Kansas River at Lawrence

1. 34.00 ftFlood waters reach the top of the levee on north side of the river.
2. 32.30 ftThe city of Lawrence Wastewater Treatment building is flooded.
3. 28.00 ftWater enters the first floor of the Lawrence Riverfront Mall.
4. 27.30 ftThe City of Lawrence Wastewater Treatment Plant is shut down.
5. 21.30 ftSandbagging of the City of Lawrence Waste Water Treatment Plant is necessary.
6. 18.00 ftLowlands outside of the levee on the north side of the river begin to flood. Burcham Park is closed due to flooding on the south side of the river.
7. 15.00 ftBurcham Park on the south side of the river begins to flood.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 23, 2026.

Most recent crests

• August 31, 2019: 18.17 ft
• June 24, 2019: 20.74 ft
• May 31, 2019: 18.42 ft
• May 27, 2019: 18.57 ft
• May 22, 2019: 18.79 ft
• May 9, 2019: 19.06 ft
• May 28, 2016: 20.43 ft
• April 28, 2016: 18.62 ft
• June 6, 2015: 20.29 ft
• June 3, 2012: 18.62 ft

• UpstreamKansas River at Lecompton
• DownstreamKansas River at De Soto
• Wakarusa River at Lawrence
• Wakarusa River at Clinton Lake
• Delaware River (KS) at Perry Lake
• Stranger Creek at Tonganoxie
• Wakarusa River at Richland
• Kansas River at Topeka

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 precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 24 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. River forecasts for this location take into account past precipitation and the precipitation amounts expected approximately 48 hours into the future from the forecast issuance time. Stage may be affected by ice during winter months.

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.