Rivers in Kansas
Cow Creek above Hutchinson
Below flood stage
1.30ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 5:15 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 9.50 ft
- Record crest
- 12.87 ft2018
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 12.50 ft |
| Moderate flood | 10.50 ft |
| Minor flood | 9.50 ft |
| Action | 7.50 ft |
- 13.00 ftExpect widespread flooding in the area northwest of Hutchinson. In this area residents may see 3 to 7 feet of water. Homes in the area northwest of Pennington from 43rd Ave in Reno County to Ave W in Rice County may flood. Willowbrook entrance on Wilson Road is only accessible from the south. Areas around the Kansas Bible Camp on 56th Avenue will flood. Flood waters begin to affect the road 500 ft east of the 82nd Avenue creek bridge. The 2 homes on the north side of the road in this area will flood.
- 12.50 ftExpect widespread flooding in the area northwest of Hutchinson. In this area, residents may see 3 to 7 feet of water. Homes in the area northwest of Pennington from 43rd Ave in Reno County to Ave W in Rice County may flood. Willowbrook entrance on Wilson Road is only accessible from the south. Areas around the Kansas Bible Camp on 56th Avenue will flood.
- 11.50 ftOn 82nd Avenue the road floods between Wilson Road and Pennington Road.
- 10.80 ftThe road floods at the intersection of 56th Ave and Pennington Rd. Wilson Road takes on water between 82nd Ave to 95th Ave.
- 10.50 ftThere are numerous road closures northwest of Hutchinson due to high water. Low water crossing on 43rd Street just east of Pennington floods. Expect road closure on 43rd Street between Pennington to Hendricks roads. Also 69th Street floods between Wilson to Pennington roads. Then 50th Street floods between Wilson and Pennington roads. Flooding occurs along Pennington Road from Nickerson Blvd to 50th Avenue.
- 10.00 ftThe low water crossing on Wilson Rd between 69th Ave to 82nd Ave floods. Expect water depth near 4 inches to a width of 5 feet.
- 9.50 ftFields and cropland along the creek floods. Sections of Sallee Rd floods between 82nd Ave to 108th Ave. Also 95th Ave floods between Dean and Sallee Roads. Expect road closures.
- 9.00 ftWater crosses 95th Avenue in a small section, between Dean and Sallee Roads. Water spreads over low spots across cropland or fields. More sections of the banks will overflow.
- 8.60 ftThe creek overflows its banks in a few sections and stands in low spots in fields and ditches along roadway near 85th Ave. A few low water crossings along Sallee just north and south of 95th Ave as well as west of Sallee on 95th Ave will see a few inches of water standing on roadway.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 40% |
| Moderate flooding | 23% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.
Crest history
56 crests on NOAA’s list since 2007.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | October 11, 2018 | 12.87 ft |
| 2 | May 8, 2007 | 12.81 ft |
| 3 | August 7, 2013 | 12.47 ft |
| 4 | May 10, 2019 | 12.38 ft |
| 5 | May 26, 2007 | 12.22 ft |
| 6 | May 22, 2019 | 12.02 ft |
| 7 | June 24, 2019 | 11.97 ft |
| 8 | August 3, 2013 | 11.94 ft |
| 9 | June 15, 2014 | 11.50 ft |
| 10 | September 4, 2014 | 11.29 ft |
| 11 | June 18, 2010 | 11.26 ft |
| 12 | September 9, 2018 | 11.25 ft |
| 13 | August 7, 2007 | 11.19 ft |
| 14 | May 10, 2009 | 11.15 ft |
| 15 | April 27, 2009 | 11.15 ft |
| 16 | June 5, 2007 | 11.04 ft |
| 17 | July 6, 2016 | 10.99 ft |
| 18 | July 28, 2025 | 10.98 ft |
| 19 | September 12, 2025 | 10.94 ft |
| 20 | July 18, 2020 | 10.83 ft |
| 21 | May 30, 2020 | 10.82 ft |
| 22 | July 3, 2014 | 10.78 ft |
| 23 | May 31, 2016 | 10.73 ft |
| 24 | May 25, 2017 | 10.72 ft |
| 25 | June 19, 2025 | 10.72 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 24, 2026: 9.72 ft
- June 12, 2026: 7.65 ft
- September 12, 2025: 10.94 ft
- August 31, 2025: 8.84 ft
- August 13, 2025: 10.05 ft
- July 28, 2025: 10.98 ft
- June 19, 2025: 10.72 ft
- November 21, 2024: 9.54 ft
- August 17, 2024: 9.42 ft
- June 12, 2024: 10.41 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.