Rivers in Kansas
Arkansas River at Derby
Below flood stage
0.60ftStage
Observed Mon, Sep 28, 3:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 12.00 ft
- Record crest
- 16.60 ft1998
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 16.20 ft |
| Moderate flood | 15.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 12.00 ft |
| Action | 10.00 ft |
- 23.50 ftTop of levee system.
- 17.50 ftFlood waters spread more over the east bank along with vast flooding of agricultural fields.
- 16.20 ftWidespread flooding of low-lying areas and agricultural areas will result. Residents south of Tucker Lane may see flood waters impacting homes.
- 15.50 ftTucker Lane on the downstream west bank of the river will be covered with 1 foot of water. Homes south of Tucker Lane begin to experience minor basement flooding. More agricultural fields will be flooded.
- 15.00 ftFlooding of agricultural areas will occur. Flood waters begin to flow across Washington Street on the west side of the river bridge and over Tucker Lane on the downstream right bank of river.
- 12.00 ftThe river will be out of its main channel and expand to a width near 600 feet wide. Expect flooding of low lying areas around the river. The Derby Park facility on the downstream east bank of the Market St bridge is inundated.
- 11.60 ftThe river starts to overflow its banks.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 6% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 25, 2026.
Crest history
61 crests on NOAA’s list since 1968.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 2, 1998 | 16.60 ft |
| 2 | July 15, 1993 | 16.19 ft |
| 3 | May 9, 1993 | 16.08 ft |
| 4 | November 1, 1979 | 15.87 ft |
| 5 | May 25, 2019 | 15.53 ft |
| 6 | October 1, 1973 | 15.51 ft |
| 7 | March 31, 1973 | 15.51 ft |
| 8 | April 21, 1974 | 15.47 ft |
| 9 | October 14, 1973 | 15.43 ft |
| 10 | October 10, 1985 | 15.30 ft |
| 11 | October 11, 1985 | 15.29 ft |
| 12 | September 13, 2008 | 15.19 ft |
| 13 | July 19, 1993 | 14.76 ft |
| 14 | September 10, 2016 | 14.54 ft |
| 15 | May 9, 2019 | 14.37 ft |
| 16 | April 27, 2009 | 14.33 ft |
| 17 | March 11, 1973 | 13.73 ft |
| 18 | July 3, 2016 | 13.66 ft |
| 19 | October 17, 1968 | 13.53 ft |
| 20 | May 28, 1995 | 13.49 ft |
| 21 | June 14, 2010 | 13.23 ft |
| 22 | August 9, 2013 | 13.09 ft |
| 23 | May 28, 2007 | 12.98 ft |
| 24 | May 28, 2007 | 12.92 ft |
| 25 | June 10, 2005 | 12.79 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 26, 2026: 11.53 ft
- June 19, 2025: 10.14 ft
- June 3, 2025: 12.10 ft
- June 1, 2022: 11.13 ft
- June 27, 2021: 7.43 ft
- May 16, 2020: 5.93 ft
- June 24, 2019: 12.41 ft
- May 25, 2019: 15.53 ft
- May 9, 2019: 14.37 ft
- October 10, 2018: 12.62 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.