Saline River (KS) near Wakeeney, KS

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

What floods at each level

From the National Weather Service, highest first.

• 32.5 ftHighway 283 bridge floods.
• 32 ftLeft band at Hwy 283 bridge overflows.
• 30 ftRight bank at Hwy 283 bridge overflows.
• 24 ftFloodwaters will cover many sections along B and C Roads along the Saline River. Expect road closures with some bridges destroyed. These roads will be washed out with tree debris along roads and in adjacent fields. Floodwaters may rise as high as 3 to 4 feet on roads and higher in fields. The river may expand to 100 to 400 feet wide in some locations.
• 19 ftPrepare for near-record flooding of 6 feet or more along the Saline River lowlands in northern Trego and Ellis Counties as the river moves well out of its channel onto the floodplain.
• 17 ftExpect major flooding of 4 feet or more along the Saline River lowlands in northern Trego and Ellis Counties. Some roads along the Saline River will be impassable. Basement flooding may occur in some houses along the Saline River in these counties.
• 15 ftExpect moderate lowland flooding along the Saline River throughout northern Trego and Ellis Counties. Flood depths may reach 2 feet or more as the river nears its crest. Some roads and bridge approaches near the river will be impassable.
• 13 ftExpect minor flooding of farmland and pastureland adjacent to the saline river in northern Trego and Ellis Counties.

Highest crests on record

1. 23.91 ft — May 29, 2018
2. 19.4 ft — June 17, 1957
3. 18.95 ft — July 2, 1962
4. 17.72 ft — August 18, 1961
5. 17.2 ft — May 30, 1956

Recent crests: 12.62 ft (August 25, 2019) · 23.91 ft (May 29, 2018) · 14.81 ft (October 3, 2017) · 15.53 ft (May 24, 2016) · 10.41 ft (June 14, 2007)

Up and down the river, and nearby

• DownstreamSaline River (KS) near Russell, KS
• Big Creek near Ellis, KS
• Hackberry Creek near Trego Center 9WSW, KS
• Smoky Hill River near Arnold, KS
• S F Solomon River above Webster Reservoir, KS
• Big Creek near Hays, KS
• Smoky Hill River above Schoenchen, KS
• Smoky Hill River below Schoenchen, KS
• Bow Creek near Stockton, KS