Cow Creek (KS) at Lyons, KS
River level and flood forecast · Rice County
Normal3.5 ftas of Mon 2:30 PM
The river is 14.5 ft below flood stage (18 ft).
Flow: 2 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 | 24.7 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 22 ft |
| Flood stage | 18 ft |
| Action stage | 16 ft |
| Record crest (July 11, 1929) | 22.75 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 25 ftMajor and widespread flooding south of Lyons occurs. The gage site and surrounding area may be entirely under water. Expect flooding of the Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks and the county roads in this area.
- 24.7 ftWidespread flooding of agricultural land and some county roads can be expected. The railroad bridge where the gage is located just 1 mile southeast of Avenue O and K96, will begin to flood. The railroad bridge may cause some restriction of flow of the Cow Creek and cause water to back up into the lands upstream in the vicinity of Highway 14.
- 22 ftExtensive flooding of low-lying areas and bottom land will occur. The Missouri Pacific Railroad tracks flood near Lyons.
- 20 ftThe few residentail homes along Highway 14 just south of Avenue O may take on 2 ft of water. Some low spots on Highway 14 may become flooded.
- 18.8 ftThe county road that is 1000 feet south of gaging site along the right bank begins to flood.
- 18.5 ftFlooding begins around the highway 14 river bridge, located just south of Avenu O. Or 0.7 miles upstream from the gage site.
- 18 ftSome flooding of low-lying areas and bottom land agricultural areas occurs, especially along the right bank. Possible flooding of county roads 6 miles southeast of Lyons may take place on sections of 20th Road and on 22nd Road.
- 17.5 ftPossible flooding of low-lying roads 6 miles southeast of Lyons along county roads affecting 20th Road between Avenue R and Avenue S and on 22nd Road between Avenue Q and Avenue V. Expect possible road closures at these sites. Flooding depends on other surrounding tributary creeks running full.
- 17 ftThe banks begin to overflow at the gage site. Some minor flooding of lowland agricultural areas is likely and some blacktop county roads southeast of Lyons will take on areas of water to a depth less than 10 inches.
- 15 ftThe right bank begins to overflow but is only in low areas near the gage. Some minor flooding of lowland agricultural areas is likely.
- 14.5 ftOverflows occur and flow through culverts that are located both north and south of the gage.
Highest crests on record
- 22.75 ft — July 11, 1929
- 20.49 ft — October 20, 1941
- 20.38 ft — September 26, 1973
- 20.35 ft — May 7, 2007
- 19.95 ft — August 1, 1950
Recent crests: 15.41 ft (June 23, 2026) · 17.77 ft (September 9, 2025) · 17.73 ft (July 25, 2025) · 14.88 ft (June 18, 2025) · 14.92 ft (August 15, 2024)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (LYNK1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.