Walnut River at Arkansas City, KS
River level and flood forecast · Cowley County
Normal3.0 ftas of Mon 1:15 PM
The river is 15.0 ft below flood stage (18 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 | 28 ft |
| Moderate flood stage | 22 ft |
| Flood stage | 18 ft |
| Action stage | 16 ft |
| Record crest (November 3, 1998) | 32.45 ft |
What floods at each level
From the National Weather Service, highest first.
- 40 ftWater begins to overtop the levee system that protects the city on the east side from the Walnut River.
- 27 ftExpect road closure on Highway 166 east of the by-pass to the Walnut River Bridge due to water over roadway east of the levee toward the bridge.
- 26 ftWater begins to flow across the west bound lane of Highway 166 east of the levee.
- 24 ftThe last C Street Canal gate is closed at Highway 77 at Walnut River Levee.
- 23 ftTwo C street Canal gates are closed at the Highway 77 at Walnut River Levee.
- 20 ftConsiderable flooding of farmland is expected. Widespread flooding of the park just upstream of the gage site is anticipated. East Chestnut Avenue east of By-pass is closed due to water over roadway. Greens Farm Road floods between Highway 166 north to Dunbar Hill.
- 18 ftConsiderable flooding of farmland can be expected. There is considerable flooding upstream along the west bank of the Walnut River. On the east bank, the ground slopes upward so that only about a 300 foot wide strip of land would be affected.
- 14 ftThe city starts closing storm water flood gates which include the Mill Canal gates and pumps.
Highest crests on record
- 32.45 ft — November 3, 1998
- 29.22 ft — June 11, 1995
- 28.52 ft — May 9, 2019
- 28.43 ft — June 10, 1923
- 28.21 ft — April 24, 1944
Recent crests: 21.84 ft (June 28, 2026) · 18.59 ft (June 21, 2026) · 18.38 ft (June 18, 2025) · 18.25 ft (June 6, 2025) · 11.84 ft (November 4, 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 (ARKK1); flow from the U.S. Geological Survey. Readings are provisional. In a flood, follow your local officials and the NWS at weather.gov.