Rivers in Kansas
Whitewater River (KS) near Towanda
Below flood stage
1.55ftStage
Observed Wed, Sep 23, 1:30 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 22.00 ft
- Record crest
- 30.54 ft1998
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 28.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 25.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 22.00 ft |
| Action | 20.00 ft |
- 28.00 ftWater level reaches about 2 ft on property 1 mile upstream, on east side of the river around River Valley Road. More extensive flooding of cropland can be expected. Many county roads in low areas will be inundated near the vicinity of the river.
- 25.00 ftFlooding over cropland becomes more widespread. County roads flood at Southwest 40th Street on low spots near the river about 2 miles downstream of gage and along Southwest 60th Street just west of Fulton Road near the river located 4 miles south of Towanda. Further downstream, 5 miles south of Towanda, expect flooding across Southwest 70th Street near the river.
- 22.00 ftThe river will be out of its banks on both sides. West bank overflows impact cropland mainly in low lying areas.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 12% |
| Moderate flooding | 9% |
| Major flooding | 6% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.
Crest history
96 crests on NOAA’s list since 1962.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | November 1, 1998 | 30.54 ft |
| 2 | June 8, 1979 | 29.73 ft |
| 3 | June 4, 2025 | 28.80 ft |
| 4 | October 11, 1985 | 28.50 ft |
| 5 | October 10, 1985 | 28.21 ft |
| 6 | April 27, 2009 | 28.04 ft |
| 7 | May 8, 2019 | 28.03 ft |
| 8 | June 5, 1965 | 28.02 ft |
| 9 | June 9, 1995 | 27.65 ft |
| 10 | May 25, 2019 | 26.86 ft |
| 11 | May 21, 2019 | 26.68 ft |
| 12 | September 10, 2016 | 26.35 ft |
| 13 | June 10, 2010 | 25.99 ft |
| 14 | September 14, 2008 | 25.92 ft |
| 15 | July 3, 2016 | 25.84 ft |
| 16 | August 26, 2005 | 25.84 ft |
| 17 | April 27, 1969 | 25.43 ft |
| 18 | May 9, 1993 | 25.22 ft |
| 19 | October 17, 1968 | 25.20 ft |
| 20 | July 25, 2004 | 25.04 ft |
| 21 | June 10, 2005 | 24.90 ft |
| 22 | October 12, 1973 | 24.86 ft |
| 23 | October 10, 2003 | 24.85 ft |
| 24 | May 22, 1969 | 24.69 ft |
| 25 | August 15, 1995 | 24.53 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 26, 2026: 19.01 ft
- June 18, 2025: 15.03 ft
- June 8, 2025: 18.69 ft
- June 4, 2025: 28.80 ft
- November 3, 2024: 20.09 ft
- July 5, 2023: 10.13 ft
- May 27, 2022: 23.10 ft
- May 5, 2022: 24.22 ft
- June 26, 2021: 23.20 ft
- May 16, 2020: 23.82 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.