Rivers in Kansas
Smoky Hill River below Russell
Below flood stage
4.31ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 30, 4:30 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 18.00 ft
- Record crest
- 20.43 ft2019
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 38.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 20.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 18.00 ft |
| Action | 16.00 ft |
- 38.00 ftThe north bridge approach on Highway 281 at the gage site begins to flood. Expect widespread flooding of agricultural areas.
- 20.00 ftFlooding of croplands and fields will occur.
- 18.00 ftExpect flooding of fields and low lying areas especially on the left bank.
- 10.00 ftThe left bank overflows at this height.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, October to December
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | Under 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
20 crests on NOAA’s list since 2011.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | May 25, 2019 | 20.43 ft |
| 2 | October 10, 2018 | 18.96 ft |
| 3 | August 26, 2019 | 18.61 ft |
| 4 | June 22, 2026 | 15.20 ft |
| 5 | May 27, 2021 | 15.13 ft |
| 6 | September 5, 2016 | 13.38 ft |
| 7 | June 22, 2020 | 12.35 ft |
| 8 | August 20, 2018 | 11.75 ft |
| 9 | April 20, 2016 | 11.58 ft |
| 10 | June 28, 2014 | 10.57 ft |
| 11 | May 1, 2017 | 10.52 ft |
| 12 | August 5, 2013 | 10.29 ft |
| 13 | July 22, 2025 | 10.22 ft |
| 14 | April 15, 2012 | 8.47 ft |
| 15 | August 14, 2023 | 8.21 ft |
| 16 | August 13, 2024 | 8.19 ft |
| 17 | August 10, 2011 | 5.41 ft |
| 18 | February 4, 2022 | 5.08 ft |
| 19 | June 8, 2022 | 5.00 ft |
| 20 | May 30, 2015 | 3.79 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 22, 2026: 15.20 ft
- July 22, 2025: 10.22 ft
- August 13, 2024: 8.19 ft
- August 14, 2023: 8.21 ft
- June 8, 2022: 5.00 ft
- February 4, 2022: 5.08 ft
- May 27, 2021: 15.13 ft
- June 22, 2020: 12.35 ft
- August 26, 2019: 18.61 ft
- May 25, 2019: 20.43 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.