
- 20.91 ft2019
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 21.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 17.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 11.00 ft |
| Action | 9.00 ft |
- 35.00 ftWater begins to overtop the levee.
- 27.00 ftPreparations are made to install Stop logs at Highway 77 on Summit Street Bridge at the levee.
- 21.00 ftPreperations are made to close West 166 Highway. Stop-logs are installed on West Madison Avenue at the levee.
- 14.00 ftThe Water Plant takes precautions on water well pump houses west of the Arkansas River.
- 11.00 ftFlooding of agricultural lands can be expected with bank overflows on west side of river. West Chestnut Avenue west of the river floods, expect road closure.
- 10.00 ftThe river is at the top of its banks.
- 8.00 ftThe city begins to check and start closing storm water flood gates.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 22% |
| Moderate flooding | 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.
Crest history
37 crests on NOAA’s list since 1973.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 9, 2019 | 20.91 ft |
| 2 | May 28, 2019 | 20.48 ft |
| 3 | May 24, 2019 | 20.22 ft |
| 4 | September 11, 2016 | 19.19 ft |
| 5 | June 28, 2026 | 17.79 ft |
| 6 | August 17, 1995 | 17.61 ft |
| 7 | October 12, 2018 | 17.44 ft |
| 8 | February 2, 1973 | 17.27 ft |
| 9 | March 22, 1979 | 17.23 ft |
| 10 | June 19, 2025 | 16.60 ft |
| 11 | June 18, 2025 | 16.20 ft |
| 12 | June 25, 2019 | 15.60 ft |
| 13 | June 22, 2026 | 14.95 ft |
| 14 | July 5, 2016 | 14.95 ft |
| 15 | June 23, 2026 | 14.59 ft |
| 16 | June 5, 2025 | 13.85 ft |
| 17 | May 25, 2015 | 13.57 ft |
| 18 | May 29, 2016 | 13.04 ft |
| 19 | June 17, 2015 | 12.92 ft |
| 20 | August 20, 2016 | 12.92 ft |
| 21 | May 28, 2022 | 12.89 ft |
| 22 | April 7, 2017 | 12.84 ft |
| 23 | May 26, 2016 | 12.57 ft |
| 24 | September 26, 2016 | 12.52 ft |
| 25 | March 31, 2017 | 12.41 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 28, 2026: 17.79 ft
- June 23, 2026: 14.59 ft
- June 22, 2026: 14.95 ft
- June 19, 2025: 16.60 ft
- June 18, 2025: 16.20 ft
- June 8, 2025: 12.19 ft
- June 5, 2025: 13.85 ft
- July 10, 2023: 8.41 ft
- June 3, 2022: 11.23 ft
- June 1, 2022: 12.34 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Arkansas-Red Basin RFC. Forecasts are issued as needed during times of high water, but are not routinely available. River forecasts for this location take into account past and future precipitation. Forecast stages may be different if forecast future rainfall does not occur. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.
Sources
Stage, flood stages, impacts and crest history from NOAA’s National Water Prediction Service. Streamflow and the daily record from the U.S. Geological Survey.