Smoky Hill River at Ellsworth, KS
River level and flood forecast · Ellsworth County
Normal2.1 ftas of Mon 3:30 PM
The river is 17.9 ft below flood stage (20 ft).
Flow: 111 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 | 27 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 24 ft |
| Flood stage | 20 ft |
| Action stage | 18 ft |
| Record crest (July 22, 1993) | 30.07 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 27 ftMajor and widespread flooding is anticipated. The left bank begins to overflow into the city of Ellsworth.
- 24 ftExtensive flooding of low-lying areas and roads around the area will be impacted including Highway 14. The bridge on Highway 14 becomes flooded along with some homes around the area.
- 23 ftThe road 100 feet south of the Highway 14 Bridge will become inundated with about 1 ft depth of water.
- 21 ftAbout 100 feet south of the Highway 14 Bridge the road becomes flooded.
- 20 ftSome flooding of low-lying areas, bottom land and roads near the gage site can be expected. The Highway 14 Bridge is closed to southbound traffic at the gage site.
- 18 ftOverflows occur on the right bank near the gage site on Highway 14 in the southwest side of town. The bridge at the gage site is closed to southbound traffic.
- 17 ftMinor rural overflows begin at this level.
Highest crests on record
- 30.07 ft — July 22, 1993
- 27.2 ft — June 1, 1938
- 25.7 ft — August 13, 1927
- 25.57 ft — July 23, 1993
- 24.85 ft — July 26, 1990
Recent crests: 13.1 ft (September 21, 2025) · 18.5 ft (May 20, 2024) · 4.76 ft (July 1, 2023) · 11.66 ft (June 6, 2022) · 14.68 ft (May 27, 2021)
Up and down the river, and nearby
Not an official source. River levels, forecasts, flood stages and impacts are from the National Weather Service (ELWK1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.