Cow Creek above Hutchinson, KS
River level and flood forecast · Reno County
Normal1.5 ftas of Mon 2:15 PM
The river is 8.0 ft below flood stage (9.5 ft).
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 | 12.5 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 10.5 ft |
| Flood stage | 9.5 ft |
| Action stage | 7.5 ft |
| Record crest (October 11, 2018) | 12.87 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 13 ftExpect widespread flooding in the area northwest of Hutchinson. In this area residents may see 3 to 7 feet of water. Homes in the area northwest of Pennington from 43rd Ave in Reno County to Ave W in Rice County may flood. Willowbrook entrance on Wilson Road is only accessible from the south. Areas around the Kansas Bible Camp on 56th Avenue will flood. Flood waters begin to affect the road 500 ft east of the 82nd Avenue creek bridge. The 2 homes on the north side of the road in this area will flood.
- 12.5 ftExpect widespread flooding in the area northwest of Hutchinson. In this area, residents may see 3 to 7 feet of water. Homes in the area northwest of Pennington from 43rd Ave in Reno County to Ave W in Rice County may flood. Willowbrook entrance on Wilson Road is only accessible from the south. Areas around the Kansas Bible Camp on 56th Avenue will flood.
- 11.5 ftOn 82nd Avenue the road floods between Wilson Road and Pennington Road.
- 10.8 ftThe road floods at the intersection of 56th Ave and Pennington Rd. Wilson Road takes on water between 82nd Ave to 95th Ave.
- 10.5 ftThere are numerous road closures northwest of Hutchinson due to high water. Low water crossing on 43rd Street just east of Pennington floods. Expect road closure on 43rd Street between Pennington to Hendricks roads. Also 69th Street floods between Wilson to Pennington roads. Then 50th Street floods between Wilson and Pennington roads. Flooding occurs along Pennington Road from Nickerson Blvd to 50th Avenue.
- 10 ftThe low water crossing on Wilson Rd between 69th Ave to 82nd Ave floods. Expect water depth near 4 inches to a width of 5 feet.
- 9.5 ftFields and cropland along the creek floods. Sections of Sallee Rd floods between 82nd Ave to 108th Ave. Also 95th Ave floods between Dean and Sallee Roads. Expect road closures.
- 9 ftWater crosses 95th Avenue in a small section, between Dean and Sallee Roads. Water spreads over low spots across cropland or fields. More sections of the banks will overflow.
- 8.6 ftThe creek overflows its banks in a few sections and stands in low spots in fields and ditches along roadway near 85th Ave. A few low water crossings along Sallee just north and south of 95th Ave as well as west of Sallee on 95th Ave will see a few inches of water standing on roadway.
Highest crests on record
- 12.87 ft — October 11, 2018
- 12.81 ft — May 8, 2007
- 12.47 ft — August 7, 2013
- 12.38 ft — May 10, 2019
- 12.22 ft — May 26, 2007
Recent crests: 9.72 ft (June 24, 2026) · 7.65 ft (June 12, 2026) · 10.94 ft (September 12, 2025) · 8.84 ft (August 31, 2025) · 10.05 ft (August 13, 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 (HTCK1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.