Rivers in Kansas
South Fork Ninnescah River at Pratt
Below flood stage
2.69ftStage
Observed Tue, Sep 22, 1:00 AM CDT
- Flood stage
- 9.00 ft
- Record crest
- 14.44 ft2018
Flood stages and impacts
| Category | Stage |
|---|---|
| Major flood | 13.00 ft |
| Moderate flood | 11.00 ft |
| Minor flood | 9.00 ft |
| Action | 7.00 ft |
- 13.00 ftHighway 281 in the south part of Pratt becomes flooded. Lemon Park becomes inundated with swiftly flowing flood waters. Pedestrian bridges and ball fields become inundated. Flood waters cover the Green Nature Trail and impact the Kansas Department of Wildlife headquarters building and facilities located on the southeast side of Pratt. Veterans Memorial Lake takes on the Ninnescah River flood waters to the point that camping areas and fishing piers are completely inundated.
- 11.00 ftFlood waters cover numerous county roads from the vicinity of Pratt to the Pratt and Kingman county line. Expect road closures.
- 9.00 ftExpect overflow of banks. Stream overflows narrowly on the left bank and more broadly on the right bank. Stream is approximately 260 ft wide at this stage.
Flood outlook
Chance of flooding, September to November
| Category | Chance |
|---|---|
| Minor flooding | 8% |
| Moderate flooding | 6% |
| Major flooding | Under 5% |
The three-month chances are the River Forecast Centers’ long-range flood outlook, issued September 21, 2026.
Crest history
30 crests on NOAA’s list since 1981.
| # | Date | Stage |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | September 3, 2018 | 14.44 ft |
| 2 | July 4, 1987 | 11.54 ft |
| 3 | July 20, 1997 | 11.12 ft |
| 4 | May 8, 2019 | 11.08 ft |
| 5 | August 3, 1996 | 10.94 ft |
| 6 | May 27, 1995 | 10.34 ft |
| 7 | March 23, 2000 | 10.22 ft |
| 8 | October 10, 2018 | 10.06 ft |
| 9 | April 30, 1985 | 10.03 ft |
| 10 | July 19, 1988 | 9.89 ft |
| 11 | June 26, 2026 | 9.51 ft |
| 12 | May 22, 1989 | 9.48 ft |
| 13 | August 24, 2010 | 9.46 ft |
| 14 | September 25, 2019 | 9.45 ft |
| 15 | August 17, 2010 | 9.33 ft |
| 16 | October 4, 2002 | 9.14 ft |
| 17 | October 10, 1985 | 8.33 ft |
| 18 | October 24, 2000 | 7.98 ft |
| 19 | June 13, 1984 | 7.80 ft |
| 20 | September 23, 2025 | 7.44 ft |
| 21 | June 14, 1992 | 6.81 ft |
| 22 | May 16, 1982 | 6.70 ft |
| 23 | May 30, 1981 | 6.64 ft |
| 24 | May 9, 2006 | 6.29 ft |
| 25 | May 20, 2011 | 6.29 ft |
Most recent crests
- June 26, 2026: 9.51 ft
- September 23, 2025: 7.44 ft
- September 25, 2019: 9.45 ft
- May 8, 2019: 11.08 ft
- October 10, 2018: 10.06 ft
- September 3, 2018: 14.44 ft
- May 20, 2011: 6.29 ft
- August 24, 2010: 9.46 ft
- August 17, 2010: 9.33 ft
- May 9, 2006: 6.29 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. 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.