Arkansas River at Arkansas City, KS
River level and flood forecast · Cowley County
Normal3.5 ftas of Mon 3 PM
The river is 7.5 ft below flood stage (11 ft).
Flow: 688 cubic feet per second (USGS).
The last 7 days and the forecast
NWS forecast issued Sun, Dec 31, 6 PM. Forecasts change as rain falls and as upstream water arrives.
Flood stages
| Major flood stage | 21 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 17 ft |
| Flood stage | 11 ft |
| Action stage | 9 ft |
| Record crest (May 9, 2019) | 20.91 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 35 ftWater begins to overtop the levee.
- 27 ftPreparations are made to install Stop logs at Highway 77 on Summit Street Bridge at the levee.
- 21 ftPreperations are made to close West 166 Highway. Stop-logs are installed on West Madison Avenue at the levee.
- 14 ftThe Water Plant takes precautions on water well pump houses west of the Arkansas River.
- 11 ftFlooding of agricultural lands can be expected with bank overflows on west side of river. West Chestnut Avenue west of the river floods, expect road closure.
- 10 ftThe river is at the top of its banks.
- 8 ftThe city begins to check and start closing storm water flood gates.
Highest crests on record
- 20.91 ft — May 9, 2019
- 20.48 ft — May 28, 2019
- 20.22 ft — May 24, 2019
- 19.19 ft — September 11, 2016
- 17.79 ft — June 28, 2026
Recent crests: 17.79 ft (June 28, 2026) · 14.59 ft (June 23, 2026) · 14.95 ft (June 22, 2026) · 16.6 ft (June 19, 2025) · 16.2 ft (June 18, 2025)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (ARCK1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.