Cow Creek (KS) at Lyons

1. 25.00 ftMajor and widespread flooding south of Lyons occurs. The gage site and surrounding area may be entirely under water. Expect flooding of the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks and the county roads in this area.
2. 24.70 ftWidespread flooding of agricultural land and some county roads can be expected. The railroad bridge where the gage is located just 1 mile southeast of Avenue O and K96, will begin to flood. The railroad bridge may cause some restriction of flow of the Cow Creek and cause water to back up into the lands upstream in the vicinity of Highway 14.
3. 22.00 ftExtensive flooding of low-lying areas and bottom land will occur. The Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks flood near Lyons.
4. 20.00 ftThe few residentail homes along Highway 14 just south of Avenue O may take on 2 ft of water. Some low spots on Highway 14 may become flooded.
5. 18.80 ftThe county road that is 1000 feet south of gaging site along the right bank begins to flood.
6. 18.50 ftFlooding begins around the highway 14 river bridge, located just south of Avenu O. Or 0.7 miles upstream from the gage site.
7. 18.00 ftSome flooding of low-lying areas and bottom land agricultural areas occurs, especially along the right bank. Possible flooding of county roads 6 miles southeast of Lyons may take place on sections of 20th Road and on 22nd Road.
8. 17.50 ftPossible flooding of low-lying roads 6 miles southeast of Lyons along county roads affecting 20th Road between Avenue R and Avenue S and on 22nd Road between Avenue Q and Avenue V. Expect possible road closures at these sites. Flooding depends on other surrounding tributary creeks running full.
9. 17.00 ftThe banks begin to overflow at the gage site. Some minor flooding of lowland agricultural areas is likely and some blacktop county roads southeast of Lyons will take on areas of water to a depth less than 10 inches.
10. 15.00 ftThe right bank begins to overflow but is only in low areas near the gage. Some minor flooding of lowland agricultural areas is likely.
11. 14.50 ftOverflows occur and flow through culverts that are located both north and south of the gage.

Chance of flooding, September to November

The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.

Most recent crests

• June 23, 2026: 15.41 ft
• September 9, 2025: 17.77 ft
• July 25, 2025: 17.73 ft
• June 18, 2025: 14.88 ft
• August 15, 2024: 14.92 ft
• August 11, 2023: 13.28 ft
• May 28, 2022: 14.45 ft
• May 29, 2021: 16.56 ft
• May 17, 2021: 15.78 ft
• July 15, 2020: 17.15 ft

• DownstreamCow Creek at Hutchinson
• Arkansas River at Hutchinson
• Smoky Hill River at Kanopolis Lake
• Rattlesnake Creek (KS) at Zenith
• Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth
• Arkansas River at Great Bend
• Smoky Hill River at Lindsborg
• Arkansas River at Haven

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.

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.