Elkhorn River at Waterloo
Observed Fri, Oct 2, 3:15 PM CDT
- Flood stage
- 14.00 ft
- Record crest
- 24.68 ft2019
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 21.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 18.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 14.00 ft |
| Action | 12.00 ft |
- 29.00 ftWater nears the top of the federal levee.
- 18.00 ftThe state highway approaches from Highway 36 north to Highway 30 and Highway 91 will be threatened.
- 17.00 ftKing Lake just upstream of Waterloo is threatened.
- 15.00 ftBetween Highway 36 and Waterloo some roads near the river may be closed.
- 14.00 ftAlong this stretch of the river low-lying flooding is ongoing or close to starting.
- 12.50 ftWater begins to impact the Elkhorn Crossing campground near 252nd Street and Bennington Road.
- 8.00 ftThe City of Waterloo closes flood gates.
- 4.00 ftAt this level the Papio NRD closes the following river access sites: Elkhorn Crossing, near West Maple Road, near West Dodge Road, and West Center Road.
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
87 crests on NOAA’s list since 1929.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | March 16, 2019 | 24.68 ft |
| 2 | March 29, 1962 | 19.12 ft |
| 3 | April 2, 1960 | 19.11 ft |
| 4 | June 14, 2010 | 18.77 ft |
| 5 | February 22, 1971 | 18.22 ft |
| 6 | June 18, 1984 | 18.12 ft |
| 7 | June 16, 1967 | 17.80 ft |
| 8 | March 21, 1978 | 17.44 ft |
| 9 | June 19, 1990 | 17.30 ft |
| 10 | June 7, 1940 | 17.05 ft |
| 11 | August 7, 1996 | 16.53 ft |
| 12 | March 1, 1965 | 16.30 ft |
| 13 | May 31, 2008 | 16.15 ft |
| 14 | March 11, 1993 | 15.76 ft |
| 15 | February 11, 1966 | 15.35 ft |
| 16 | August 1, 1958 | 15.19 ft |
| 17 | February 21, 1982 | 14.68 ft |
| 18 | March 8, 1936 | 14.23 ft |
| 19 | June 27, 2018 | 13.90 ft |
| 20 | August 8, 1999 | 13.89 ft |
| 21 | September 6, 1998 | 13.56 ft |
| 22 | June 6, 1991 | 13.41 ft |
| 23 | June 22, 1954 | 13.38 ft |
| 24 | May 12, 1930 | 13.30 ft |
| 25 | June 17, 1964 | 13.27 ft |
Most recent crests
- July 12, 2025: 7.58 ft
- May 21, 2024: 10.14 ft
- February 28, 2023: 6.40 ft
- February 14, 2022: 4.98 ft
- September 1, 2021: 6.77 ft
- January 23, 2020: 7.33 ft
- March 16, 2019: 24.68 ft
- June 27, 2018: 13.90 ft
- October 7, 2017: 10.17 ft
- June 19, 2016: 12.91 ft
Nearby
Upstream, downstream and the gauges around this one.
- UpstreamElkhorn River at Winslow
- West Papillion Creek at Elkhorn
- Platte River at Leshara
- West Papillion Creek at Pacific Street at Omaha
- Platte River at Venice
- Big Papillion Creek at Bennington
- Lake Zorinsky at Lake Zorinsky
- Standing Bear Lake and Dam at Standing Bear Lake and Dam
- South Papillion Creek at Gretna
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 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.
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.