Cowskin Creek at Wichita 119th St, KS
River level and flood forecast · Sedgwick County
Normal6.7 ftas of Mon 3:30 PM
The river is 11.3 ft below flood stage (18 ft).
Flow: 1 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 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 22 ft |
| Flood stage | 18 ft |
| Action stage | 16 ft |
| Record crest (October 31, 1998) | 22 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 24 ftMajor flooding of homes and businesses is likely along the path of the creek. This would especially be true to homes around 119th St to south of 13th St and then around Central mainly to the west of Maize Rd. Expect widespread road closures across northwest Wichita. Water from the Cowskin Creek may backup into Calfskin and Dry Creeks and cause additional flooding of residences along these creeks.
- 22 ftWater levels will be encroacing on area residential structures and many roads will likely be closed across northwest Wichita. Water from Calfskin and Dry Creeks could backup into residential yards and some structures may be flooded at their lowest levels. Businesses west of Maize Road, to the north and south of Central, will likely take on water.
- 20 ftFlood waters of about 2 feet in depth cover sections of Maize Road just to the south of Central. Flood waters flow over 13th Street in the low water spot about a half mile west of 119th Street. Expect road closures. The few houses on the north side of 21st Street, along the east bank of the creek may see flood waters encroach near their homes.
- 18 ftFlood waters backup into residential yards southeast of river gage site along Lost Creek Circle and southeast of Central and Karren Streets. Flood waters begin to creep over 13th street in the low water spot about a half mile west of 119th Street. Expect typical flooding of low water crossings and low cropland areas as well as fields near the creek.
- 15 ftMany sections along the creek will see minor bank overflows.
- 13.5 ftMinor bank overflows occur further downstream near Kellogg Road area.
Highest crests on record
- 22 ft — October 31, 1998
- 20.77 ft — April 27, 2009
- 20.72 ft — September 13, 2008
- 20.13 ft — October 9, 2003
- 20.12 ft — June 18, 2025
Recent crests: 19.89 ft (June 26, 2026) · 20.12 ft (June 18, 2025) · 18.47 ft (June 7, 2025) · 19.21 ft (June 4, 2025) · 16.48 ft (November 3, 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 (COWK1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.