Rivers in Kansas
Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth
Below flood stage
1.25ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 29, 3:30 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 20.00 ft
- Record crest
- 30.07 ft1993
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 27.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 24.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 20.00 ft |
| Action | 18.00 ft |
- 27.00 ftMajor and widespread flooding is anticipated. The left bank begins to overflow into the city of Ellsworth.
- 24.00 ftExtensive flooding of low-lying areas and roads around the area will be impacted including Highway 14. The bridge on Highway 14 becomes flooded along with some homes around the area.
- 23.00 ftThe road 100 feet south of the Highway 14 Bridge will become inundated with about 1 ft depth of water.
- 21.00 ftAbout 100 feet south of the Highway 14 Bridge the road becomes flooded.
- 20.00 ftSome flooding of low-lying areas, bottom land and roads near the gage site can be expected. The Highway 14 Bridge is closed to southbound traffic at the gage site.
- 18.00 ftOverflows occur on the right bank near the gage site on Highway 14 in the southwest side of town. The bridge at the gage site is closed to southbound traffic.
- 17.00 ftMinor rural overflows begin at this level.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 5% |
| Moderate flooding | Under 5% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 23, 2026.
Crest history
114 crests on NOAA’s list since 1895.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | July 22, 1993 | 30.07 ft |
| 2 | June 1, 1938 | 27.20 ft |
| 3 | August 13, 1927 | 25.70 ft |
| 4 | July 23, 1993 | 25.57 ft |
| 5 | July 26, 1990 | 24.85 ft |
| 6 | May 23, 1951 | 24.12 ft |
| 7 | June 16, 1970 | 23.13 ft |
| 8 | October 10, 2018 | 23.04 ft |
| 9 | August 2, 2007 | 22.97 ft |
| 10 | May 6, 2007 | 22.67 ft |
| 11 | June 7, 1951 | 22.50 ft |
| 12 | April 16, 1987 | 22.35 ft |
| 13 | April 15, 1987 | 22.20 ft |
| 14 | June 24, 1951 | 22.16 ft |
| 15 | August 4, 1928 | 22.00 ft |
| 16 | October 11, 1973 | 21.71 ft |
| 17 | July 5, 1895 | 21.60 ft |
| 18 | September 13, 1961 | 21.47 ft |
| 19 | June 22, 2020 | 21.43 ft |
| 20 | September 21, 1941 | 21.35 ft |
| 21 | August 29, 1960 | 21.28 ft |
| 22 | March 23, 1987 | 21.20 ft |
| 23 | September 2, 1941 | 21.14 ft |
| 24 | June 21, 1951 | 21.08 ft |
| 25 | September 19, 1967 | 21.00 ft |
Most recent crests
- September 21, 2025: 13.10 ft
- May 20, 2024: 18.50 ft
- July 1, 2023: 4.76 ft
- June 6, 2022: 11.66 ft
- May 27, 2021: 14.68 ft
- June 22, 2020: 21.43 ft
- May 26, 2019: 20.90 ft
- October 10, 2018: 23.04 ft
- September 4, 2018: 13.41 ft
- May 20, 2017: 16.98 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
What this means
Forecasts by the Missouri Basin River Forecast Center. 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.