Rivers in Kansas
Walnut River at Arkansas City
Below flood stage
2.57ftStage
Observed Sun, Sep 27, 9:15 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 18.00 ft
- Record crest
- 32.45 ft1998
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 28.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 22.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 18.00 ft |
| Action | 16.00 ft |
- 40.00 ftWater begins to overtop the levee system that protects the city on the east side from the Walnut River.
- 27.00 ftExpect road closure on Highway 166 east of the by-pass to the Walnut River Bridge due to water over roadway east of the levee toward the bridge.
- 26.00 ftWater begins to flow across the west bound lane of Highway 166 east of the levee.
- 24.00 ftThe last C Street Canal gate is closed at Highway 77 at Walnut River Levee.
- 23.00 ftTwo C street Canal gates are closed at the Highway 77 at Walnut River Levee.
- 20.00 ftConsiderable flooding of farmland is expected. Widespread flooding of the park just upstream of the gage site is anticipated. East Chestnut Avenue east of By-pass is closed due to water over roadway. Greens Farm Road floods between Highway 166 north to Dunbar Hill.
- 18.00 ftConsiderable flooding of farmland can be expected. There is considerable flooding upstream along the west bank of the Walnut River. On the east bank, the ground slopes upward so that only about a 300 foot wide strip of land would be affected.
- 14.00 ftThe city starts closing storm water flood gates which include the Mill Canal gates and pumps.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 9% |
| Moderate flooding | 7% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 25, 2026.
Crest history
102 crests on NOAA’s list since 1904.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 3, 1998 | 32.45 ft |
| 2 | June 11, 1995 | 29.22 ft |
| 3 | May 9, 2019 | 28.52 ft |
| 4 | June 10, 1923 | 28.43 ft |
| 5 | April 24, 1944 | 28.21 ft |
| 6 | November 18, 1964 | 26.60 ft |
| 7 | May 19, 1951 | 26.47 ft |
| 8 | July 1, 2007 | 26.12 ft |
| 9 | May 11, 1993 | 26.10 ft |
| 10 | October 12, 1985 | 26.10 ft |
| 11 | May 23, 2019 | 26.08 ft |
| 12 | May 27, 2019 | 25.96 ft |
| 13 | May 18, 1957 | 25.55 ft |
| 14 | June 7, 1965 | 25.08 ft |
| 15 | April 18, 1945 | 24.94 ft |
| 16 | June 22, 1942 | 24.83 ft |
| 17 | June 11, 1979 | 24.32 ft |
| 18 | September 15, 2008 | 24.18 ft |
| 19 | October 4, 1926 | 23.94 ft |
| 20 | October 13, 1973 | 23.72 ft |
| 21 | May 6, 1961 | 23.68 ft |
| 22 | July 5, 1976 | 23.60 ft |
| 23 | November 17, 1964 | 23.20 ft |
| 24 | April 15, 1947 | 23.07 ft |
| 25 | September 12, 2016 | 23.04 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 28, 2026: 21.84 ft
- June 21, 2026: 18.59 ft
- June 18, 2025: 18.38 ft
- June 6, 2025: 18.25 ft
- November 4, 2024: 11.84 ft
- December 26, 2023: 8.93 ft
- June 3, 2022: 17.55 ft
- May 7, 2022: 17.02 ft
- June 27, 2021: 13.65 ft
- May 17, 2020: 17.27 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.